Saturday, September 27, 2008

Amana's Jot Dry Erase Refrigerator


Amana's Jot Dry-Erase Refrigerator looks pretty neat.

I found this pic it over at Cookie Magazine's Nesting Blog. (Not a magazine I subscribe to since it's geared towards moms that are so worried about other people's opinions that they don't think twice about spending a couple of grand on a stroller instead of putting that money towards a their child's education or perhaps donating it to a worthwhile cause. I mean seriously, what's wrong with people? They're going to use it maybe two years, why would you throw money away like that?!) Anyway, I digress, but I first read it about it over at Kitchen Design Notes.

I like the concept, but most dry erase boards start getting that shadow effect...where you can't really erase the marker off of it anymore...after a while. I wonder how long this would work for, and what kind of warranty it had. I also wonder if you could just paint your fridge with dry erase paint and get the same effect.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Chalkboard Painted Kitchen Cabinets


Found this over at cribcandy...how cool!


You could probably keep it looking great if you didn't have kids. Otherwise I'm picturing a dusty, smoodgy mess...like this one from Cookie Magazine.


Monday, September 8, 2008

Backsplash Alternative - Display Your Favorite Artwork!

I felt a tile backsplash in addition to the built in one on the post form laminate countertop was unnecessary and would make the kitchen look too busy or something. But I'm also incapable of having empty spaces on my wall.

So I added some IKEA Spontan magnetic strips (I got them in silver on clearance for 25 cents). Stuck them up with push pins and voila!

Now I have an ever changing wall of my daughter's masterpieces. She loves seeing her pictures up just as much as I do. Much better than boring old tile.

My Almost Finished IKEA Adel Medium Brown Kitchen

If my hard drive hadn't crashed, I'd be able to put up a before and after shot. Oh well... I was going to tile the backsplash, but decided against it since the counters had a built in backsplash and I felt like the tile would have made everything too busy.

The pantry in between the oven and refrigerator has a swing out door, but it keeps hitting the oven. I'm going to convert it to a pull out soon. I also need to finish putting on the handles and attach the cover panel to the microwave cabinet. Unfortunately, the IKEA wall cabinet cover panels are significantly longer than the cabinet itself (so if you use an under cabinet light, it would be long enough to accommodate the coordinating moulding strip). Once I cut it to size, I'll put it up.

I sill wish there was a way to make the island a foot wider, but it's okay, I still love it. You know you set your kitchen up correctly when you can find everything you need immediately because it's all in the perfect spot. And for all the cooktop-in-the-island-naysayers...I love mine! My daughter stays on the side to help me cook. I can watch her (or the TV) while I'm cooking. And I cook everything high heat, and haven't had any splattering problems.

I wanted these very deep window sills so I could fit my herb pots. The carpenter built them so strong that I can actually stand my 30 pound child on top of it with no problem. Unfortunately, I didn't factor in the faucet but thankfully found the perfect one by Moen. High enough to fill deep pots, but low enough to fit under the window sill. I also was unable to use the Swanstone sink I had (anyone wanna buy a like new sink?) because it was a smidge too big, so I had to use my old Kohler cast iron one. Always have a plan B.


Laminate counters are very easy to seem together. (Can you believe these are stock Home Depot counters? Much glossier than the Lowes postform counters.) I used the ledger boards that came with the IKEA plinths (toe kicks) as build up strips and simply screwed the counters down with the IKEA screws that came with the cabinets. Have someone hold the counter down while you do it. For the seems, I screwed in one side, used the glue that came with the miter tie bolt package, had someone push the two pieces together and screwed them down. Nice tight seem, no big deal. I also went over the seem when everything was dry with a bead of clear caulk and and wiped it in to fill in any unlevel spots in the glue.

Obviously, there's still a bit more to do. It's just nice to finally have a fully functioning kitchen back!

I love having a dishwasher.

I'll write more about the Jenn Air island hood later, but holy crap that thing rocks!

I made pizza and scones and was able to roll out the dough directly on the island. I'm glad I changed my mind and went with the butcher block. And for anyone you doesn't believe in the durability of laminate, I've had nothing but laminate all my life and I've never had a problem...and believe me when I say I don't baby that stuff. And as a DIY, ridiculously cost effective.

When drilling the holes for the handles, you need to be in the mood to do it. If you're tired and sick of doing them, chances are you'll screw it up. It's better to deal with handless fronts than to try to patch up a bunch of mis-drilled holes later.

So what do you think? I didn't post a pic of the kitchen from the front because I didn't finish the back of the island yet. I have a plan....you'll just have to wait and see!

Sunday, September 7, 2008

And Finally We Have Ripe Cantaloupe!

I feel like I've been waiting an eternity for these suckers. They just didn't seem to want to ripen. Wondering when to pick cantaloupes? Like most produce, you have to wait until you slightly tug and the just pop off on their own. I learned that the hard way...my first cantaloupe pick of the year wound up in the compost bin because I picked it too soon.


Look at how beautifully golden orange they are. I saved way more of those seeds than I'll ever need.


I've been eating an entire cantaloupe at each sitting. They're so perfectly sweet and juicy. Mmmm. They were super easy to grow. I think I paid a dollar and change for three plants at Home Depot. They spread out like crazy...definitely going to use trellises next year.