1. Name, age, sex, marital status, occupation
Ginnie, 33, F, M, stay at home mom to 7, 5, 3 year olds- 2 older boys one little pink
2. Where do you live? (or area)
capial district, NY
3. How large is your house? and kitchen?
hopefully will be moving at the end of the week to a 2400 sqf Victorian (11 x 21 kitchen that needs to stay that size), currently live in a 1750 sf split level ranch, 12 x 12 kitchen
4. Are your kitchen cabinets stained or painted? describe
Currently white, in the new house, are stained, but will hopefully be totally changed, am leaning toward a dark almost black stain (to go with the victorian), with hopfully lots of architectural salvage used
5. What color are your appliances? Countertop? Flooring?
current: black and white, strange brickish-fleshish colored laminate countertop (not a fan if you can tell),ceramic tile; new: will put in SS and black I think, counter will be mostly wood, some butcherblock, some plank, with a bit of marble for baking, and hopefully wood floors will be there below linoleaum
6. Do you have stained or painted woodwork in your home?
current: painted white, new, I think lots of it is painted, which will stay for awhile, but I hope to gradually strip it... very gradually
7. What is your can't do without kitchen item or dream kitchen item?
I actually really love our current kitchen, it's bright and accesible to the backyard (can make dinner while kids play out back)- so for our new house, that is my can't do without, the kitchen being accesible. I love cooking but I've found that I can cook under many different conditions, I want my kitchen to be a family friendly place that enables us to eat and live happily. That's my dream and can't do without. That said, there are quite a few other dream things, but this is already too long!

Also, a very belated congrats to Igloochick, hope everything is going really well and you are doing okay near the end!

Here is a link that might be useful: Tellus about yourself part 1

1. Name, age, sex, marital status, occupation
Danielle, 31, F, 4 kids (7, 5, 3.5, 3.5); housewife/media analyst.
2. Where do you live? (or area) Maryland
3. How large is your house? and kitchen? 1700 sq ft. kitchen is approx 19 x 13, but includes the only eating area in the house
4. Are your kitchen cabinets stained or painted? describe currently it is some type of laminate situation. i think we will go with stained wood for the reno (still deciding!)
5. What color are your appliances? Countertop? Flooring? we're hoping for soapstone or honed costa esmeralda; salvage the wood floor under 2 layers of vinyl; SS appliances.
6. Do you have stained or painted woodwork in your home? mostly painted.
7. What is your can't do without kitchen item or dream kitchen item? would definitely like a more powerful range. have been cooking on electric & can't wait to go back to gas (with proper ventilation, of course).

1. Name, age, sex, marital status, occupation
Sandra, mid 40s, F, married, accountant
2. Where do you live? (or area) Sacramento, CA
3. How large is your house? and kitchen? house 2450 sq ft. kitchen is approx 10.5 x 10, includes small 4 x2 island
4. Are your kitchen cabinets stained or painted?
They are coming on Thurs! So excited. Stained dark cherry, burgundy
5. What color are your appliances? Countertop? Flooring?
Have nothing now except beige tile flooring, want SS appliances and haven't decided on color of granite caounters.
6. Do you have stained or painted woodwork in your home?
All stained, don't know why. But Stairs, rails, all stained. Chair rails (living room & office), crown and baseboards are all white paint.
7. What is your can't do without kitchen item or dream kitchen item? I would love a large walk in pantry, but it's a total dream as there is no room for one.

1. Name, age, sex, marital status, occupation
Mairin, 35, F, Married, SAHM of 2 (was a school psychologist)

2. Where do you live? (or area)
Chicago (but new house is in the suburbs)

3. How large is your house? and kitchen?
3800sf with unfinished basement (currently live in 1400sf apartment so this will be a big leap!), 17 x 14 for the basic part of the kitchen. It opens into the fam room & bfast nook and has a butlers pantry.

4. Are your kitchen cabinets stained or painted? describe
walnut stained in Java

5. What color are your appliances? Countertop? Flooring?
mix between stainless and paneled/integrated. countertop will be something in the white/cream granite or quartzite. flooring is Cumaru (brazilian teak) natural finish.

