My Kitchen in Country Woman magazine

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq8gSAW4bPQsRAzt5Oc2_8U-QFiimrbF4GfCpbzWX8ylp6Yf5tGWJrDWvCZz48j5G3cz6gOu4-dLcpNBTEhOLt5oHF5njELfQlSfsNQZ0ixE2MZkwQq1zr5OHq2X8w25ExvaPceFsJDcTv/s1600/Kitchen1x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq8gSAW4bPQsRAzt5Oc2_8U-QFiimrbF4GfCpbzWX8ylp6Yf5tGWJrDWvCZz48j5G3cz6gOu4-dLcpNBTEhOLt5oHF5njELfQlSfsNQZ0ixE2MZkwQq1zr5OHq2X8w25ExvaPceFsJDcTv/s640/Kitchen1x.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">click on images for larger view</span></div><br />My kitchen makeover was completed just about a year ago and I've been loving it ever since. It is my favorite room in my house. I've been very lucky that it also appealed to several media outlets including <a href="http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/house/articles/2010/07/01/an_updated_kitchen_from_a_little_elbow_grease/">The Boston Globe</a>, <a href="http://www.shelterpop.com/2010/07/22/before-and-after-a-500-kitchen-makeover/">Shelterpop</a>, <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/dc/kitchen/before-and-after-500-kitchen-makeover-via-shelterpop-123307">Apartment Therapy</a> and now <a href="http://www.countrywomanmagazine.com/2011/FM11/Kitchen.asp?RefURL=&KeyCode=&tdate=&PMCode=&OrgURL=">Country Woman</a> magazine.  I received a call in October from Country Woman asking if they could feature my kitchen and the $500 makeover process. And what was really fun was that they wanted to re-shoot the kitchen! The original photography, shot by <a href="http://michaeljleephotography.com/">Michael Lee</a>, was beautiful, but it featured a cocktail bar set up that wasn't quite the homey feel Country Woman prefers. So, Michael was hired to re-shoot the kitchen which we styled with a Springtime/Valentine's tea time feel as the issue the kitchen is being featured in is their February/March issue.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiarr4dtGxH_9vke_LdW5cg2_4wR06peae_kJqCPWcbx7WTlhcm85IpWxDxUU0KYCvNfaa0qR6lph9sKWPm0g9-zuZKE76pWdZpFNBqMXjchfPB0zOIKy7PjgIiglPnnjVAWyu3US0ebofd/s1600/KitchenL2x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiarr4dtGxH_9vke_LdW5cg2_4wR06peae_kJqCPWcbx7WTlhcm85IpWxDxUU0KYCvNfaa0qR6lph9sKWPm0g9-zuZKE76pWdZpFNBqMXjchfPB0zOIKy7PjgIiglPnnjVAWyu3US0ebofd/s1600/KitchenL2x.jpg" /></a></div>What a treat to have two different photo shoots! It's amazing the different feel Michael achieved. The original set of images (<a href="http://www.chameleon-interiors.com/Chameleon_Interiors/Portfolio-Duxbury-Condo_Kitchen_Remodel_1-Chameleon_Interiors-Interior_Design-Massachusetts.html">see here</a>, just click through the images) are sharper and more saturated and this new set has a very soft and romantic feel. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitk7sFXGRWo6B-iD4eTPBHrX4ythwISzW29cAn7v4INlAifdPeBgY261Chw2Y9ycCWxjNg4vtLnyYfL2kVHi_umoAMo-h9SYz2bVcj8_Ca3hIB5q5Lnb-_wvvxCShwoFsWpqz74hCEUY1n/s1600/KitchenL3x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitk7sFXGRWo6B-iD4eTPBHrX4ythwISzW29cAn7v4INlAifdPeBgY261Chw2Y9ycCWxjNg4vtLnyYfL2kVHi_umoAMo-h9SYz2bVcj8_Ca3hIB5q5Lnb-_wvvxCShwoFsWpqz74hCEUY1n/s1600/KitchenL3x.jpg" /></a></div>I love this shot because it incorporates so many elements of my new kitchen. And of course, <a href="http://chameleon-interiors.blogspot.com/2010/02/real-mccoy-ode-to-my-cookie-jar.html">Humpty</a> makes another appearance! <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPNaa429CurDitBSH41a7j1qOtJeqfGXYg8bl4wl3AF2nBRJRkoNUa_vhq2QywDGjf62_syGEkTkAdYxNYJy6-CENjGZxMCMAyu_Y3kvBc84lELewBXQE60hjwMuplELj2PkoE3ECM0njD/s1600/KitchenR1x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPNaa429CurDitBSH41a7j1qOtJeqfGXYg8bl4wl3AF2nBRJRkoNUa_vhq2QywDGjf62_syGEkTkAdYxNYJy6-CENjGZxMCMAyu_Y3kvBc84lELewBXQE60hjwMuplELj2PkoE3ECM0njD/s1600/KitchenR1x.