Linda's Kitchen: Heading into the home stretch

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMviaupNd18_bB82iVC5FYNXBUUOT_SQZisMHcNsPrvZsfYtYX2Gmgte7DFYJMOKxDj2amR7qikOdW1NrfHPxjLWHkubNS8277Em9hEXPraCFYSVXwK1rzzLWZOVgx9LR21XbHErq_57zO/s1600-h/potrack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMviaupNd18_bB82iVC5FYNXBUUOT_SQZisMHcNsPrvZsfYtYX2Gmgte7DFYJMOKxDj2amR7qikOdW1NrfHPxjLWHkubNS8277Em9hEXPraCFYSVXwK1rzzLWZOVgx9LR21XbHErq_57zO/s320/potrack.jpg" /></a><br /></div><br /> Well, I did have a crazy notion of getting the whole kitchen finished over the holidays. Didn't happen, but I'm close. My dear friend Rob spent New Year's eve and New Year's Day working with me to get the final big projects finished and we did just that, I'm very happy to report.<br /><br />Here's a little reminder of where we started. Note the long wall entering the kitchen and the really odd looking pot rack tacked up on the wall. The pot rack was a homemade thing made from copper plumber's pipe, chain and S-hooks. It did the job, but it was not particularly attractive.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2553/3879450235_b54e1fe2ee_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2553/3879450235_b54e1fe2ee_b.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /></div>So, the job for this week was to put up new molding around the door opening and along the wall edges where the wall opens up into the kitchen, re-install the pot rack in a more pleasing manner and add a counter for additional surface space and concealed storage along this long wall. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4243537840_71c46ea53f_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4243537840_71c46ea53f_b.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4067/4243538026_9865d286c4_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4067/4243538026_9865d286c4_b.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /></div><br />Okay, so Day 1 was finished with the installation of the moldings and it was time to celebrate New Year's Eve with a late dinner of pork loin with a mustard glaze, blue cheese and red bliss mashed potatoes, broccoli (I only eat it raw, not a big fan of cooked veggies) and apple sauce. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2701/4243538156_2687d46ded_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2701/4243538156_2687d46ded_b.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /></div><br />Day 2 began with a homemade bacon and broccoli quiche (won't bore you with photos) and "final" decisions on how to build the new counter. This has been a very budget project and I had decided to use an old narrow door that I had in the back of my garage.  You can just make it out behind the white chair and striped beach chair below. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2689/4243538328_db76d4d0e9_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="395" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2689/4243538328_db76d4d0e9_b.jpg" width="527" /></a><br /></div><br />I'd spent the last several months debating what to do about the legs for the counter. While I do intend to put a skirt on it to conceal storage below, I did want decorative legs and was hoping to be able to do an exposed leg with the skirt running behind. However, budget is a concern and really beautiful wooden legs were not a possibility. I did have an old family table in the garage and thought we could use the legs, with something added to make them counter height. I also really liked the reuse, repurpose, recycle concept of this project. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2716/4243538242_47a9d5e289_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="399" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2716/4243538242_47a9d5e289_b.jpg" width="532" /></a><br /></div><br />Getting the pieces and parts altogether: <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2531/4242765529_e033eb1bb9_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2531/4242765529_e033eb1bb9_b.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2804/4242765661_f9fe7717c2_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2804/4242765661_f9fe7717c2_b.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /></div><br />Okay, so this was an experiment. Using Liquid Nails, we glued 2x2x6" blocks to the tops of the table legs to make them 34.5" for the 36" height counter.  We tried nailing them as well, but that wasn't too successful.  Now, you have to give us props for this excellent use of my wine rack set on two chairs as "holders" for the legs so they could dry upright. Well, most of you are likely well ahead of me - this just was not going to work. The Liquid Nails did not seem like it would really provide enough hold and we finally accepted that this was not the way to go. So, back to Home Depot (trip #3 in less than 24 hours) for 2x2x34.5 cut wood. A little boring and plain, but cheaper than turned legs. And I can cover them up. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2664/4243538774_3952b05622_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2664/4243538774_3952b05622_b.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /></div><br />So, while I made my final trip of the day to Home Depot, Rob installed the pot rack, the right way. We still used the plumbers copper pipe (re-polished). Instead of bracing it against the wall, Rob hung it off of a ceiling stud. So, there is some swing in it, but I just love it and I finally got to hang up my Revereware copper bottom pans and collection of copper molds and pots. We used heavy duty steel chain and s-hooks, which work well with the stainless appliances. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4066/4242766005_3d7638ea16_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4066/4242766005_3d7638ea16_b.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /></div>And above you can see the newly built counter top made from an 18" wide door and 2x2's. I've painted all the woodwork and the door the same white as the walls, which keeps things very light and bright. To stabilize the tall table, I used heavy duty velcro to attach the back to the wall so it's now very sturdy.<br /><br />The door knob hole is going to come in handy as I'm going to be able to run electrical plugs down through it to the outlet below. I plan to put a table lamp here to add some lighting. But this space is going to be great for laundry folding and entertaining. While it does make the kitchen feel smaller, it will provided much needed storage and flat surface space. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXs0XCUPx5aw7oQKESFlV17nIeu3W6ehvd3eyavEuYR6mTRKixX-4vg_JZ3gP6wZ-jPkFRC3weQo6KMQ0glFIkGofi-ZZZRPYn8Jzg_QI-WAU8KymavfQbHNEBZrKpb0eVfUI3D5A_qZr/s1600-h/PrivateClientPageLMKitchen0709_1262580220148.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXs0XCUPx5aw7oQKESFlV17nIeu3W6ehvd3eyavEuYR6mTRKixX-4vg_JZ3gP6wZ-jPkFRC3weQo6KMQ0glFIkGofi-ZZZRPYn8Jzg_QI-WAU8KymavfQbHNEBZrKpb0eVfUI3D5A_qZr/s320/PrivateClientPageLMKitchen0709_1262580220148.png" /></a><br /></div><br />So, the final steps are to make the counter skirt and the relaxed roman shade for the window, both out of burlap. And then to accessorize and take final photos.<br /><br />A big thanks to my <a href="http://www.skirtedroundtable.blogspot.com/">Skirted Roundtable</a> partner Joni Webb of <a href="http://cotedetexas.blogspot.com/">Cote de Texas</a> for featuring my kitchen makeover (even though it was not yet complete) in her roundup of the<a href="http://cotedetexas.blogspot.com/2009/12/top-ten-best-renovations-of-2009.html"> Top Ten Renovations of 2009</a>.  There are some pretty exceptionally talented people out there and I am honored to be included. <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: Heading into the home stretch