6. Do you have stained or painted woodwork in your home?
painted

7. What is your can't do without kitchen item or dream kitchen item?
I'm hoping my dream kitchen is the one we are doing! The one thing I can't wait to have is all soft-close drawers and cabinet doors!!!!!

This is really fun, are there any more who would be willing to share?

Name, age, sex, marital status, occupation:

Vanessa, 49, Female, married - mother of 3, Owner of a custom drapery business

I live in southeastern TN

Our home is about 2900 sq + 500 sq ft of finished basement
I haven't measured the kitchen - but its a decent size.

I just painted my previously stained honey oak cabinets. They are a cream with a heavy chocolate glaze. My counters are Baltic brown granite, my appliances are a mixture of s.s. and black. I have a walnut stained wood floor.

The woodwork in our home is painted

I absolutely love my new gas range. It heats at the correct temperature - my old one was too hot!!! I really am happy with everything I've done in my new facelift! I couldn't get a new kitchen, but this feels like its new.

1. Alex, 37, F, 3 kids, SAHM + pt work, homeschooling, former urban planner

2. 9 miles west of Boston, MA

3. 3600 sf house (1000 on 3rd floor given over to hubby's business, so really 2600), kitchen size tbd but around 16 x 22.

4. Ikea white lidingo cabinets w/ house of antique hardware eastlake bin pulls (I drool every time I type that).

5. Light beige corian countertops, ss appliances, encaustic victorian tile floor and cork in main work area.

6. Stained woodwork. Love it.

7. Dream kitchen item: sunlight!!! That is the main reason we are remodeling. Our new kitchen will still be in the dark NW corner of the house, but it will be adjacent to the (currently) dark back hallway that will be converted into a light-filled conservatory that funnels the sun into the kitchen. Stay tuned...

1. Hughie, 50, male,8 kids, married, kitchen and bath contractor
2. Where do you live? Monmouth county NJ
3. How large is your house? 2,500 sqft and kitchen? 800sqft
4. Are your kitchen cabinets stained yes cherry cabinets ,beaded inset w/ granite tops
5. What color are your appliances? SS sub zero w/ wolf range Countertop? granite Flooring? ceramic
6. painted woodwork in my home?
7. What is your can't do without kitchen item? My wife

1. Name, age, sex, marital status, occupation

Donna, 44, married with 3 kids 11, 9 and almost 7

2. Where do you live? (or area)

Morris County, NJ

3. How large is your house? and kitchen?

100 yr old home. 2750 square feet with new kitchen addition. Kitchen and eat in area are about 21 X 24

4. Are your kitchen cabinets stained or painted? describe

Perimeter cabinets are very creamy (think brie) and peninsula is stained maple with a black glaze.

5. What color are your appliances? Countertop? Flooring?

Appliances have cabinet panels. Countertop is soapstone and maple end grain walnut. Floor is stained rift and quartered white oak.

6. Do you have stained or painted woodwork in your home?

We have painted woodwork. It is chestnut underneath the many layers of paint and would love to strip it someday.

7. What is your can't do without kitchen item or dream kitchen item?

Kitchen is 98% done, but have not used it yet, but I think my absolute favorite thing is the soapstone counters.

1. Christina, 33, F, Married no kids, I sell MINI Coopers

2. West suburb of Chicago,IL

3.House is about 1600 sf, Kitchen 9 x 10

4.We have chosen shaker style cabinets painted white

5.Stainless steel appliances, planning on Marble countertop, current oak flooring is going to be refinished

6. The woodwork in our 1922 home was stained, but in awful shape so we have begun painting it white.

7.Dream kitchen item... Marble countertops

Deb, 40+, married.
Occupation: Family hub

City: Glorious Chula Vista, CA---a city that makes me feel that I was born to live here.

House: 2400 sf.

New kitchen: Natural cherry cabs. I don't believe in painting wood. Since there is not an unlimited supply of natural materials, I have great respect for those God-made materials, such as wood, metal, leather etc.