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_3Ud-D7NLVoBzXgq5zQHrTC0saZDMotIhrcYPAzgyH_he6PkA1VYtKphgl30AOhdtnmof4middIYFz8bLjRoMdqC_rAlIwFh9DeZeLH0fXi0OvmSouoRuP7KC2ypld76s7N5TJSE3i6xY/s1600/KitchenR2x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_3Ud-D7NLVoBzXgq5zQHrTC0saZDMotIhrcYPAzgyH_he6PkA1VYtKphgl30AOhdtnmof4middIYFz8bLjRoMdqC_rAlIwFh9DeZeLH0fXi0OvmSouoRuP7KC2ypld76s7N5TJSE3i6xY/s1600/KitchenR2x.jpg" /></a></div>And this shot showcases the finished insides of the cabinets and some of my collection of this and that. The camel tea pot and cups were a gift from my Aunt when I was young. The silver tea pot was a $10 fine at the Hell's Kitchen Flea Market in NYC. The green teapot came to me via my great Aunt and is vintage McCoy and the top row features my Grandmother's egg cup that's a bit chipped, but reminds me of visiting her in the summer and having soft boiled eggs with soldier boys on the side. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvCrH02uVFh06hDb7Tr4779dvaFeJH5upiBfRyYzJunadqCpMWK9Y9P9JnRzKEuqhUItyCNX6xr75XCvpTfuOa6hzfJXQ0MnsRjhFRAnuSzHcIxk69rwzSDSUeNJ20Sf6kHhbNyeEyPe7n/s1600/KitchenR3x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvCrH02uVFh06hDb7Tr4779dvaFeJH5upiBfRyYzJunadqCpMWK9Y9P9JnRzKEuqhUItyCNX6xr75XCvpTfuOa6hzfJXQ0MnsRjhFRAnuSzHcIxk69rwzSDSUeNJ20Sf6kHhbNyeEyPe7n/s1600/KitchenR3x.jpg" /></a></div>And a final detail shot of my gathered burlap counter skirt. Counter skirts certainly elicit a lot of positive and negative comments. Many commenters on Shelterpop, AT and the Boston Globe hated it. Many liked it. I did received one suggestion that it should have been more tailored with box pleats and a black border along the bottom. And they were absolutely right! I did consider that exact design, but went with gathers because they are more forgiving. I was concerned that I wouldn't get the pleats right and the skirt wouldn't hang properly and perhaps impede me getting behind them to the storage shelves. As it is, the gathered skirt is pretty (imo) and easy to lift up, but it's also very heavy and keeping it attached to the side of the counter is a never ending battle with gravity! A more tailored skirt would have likely been taken half the fabric and been considerably lighter. Oh well. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://countrywomanmagazine.com/2011/FM11/images/cwcoverx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://countrywomanmagazine.com/2011/FM11/images/cwcoverx.jpg" /></a></div><br />Anyway, thank you <a href="http://www.countrywomanmagazine.com/2011/FM11/Kitchen.asp?RefURL=&KeyCode=&tdate=&PMCode=&OrgURL=">Country Women</a> for featuring my kitchen!<br /><br />All photos by Michael J. Lee<br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/40/61AD69B5456EE9E48D48218DA34439B1.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a> <br /><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

