JMcC's Profile

I would actually replace How to Cook Everything by Mark Bittman with The Joy of Cooking (75th anniversary edition). Maybe its just me, but i think its better in ever way: writing organization, information.
The Joy of Cooking is my Bible.

I use an app called Springpad (its available for your PC, Mac or smartphone). It automatically detects recipes on a website and saves them for me. Also I can tag them however I like, rate the recipes, and mark whether I have tried them or not. Its a really nifty little tool. Its good for other things too, but I find that's how I use it most.

I could survive on HoneyCrisp alone. And it makes them ever so much more delicious considering that they're only available in late September, early October (I wait all year for them to show up in food markets)

I think it totally depends on your lifestyle. If you have kids, don't even think about upholstered. Me personally I love the look upholstered chairs, and if you've chosen a simple enough design, you can always have the option to re-upholster them yourself if the wine stains get out of control.

How about "The Pleasures of Cooking for One" by Judith Jones. Male friendly recipes for him until you reunite and can cook together (the recipes are also easily scale-able for two).

I did a kitchen reno last year (just outside of Toronto). Replaced the appliances, cabinetry, some of the plumbing and put in a vented range hood. Total cost (including taxes, labour, all appliances, and supplies) = $12,500.
I hired a tiler to re-tile the floor ($300 for the tiles, $300 for the tiles on sale), and hired someone to install the Ikea cabinetry and drill a vent for the range hood ($1050, well worth it), and had a family friend help with plumbing (paid him but at a much lower rate; a case of beer and a coffee gift card, he wouldn't take any cash). Oh, and I had a professional install the granite counter-top ($2100). The rest of the work (painting, opening up a wall, backspalsh, appliance installation and other odds and ends was done ourselves. Our kitchen is only about 10 x 12, but we're really happy with it. We did extensive price comparisons on EVERYTHING! Oh, and there is a great store is our area called "Wise Buy" that has the best deals on appliances and home stuff (we saved a bundle there on appliances)

Go Bold with the colour! You will probably get a fairly neutral couch anyway, why not inject some personality into the accent chair? Maybe a rich plum with light grey or white piping, or go crazy and get a big and bold pattern like this one: http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/10154006.

This will make a beautiful impact especially since you said that you have a "minimal" taste sensibility. Treat the chair like an art piece, not something that should fade into the wall.