The kitchen banquette was installed today. It still needs to be painted (I'm doing the finishing so I opted to have him install it and I'll finish it in place), but I'm thrilled with it.

The cubbies on the left side will hold the cordless phone, cell phones and anything else that needs to be charged (we're going to mount a power strip in the back). The bottom shelf will be used for frequently used cookbooks, etc.

I plan to put the less frequently used cookbooks (I have WAY too many cookbooks), big, rarely used pans, etc., behind the sliding doors. Access won't be super easy since I'll have to go under the table to get to it, so I don't want to put anything there I'm going to need often.

On the other end I have what I had hoped would be my very own morgue drawer, but alas there was a cold-air return in the way, so it got quite a bit shorter, maybe 30" deep or so. Still it's awesome, easy-to-access storage that we'll probably use for hats, mittens, leashes etc., since we do not have an entry closet of any kind.

I have a trestle table that will be going in the space (that also needs finishing ... I have a lot of projects!), and I'll be putting on a 4-inch cushion on top of the bench (unless I decide that's too high, then it will be 3-inch) and a collection of throw pillows.