My Kitchen in Country Woman magazine

click on images for larger view My kitchen makeover was completed just about a year ago and I've been loving it ever since. It is my fav...

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Media Talk: My little kitchen gets its closeup and John Derian's P-town home

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-6j1cPdShZ_qDsTOqw6OqJ9iOeFn7SwMm195dPvMTY93Lu657lkD8H7eSxtnK9kOjQ2p3fQSvNl-0-kADMM1ZA9_r65CZTVyzLtlD8d5evIaHUF5gE4dLb1AEw2ehLCjzGSl-o0YEXAl/s1600/Globe-story-070110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-6j1cPdShZ_qDsTOqw6OqJ9iOeFn7SwMm195dPvMTY93Lu657lkD8H7eSxtnK9kOjQ2p3fQSvNl-0-kADMM1ZA9_r65CZTVyzLtlD8d5evIaHUF5gE4dLb1AEw2ehLCjzGSl-o0YEXAl/s640/Globe-story-070110.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />The Boston Globe featured my kitchen renovation in today's issue! You can click on the image above to read it as it appears in the paper, or easier yet, <a href="http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/house/articles/2010/07/01/an_updated_kitchen_from_a_little_elbow_grease/">click here</a> for the online version.  Thanks to <a href="http://jaciconry.com/">Jaci Conry</a> for writing such an excellent account of the project!  I've probably bored all my regular readers with stories about my kitchen, but if you'd like to see more of the final pics, such as the one below, <a href="http://www.chameleon-interiors.com/Chameleon_Interiors/Portfolio_Gallery-Chameleon_Interiors-Interior_Design-Massachusetts.html">click here</a>. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.chameleon-interiors.com/Chameleon_Interiors/Portfolio-Duxbury-Condo_Kitchen_Remodel_1-Chameleon_Interiors-Interior_Design-Massachusetts_files/KitchenfromDR-filtered.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="449" src="http://www.chameleon-interiors.com/Chameleon_Interiors/Portfolio-Duxbury-Condo_Kitchen_Remodel_1-Chameleon_Interiors-Interior_Design-Massachusetts_files/KitchenfromDR-filtered.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(photo by Michael J. Lee)</span></div><br />I'd also like to point out that there was also a feature story on designer <a href="http://johnderian.com/index_home.html">John Derian</a>'s house out in Provincetown, MA. It was pretty exciting to be featured alongside one of my design <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><strike>crushes</strike></span> idols. I was joking that I was featured with John Derian and one of us is referred to as a "design surperstar" - guess which? <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHzVEmNuhzbGmJUGb_bEV8v5cCvFrtJHHMkGCjBF6IqejpqOZ9CHK-QHYAGjQsptwjShRXivrIRxqdESXFLfrT8SoPS58vdbpApH2ZDAjHr5h2DiCrQt5BqrGicTdGF5sXy_cEJ1p-rX31/s1600/BostonGlobe070110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHzVEmNuhzbGmJUGb_bEV8v5cCvFrtJHHMkGCjBF6IqejpqOZ9CHK-QHYAGjQsptwjShRXivrIRxqdESXFLfrT8SoPS58vdbpApH2ZDAjHr5h2DiCrQt5BqrGicTdGF5sXy_cEJ1p-rX31/s640/BostonGlobe070110.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />Here are some images from the article, <a href="http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/house/articles/2010/07/01/john_derian__has_built_a__design_empire__with_homegoods__that_carry_the_patina_of__flea_market_finds_its_a_look_that_works_in_his_1789_cape_cod_home_as_well/">click here</a> to read it online.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cache.boston.com/bonzai-fba/Original_Photo/2010/06/30/old2__1277923567_4609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cache.boston.com/bonzai-fba/Original_Photo/2010/06/30/old2__1277923567_4609.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">John's house dates to 1789.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cache.boston.com/bonzai-fba/Third_Party_Photo/2010/06/30/old1__1277922885_4105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cache.boston.com/bonzai-fba/Third_Party_Photo/2010/06/30/old1__1277922885_4105.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cache.boston.com/resize/bonzai-fba/Globe_Photo/2010/06/30/1277910596_9827/539w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cache.boston.com/resize/bonzai-fba/Globe_Photo/2010/06/30/1277910596_9827/539w.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cache.boston.com/bonzai-fba/Original_Photo/2010/06/30/old4__1277924320_3603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cache.boston.com/bonzai-fba/Original_Photo/2010/06/30/old4__1277924320_3603.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cache.boston.com/bonzai-fba/Original_Photo/2010/06/30/old5__1277924670_3980.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cache.boston.com/bonzai-fba/Original_Photo/2010/06/30/old5__1277924670_3980.jpg" /></a></div>Flea market finds mixed with a sofa from Derian's furniture line. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cache.boston.com/bonzai-fba/Original_Photo/2010/06/30/old6__1277924914_1996.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cache.boston.com/bonzai-fba/Original_Photo/2010/06/30/old6__1277924914_1996.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cache.boston.com/bonzai-fba/Original_Photo/2010/06/30/old7__1277925483_2243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cache.boston.com/bonzai-fba/Original_Photo/2010/06/30/old7__1277925483_2243.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cache.boston.com/bonzai-fba/Original_Photo/2010/06/30/old9__1277926068_4140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cache.boston.com/bonzai-fba/Original_Photo/2010/06/30/old9__1277926068_4140.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">John Derian house photos by Julia Cumes for The Boston Globe</span></div><br />Happy 4th Everyone!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/40/61AD69B5456EE9E48D48218DA34439B1.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a> <br /><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

Media Talk: My little kitchen gets its closeup and John Derian's P-town home

The Boston Globe featured my kitchen renovation in today's issue! You can click on the image above to read it as it appears in the paper...

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Why my Kitchen is my favorite space and lessons learned from my Dad