Appliances are mostly stainless, except the ovens which are black. Counters are soapstone, floor is handscraped natural hickory. The best thing in my kitchen is my copper trash chute & trash pullout, but I suppose since I never had one before I could live without it. Wouldn't want to live without a dishwasher, but my continuous grate five-burner cooktop is probably the most exceptional thing in my kitchen.

Gwen,50+ married w/2 kids.
New England house built in 1917.
Sq. Ft. 2,500?
Cabinets: Painted because ceiling and floors are wood.
Appliances: All black except Refrigerator is SS
Woodwork: Painted downstairs; Stained upstairs
Dream kitchen: Has a welcoming atmosphere to friends and family.

1. K., 27, F, married with 2 boys, copywriter (work from home)
2. Central Virginia
3. House is fairly large (1921 Arts and Crafts farmhouse, probably about 3,000 sq. ft.) but kitchen is TINY!
4. Cabinets are currently stained pine -- new cabinets will be painted off-white
5. The new appliances will be stainless steel, the countertops will be a Corian that looks like Carrara marble, and the floors .... that's an ongoing issue. I have no idea. Right now it's black appliances, fake wood laminate counters from the early 80s, and fake brick vinyl flooring from the early 80s.
6. Woodwork: The doors and built-ins are stained, the baseboards, real wood paneling and all molding are painted.
7. Can't do without kitchen item: DISHWASHER! I can't wait.

1. Name, age, sex, marital status, occupation
Nettie: 41: divorced: Granite, marble, slate, travertine, tile sales assistant:

2. Where do you live? (or area)
Dallas Texas

3. How large is your house? and kitchen?
(sold 4 houses: lived in 3 DwnTwn Lofts: now apartment)

4. Are your kitchen cabinets stained or painted? describe
(No! Ugly! apartment living)

5. What color are your appliances? Countertop? Flooring?
(white brand new appliances: nice looking formica: ivory tile) Ok looking: Several pieces of granite in the kitchen for Decor! big cutting board by the stove of Juparana Bordeaux Red. Also, have pieces of Verde Butterfly and Labrador Antique in the kitchen to set things on.
(loved the stainless steel in my last loft!)

6. Do you have stained or painted woodwork in your home?
Antique furniture & all real wood: Stained and some painted.

7. What is your can't do without kitchen item or dream kitchen item?
-can't do with out : my cooking needs would be difficult without a can opener! Funny! Right! I have no clue how I would open a can without one?
-dream kitchen item: Awesome stove: conventional oven / Gas Wolf (not asking too much?) and a nice house to buy!

1. Jillian, 50+, Single & moved my 94-yr-old Mother in with me to caretake for her. That move started the ball rolling on my bath & kitchen remodel! Self employed.
2. SF Bay Area
3. 1400 sq. ft. house (1915 - old, not historic lol) 180 s.f kitchen (eat-in) + 35 s.f. walk-in pantry
4. Natural Maple cabs
5. White appliances. Granite Countertop - Juparana Colombo Gold. Cork Floors.
6. Painted woodwork throughout the house.
7. What is your can't do without kitchen item? hmmmmmm, well, everything in my kitchen is necessary! My can't do without luxury item has to be the hot/cold filtered water tap. This was a budget kitchen, but my whole kitchen is still a luxury item to me!

vic, 50+, married 35 yrs., 3 kids, shipping industry
southern california beachtown
2500 sq. ft. house
maple cabs going in
subzero glass refrg., wolf 48, costa esmeralda granite, tile floors
painted woodwork
dream kitchen items are going in soon!

Here is a link that might be useful: vic's progress

1. Name, age, sex, marital status, occupation
T, 37, married, speech pathologist (now SAHM to 12. Yes, 12) ;o)

2. Where do you live? (or area)
The Wild West

3. How large is your house? and kitchen?
house is ~6000 sq ft, kitchen will be ~ 340

4. Are your kitchen cabinets stained or painted? describe
Perimeters will be creamy white painted maple, island a medium oak - maybe quartersawn oak.

