TulumChica's Profile

I like the look. Forget the practicality or not of the styling.

I second the bacon-wrapped watermelon pickles. Bake 13 - 15 minutes in a preheated 400 degree oven, until brown and crisp. Drain and serve.

I would check out a place like King Architectural Metals: http://www.kingmetals.com/home.aspx or a similar store close to you. Buy some round bar stock and flanges to fit. Have the stock cut to the length you need and drilled for screws to attach the shelves.

I am a Texan now living in Tulum, Mexico. I love the country and all the food, especially the avocado. The avocado plantations in Michoacan are amazing. In Patzcuaro one time, we bought six avocados, almost as big as grapefruits, all perfect, for about $1 US. On road trips, our favorite get-and-go food is sliced avocado, fresh corn tortillas and maybe some queso fresco.

The star anise would add a flavor similar to fennel, which is very common in Italian cooking.

I agree with heather 77 that you really need to do something about the upper cabinets not reaching the ceiling and not leaving enough space to look purposeful. If you can't rehang them, then add molding to cover the space from the cabinet to the bottom of the soffit. The walk through (to the breakfast area?) also looks awkward - it is too narrow, so I also agree with the suggestion to modify that area.
I do, however, think the medium brown tone is dated, but it is difficult to suggest a stain or paint without knowing your style and what else you have going on. To lighten things up, insert some glass panels in the upper cabinet doors, especially the one in the corner, with a light inside to highlight some pretty things.

This is sort of a variation on smellofsawdust's comment. I would paint the wall that curves into the ceiling a lighter shade of your predominant wall color, e.g. dark slate (or whatever color you like) on the short wall with the A/C and a lighter gray on the curving wall/ceiling. As for the A/C, almost anything you put over it is going to impede your air flow when it is on. A louver/shutter might work and you could direct your air flow down. Or do a removable panel like suggested above and take it off when running the unit.

In my former home, I had a pedestal dining table that was square with the four drop leaves in place, good for most days. The leaves locked under the table top with magnets. when flipped up, they locked with pull-out hardware. I could open two leaves for an oval and all four for a circle that sat 6 comfortably or 8 closely. It was perfect for my smallish dining room. I only wish I could have shipped it!

Contrary to the other comments, I would use roman shades. Mounted high enough above the door so that they stack completely out of the way. You won't lose any of your light and can freely use the door. You can make your own fabric shades if you don't want to buy them or buy woven woods. There are several sites online with reasonable prices. If you decide on curtains, I would extend the rod enough so that the curtains stack to the outside so they don't intrude on your light and easy passage through the door. Whatever you do, make them work with your other window treatments.

Beyond paint, I think your home would benefit from some rounder, more free-form landscaping, particularly a walkway (not straight) from the street to your front door. Less linear landscaping, in addition to your paint change, would update your home. A new walkway would clearly define the formal entrance, particularly since you live on a corner.