Make an OLD table like NEW!

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoktiACefHNsrShwmps7i9f8iPvdUVobQu2_LM8ka_lCpr266d_eu9c_DkkX53LgZjqrMKT-aTurWuu7HFIpZ11KM5gna82i_9E2w-sQPTxHYuo0UZ7Hs_9EbaZTGpLeUPZXARpcx6juY/s1600/black+kitchen+table1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="paint a kitchen table, polyshades, how to paint a kitchen table, kitchen decor, painting, kitchens" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoktiACefHNsrShwmps7i9f8iPvdUVobQu2_LM8ka_lCpr266d_eu9c_DkkX53LgZjqrMKT-aTurWuu7HFIpZ11KM5gna82i_9E2w-sQPTxHYuo0UZ7Hs_9EbaZTGpLeUPZXARpcx6juY/s1600/black+kitchen+table1.jpg" title="" width="212" /></a></div><br />Hello there! What have you been up to this past week?<br /><br />I've been pretty busy. The weather has been so nice, and I was finally able to get outside. Yessss! No more secretly using spray paint in the basement!<br /><br />This pedestal table was the first thing on my "nice weather to-do list".  Look at that top. Um, Ew.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4UAjWgmxFQgPsxaw3_BMYTEz4aM4f2DUWHk3IX12dLJg9Dj8uTpNxH89N4AMWWtyefK4TNv7DKGixJAivYyseQSDJyyC2hyBvf1irpxkgkX28OgCp8Raw2wA6AcBDOqTfqteZtrftHX4/s1600/painting+kitchen+table1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="paint a kitchen table, polyshades, how to paint a kitchen table, kitchen decor, painting, kitchens" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4UAjWgmxFQgPsxaw3_BMYTEz4aM4f2DUWHk3IX12dLJg9Dj8uTpNxH89N4AMWWtyefK4TNv7DKGixJAivYyseQSDJyyC2hyBvf1irpxkgkX28OgCp8Raw2wA6AcBDOqTfqteZtrftHX4/s1600/painting+kitchen+table1.jpg" title="" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Despite it's current state, it's been in our family for ages. I grew up eating dinner at this table. I have so many memories of sitting around that table...<br /><br /><i>Julie, eat your dinner,</i><br /><i>Julie, stop laughing at the table, </i><br /><i>Julie, stop throwing peas at your sister, </i><br /><i>Julie, where were you last night, </i><br /><i>Julie, you're grounded for the next twelve years...</i> <br /><br />Ahhhh. Good times.<br /><br />My parents eventually handed the table down to me, (no doubt wishing those memories would go away). Over the years, I managed to destroy the top of the table.<br /><br />Well, in my defense, I had a little help from these guys:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-BES4XrQ_rDQy-Dk8FycmfniSwsvgPPcbZXeFwpWywexhzjj5uDZtMMtTGyVSyynnXQJ3900UUwwzlGzwEgVRKSKzMakPRZsoyS6w_gdBJTyAzmPV6fGIHDaQPB_zqn_IsydPF0Yd6qQ/s1600/jekyll+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-BES4XrQ_rDQy-Dk8FycmfniSwsvgPPcbZXeFwpWywexhzjj5uDZtMMtTGyVSyynnXQJ3900UUwwzlGzwEgVRKSKzMakPRZsoyS6w_gdBJTyAzmPV6fGIHDaQPB_zqn_IsydPF0Yd6qQ/s1600/jekyll+2014.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(They look nice, but they're like the terminator team. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">We should re-name the little one Wreck it Ralph.)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The table top has been hammered, scratched, glued, and even had pumpkins rot on it. I've wanted to re-finish it forever. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I decided to paint the top and leave the rest of the table in its original color. I went with black to match my kitchen island, which has black cabinets. Also because I simply love the look of black table tops with the natural base. Love.<br /><br />My original plan was to prime the top, and then paint it, and then polyurethane the heck out of it.  I looked around at all of the paints offered by The Home Depot, and while in "The Home Depot Vortex", I ran into Polyshades by Minwax ~ and took a gamble.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000QUAGIU/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000QUAGIU&linkCode=as2&tag=fymoho-20&linkId=XEQCZGS4R5M4YQSF" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B000QUAGIU&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=fymoho-20" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>The directions said that you do not need to prime OR sand because the "stain" would adhere to anything. However <i>MY </i>table surface had been so damaged over the years I wanted to start with a clean slate. So I sanded down to the unfinished wood.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4UAjWgmxFQgPsxaw3_BMYTEz4aM4f2DUWHk3IX12dLJg9Dj8uTpNxH89N4AMWWtyefK4TNv7DKGixJAivYyseQSDJyyC2hyBvf1irpxkgkX28OgCp8Raw2wA6AcBDOqTfqteZtrftHX4/s1600/painting+kitchen+table1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="paint a kitchen table, polyshades, how to paint a kitchen table, kitchen decor, painting, kitchens" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4UAjWgmxFQgPsxaw3_BMYTEz4aM4f2DUWHk3IX12dLJg9Dj8uTpNxH89N4AMWWtyefK4TNv7DKGixJAivYyseQSDJyyC2hyBvf1irpxkgkX28OgCp8Raw2wA6AcBDOqTfqteZtrftHX4/s1600/painting+kitchen+table1.jpg" title="" width="213" /></a></div><br />I started with 80 grit sandpaper and worked my way to 120 for a smooth finish. This took me about an hour.