I lived with this kitchen for nine years. I look back and wonder what I was thinking. Really, I wasn't. I was switching careers, building a business, dealing with aging parents, and basically trying to have a life. So, my kitchen kind of languished. And I was embarrassed about it. Decorator's are expected to live glamorous, well-appointed lives. Well, self-employed decorator's have to pay the mortgage and their health insurance too. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2781/4343339949_7ccba33cd4_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2781/4343339949_7ccba33cd4_b.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Of course, many of you followed my <a href="http://chameleon-interiors.blogspot.com/search/label/Linda%27s%20kitchen">blog posts</a> about my kitchen redo last year.  I was just done with the clutter and lack of anything pretty in my kitchen and it was time to roll up my sleeves. Budget was still a big issue (a never ending constraint that the downturn in the economy did not help!) but I was determined to finally create a pretty space that I could be proud to show off. What I ended up with was so much more than that. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.chameleon-interiors.com/Chameleon_Interiors/Portfolio-Duxbury-Condo_Kitchen_Remodel_1-Chameleon_Interiors-Interior_Design-Massachusetts_files/KitchenfromDR-filtered.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" src="http://www.chameleon-interiors.com/Chameleon_Interiors/Portfolio-Duxbury-Condo_Kitchen_Remodel_1-Chameleon_Interiors-Interior_Design-Massachusetts_files/KitchenfromDR-filtered.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />First and foremost, I realized how kind other people can be and how truly lucky I am to have them in my life. My dear friend of over twenty years Rob O'Connell (cute guy below) spent nearly every Sunday afternoon at my house working on my kitchen from August through mid-January. Seriously. He gave up half of nearly every weekend for almost six months. For me.  And he got to do all the heavy lifting and tall work. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2473/4024060626_6055e7302a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="378" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2473/4024060626_6055e7302a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />I was incredibly lucky to have forged a relationship with <a href="http://www.nehomemag.com/">New England Home</a> magazine and <a href="http://www.ferguson.com/">Ferguson</a> appliances, which resulted in the delivery of an entirely new set of kitchen appliances. Whew! Beyond that, I challenged myself to spend no more than $300 on everything else. Okay, it ended up being closer to $500 - because all design projects cost more than expected, let's face it.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.chameleon-interiors.com/Chameleon_Interiors/Portfolio-Duxbury-Condo_Kitchen_Remodel_2-Chameleon_Interiors-Interior_Design-Massachusetts_files/Kitchen-filtered.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://www.chameleon-interiors.com/Chameleon_Interiors/Portfolio-Duxbury-Condo_Kitchen_Remodel_2-Chameleon_Interiors-Interior_Design-Massachusetts_files/Kitchen-filtered.jpg" width="464" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwP_uhXERYpNFzv-N2qdzyOYoAwJSpzc81GHmNSdTw6wxsFtUI792E41wW2XiEWkC7_6Wp3GNPcx5I2MW8kHSthdOpscr29XuZAsVj6Zx0mmBBQ3XRvHZY3Eja82pfB1Gazfs8uw3CJNKj/s1600/100_0956_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwP_uhXERYpNFzv-N2qdzyOYoAwJSpzc81GHmNSdTw6wxsFtUI792E41wW2XiEWkC7_6Wp3GNPcx5I2MW8kHSthdOpscr29XuZAsVj6Zx0mmBBQ3XRvHZY3Eja82pfB1Gazfs8uw3CJNKj/s320/100_0956_2.JPG" width="192" /></a></div>The big task that I did do myself in my kitchen was to repaint my kitchen cabinets. I've never done this kind of thing before and I pretty much made it up as I went along. I knew what I wanted them to look like and I got there. And all the while, I had my dear Daddy (cute guy above) whispering in my ear <a href="http://chameleon-interiors.blogspot.com/2009/01/requiescat-in-pace-my-cute-daddy.html">from above</a> to do it right. So, when I considered not even removing the hardware and painting around it - whisper - and when I thought about not sanding between coats of paint - whisper whisper.