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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The Skirted Roundtable: Chatting with Vicki Archer

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiQaWuvuf_D1B67v7Lcy9-Rz3ECBOGzkVOPHfHrSP1G7VTNdkrkYuRa2BERGLKhxbggttuSF_fcl4p72XljBZ6BVb916nV2RvKC6TbymkvQ5yh6JUeAART6xQA1mFW-FKIrhBk62o431aM/s1600/Mas+De+Berard+at+Christmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiQaWuvuf_D1B67v7Lcy9-Rz3ECBOGzkVOPHfHrSP1G7VTNdkrkYuRa2BERGLKhxbggttuSF_fcl4p72XljBZ6BVb916nV2RvKC6TbymkvQ5yh6JUeAART6xQA1mFW-FKIrhBk62o431aM/s640/Mas+De+Berard+at+Christmas.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />This week at<a href="http://skirtedroundtable.blogspot.com/2010/12/vicki-archer-of-french-essence-joins-us.html"> The Skirted Roundtable</a>: Joni, Megan and I chatted with the lovely and elegant Vicki Archer of the popular blog French Essence. We chat about Vicki's amazing life among the olive grove in Saint Rémy de Provence in France and her books <b>French Essence</b> and <b>My French Life</b>. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA9zZ40MSOh-WXh_KVD1RbYqzbOoZZUlE_wnH7th85Rl03RS-mH-6Uhj_qcOJeUHW27-naTrb8ot9VBwCSDMapv8Htgtk1TCOJJmxNTY5hsiEdl5845B46oD_vrjY0kLkpXKbYxX1AZXc/s640/Vicki+Archer7781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA9zZ40MSOh-WXh_KVD1RbYqzbOoZZUlE_wnH7th85Rl03RS-mH-6Uhj_qcOJeUHW27-naTrb8ot9VBwCSDMapv8Htgtk1TCOJJmxNTY5hsiEdl5845B46oD_vrjY0kLkpXKbYxX1AZXc/s320/Vicki+Archer7781.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>So, while you're decorating your cookies and wrapping your Christmas presents, power up the iPod, iPad, iPhone or good old laptop and join us as we <a href="http://skirtedroundtable.blogspot.com/2010/12/vicki-archer-of-french-essence-joins-us.html">get to know Vicki and live her French life for 45 minutes</a>. You'll get a lot done and learn something too!<br /><br />Joyeux Noel!<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>

The Skirted Roundtable: Chatting with Vicki Archer

This week at The Skirted Roundtable : Joni, Megan and I chatted with the lovely and elegant Vicki Archer of the popular blog French Essence...

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Blissful Bedrooms Project

One of the reasons why I listen to NRP all day every day is because they do stories about topics that you will rarely if ever hear in the mainstream media. I was listening to Weekend Edition today and they did a great piece on a New York program called<a href="http://blissfulbedrooms.org/"> Blissful Bedrooms</a> whose tag line is "Bedroom makeovers for young individuals with disabilities"™. They are a volunteer organization in New York that solicits donations and help via Craiglist, their <a href="http://www.blissfulbedrooms.org/">website</a>, and their <a href="http://www.facebook.com/BlissfulBedrooms">Facebook</a> page.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://blissfulbedrooms.org/Main_Header.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="102" src="http://blissfulbedrooms.org/Main_Header.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://blissfulbedrooms.org/Keosha_Project/Keosha_Before_&_After_Polaroids.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="http://blissfulbedrooms.org/Keosha_Project/Keosha_Before_&_After_Polaroids.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />The NPR story featured Keosha's room makeover. Keosha, a 20 year old with cerebral palsey has limited use of her arms and legs, but clearly possesses star power and a megawatt smile. Her bedroom makeover turned her into the star she is, celebrating her interests in fashion and performance,  including the all important red carpet. On the practical side, the team of volunteers incorporated an iPad that could be worked with head movements and a vanity that she can roll her wheel chair right up to. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5165/5260135794_920d1b9839_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5165/5260135794_920d1b9839_z.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5008/5259451147_aa53e5ed6a_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="345" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5008/5259451147_aa53e5ed6a_z.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5245/5259944188_ecd135a1fe_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5245/5259944188_ecd135a1fe_z.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5081/5259946352_3daeb45f1f_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5081/5259946352_3daeb45f1f_z.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">See more project photos <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/blissfulbedrooms/sets/72157625595177322/with/5259339197/">here</a>. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blissfulbedrooms.org/Volunteerspage1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.blissfulbedrooms.org/Volunteerspage1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.wbur.org/media-player?url=http://www.wbur.org/npr/132137943/every-young-person-deserves-a-blissful-bedroom&title=Every%20Young%20Person%20Deserves%20A%20%27Blissful%20Bedroom%27">Listen to the radio spot here</a>.</b></span> </div><br />For more information on Blissful Bedrooms visit their <a href="http://www.blissfulbedrooms.org/">website</a> for lots of information and images of their inspirational projects. This is a group that clearly likes to do good for others while have great time. <br /><blockquote><br /><b><i>Blissful Bedrooms is composed entirely of a team of committed and dedicated volunteers who have discovered that while their initial motive to get involved was to help a needy, disabled young individual, they actually found they were reaping many significant benefits in their personal lives as well. St. Francis says it best:</i></b> </blockquote><div style="text-align: center;"><blockquote><b><i> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">“For it is in giving that we receive….."</span></span></i></b></blockquote></div><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>

Blissful Bedrooms Project

One of the reasons why I listen to NRP all day every day is because they do stories about topics that you will rarely if ever hear in the ma...

Read more »