 Well, I did have a crazy notion of getting the whole kitchen finished over the holidays. Didn't happen, but I'm close. My dear frie...

Read more »

Frosted New England 2010

Here's another in my series of "drive by shootings" around my town. Lots of snow, lots of pretty old houses. Enjoy!<br /><br /><object height="375" width="500"> <param name="flashvars" value="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fchameleon-interiors%2Fsets%2F72157623007386947%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fchameleon-interiors%2Fsets%2F72157623007386947%2F&set_id=72157623007386947&jump_to="></param><param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=71649"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=71649" allowFullScreen="true" flashvars="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fchameleon-interiors%2Fsets%2F72157623007386947%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fchameleon-interiors%2Fsets%2F72157623007386947%2F&set_id=72157623007386947&jump_to=" width="500" height="375"></embed></object><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>

Frosted New England 2010

Here's another in my series of "drive by shootings" around my town. Lots of snow, lots of pretty old houses. Enjoy!   Subscri...

Read more »

Body armor - what is yours?

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I've been enjoying a bit of a blogging break since just before Christmas and I have to say that it was quite restoring. It gave me a chance to really focus on family and friends, the year and decade past, and what's in store for the next year and the next decade. There's been a lot of talk and analysis about the difficulties of the first decade of the 21st century. I won't bother to recap here, we all know because we all experienced it together.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim5sXw-P_ceXyjb7F-aRpbpRMEcOoXNcKo4o5sWvoVIo05dLhxgvKqJdJ0JbxFwCuNyvBfK7nVTnHGVDYTEQzJUT-Vigs4tIYfG_FEHLluiaMdk4R9otd-s5Xs3chAaeIlPiR_DhbtA3KQ/s1600-h/wonder-woman-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim5sXw-P_ceXyjb7F-aRpbpRMEcOoXNcKo4o5sWvoVIo05dLhxgvKqJdJ0JbxFwCuNyvBfK7nVTnHGVDYTEQzJUT-Vigs4tIYfG_FEHLluiaMdk4R9otd-s5Xs3chAaeIlPiR_DhbtA3KQ/s400/wonder-woman-2.jpg" /></a><br /></div>I've been thinking a lot about how I face the world. Whether it's to friends, family, blog readers or clients.  When I go out, I am fully decked out and done up. And I realized a couple of weeks ago when I was getting dressed before leaving for a new client appointment that putting on my jewelry felt a lot like putting on body armor - that sense of preparing myself for what was to come. It feels all the more that way because when I come home, the first thing I invariably do is remove every piece of jewelry.   In the safety of my home and at my mother's, there is always a pile of my jewelry, waiting for its next mission.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBtVACxVuaclWjk48MwhlyUD5rSAatSg3g96-y-4Sw45K3oArFPYxVxaf6Hv1t8-Ka-pHn1pWFN189fNaedjLxm7acKutBDr6TbhheqmV_NBgDliWCNdjjMPWnl3gVqG7ZD0Y8Ek2Nhwjv/s1600-h/DSCN2325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBtVACxVuaclWjk48MwhlyUD5rSAatSg3g96-y-4Sw45K3oArFPYxVxaf6Hv1t8-Ka-pHn1pWFN189fNaedjLxm7acKutBDr6TbhheqmV_NBgDliWCNdjjMPWnl3gVqG7ZD0Y8Ek2Nhwjv/s320/DSCN2325.