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=fymoho-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000QUAGIU" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0MuPk3eKbX-UpHpOfni90irJU33fGK81n7XquzsNt0YXAL2gPg7n_5POF7ggTy7hkJzS73yi6GTV4F5H7CIRX_LE3cLFtuVaurXpO1v58WZsY6PQP3EFrJPE3-orIhJC2IUtvtub1aiM/s1600/painting+kitchen+table+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="paint a kitchen table, polyshades, how to paint a kitchen table, kitchen decor, painting, kitchens" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0MuPk3eKbX-UpHpOfni90irJU33fGK81n7XquzsNt0YXAL2gPg7n_5POF7ggTy7hkJzS73yi6GTV4F5H7CIRX_LE3cLFtuVaurXpO1v58WZsY6PQP3EFrJPE3-orIhJC2IUtvtub1aiM/s1600/painting+kitchen+table+2.jpg" title="" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>The table still had a few dings and divots, but it was smooth. I taped off the edge of the table. (After all was said and done, I changed my mind, and ended up painting that edge.)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo39vg4I6r_Jap9lzQHnD-faiiyr-uTEH7GDJyKphttx4HvrhExQYLTMzTwFJYIGvwCUCwOJckZIAAAAbBWAChGyvzlkN-iBPAnEJG4J5MNP4ZIW57mcRqEy3873gWjruSozNS2_cpWpk/s1600/painting+kitchen+table+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="paint a kitchen table, polyshades, how to paint a kitchen table, kitchen decor, painting, kitchens" border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo39vg4I6r_Jap9lzQHnD-faiiyr-uTEH7GDJyKphttx4HvrhExQYLTMzTwFJYIGvwCUCwOJckZIAAAAbBWAChGyvzlkN-iBPAnEJG4J5MNP4ZIW57mcRqEy3873gWjruSozNS2_cpWpk/s1600/painting+kitchen+table+3.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a></div><br />After one coat with the Polyshades, this is what it looked like. Very streaky. I was beginning to question my choice of Polyshades. BUT...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRUNuL9r61RMyRtbdSh1X6nTPFZUT6dSKYwXjVc1wQCvQXqfTNu7xpJEKEfYGAayKuCZiEoWagI6R6BfDEoZq_8l8DX9Y5LSFmo7F3QGsGknRKiHb5KdHxvmA_t0xV3U1n4pPOdE_V4zU/s1600/painting+kitchen+table+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="paint a kitchen table, polyshades, how to paint a kitchen table, kitchen decor, painting, kitchens" border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRUNuL9r61RMyRtbdSh1X6nTPFZUT6dSKYwXjVc1wQCvQXqfTNu7xpJEKEfYGAayKuCZiEoWagI6R6BfDEoZq_8l8DX9Y5LSFmo7F3QGsGknRKiHb5KdHxvmA_t0xV3U1n4pPOdE_V4zU/s1600/painting+kitchen+table+4.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>After the second coat the table looked awesome, with a solid black finish. (However, being the kitchen table, I used two more coats and I had a very glossy finish. Perfect for the kitchen, and high use.)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1fIYk0jhTpabre5CA1X7kOzRA4_bSqvgKbyMAbjjhyphenhyphenYF9HMnASgJjL5W3uoX4ulbeI1sQ3e7GRxN_ZrzVWGej8dQSlK_j04L4VKRgQA5Dz3ArBR_5JAJRKwfcM-R4fWZCOK4WnumbDiY/s1600/black+kitchen+table+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="paint a kitchen table, polyshades, how to paint a kitchen table, kitchen decor, painting, kitchens" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1fIYk0jhTpabre5CA1X7kOzRA4_bSqvgKbyMAbjjhyphenhyphenYF9HMnASgJjL5W3uoX4ulbeI1sQ3e7GRxN_ZrzVWGej8dQSlK_j04L4VKRgQA5Dz3ArBR_5JAJRKwfcM-R4fWZCOK4WnumbDiY/s1600/black+kitchen+table+2.jpg" title="" width="213" /></a></div><br />Using the Polyshades it took me two days to paint four coats. Part of the delay was a rainy day...<br /><br />A note about the Polyshades <i>(I'm not being paid to review Polyshades or any fun stuff like that)</i> ~ I am in love. However, Polyshades has mixed reviews on Amazon. Criticism seems to be from people complaining that this is not a stain and that it doesn't apply like a stain. However, I bought it as a poly - with color it it. It applies like a polyurethane, but is the color of paint. It leaves a high gloss finish and was perfect for a kitchen table. I'm so glad I tried it. If you have a table or chairs, that don't need a ton of sanding, it saves using primer.  I'm totally using the Polyshades to repaint my black front porch rocking chairs.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="color: red;">Don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter! (Above) </span></b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: red;">If you would like to join in some fun link parties, head on over <a href="http://happyhouseandhome.blogspot.com/p/link-parties_11.html">HERE</a></span></i></div>

