Robbybird's Profile

Yes, move the expedit over and use as a credenza and bring in a low hung pendant.

I have this set up in my kitchen/dining room right now. The expedit is actually just a place holder until I get a better credenza (one with doors since I am tired of dusting that thing). I have the knappa pendant in another room and I think it is a fun lamp. However, over my dining table I have a graphic MIBO pendant I ordered from design public (http://www.designpublic.com/shop/mibo/1189).

The flokati rug is a good idea for the couch. I bought the large one from Ikea to use as a rug and my dog loved it. I finally gave it to him and now he uses it as his bed in the bedroom. I didn't know they were washable. Mine sheds a lot still and I think it would make a hug mess in the washer - possibly clog it up?

As for the couch, he rarely gets up on it, but I bought of those cheap cotton coverlets at Ikea (come in many colors for $12) and I wrapped the bottom cushion of our white couch in it. If it gets dirty it is easy to wash. I also use this on own bed, since that is his preferred place to take a nap.

Sometimes you just want to snuggle with your pet on the couch :-)

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for the comments. I not only love cooking in this kitchen because it so functional now, but also doing it all ourselves made it *almost* exactly how we wanted it (and super cheap: less than 27K for a total, down to studs remodel and all appliances). It my dad, my partner, and I about 6 months. It was a lot of work and a lot of learning, but it was also a lot of fun.

To answer some questions:
(1) The counter top is Paperstone 100% recycled paper. Functionally, much like butcher block.
(2) We used Ikea Brown Adel. I was hesitant to get Ikea cabinets, but now I am another big fan of the cabinets. They are easy to put in, super functional, a good price, and fairly "green".
(3) The gap on the left side of the sink was a space between the cabinets that originally was just going to be dead space filled in with trim (drawback to prefab cabinets), but it fits a cutting board perfectly, so we just left it.
(4) The stove is actually Thermador and yes it is too big. However, to get one good size oven you have to go with six burners. It is actually great for the long grill pans.

Thanks for all your comments and helping us pick out the tile!

Robin

I bought a rug from overstock is a seagrass fiber and it is great. I got it for $150 and it is 8X10.

I also ordered a 30 in wide, 10 in deep stainless steel sink fro our kitchen remodel for $120! It is really high quality and compares to the $500-600 ones at other places.

I think if you are selective and read the reviews then you can get some really good deals.

I love the Riverbed one...pretty please.

Does anyone know how to turn a closet into a murphy bed? I think mine may fit a double.

Thanks.

I have Bosch that has an eco wash cycle - pretty efficient. And, as we figured at the first time we used it, there is no heat dry cycle. We thought it was broken, but it just requires a rinse agent. However, I have not found a natural rinse agent. Anyone know of one? Plus, the one we have been using (forgot the name but it the one that is at every store) smells a little like fish when the dishes are wet. My partner says that is made from proteins...?

PS - I LOVE the Bosch dishwasher. In my kitchen remodel, even with the professional stove, it is by far the best thing. It is so quiet that there is a little light that shines on the floor to tell you it's on.

I would go with sheer white linen to make the other colors in the room pop.

I use a reusable gold filter and it is super simple to knock out the grounds and wash out the filter. It also allows the oils from the coffee to get thru and makes better coffee.

I do think that all the energy, water, and resources that go into making, packing, distributing, and selling the recycled paper filters is much more energy/resource intensive.

I guess the same question can be asked about paper vs. cloth napkins. I vote for cloth napkins.

I use painters tape and tape the exact measurements on the floor, wall, etc. I did this with a rug and got the right size. I am currently doing it with a wall mounted media center - still deciding. It is not as cheap as newspaper, but is much better for visualization.

I tried the newspaper trick with our Ikea Kitchen cabinets and opps! Since it was not 3-D we got in a pickle when the pantry door and dishwasher would hit if they were open at the same time. Thank goodness for Ikea's exchange policy on Kitchen cabinets!