5. What color are your appliances? Countertop? Flooring?
Appliances - stainless, countertop - soapstone (Minas, Beleza or verde duro - who knows?) and marble (venetino, carrara or calacatta - who knows?), flooring - oak (salvaged original, if possible, or new stained-to-match dining room)

6. Do you have stained or painted woodwork in your home?
Both! The house is 100 years old, so we have a variety of finishes ;o)

7. What is your can't do without kitchen item or dream kitchen item?
I can't pick just one! My top three are my huge pantry (got it!), my island (will have it!), and the marble countertop (I'm still in search of...)

1. Katherine, 26, Married, architectural engineer
2. Rhode Island
3. 1030sf cape, 10x8 kitchen
4. stained maple cabinets
5. Dec 23rd delivery of whirlpool gold black appliances, Dec 21 delivery of butcher block countertops, beige/sandstone mixed tile floor
6. trimwork throughout painted white
7. My dream kitchen item? PERFECT RECIPES.

1. Jenny, 50+, married with 2 teenagers, P/T retail sales, formerly petroleum engineering
2. Canadian prairies
3. 46 yr old house, 2000 sf, kitchen 12'x14' (original size) including eat-in area, adjacent to formal DR.
4. Antique blue painted cabs with mocha glaze, frameless style
5. SS appliances, quartz countertops, ceramic tile floor, slate mosaic backsplash.
6. Painted builder-grade trim everywhere
7. One month in my new kitchen and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it. Especially my 36" AG range, and box/bay window.

Happy Holidays!

1. Name, age, sex, marital status, occupation
Debbie, 40 married for 9 1/2 years, customer
liasion/billing
2. Where do you live? (or area)
eastern PA
3. How large is your house? and kitchen?
a 50 yr old-front-back split with 1500sq feet- kitchen?
small-it's a galley style.
4. Are your kitchen cabinets stained or painted? describe
They are Shenandoah's mocha glazed-Winchester style.
Just redid kitchen-unplanned decision.
5. What color are your appliances? Countertop? Flooring?
we had the Biscuit color appliances prior to remodel and appliances work well- not up to trading them. Our countertop-we went with Formica's Hi-Def laminate "Butterrum Granite". wish we could have afforded granite, but this remodel was not quite planned-took us by surprise. Our flooring is a Italian porcelan/ceramix in a beige-sand color.
6. Do you have stained or painted woodwork in your home? Painted-white
7. What is your can't do without kitchen item or dream kitchen item? I didn't put in alot of bells and whistles, but I do love my Kohler deep (16"?) sink and my pull out shelves and drawers. oh, we redid a 6 foot butcher block.

Debbie, just turned 40, married for 9.5 yrs, 1 furbaby

slateberry - it's nice to "meet" another homeschooler. :o) Is yours an older home? It sounds like you have some amazing plans!

Hiya, worldmom, yes there seem to be a few homeschoolers on gardenweb and I always enjoy stumbling on them too. I think homeschoolers' kitchens are interesting because they see so much heavy-duty multi-person use, often 3 meals plus snacks, day in, day out (except for those "car-schoolers"-you know what I mean, drama workshop, dance class, lecture, field trip, science co-op, volunteer opportunity, etc.--we have had years where we're not home much.) We are really enjoying designing our kitchen to be so well used and loved. I **love it** when my kids make their own meals and snacks--not just because I'm lazy, but because I love to watch them discover the vast world of cooking. Our house is an 1887 Queen Anne victorian. I plan to post some plans on this forum, hoping the gw community will beat them up for me, and I look forward to your suggestions and criticisms too.

1. Name, age, sex, marital status, occupation
Nancy, 42, F, married, SAHM
2. Where do you live? (or area) NJ
3. How large is your house? and kitchen? I'm not sure of the square footage of the house. It's a three floor 1895 victorian (soon to be 4 floors, when we finish the basement! New kitchen is approx. 27 X 17 feet
4. Are your kitchen cabinets stained or painted? describe
will be dove white painted inset
5. What color are your appliances? Countertop? Flooring?
Soon to be: appliances: stainless steel, countertops: soapstone and marble, flooring: red oak stained in a checkerboard pattern
6. Do you have stained or painted woodwork in your home?
most all the rooms retain original chestnut stained trim. But the new kitchen will have painted white trim to match the cabinets
7. What is your can't do without kitchen item or dream kitchen item? Three things I am looking forward to in new kitchen: 1)counterspace! 2) good lighting! 3)better flow with rest of house!

