This has always been a welcoming forum. I haven't been around very much the last 12 months or so but often read what's here. The growing season is a real busy time and it feels kind of sneaky to just pop up afterward and then disappear as folks need quick questions answered. And, when I need some quick ideas, too. I guess I'll just have to jump in and out when the outdoor weather is sunny and nice and maybe folks can put up with me when there's only looking out the window, seed catalogs or . . ?? Seems kind of self-serving and lazy of me but I can try to do better . . . you all, deserve it. digitSteve

Summerfield- I really like Laura Calder's kitchen (don't know if you watch the cooking channel) but I wanted to get your opinion. What do you think of doing something similar, but with my plan (which is perfect for me so I don't want to change anything in the layout) and using the white perimeter cabinets with ceramic tiles for the backsplash and countertop? Then a big work table (no prep sink) with a butcher block top...and maybe a marble inset? The table would be big enough to have room for a few stools on the side facing the living room. To pick up the brick fireplace in the living room, I'm thinking about a vinyl 'brick' floor, for the kitchen and utility room. Here's a picture and a link to her kitchen. Thanks and I really value your opinion! :) Here's a pretty 'brick' floor Backsplash would be something like this, with a vine or branch design...bunnies optional (LOL) The tile countertops would still be blue, but not as bright as Laura's kitchen, more of a french blue, like the little flowers in the backsplash, or the pot on her countertop...very pretty :) Oh, and I love all her plants and those windows! Here is a link that might be useful: Laura Calder's kitchen on YouTube

Mydreamhome- You make an excellent point about the island, which is why I decided to make it a work table. I'm hoping to find an old library/trestle table, about 3' x 5' and put a marble top on it. If that doesn't work out, I'll look for a nice table with a butcherblock top. The dining room table will have leaves, so it can get bigger and I can turn the island/work table, so there's more room for the table to expand. I'm hoping to use chairs, from the sunroom, because ideally, I would have the work table a little taller than average (slightly lower than counter height) for baking, etc. I'm tall (5'10") so I don't want too short a surface :) The master bedroom is rather small, but the closets have a built-in armoire between them, for the TV and extra storage. We have a smaller room now and it's worked okay, so this will seem big, in comparison. We're trying not to add too much to the original farmhouse, so the only additions are the mudroom and sunroom/porch, with a few feet added to the hall bath, but that needs to be redone, anyway...and a few feet on the vestibule. As for the laundry room, it's a farmhouse and it's not fancy, but comfortable, so it doesn't bother me that people will walk through the laundry/utility room, to get to the sunroom/porch or the powder room. There's also the hall bath, which would probably be used more, by company...unless they're in the sunroom. It will also give me a good reason to keep things organized and looking nice in the laundry area (LOL) I'm excited about the sunroom, because not only will it give me a great place for plants (without kitties chewing on them) but it will also provide a cheerful, sunny space to watch the snow fall in the winter and see the horses run around in their pasture! The mudroom is a favorite of mine, too...it just gives so much more storage and a place for all those winter coats and boots. The hot tub is for my husband (it's all he really wants, besides the basement rec room) and having the deck screened will keep out the mosquitos, barn kitties, and the occasional racoon or porcupine! Life on the farm :) I want the house to be easily accessible for all family/friends to feel comfortable, but it is a farm, so if we can't get around anymore, we'll probably find a cute little manufactured home, put it up nearby and the house will end up with one of the nieces or nephews. That being said, my grandmother was in a walker and later wheelchair and we're planning to have 3' main doors (including the one to the sunroom) and large enough doors to the bathrooms (30"?) to make sure someone with a walker or smaller/travel wheelchair, can easily access them. The front door is almost ground level, so hopefully, that should make it easier for wheelchair or walker access, too. Plus, I think it just makes sense to use rocker light switches, wider doorways and have at least one bathroom accessible, without going up or down stairs...for any home.

I dont think she still is. If you click on her page it says,"Sorry,but the person you are looking for no longer exsists"