Nothing But Bonfires's Profile

Oh sorry, burnttoast, somehow missed this! Hmm, no, haven't so far had a problem with crumbs and things getting trapped at the edge of the sink where it meets the countertop. I can see what you mean, but it hasn't been an issue so far -- we just wipe vertically down that seam, if that makes sense, and cup a hand beneath to catch any debris.

Holly here. Thanks so much, everyone! I'm so thrilled by your comments. To answer a few questions:

* The paint on the walls is Valspar's Filtered Shade. We were originally going to go with a pale aqua, but after weeks of going back and forth and trying every aqua or turquoise sample known to man, we just walked into Lowe's, chose a pale gray that looked nice, and went with that. Boom, decision made in five seconds! Not like me at all, but miraculously it turned out well.

* Budget-wise, we probably spent a little under $6k, if you include absolutely EVERYTHING (down to the light fixtures, the new chairs, etc.) We were lucky enough that the stove and dishwasher were gifts, but everything else, big and small, is included in that total. The Caesarstone countertops were the biggest splurge by FAR and made up about a third of the total budget, but they were worth it to us (particularly since someone else installed them!) We made it up with the 21-cent subway tile, waiting for the appliances we really wanted to go on sale, and by doing absolutely everything else ourselves.

* Nope, we don't bang our heads on the hanging pots and pans! Probably can't see it as well in the picture, but they line up with the edge of the counter, so you're never walking directly under them. I might have to warn myself from time to time not to start headbanging violently while chopping vegetables beneath them, but it hasn't been a problem so far!

* Bepsf: you're right, the counters were indeed tile laid in a really, really thick application of Thinset. Once we'd chipped all the tile off, it was like lifting a section of sidewalk! Didn't have to go to the gym THAT day, that's for sure.

Marie516 -- Sadly, I think the Kitchenaid mixer is no longer available in that bright hot pink; I got mine three or four years ago, and I can only assume it must have been some special limited-edition color they were running, because I can't seem to find it anywhere now! If it helps, though, I just got mine on Amazon. Maybe they'll bring the color back?

As for the square red prints, I should think you'll have NO problem at all finding some very similar; just look in any of the art/curio shops in Hanoi (of which there are many.) We paid about $1 each for ours (and then bought $5 frames at Michael's six months later when we got back to the States.) Good luck!

Yes, I can see your point, Figs, but I think "offensive" is a little strong.

As for "odd": I grew up in Asia, so the statues of Buddha do actually mean something to me, despite the fact that I'm not actually a Buddhist; what I'm saying is that I didn't just see them at World Market one day and think "hey, cool, these are neat!" It's an evolved collection and each one is from a different region of Asia and has a different memory attached to it, from childhood to twentysomethinghood. I'm also fascinated by how the representation of Buddha changes from country to country, and since I've BEEN to these countries (and the temples within these countries) I'm not sure what's so wrong with having a meaningful memento from each.

Yes, I'm not a Buddhist, but I'm not anything, really, and shouldn't one surround oneself with things one finds beautiful and inspirational, things that provoke memory, things that are carefully curated to make one happy in one's own home? Not sure what's so "odd" about that.