Make an OLD table like NEW!

Hello there! What have you been up to this past week? I've been pretty busy. The weather has been so nice, and I was finally able to get...

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Pallets

We're having a little ongoing argument here. It's over pallets. We haven't come to blows over it or anything, but today I decided to finally put this baby to bed. Big A is just going to have to see things my way, and everything will be fine. They don't say "a happy wife, is a happy life" for nothin!<br/><br/>Now I think it's awesome that people are using pallet wood to create book shelves, or wall art, or chairs. I yell "Stop the truck!" when I see pallets by the side of the road.  But Big A thinks pallet wood is crappy wood and simply can't see why I would want it in our home. Despite my protests, he hits the accelerator and guns it on by, leaving the perfectly good, and free, wood sitting by the road.<br/><br/>Clearly he doesn't share my vision, or spend enough time drooling over all of the creative blogs, DIY magazines, or Pinterest. So I'm posting these pictures for him, hopeful that he will change his mind.<br/><br/>These pallet shelves would be perfect in our living room. I would want to stain them a dark color because I think that would look nice with the colors in our house. I can also see using them in the bathroom to hold lotions and potions. <img alt="Pinned Image" id="pinCloseupImage" src="http://media-cache-ec6.pinterest.com/550x/c2/5d/0e/c25d0e58166c45d729449d4db94a362e.jpg" /><br/>from dumpaday.com<br/><br/>Or maybe something like this to hold photos, books or small house plants.<br/><img alt="Pinned Image" id="pinCloseupImage" src="http://media-cache-ec6.pinterest.com/550x/06/1d/20/061d2032e42480e3212e018ff4c4361e.jpg" /><br/>from <a href="http://amandacarverdesigns.com/?p=1446" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">amandacarverdesigns.com</a><br/><br/>Imagine something like this in the kitchen holding olive oil or cool vintage bottles. (No, not cans of Monster.)<img alt="Pinned Image" id="pinCloseupImage" src="http://media-cache-ec1.pinterest.com/550x/b1/f8/cb/b1f8cb5917798543f10a5cc7caf20403.jpg" /><br/>from dumpaday.com<br/><br/>And I love pallet wood as wall art.  This is gorgeous!<br/><img alt="Pinned Image" id="pinCloseupImage" src="http://media-cache-ec1.pinterest.com/550x/c2/d9/65/c2d965952b8e5835e8e2e5e383d0350a.jpg" /><br/>from <a href="http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com">http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com</a><br/><br/>And I like this too. (Cuz I love you too).<br/><img alt="Pinned Image" id="pinCloseupImage" src="http://media-cache-ec7.pinterest.com/550x/1b/30/26/1b3026529662df1066e3c058d1df67c2.jpg" /><br/>from <a href="http://www.adorbymelissa.com/">http://www.adorbymelissa.com/</a><br/><br/>And this made me think of you darlin' - isn't this funny and cute?<br/><img alt="Pinned Image" id="pinCloseupImage" src="http://media-cache-lt0.pinterest.com/550x/9d/1e/af/9d1eaf3c1ec17645d5abf95a70fc959b.jpg" /><br/>from <a href="http://loveurspace.blogspot.com/">http://loveurspace.blogspot.com/</a><br/><br/>People even write books on pallets:<br/><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1565235444/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1565235444&linkCode=as2&tag=fymoho-20">Wood Pallet Projects: Cool and Easy-to-Make Projects for the Home and Garden</a><br/><br/>So, waddaya think? Will you stop the truck next time?<br/><br/><img alt="Pinned Image" class="aligncenter" id="pinCloseupImage" src="http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/550x/7f/d3/1b/7fd31b0edd760a6dd112f03757c975c0.jpg" /><br/><p style="text-align: center;"> Everybody happy, happy, happy.  -Phil Roberstson</p><br/> 

