House Tour, part 1

I have found that I am compelled to tell our realtor everything about this house. Every. Thing. And well, I'm pretty sure he doesn't want to know. And neither does anyone else.

So I'm going to tell you, anyway. Because if you don't care, you can just click away. This will be an ordeal for you that will last a week or more.

I'm sorry, but I have to do it.

Photos will be posted at some point, but NOT tonight on this entry. If you do care you'll just have to come back to see. (Insert evil laugh here...)

So my kitchen. Not huge but an awesome layout with a wonky but very functional "work triangle." The flooring is vinyl and looks like 8x8 tiles. I love it. It's sort of a taupe color that hides the dirt very well. This is key when you live with 3 little boys and a dog.

The cabinets are custom and were here when we bought the house and I don't like them. That said, they are a warm golden oak with cathedral arches and I worked my arse off to clean them up and they never fail to garner compliments. The hardware are funky brushed nickel swirly things that look modern but are not over-the-top.

The countertops are Formica -- Tuscan Marble in the sparkle finish. They don't sparkle, but they do have a slight sheen that is really pretty. They are taupe and they do look like marble. They are warm but neutral and I intend to put them in my next house as well. And I always use a cutting board so they are in perfect shape.

The sink is a double bowl stainless steel. Why would anyone have anything else? It has a sprayer and an instant hot water tap.



There is a pantry cabinet that has a little counter space that is perfect for my bread machine and my toaster. It's like a special little carb-loading station just for me. I credit this space with inspiring me to use my bread maker regularly.



The appliances are biscuit, or almond, or bisque, depending on your preference. The stove is solid surface, the fridge has the freezer on the bottom, and the dishwasher has a stainless steel tub. The microwave is over the stove and it has a rack and a turntable. It also has a popcorn button that pops perfect microwave popcorn every time. All of the appliances have been replaced in the last 6 years or so.



The wall paint is a mossy green but I don't recall the color right now. The soffits are "Tumbleweed" and the ceiling is "Coco Parfait." Hey, I don't make up the names. There is a wallpaper border on the soffit -- I know, I know -- but it is nice. It has grapes. And wine. It is subtle and classy. Plus the walls and soffits are plaster so you can steam the hell out of that paper and it will come off like a dream without damaging your walls. That, my friend, is priceless.

There is a stainless steel pot rack from which hang my Calphalon stainless steel pots and pans. It appears I will have to leave the rack for you. But you'll have to peel the Calphalon from my cold, dead ... oh wait, that's my handgun, not my Calphalon. Sorry. I got carried away. I do love my Calphalon. And if you decide to come and look at the house, rest assured I was only kidding about the handgun. I store all my firearms at my dad's house. LOL

There is a stainless steel and glass shelf, too, and it has a vase on it filled with wine corks. Yes, we drank all that wine. I know it's appalling. Fortunately we never did home improvement after consuming the wine. You're welcome.



Oh my goodness. I almost forgot the backsplash. Listen, the heavenly choir is singing now! The backsplash is Travertine marble. It has a lovely mosaic pattern framing the window over the sink. It is neutral, warm and rich. It is lovely.

When you take all of that, with the under-cabinet halogen lights, the cabinet over the microwave with the glass panel doors (which is also lighted, to highlight my beautiful glassware), and the anal-retentive habits that have kept it very clean, it is a kitchen people dream of.



The windows (one south facing, one west) have simple taupe valances over them. The wallpaper border adds enough visual interest so simple is good.

One the south is my baking cabinet, a vintage piece that was my great-grandmother Ethel's dresser. It was my dresser in high school and I kept the mirror (which sits on my current dresser). I refinished the dresser and added a Silestone top. My Kitchen Aid mixer sits on top of it and a couple of stools sit next to it, like a little breakfast bar.



So that's my kitchen. It really is a great room, with great appliances and is up-to-date without looking out of place in my 1950s Cape Cod home.

Pictures to come, and thanks for sticking with me if you're still reading.