<br /><br />My father was the quintessential DIY guy. He built, sanded, sawed, painted, papered, upholstered, electrified and even hung window treatments. He built the kitchen in their house - by himself.  I know, beyond a doubt, that he would have been very proud of the end result of all the work on my kitchen. And he would have been prouder still of my friend Rob and his dedication to me and the project.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.chameleon-interiors.com/Chameleon_Interiors/Portfolio-Duxbury-Condo_Kitchen_Remodel_3-Chameleon_Interiors-Interior_Design-Massachusetts_files/Cooktop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://www.chameleon-interiors.com/Chameleon_Interiors/Portfolio-Duxbury-Condo_Kitchen_Remodel_3-Chameleon_Interiors-Interior_Design-Massachusetts_files/Cooktop.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />You see, for my Dad, family, friendships, loyalty and gratitude were everything. He was a kind and giving person and never took kindnesses offered to him for granted. I try to live up to his example, although I am sure I fall short. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.chameleon-interiors.com/Chameleon_Interiors/Portfolio-Duxbury-Condo_Kitchen_Remodel_4-Chameleon_Interiors-Interior_Design-Massachusetts_files/KitchentoDR-filtered.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://www.chameleon-interiors.com/Chameleon_Interiors/Portfolio-Duxbury-Condo_Kitchen_Remodel_4-Chameleon_Interiors-Interior_Design-Massachusetts_files/KitchentoDR-filtered.jpg" width="491" /></a></div><br />The final player in my little kitchen story is my photographer <a href="http://michaeljleephotography.com/">Michael J. Lee</a> (cute guy with me below at an event just last night!) who gave of his time and talent to provide me with the most beautiful final images of this small yet really very big project. Michael is not just an excellent photographer, he's become something of a business mentor. (And, he's a doting father to two adorable little girls as well). <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs093.snc4/36003_1471182697600_1174596529_1338116_1637848_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs093.snc4/36003_1471182697600_1174596529_1338116_1637848_n.jpg" width="358" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>And so, the reason why my kitchen is my favorite room in my home is not only because I simply enjoy how it looks (and I do), it's really because of all it represents. Hard, hands-on, nail breaking work mixed with collaboration and friendship. I miss my Daddy every day. But I try never to forget to be grateful for all I have been given. <br /><br />If your father is still with you, spend time with him and make the most of the time you are given together. Because when that time is done, you will only have your memories and the lessons learned.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQtMDW6pBnP_t56uE4ki2JIcUYA_-QH79BBGcK4ojLddTsZ4VxRHsEa60nzFg116Y2SrK_4duhtHOAdiNZb9XChRvnYbl34C_M1DTtmFZt7NEhCNOutZc7znU-IzAeK0vS-1Dfoo83NUX0/s1600/Bar+invite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQtMDW6pBnP_t56uE4ki2JIcUYA_-QH79BBGcK4ojLddTsZ4VxRHsEa60nzFg116Y2SrK_4duhtHOAdiNZb9XChRvnYbl34C_M1DTtmFZt7NEhCNOutZc7znU-IzAeK0vS-1Dfoo83NUX0/s640/Bar+invite.jpg" width="448" /></a></div><br />If you're in the Boston area, I will be giving a lecture called "Strategic Splurges" on Wednesday, June 23rd at the Boston Design Center. This is part of the <a href="http://www.jlboston.org/jlb/npo.jsp?pg=fundraiser&article=532&tab=Lecture%20Series">Jr. League of Boston</a>'s kitchen lecture series.  I hope you'll join me as I share two very distinct projects - my kitchen and a living room project - and how creative and strategic choices led to a big look on a strict budget. <br /><br />Happy Father's Day everyone. And Happy Friend's Day too. <br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/40/61AD69B5456EE9E48D48218DA34439B1.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a> <br /><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

