dewonangus's Profile

When a kitchen reno was not in our budget and we had white cabinets, we left the doors white and painted the cabinet frames the same colour as the kitchen walls. It broke up the amount of white and looked great.

Our old kitchen has somewhat similar to yours and we had to live with it for almost 5 years before we reno'd. I removed the wavey trim above the window (it was screwed in place and easy to remove) and the old window covering. We then bought a simple window covering that we liked. We also removed the ugly light fixture and installed a cheap fixture that we could live with for a while. We lived with our mint green walls, but in your case I think some paint would do the trick. You would be amazed at how a few simple changes will make if feel better.

It is far too busy for my eyes at any price!

If your remove the shutters as suggested already, I would trim out the windows with a 4-5 inch Smartboard. I think your biggest challenge is some great landscaping. It will make a huge difference.

Am I the only one that really doesn't like kitchen islands? I find them a nuisance - continually walking around them and when you have a house full of guests, it's even worse. I can understand the added counterspace, but ...
At least these ones are on wheels.

Used Silestone in our kitchen and master bathroom reno last year ... love it! Don't like the idea of having to seal granite and the problems with chipping, scratching, etc.

Having removed wall paper in three extensively covered homes, the best method I found was ripping as much of the top layer off as possible (no not score) and then fill a spray bottle with fabric softener and hot water and spray away. Let it soak and minute or two and then scrape away. It somes off easily ... better than the steamer which I pain too much money for. Wash the walls after with TSP and then rinse with water before you paint.

I love giraffes and have a stuffed giraffe wearing a jacket made to look like a giraffe-skin coat. I also have a faux giraffe skin throw (gift from my sis). We also have "male and female" raccoons on a guest room bed. Also a gift ... long story on that one!

Luke,
Thanks for posting the link. I checked it out to see more about it and a very reputable glass company in our area offer this service.

In a previous home which was quite large, my man's room was known as the 'fort' ... no women allowed. It housed the gym equipment, desk, TV and a lot of sports pictures, trophies etc. He loved this room and when he wasn't home I used the treadmill and (jokingly) was only allowed in there to clean! Now his 'fort' is a smaller bedroom with a small shrine to his Habs, a treadmill, weight bench and smaller tv. He doesn't use this room much at all!