I think it is awesome to give a piece of furniture a new life. It is sometimes a bit daunting to take a paint brush to a piece made from genuine old timber but if you are going to get many more years of life and enjoyment out of it I think it is better than dumping it. I believe it shows your love. jbof4 I started with a heat gun to remove most of the many layers of paint, (some are easier than others to strip this way). Then I used an orbital sander and sanded and sanded and sanded. You might also try liquid paint stripper although I find this very messy. I believe you can also get them professionally stripped. Good luck with the resurrection, go for it what have you got to lose.

Hello Marcelle, I am an interior designer . I can tell you a simple inexpensive way to change the look of your kitchen. Looking at the photo you sent the different cabinet heights , and all the objects on the stove wall are very busy . Your modern house is wanting a cleaner , simple look. I would lower the small cabinets so that the top is at the same height as the others in the room. And put doors on , that will hide the clutter. Next I would do a tile backsplash above the stove , up to the same height. The whole kitchen will be pulled together by the continuous top line. There is a small light wood cabinet with baskets in the foreground . I would paint it white , or the same dark accent color of the cabinets you have. I don't think you would need to change the beams then , they would add interest and drama once everything else was subdued. Lisa

Sorry I am so late coming to your site - you are an inspiration to all, homeowners and advisers alike. For your planting advice, I suggest you call Merrifield Garden Center to see if they will come out your way. They currently have wonderful garden centers in Merrifield and Fairfax (both in Fairfax County) and a new one in Gainesville, but they may come further south to wherever you reside. (www.MerrifieldGardenCenter.com) Even if they don't send designers to your area, they are worth a trip to see their huge selection for a day of pleasure and inspiration, or to pick up some plants. Most of my clients are in the Fairfax and greater Washington area, but I am currently living out west below Front Royal, VA on the Shenandoah mountainside - wonderful views. cascio.offsite@gmail.com

This project focused on a complete upgrade of the upstairs ensuite bathroom, seamlessly connected to the master bedroom. Before: After: A coastal inspired bathing haven was elevated by the thoughtful design details. From the soft mint green feature tiles that the drive the ‘serene, sanctuary’ to the extra thick Caesarstone vanity top that adds a sense of abundance and quality, our design captures the coastal theme of the house. Stepping into the room feels relaxing and restful. The subdued tones of the feature tiles paired with the soft grey floor tiles overall create a sense of calm. No colour or material is overbearing, offering a special corner of the house to unwind in. Before: After: The bathroom now flows better for the user when moving through the space. With the vanity and feature tiles being the first point of view when entering the room, other more rudimentary elements such as the toilet become a secondary aspect. The shower is no longer a box configuration, and now a walk-in set up with feels more open and connected with the rest of the room. The main fixtures are more tightly integrated in the space, due to the ledge running behind the vanity and toilet and through the shower.