The kitchen lady came-th

Right to my house. She even pet my cat. Turns out she has one too. She got points for being a cat-lover. She got even more points for doing an awesome job talking to me about possibilities in my kitchen. I learned all about cabinet types, cabinet makers, cabinet installers. Okay people - this is exciting stuff for me....and stuff that as a renter I never had to think about. Did the door open, and was there food inside? That was about the extent of it.

So, she and I drew up a plan, and talked about a few different possibilities. But I liked what she suggested. I have a complicated place - a crazy soffit, low ceiling, and a small kitchen. So, basically, if I walk into a cabinet store and they balk at that, or ignore those facts, I should run screaming the other way. I'm guessing the Home Despot and Low-Low home improvement will fall into that category. So much babysitting involved! And amazingly enough - not the cheapest option.

So...natural maple cabinets, a pantry, glass fronts, silestone countertops, undermount stainless steel sink...and a low bank account. Most of my cabinets should be easy to find in the style I want....but there will be one or two custom or semi-custom cabinets. Luckily I've been saving up. I'm thinking either a slab or a craftsman-type style. Something with nice lines. I'm not a big fan of the curvy country, or something with lots of bevels - it just means more grooves to clean.

Plus - even though she wasn't there for any other room, we talked about the living room and how we can better arrange it, which confirmed what I'd been thinking all along - built-in bookshelves! And...she's on my side in the Projector v. Couch face-off. Loved her! She also convinced me that I can totally tile my shower....it will just take a while....and I only have one bathroom, so I may end up contracting that, but they're going to be watched like a hawk. You can bet on it. She was so positive, which was great, and got me all excited about my kitchen....which is a little weird.

I also ordered the pocket door kit for the bathroom, so more demolition coming your way!

I'm away some of this weekend, so I'll be setting up appts. with cabinet places when I get back. The good news - now I know what I want to do, at least theoretically. The bad news - I may not be living there long enough to enjoy it once it's done.

Brrrrr

It's chilly here. So chilly in fact that a friend of mine who is renovating his house, and doesn't have his heating system fully installed, woke up yesterday to find that some water sitting out in his kitchen had ice floating in it. Indoors! Makes my only-maginally busted house seem like a dream.

In less than a week, the kitchen lady (and yes,that's what I've deemed her official title) is coming by to dispense advice about kitchen storage, cabinets, countertops, appliances, design, etc. I'm very excited. But I have to tidy up the house first.

I have a small problem with flat surfaces. I tend to cover them. I don't even know I'm doing it. I am so happy when a room is all tidy...but sooner or later (and honestly, it's usually sooner), I cover the flat surfaces with stuff - knitting, mail, magazines, books, socks to be darned, tools, post-its, cat toys, etc. I thought more surfaces might be the answer. But no.

In contrast, someone at work is moving to Italy. They went there for a visit, and decided they'd rather be there permanently. During their brief U.S. stop to clear out their house, they said they had an urge to try and put everything in storage, but then they realized they'd been living out of a backpack for a month. They just didn't need all their "stuff."

Meanwhile, someome else at work, they actually hired one of their friends to come in and clear their desk for them....sort files, etc. I haven't gotten to that point....yet.

I have been donating to the thrifty like mad. I mean, if it was in storage for a year, and I didn't miss it, then i probably don't need it, right? And I try not to accumulate useless stuff. Candy dishes, free pens, cheap plastic toys, mugs, etc. but sometimes, you feel attached to "stuff." Or you feel compelled to keep it, cause you know as soon as you throw it away....