I'm all for getting to know each other, but this seems such a dry list of questions. How about favorite book? Personal hero? Favorite food? Idea of perfect happiness? Degrees? Worst fault? Anybody have additional ideas?

Hey Morton5- I'm all for adding questions- go for it! Just to show my enthusiasm, here's some answers:
Favorite book: cheesy, but I've always loved "Gone with the Wind" it's my favorite because I re-read it every two years or so and have for the past 20 years...
Personal Hero: I don't know, there are so many great ones, but we named my daughter Eleanor after Eleanor of Aquitaine, so she's really up there.
Favorite food: Sushi, funny because I'm awful at making it, but maybe that's why
Idea of perfect happiness: I don't think there is perfect happiness, but I'm pretty happy with my life right now- three healthy children two healthy adults
Degrees: I have a BA in art history with studio art minor, I'm hoping to go back to get my MFA in painting
Worst fault: I'm sure there are worse ones, but the one that always comes back to haunt me is that I'm horrible at multi tasking on things that I really need to concentrate on
Now, I'll add a couple:
Most used cookbook: Joy of cooking
Worst or funniest kitchen disaster: For this, I'll toss in a quick story about my husband's cousin, who during college decided to play "Jingle Bells" on the oven keypad while the Christmas turkey was in the oven. He turned on the self cleaning feature during his musical overature and managed to burn dinner to a crisp!

Tag, you're it, answer and add one :)

Okay, here goes.
Stephanie, 45, married for 16 years with 5 kids ages 6 to 13, homemaker. Live in MD. Don't know exactly how big my house or kitchen is, but there is ample room for all of us, so pretty big I guess. I have espresso-stained Ikea cabinets, stainless appliances, golden-oak-stained floors, Madura gold granite; overall style is contemporary/transitional. Woodwork in home is painted BM Mountain Peak White. Most important item in kitchen is a glass of wine for the cook.

My favorite contemporary book is Life of Pi. Also love The Slaughterhouse Five and Middlemarch. I'm trying to read the top 100 novels as listed by Modern Library by the time I turn 50-- I'm off-pace right now because I keep delving into 19th century literature. Personal hero is JP II, though I probably draw most inspiration from the everyday saints in our lives, like the lady behind me at Target the other day who had brought in a group of mentally disabled to shop, and did so with patience and love. Idea of perfect happiness is to be with my family at a sunlit villa in Italy on the Ligurian coast. Favorite cookbook is Julia Child's The Way to Cook. Worst habit is frittering away time on GW-- yikes, I better go do some more wrapping.

Thanks for reviving the thread, Autumn.

Glad you suggested to make it a bit more interesting!

It's also a goal of mine to read top 100 novels. I'm also a bit off pace... ashamed to say I've never read George Elliot, but seeing it included in another's list of favorites (especially next to KV) makes me think now is the time- thanks!

Ginnie

1. Name, age, sex, marital status, occupation
J., 43, F, married, insurance claims

2. Where do you live? (or area)
North-central Alabama

3. How large is your house? and kitchen?
2,000 sq. ft. MCM home, kitchen is an exaggerated open galley, 8' x 17'.

4. Are your kitchen cabinets stained or painted?
Current cabs are painted ca. 1978 OK-corral-theme pressed board. Planned cabs are Ikea Nexus yellow-brown.

5. What color are your appliances?
DW and Range are white and are staying. Fridge is vintage 1957 creamy white and is staying. Range hood is almond(!) and we already have its SS replacement sitting in the barn.

Countertop?
Currently a dirty ivory formica. Will be granite or quartz -- totally undecided at this point.

Flooring?
Original dark brown pavers. These are staying.

6. Do you have stained or painted woodwork in your home?
Everything in the main room is stained wood, with painted trim in the bedrooms. Thankfully the dark brown posts and beams and the T&G pine ceiling are unpainted.

7. What is your can't do without kitchen item or dream kitchen item?
Good lighting!