Pallets

We're having a little ongoing argument here. It's over pallets. We haven't come to blows over it or anything, but today I decide...

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Free Project #2

With help from a little freckled person, I finished the second "free" project.  I had two mirrors, which were bought years ago on EBay.  They were from an old dressing table, and the mirror itself was somewhat scratched to begin with. So I figured they were the perfect guinea pigs for this project.<br /><br />First, I cleaned the mirrors with Windex. I debated on whether to paint the frames, but that may have to wait for another day, as my assistant was anxious to help with the sticker part of the project, and, it was getting dangerously close to nap-time. So I decided to keep the wood frames as is.<br /><br />I had a pack of stick on letters, which I originally got at AC Moore. You can get them anywhere, including Home Depot, Lowe's, Michael's, etc, and they come in all sorts of sizes and fonts.<br /><br />I picked out a phrase and placed the vinyl letters on the mirror. I'm pretty sure more organized people would recommend you measure and align the letters "just so".  However, I like to live on the edge.  I just slapped them on the mirror and hoped for the best.<br /><br />I taped off the edges of the mirror frame like this, so that I didn't get any paint on the frame itself, and painted the mirror with Satin White Paint. All the while my helper, insisted on guiding my hand while taping and painting - this was very helpful indeed.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/mirror-003.jpg"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-758" height="225" src="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/mirror-003-300x225.jpg" title="mirror 003" width="300" /></a> Paint over stick on letters <br /><br />After a 2 hour nap for my trusty side-kick, the paint felt dry. My much refreshed assistant happily removed the letters. All the while I calmly reminded him "pull gently" and "not too fast" and "steady does it". He interpreted this as "rip as hard, and fast as possible, like ripping off a band aid"...<br /><a href="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/mirror-0061.jpg"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-761" height="225" src="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/mirror-0061-300x225.jpg" title="mirror 006" width="300" /></a> Always have a competent assistant<br /><br /><br />Fortunately, it seems there was a method to his madness, because the letters came right off, and there were only a few tiny spots of paint that had bled under the letters, which I scraped off with a sharp knife. And, that is project number 2 completed.<br /><br />I hung them in our little kitchen nook, and they look pretty cute.<br /><br />For which I am happy.  :-)<br /><br />]<a href="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/mirror-011.jpg"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-762" height="300" src="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/mirror-011-225x300.jpg" title="mirror 011" width="225" /></a><br /><br />

Free Project #2

With help from a little freckled person, I finished the second "free" project.  I had two mirrors, which were bought years ago on ...

