angelinethebaker's Profile

Put in a tile backsplash. Change the countertop to go with the new tile, and eliminate the 4" integrated backsplash for a more streamlined look -- you don't need that bit if you are tiling the wall! The new counter can still be laminate -- check Ikea first for cheap, good-looking options, but "normal" laminate brands from Home Depot have great options -- they can custom-order from the whole Wilsonart or Formica lines.

Keep the white appliances, but look for a white range hood that has more style. Overstock.com is a good resource. Or think about maybe a stainless hood even though it won't match the appliances -- if you have enough chrome trim on the white stove, and brushed nickle hardware on the cabinets, a brushed stainless hood might look just fine.

Also look on Overstock for an upgraded faucet -- but if you have a stainless steel sink, I would not change it.

Get a more stylish microwave, or just get rid of it altogether whenever you finally put the house on the market.

Also, many of the laminate options that have a more organic look, but do not mimic granite or another material directly, will give a "natural feel" to your kitchen. Some have sort of a rice paper vibe, others just have random speckles. The one called "soapstone" in my opinion doesn't look that much like soapstone, but it is lovely. Another, called "Beluga" has a suggestion of fossils in an abstract pattern.

I think the bright colors have wonderful possibilities, and maybe would be just the ticket if you want to go bright but are afraid the love affair will fade after a few years. Laminate is not expensive to replace, and without the rolled edge you can even glue new sheets right over the old, reusing the entire undercounter.

I'll speak up for laminate -- I love the stuff as a countertop material. Yes, you can't put a hot pan right on it or cut directly on the surface, but neither of those things are what I expect out of a counter -- these are true of many natural products as well. Our laminate lasted beautifully for 16 years (we moved at that point) and it was no trouble at all when we wanted to do a small remodel and had to add a bit of counterspace. We did not have a fancy edge treatment, but I find the simple, streamlined look of a square edge appealing. Ours also predated the "natural stone look" now available, but the black speckles with matte finish resembled soapstone enough to get that sort of look, although no one would really be fooled into thinking it was the real thing.

The Wilsonart website has all their patterns with the repeat size listed and a picture of a whole sheet. They say you can undermount a sink, but I'd be hesitant to try it.

I used to stand at work 5+ hours, and I can attest that when they bought me mats it made a huge difference in how much pain I felt in my back and legs by the end of the day. I'm sure they purchased whatever mat was cheapest at Uline. It was basic rubber and would not look super in most home kitchens. At home, I bought thick wool-look polypro rugs and they are good enough. I rarely stand in my kitchen for more than 2 hours, and I am moving around not in one place as I would be at work. I also always wear shoes indoors.

Whether your plants do well or poorly with mulch depends on the plants and the mulch. Mature shrubbery will do fine with something like bark or wood mulch. These mulches can steal nitrogen from the soil as they decompose, so young plants may be starved and stunted, while mature ones take it in stride. For your new bedding plants and perennials, mulching with compost is best. Either way, that nice even color below the plants does make the garden look beautiful, and cuts down on your watering needs, too.

mdorothy, these are absolutely nothing like American-style graham crackers, although I like those, too. They are quite similar to McVities although they lack oats as an ingredient.

The only problem with those crackers is how I can polish off a whole box as soon as I open it. No need for cheese, even, though I agree it is a good pairing. Mmmm...

They taste just like McVities digestive biscuits, which are also wonderful.

I like this idea because it doesn't jut out from the wall like most bookshelves -- especially since many cookbooks are oversized. But my go-to books are not all that pretty, so possibly this is not the solution for me. I keep mine on a pantry shelf. I'd like them more accessible, but my large kitchen has little storage space. Lots of windows and not very-well-considered design put storage at a premium. No, I didn't design it!

Strict time limits on screen time, however you manage them, work great for elementary age kids. As they near high school age, though, I've found they need to self-regulate more. For one thing, they are on computers all the time doing homework, and I can't watch every moment to make sure they are actually working and not gaming. For another, games are on phones, too, and by that age most kids have phones. "No" is still in the parent's power, of course, but it is more complicated and better to dialog about what the kid's goals are and how to spend time to allow for both fun and goal-reaching. I wish I could say I've had 100% success, but this stuff is difficult!

If you go with all lamps, definitely have an outlet wired to a switch at the door, so you don't have to walk into a dark house fumbling for a lamp switch!

We went with a single center surface-mount light in our living room, in part because we didn't want to rewire and it already existed. I bought a hanging light with a large drum shade. It hangs on a pole that is maybe 10" long? Fine for our very high ceilings, but you may need something with a lower profile. We don't use it all that often but it looks nice and sometimes it is great to have all-over bright light.

Another nice option for the living room is track lighting.