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br />And I wonder who else feels this way. Do we all have something that we don before facing the world that we shed when home safe? Is my jewelry like a mask that I'm hiding behind? Perhaps it's more like a shield with a family crest emblazoned in the center, offering protection while offering some insight to others. What does my jewelry say about me, aside from the fact that I like the shiny? The pieces I wear daily include a ring that belonged to my Grandmother and a ring given to me by a close friend. A bracelet that my two bff's and I bought to celebrate the year we all turned 40, each engraved with a personal sentiment. A bracelet that I purchased with a gift certificate received as thanks from the parents of a dear friend who passed away in 2007. I wear it in his honor. And another bracelet given to me by his wife, one of the aforementioned bff's. The necklace I bought for myself in Paris and the earrings I bought at a small craft fair. I lost one the next day and the jewelry maker replaced it free of charge. How kind.  All my pieces tell a small story about my life and are daily reminders of that I don't stand alone. They are my people and they stand with me. <br /><br />We are all part of many concentric communities. And sometimes, these communities start to tear apart. In the last couple of weeks, it's felt that way in the design blogging community. Accusations of plagiarism, personal insults and negativity by anonymous voices are draining this vibrant community of its soul.  What happened to that old adage about saying nothing if you haven't got something nice to say? I don't mean to be milquetoast - I love a good debate and exchange of opposing ideas. I believe in the power and value of criticism.  I love competition and am a very competitive person. But is it necessary to tear someone else down in order to raise ourselves up?  Does it even work - or is it a false shield? Is it body armor with napalm?  Why do some believe that their "honesty" absolves them of the stain of rudeness? My mother used to say "My right to swing my fist ends at your nose". Works for me. I've been guilty of the occasional anonymous comment that was rude and critical to a blogger - which I am deeply ashamed of and something that will be left in the past. That we can post and write anonymously doesn't mean we should, or if we do, it shouldn't give us leave to demean ourselves in our attempt to demean another.<br /><br />While my jewelry may still serve as my armor, protecting me with its reminders that my people are with me at all times, it's not a mask. I certainly have to face outwards as myself and none other. And more importantly, I have to face myself as well. We all do. I hope that 2010 will see a return of civility and support among all our communities. After all, if we don't stand together, we won't stand at all.  <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zdnEg-hFmpI3IkPtPB0yC7TZz2N8VcXcaAOU8LeeN4pPjfBtHyN2AwS49s3Ig1fExavd8uF6jbOXZEDB1J7V5rTxh9ZF_OOOnCXJtdJCrbjgaiShK1xEDrCBLRGFcv7glUnnhCRZen-s/s1600-h/DSCN2291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zdnEg-hFmpI3IkPtPB0yC7TZz2N8VcXcaAOU8LeeN4pPjfBtHyN2AwS49s3Ig1fExavd8uF6jbOXZEDB1J7V5rTxh9ZF_OOOnCXJtdJCrbjgaiShK1xEDrCBLRGFcv7glUnnhCRZen-s/s640/DSCN2291.JPG" width="576" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">New Year's Day  in Duxbury, Mass. 2010. <br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">{A more upbeat post to come shortly.}<br /></div><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>

Body armor - what is yours?

I've been enjoying a bit of a blogging break since just before Christmas and I have to say that it was quite restoring. It gave me a cha...

Read more »