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Creating a Kitchen

<address>As I was puttering in the kitchen last night, putting together a rather large lasagna, and using every surface and pan I could manage to dirty, I got thinking about the way we built our kitchen and how it works for us.  We don't have any fancy add-ons in our kitchen, like an <em>under cabinet built-in espresso machine</em>, but I love our kitchen and how it functions for our family.</address>The placement of the stove/oven, sink and fridge were key to our new kitchen. For maximum efficiency in <em>any</em> kitchen, they should ideally be placed in a triangle formation so you can easily move between the three areas. Furthermore, consider whether you want to mount your microwave over the stove top or use a counter top model. For us, a mounted large microwave means more counter space for <del>clutter</del> food prep.<br/><br/>Speaking of food prep, we wanted a large island, not only for extra seating, and prep space, but also for the extra storage underneath.  It's usually advisable for a kitchen island to be no larger than 48" across.  It's just easier to clean it that way.  However, we wanted a lot of storage, and chose to go with 56".  Yes, it's a little harder to wipe down in the middle, but I find with the mottled counter top color we chose, you barely notice the dust.  Only joking!  (Not really though.)<br/><br/>It was important for us to have enough counter top space for every day appliances like the coffeemaker and toaster. For the appliances we use less frequently, such the mixer, sandwich maker, and blender we added a large corner cabinet to store them for easy access. In addition, we added a Lazy Susan cabinet beneath the corner cabinet unit for Tupperware, glass bowls, etc.<br/><br/>We had a pullout double trash installed. Super handy, and no free-standing trash bins in the cupboard or tucked in a corner.  We use one bin for trash and the other for bottles and cans.  <em>Or, that's in theory anyway.  Our kids seem to think the coffee table is a suitable receptacle for soda cans...</em><br/><br/>A cabinet in the island with tray dividers, is the one option that makes me most happy. Most people get happy about babies and Christmas, but I guess I like the little things.  Rather than having to crouch down to a cabinet and pull a cookie sheet out from under 12 muffin tins, 2 cutting boards, and a slew of pan lids, the divider keeps all of these things neat and tidy.<br/><br/>A couple of DEEP drawers are perfect for odd shaped tupperware, large boxes of trash bags, and miscellaneous items.  If I ever get super organized I may even make one into this snack station (picture from VTMommies):<br/><br/><a href="http://www.vtmommies.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/SnackStation.jpg"><img alt="Snack Station" height="541" src="http://www.vtmommies.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/SnackStation.jpg" title="Snack Station" width="960" /></a><br/><br/>Our large pantry also makes me giddy - not as happy as the tray divider cabinet, but pretty close.  It's a work in progress and needs some standing dividers to layer all of our dry and canned goods, dog food etc.  But it's nice having all of those dry goods in one place.  The upper shelves are particularly useful for storing the small appliances that don't get a lot of use, like our crock pots, rotisserie, lobster pots, etc.  It's also handy for <del>hiding things from the kids</del> storing special treats.<br/><br/>[caption id="attachment_569" align="aligncenter" width="284"]<a href="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/DSC_0175.jpg"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-569" height="300" src="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/DSC_0175-284x300.jpg" title="DSC_0175" width="284" /></a> Special Treats "stored" on top shelf[/caption]<br/><br/>Last but not least, good lighting adds character and function to a kitchen.  I like the kitchen bright when I'm cooking or trying to read.  But I love the option of turning down the lights when I want some ambiance, or have company over. We have pendant lighting above our island, which makes a big difference when you just want to relax and read the news (or the Dear Abby section, if I'm being totally honest).  Canned lights make it very bright over all of the counter tops for cooking and cleaning.  But one place I'm glad we didn't neglect, is task lighting underneath kitchen cabinets.  It adds light to your work surface, <em>OR</em> if you use those lights alone, it gives off a nice warm glow under the cabinets.<br/><br/>So that's it for me.  I've gotta go check my pantry hasn't been raided since writing this.  I could use a special treat right about now.<br/><br/>What do you love or hate about your kitchen?  What would you want in your dream kitchen?

Creating a Kitchen

As I was puttering in the kitchen last night, putting together a rather large lasagna, and using every surface and pan I could manage to dir...

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