Why my Kitchen is my favorite space and lessons learned from my Dad

I lived with this kitchen for nine years. I look back and wonder what I was thinking. Really, I wasn't. I was switching careers, buildin...

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Linda's Kitchen: Photoshoot sneak peak

Yesterday was an exciting day here in my kitchen in that I did the final photo shoot with <a href="http://michaeljleephotography.com/index.htm">Michael J Lee</a>. It's going to take a few days before I get all the final photos back, but wanted to share a sneak peak of the photo shoot, a little of the set up and one of the final images.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4009/4344007218_7b2197f2e6_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="712" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4009/4344007218_7b2197f2e6_b.jpg" width="534" /></a></div><br />I took the photo above on Sunday evening as I was cleaning and prepping the room. Michael had done a site visit a week ago so he could view the space and give me his assessment of the shots to be taken and so we could brainstorm about the styling. I had ideas, Michael had better ones. He's not only a fantastic photographer, but with his design background, he has a keen sense of style and we had a lot of fun pulling it together. I'm a big believer in keeping things real in a photo shoot; the room should look largely as it always does or hopes to, just spit shined. And, the photos need to tell a story about the owner or about the project being documented. Since this was my design in my own kitchen done with my own hands (and those of my friend Rob!), I wanted to be sure that the photos ultimately read "Linda". Maybe it's "Dream Linda", but Linda, all the same. <br /><br />Here is Michael working at my dining room table, camera set up to shoot from dining room into the kitchen. My kitchen is north facing with only one small window, but the south facing dining room is flooded with natural sunlight in the morning, which is nice.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2776/4344007404_ff624294b7_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="439" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2776/4344007404_ff624294b7_b.jpg" width="586" /></a></div><br />Previously, I had an old dry sink that I used as a bar when entertaining. Below is a "before" shot of my kitchen. You can see how narrow the passageway is into the kitchen proper. On the left is the laundry behind the louvered doors.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2781/4343339949_7ccba33cd4_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2781/4343339949_7ccba33cd4_b.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br />Here is a little reminder of the new skirted counter that I have installed (my photo). The purpose of the counter was to add storage and surface space to my small kitchen. This piece has wire shelving below to keep things out of site and has literally doubled my available counter top space. As you can see, a significant improvement in terms of looks and functionality over the before.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2724/4343287305_25430f088f_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2724/4343287305_25430f088f_b.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />And below is a shot I took yesterday of the lighting and camera setup to get a straight-on shot of the new counter top.  As you can see, the camera is practically inside my laundry closet. I was willing to move all the stuff on top of the washer so Michael could sit in there, but he didn't take me up on that offer.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4062/4343271161_f58be26ec7_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="720" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4062/4343271161_f58be26ec7_b.jpg" width="540" /></a></div><br />And now, your official sneak peak of one of the final images taken by Michael Lee.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHDciCCviVkBs8UMJZyRBS6VwhIYKyaJaoA0KPqkTP9hPLQ_-nGPtnuQ3GX6WKD2sdkik1aPOCpsh7-n_m-cRxRFdKIdVnNTSKU-i4kado0s7fVUrbBtgjx3VL2iwXP_UgZ0GCTCgs1e4k/s1600-h/LindaMerrillBar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="704" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHDciCCviVkBs8UMJZyRBS6VwhIYKyaJaoA0KPqkTP9hPLQ_-nGPtnuQ3GX6WKD2sdkik1aPOCpsh7-n_m-cRxRFdKIdVnNTSKU-i4kado0s7fVUrbBtgjx3VL2iwXP_UgZ0GCTCgs1e4k/s640/LindaMerrillBar.jpg" width="492" /></a></div><br />Doesn't he take a beautiful photograph - even in a very tight space? I am so looking forward to using this new counter as a bar and serving area for when I entertain. And this is what I mean about feeling that photo styling should indicate how a space is really lived in by the people who live there. I have always used this are of the kitchen as a bar, it's just now, I have a nicer one with more service area.  While we certainly spent a lot of time putting all the elements into place just so for the photo, there's nothing here that's foreign to how I live. And, I just love the simplicity of the image and the play of light on the wall.<br /><br />As I said, more photos are to come, so stay tuned.  Meanwhile, will you have a gin and tonic, or a martini?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/40/61AD69B5456EE9E48D48218DA34439B1.png" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

