Chic Cozy

How do I make this kitchen look more up to date?! (see the pics)?

This picture is from Christmas so sorry about that...but you get the idea-the cabinets are out of date...oven is white for some reason...I just want to do something to make it look better! Haven't lived here very long so I'm still working on making it my own...something simple but cozy, shabby chic...but I don't want to spend a ton of money. Any great decorating ideas? Thanks!

I'd have the cabinets refinished or learn to do them yourself. It's not rocket science but you do have to do it right or it looks awful and won't last. The easiest thing to do would be to wipe a light color glaze (mixture of glazing liquid and white or light tan paint) over them with a rag. This would lighten the color but you'd still be able to see the wood grain. Small area, I'd hesitate to do them dark. But then I like bright and open especially in a kitchen. Take one door down and play with it with the glaze. The glaze wipes off easily when wet and doesn't change a whole lot when dry either so you pretty much see what you're going to get. Don't rely on a big box store's advice for a project like this; go to a locally owned paint store and tell them what you want to do and they will properly guide you. They want to keep you as a customer; the big box store employees really don't care, they just want the paycheck.

You could also paint the cabinets but that is a much more labor intensive project. I'd have the doors professionally sprayed for the smoothest finish unless you want to buy a paint sprayer. The rest can be painted with a foam brush with good results.

You have a lot of room there; I'd get rid of the builder's box island and put something in with more storage, more work area and some personality. Anything from a commercial stainless cart with a work top on it to an old farmhouse table with shelves under it. Once again, it's what YOU like. Mixing materials makes things more interesting. If replacing the island isn't in the cards; fix it up with some bead board panels and paint those a different color.

If you're up for it, replace the stove to black. You could put a tile back splash in that could bring some more color and texture. That's a good DIY project. Tiling isn't hard, it's exacting work but it's not hard. Take a class or have a friend who has tiled help you. Mix cheap, plain tiles with some high end stone, glass or metal tiles.

And add some accessories, more volume of fabric on the window dressing to soften that up a bit.

As far as the fireplace, once again it's got the 70's - 80's oak finish on it. I'd hesitate to go black because the rest of your trim in the room is white. And the mantle is pretty "skimpy" doesn't have much visual weight to it. Think about replacing the wood or adding more stock to it so that it carries more visual weight and painting it to match the rest of the trim. You could even do bookcases flanking both sides of the fireplace. Add some cabinet lights, pretty things and now you're pulling a lot more attention to a very desirable feature in your room. You can buy stock bookshelves and add moldings and such to get the look you like. If you put units in with cabinets in the bottom on each side, now you have a lot more storage for things you use but don't want out all the time. Toys, games, movie collection, anything. Storage is always a good thing!

And don't fret about the mix of appliance colors; I have the same thing - black and stainless both in my kitchen. I have all black major appliances with a stainless back splash behind the stove (another idea for you) and a stainless and black microwave. Actually, the microwave convinced me I did NOT want stainless appliances; stainless is worse than the black to keep clean! I have stainless sprinkled around the kitchen; a toaster, all my cookware is stainless and I have a pot rack (another idea over your island - get one with a light in it!) It's amazing how much a pot rack helps open up much needed cabinet space. My husband made mine; it's wood but he used stainless corner braces and hardware on it and put a light in the middle.

Have fun and do what you find works for you. When working with a kitchen, always keep an eye towards functionality!

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Cozy 3.5 Black $14.95 Introducing the LaCie Cozy line of bags for your hard drives, a great new way to transport and protect your data and information. Designed by Sam Hecht, the LaCie Cozy provides a tough protective outer layer that makes carrying your drives a snap. Made of EVA, the outside of your LaCie Cozy is rigid enough to withstand the everyday bumps and bruises of the outside world, while its stylish exterior promotes the chic design that LaCie is known for around the world. While the LaCie Cozy has a rigid, tough exterior, its flexible outside pocket is perfect for carrying any peripherals, supplies, or accessories you may want to take along with you. With memory foam inside of the LaCie Cozy, your drive is protected from daily shocks and jolts. The extra pocket on the interior also lets you store and transport small accessories, such as cables. With the two different sizes in the LaCie Cozy line, it's easy to find the one that's right for you. Choose from two sizes, both of which are compatible with most hard drives on the market. Whichever size you choose, you can be confident that your LaCie Cozy offers superior protection for your drive.

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Cozy Cozy $18.75 A feeling of warmth, of security and of nostalgia thats what Jill Larson Sundberg and Michael Larson provide us in their newest book, Cozy Cozy, Their memories detailed on these pages apply to people of all ages. All of us can remember with fondness our most precious Cozy Cozy times. In this work, the authors recall and catalog a variety of Cozy Cozy moments as childrenas well as the Cozy Cozy moments they have continued to enjoy in their adult years. Their recollections certainly will help you, whatever your age, remember Cozy Cozy moments of your own. In Cozy Cozy, you will find wit and wisdom, hope and aspiration, and thoughts that will help lift you during the difficult times we all confront in our lives. Remembering and relishing our Cozy Cozy moments can help all of us live our lives to the fullest. The reminiscences here about the things that made us feel so wonderful and that enriched our lives will leave you feeling nostalgia for a time when being Cozy Cozy provided the best possible reward. We wish all of you a Cozy Cozy life. Author: Sundberg, Jill L./ Larson, Michael L. Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 112 Publication Date: 2006/04/01 Language: English Dimensions: 9.00 x 6.00 x 0.27 inches

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Spring 2010 Fashion Trends

With the economy still in a shaky situation, fashion designers unveiled a new season based on hope and the idea that anything can happen.  An eclectic mix of opposing trends, spring 2010 promises to be a fun year for the fashionable.  Even if you don’t have the budget to spend on a lot of new clothes, you can still pull off many of the newest trends from the runway.  Here are some of the popular looks and how you can achieve them at home.

Knee high and thigh high socks are a huge trend this year.  Unlike buying a new dress, socks are fairly inexpensive so you can spurge a little on this fad.  The key to looking amazing in higher socks is to “pick the length wisely…to suit your body’s shape.”  Stick with knee high socks if you don’t wish to draw attention to larger thighs.  Both above the knee and just below the knee cut socks are available, so try them on to see which you like best.  Below the knee is usually more flattering since you don’t have the “bulge” of your kneecap in the sock.  “If you're short, knee high socks that cut off below the knee are best paired with a shorter hemline to expose more leg and, thus, imply greater height. The hem should be no lower than the middle of your thigh.”  For taller ladies, thigh high socks provide the perfect opportunity to show off your incredible legs.  Wild colors and textures are part of the fun and fashion of high socks, so you can feel free to go crazy.  However, do not pair high socks with short plaid or pleated skirts.  You do not want to look like a school girl as it is not considered fashionable, just slutty.

The rocker chic vibe that was so popular last season has morphed into a “futuristic warrior” trend this season.  The good news is all the metallic accents and chains from the rocker easily translate to the warrior fad.  Leather is also very vogue.  Don’t think military when you think this trend, instead it combines more elements of ancient Roman or Amazonian soldiers.  Modern elements are mixed with the ancient to create an amazingly unforgettable look.  For example, studded belts, gladiator sandals, and chain jewelry all have that inherent ancient warrior quality to them.  Pair them with flowing feminine blouses, dresses, or skirts or unexpected textures like sequins, velvet, or silk to create an outfit.  “This isn't the sort of trend where rules should be laid down; it's open to interpretation and rich with possibility. It's not intended to be taken too literally either, and works best when an outfit gives the impression of some underlying fierceness rather than the overt look of a costume.”  Tribal patterns should not be forgotten as part of this trend as well.

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