Linda's Kitchen: Photoshoot sneak peak

Yesterday was an exciting day here in my kitchen in that I did the final photo shoot with Michael J Lee . It's going to take a few days ...

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The Real McCoy: An ode to my cookie jar

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0opHhyphenhyphen49xTkcJN7EK8cFPKZn3QwpfzRmQDGqLQ5dfRPrjwklCuTN87qj5gV1_KVMvBBu9zmXYa41E2NDT_LRNhiwQ-DCmIeRh83PW336kQeHL3QlS9oIZ-ziy0h2i9-YdDs7OcFyOEfZt/s1600-h/BrushHumpty+cookie+jar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0opHhyphenhyphen49xTkcJN7EK8cFPKZn3QwpfzRmQDGqLQ5dfRPrjwklCuTN87qj5gV1_KVMvBBu9zmXYa41E2NDT_LRNhiwQ-DCmIeRh83PW336kQeHL3QlS9oIZ-ziy0h2i9-YdDs7OcFyOEfZt/s320/BrushHumpty+cookie+jar.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">via <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Brush-W-29-USA-Pottery-Humpty-Dumpty-Cookie-Jar-11-1-2_W0QQitemZ110487041076QQihZ001QQcategoryZ18895QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286.m7QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D4%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D7576690449871211220">Ebay</a> - starting bid $39.99</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>For my fourth birthday, my best friend and next door neighbor Patty Zimmerman (who was three) gave me this very cute Humpty Dumpty cookie jar.  This became our family cookie jar, gracing our kitchen through many moves and houses.  Although it was technically mine, I didn't have free reign of the cookies inside, sadly. However, I did master the ninja art of silently removing and replacing the lid in pursuit of a purloined cookie or two. It took a steady hand and steely nerve with my sharp-eared Mother sitting in the next room.  It was quite a skill!  When I moved out in my twenties, Humpty came with me. While I've rarely used him for cookies, he still has his place in the kitchen with his Cheshire Cat-like grin firmly in place.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3173/2547215878_580bcca8c4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3173/2547215878_580bcca8c4.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"> "The Cookie Thief" via <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36507874@N00/2547215878">Flickr</a></span></div><br />So, as I've been blogging about, I spent the last several months remodeling my kitchen and Humpty was moved to the relative safety of my dining room. My kitchen is finally finished (woot!) and I'm getting ready for the final photo shoot on Monday. I'm thrilled that <a href="http://michaeljleephotography.com/index.htm">Michael Lee</a> is going to be shooting the kitchen (he did the<a href="http://chameleon-interiors.blogspot.com/2009/10/michael-j-lee-photography-architectural.html"> gorgeous shots</a> of a Boston town house living room that I did which was recently <a href="http://chameleon-interiors.blogspot.com/2010/01/media-talk-boston-sunday-globe-magazine.html">featured</a> in the Boston Sunday Globe). Michael's process includes a site visit prior to shoot day so he and the designer or stylist can decide which shots will work best and what kind of styling should be done to bring out the best in the space. It's a fantastic extra level of service that really makes for wonderful finish shots. So, Michael came over to my house this past Monday. I didn't spend a lot of time "styling" my kitchen for this pre-shoot visit, but I did put Humpty in a place of honor on my new counter.  And what does my fantastic photographer say? "Is Humpty going to stay?" Hmm, apparently, Humpty is not sexy enough for prime time. <br /><br />Or is he?<br /><br />Below is one of the scouting shots Michael took. Now, these are not meant to be beautifully finished shots. There was no photographic lighting, my kitchen is dark and required a wide open aperture to bring in as much light as possible to the shot and he was holding his camera by hand, not on a tripod. And, as I said, I had done no styling so there are visible sponges (the horror!) and brown bananas in the otherwise empty wire baskets. Oh, and my pans need polishing. But, doesn't Humpty look fetching in profile?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtmNzfvMKj8v_WeQSpmCzA84ae-xuvgctoBLri5L-PweNezJFxxePkOthtZr_a9WxIO7WjxjTxrf8uxpAof6sLr6UujN-s4rvkNOllAxpIX7kjgDnTtyhPJ8eIdLt8UhQhLiI-desTROO_/s1600-h/LindaMerrillScoutingDuxburyKitchen007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtmNzfvMKj8v_WeQSpmCzA84ae-xuvgctoBLri5L-PweNezJFxxePkOthtZr_a9WxIO7WjxjTxrf8uxpAof6sLr6UujN-s4rvkNOllAxpIX7kjgDnTtyhPJ8eIdLt8UhQhLiI-desTROO_/s640/LindaMerrillScoutingDuxburyKitchen007.jpg" width="491" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Un-styled scouting shot taken by<a href="http://michaeljleephotography.com/index.htm"> Michael J. Lee</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Anyway, we'll see if Humpty makes it into the final shots, maybe yes, maybe no. But I spent a little time researching his provenance and found out several currently for sale. He was made by the Brush Pottery Company of Ohio (formerly the Brush McCoy Pottery Company) and the bottom is marked "W29 Brush USA".  According to <a href="http://artpotteryblog.com/">ArtPotteryBlog.com</a>, the Brush Pottery Company produced over 50 different novelty cookie jars between 1954 and 1971.  My Humpty (with the jaunty cowboy hat) was made in 1962, and so was I, actually.  The "W" in the marking denotes that my jar was made by Don and Ross Winton, who worked as freelance potters. <br /><br />Ebay has two listed one with a starting bid of <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Brush-W-29-USA-Pottery-Humpty-Dumpty-Cookie-Jar-11-1-2_W0QQitemZ110487041076QQihZ001QQcategoryZ18895QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286.m7QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D4%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D7576690449871211220">$39.00</a>. But there are some antiques sites where they are listed upwards of <a href="http://www.icollect247.com/googsticker.php?UniqueID=18359">$250.00</a>. Not that I'd ever sell, but it's interesting to learn a little more about something I've owned nearly all my life.<br /><br />Meanwhile, it's been doppelganger week on Facebook and as I was doing research about Humpty, I couldn't help but notice a few similarities... Blue eyes, pink cheeks, round face, big grin, pale, and dare I say it, porcelain complexion... ah, I crack me up. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg266pUUoMAB0AMrJ3TW4kY7ITgLiLMJu2QOPUeouiP5I82WTzzNBUo5JyhEbhFJMPsjs-oSwkYE880z0KEnExXNxK5dXT8aP7tKB9AE2tE0NC56Qz2jPgCCSWZgH3ExzrXf3GDPVup0V0o/s1600-h/lindahumpty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg266pUUoMAB0AMrJ3TW4kY7ITgLiLMJu2QOPUeouiP5I82WTzzNBUo5JyhEbhFJMPsjs-oSwkYE880z0KEnExXNxK5dXT8aP7tKB9AE2tE0NC56Qz2jPgCCSWZgH3ExzrXf3GDPVup0V0o/s400/lindahumpty.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/40/61AD69B5456EE9E48D48218DA34439B1.png" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

The Real McCoy: An ode to my cookie jar

via Ebay - starting bid $39.99 For my fourth birthday, my best friend and next door neighbor Patty Zimmerman (who was three) gave me this v...

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Linda's Kitchen - the penultimate update

Once upon a time (okay, about six months ago), I had a kitchen that looked like this:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1bEuQS6-R_bV_O1nota4LpVw9JnJu8Y844ljKuJ9xoxyqOaekCHC-CIwGhq8quLmrt3E_zfgS4-5Kxuq-amChu39FRSk5bbSqGtKOz99p1mJ6L5asjgsZ3Qvcwwiga6cc0yRegR8wJti_/s1600-h/100_3546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1bEuQS6-R_bV_O1nota4LpVw9JnJu8Y844ljKuJ9xoxyqOaekCHC-CIwGhq8quLmrt3E_zfgS4-5Kxuq-amChu39FRSk5bbSqGtKOz99p1mJ6L5asjgsZ3Qvcwwiga6cc0yRegR8wJti_/s640/100_3546.JPG" /></a><br /></div><a href="http://chameleon-interiors.blogspot.com/search/label/Linda%27s%20kitchen">And over several months </a>- mainly on Sunday afternoons - my great pal Rob O'Connell and I have transformed this drab and dated little kitchen with the help of a lot of paint and hard work.  As part of my ongoing partnership with <a href="http://www.nehomemag.com/">New England Home</a> magazine, I was lucky enough to receive all new Whirlpool stainless appliances courtesy of <a href="http://www.ferguson.com/index.shtml">Ferguson</a> in Franklin, MA.  <br /><br />Outside of the appliances, my budget was very small. Originally, I wanted to spend no more than $300.  Well, I've spent a little more but not much. I still need to add up all the receipts so maybe I'll be surprised. We'll see. <br /><br />Meanwhile, I wanted the share the last major items that I just installed today.  I<a href="http://chameleon-interiors.blogspot.com/2010/01/lindas-kitchen-heading-into-home.html"> discussed last week</a> how we installed the new counter along the long wall entering into the kitchen and I've been debating a long time what kind of counter skirt I wanted - tailored and smart looking or a gathered girlie looking thing. I'd decided to use burlap which is environmentally friendly, trendy (not something I'm normally big on) and at $1.99 per yard, also trés budget friendly. <br /><br />As you can see below, I went with a simple gathered skirt attached along the edge of the counter with Velcro. I ended up using <a href="http://www.createforless.com/Wrights+Tape+2+Cord+Shirring+1+White+36+yd/pid119328.aspx?utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=cse">shirring tape</a> to gather the skirt, as the burlap was so heavy, bulky and long that my normal method of doing gathers just would not do. I had some problem with attaching the skirt as I wanted to use Velcro so it would be removable. However, the skirt would not stay stuck to the sticky side of the Velcro so I tried sewing it. Which resulted in 3 of the 5 broken sewing machine needles I experienced today. In the end, I had to resort to semi-discreet stapling. Oh well, live and learn. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvDkHnuMNAzly8uvra7W5Xq2hkephYVurxKZOqMcn8WdKDvg-qUXBzu0tXTL3V6h8pBtlxllwfufl4-v6Nuu3bam5Mu1uJ-7gJFWhKf555828pdjBCRVuIr2WM9i1OwHqQi6yYdQO_mXR4/s1600-h/DSCN2373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvDkHnuMNAzly8uvra7W5Xq2hkephYVurxKZOqMcn8WdKDvg-qUXBzu0tXTL3V6h8pBtlxllwfufl4-v6Nuu3bam5Mu1uJ-7gJFWhKf555828pdjBCRVuIr2WM9i1OwHqQi6yYdQO_mXR4/s640/DSCN2373.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br />And today I made a new roman shade made from the burlap. I used my original toile shade as the template to follow and even reused the cording and wooden rods in the top and bottom.  I've never made a roman shade before (I usually stay away from mechanical things and stick with pillows that just sit there looking pretty and aren't expected to do much of anything).  For my first foray, I don't think it's too bad. I'm hoping the folds will settle in.  I am happy to have something up in the window again, it feels finished.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDJoWx6JTlD5hpeJmVlesBqmOnYcMmiz4vlPFQ4S_mhc-ptMNIVX7TdBtYk4ociO4dNCEUOF2S3_GfmBtH6gXEgRARYWOdG96E4L1Qkm01vXLI6pZnS6lRP46l7i1KRcwlry8DQseDVqZ3/s1600-h/DSCN2387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDJoWx6JTlD5hpeJmVlesBqmOnYcMmiz4vlPFQ4S_mhc-ptMNIVX7TdBtYk4ociO4dNCEUOF2S3_GfmBtH6gXEgRARYWOdG96E4L1Qkm01vXLI6pZnS6lRP46l7i1KRcwlry8DQseDVqZ3/s640/DSCN2387.JPG" width="560" /></a><br /></div><br />And so, I've pretty much come to the end of my kitchen makeover. I have a couple of decorative items to attend to and then I'm thrilled that photographer <a href="http://michaeljleephotography.com/index.htm">Michael J. Lee</a> will be photographing it. So, stay tuned for the "big reveal" in a few weeks.<br /><br />And meanwhile, speaking of Michael, I'm very excited to share that <b>The Boston Sunday Globe</b> magazine ran a feature on my <a href="http://chameleon-interiors.blogspot.com/2009/10/michael-j-lee-photography-architectural.html">Boston townhouse living room project</a> that Michael shot for me this summer. It's truly because of his amazing photography that this project was able to be published so quickly. So check out "<a href="http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/magazine/articles/2010/01/17/strategic_splurges/?comments=all#readerComm">Strategic Splurges</a>".  <br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/40/61AD69B5456EE9E48D48218DA34439B1.png" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

Linda's Kitchen - the penultimate update

Once upon a time (okay, about six months ago), I had a kitchen that looked like this: And over several months - mainly on Sunday afternoons ...

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