Kitchen

Let me start by saying: Jim and Roseann know the Myrtle Beach area restaurants better than Tom Sietsema knows DC.  I heard much about which has the nicest staff, the best view, the freshest catch, the fluffiest omelet, the best grouper sandwich…and of course, Jim and Roseann do not agree as to who is the winner in each of the said categories.  (Read my post from Tuesday to experience a little of my culinary tour.)  So it was a bit obvious that the Kitchen in their new home will never be properly loved.  Still, I had amazing spa-like breakfasts of precisely sliced grapefruits, juicy blueberries, plump sweet strawberries and moist zucchini bread. 

The Kitchen allows plenty of options for relaxing with a cup of coffee.  A tall bar divides it from the Great Room.  My clients had this area wired for pendant lights, but have not been able to find something they both like.  Lots of Venetian Gold granite counter space, tall warm cabinetry and bay windows leave little wall space to inject personality, but a pair of Banana Leaf Mini Pendants will do the trick. 

And a nice grass green, Benjamin Moore’s Ivy Lane, will complement the bit of wall there is.  They chose-without my help!-a wonderful glass and wicker dinette set.  When it arrived, two pairs of different chair backs were mistakenly shipped.  But both Roseann and Jim thought it contributed to the interest and decided to keep them.  Do I need to explain how proud of that I am?!?  I am still working on finding just the right drum shade pendant to hang over it.  I need pattern and color here…

There was some discussion about decorating the space at the top of the upper cabinets.  This is one of those areas where I have a strong opinion.  I say NO WAY.  Just a repository for nasty grimy kitchen dust, if you really want to know how I feel.    Roseann wanted to collect some large colorful platters and display them there, so when we found a large metal art piece at Pier 1 she was very pleased.  This would satisfy her wishes nicely except…

Jim hated it.  A few times more around the store we went, debating various shelving units for the half bath.  Roseann slips into the conversation admirations of the piece with unwavering commitment.  Jim meets them with a steadily increasing agitated “NO” until it crescendos into, “THAT IS THE UGLIEST THING I HAVE EVER SEEN!”

So as we began to collect our purchases at the register, Jim tells the clerk, “Don’t ring it up.”  But since the van was already packed, and we had just bought two more substantially large items and a bevy of littler things, he had to go to parking lot and rearrange.  Roseann took the opportunity of his absence to return the art to the pile.  Seconds later, the manager walks to the register, on a mission from Jim to see if Roseann had done just that.  The poor girl, forced to choose between satisfying her best customer all week and actually INCREASING the sale.  This is why the couple has been so loyal to me: I know when to step in and make the final decision before any feathers fly. 

The piece has found a perfect home nailed horizontally above the pantry doors.  Jim hung it where I asked him and I ignored the mutterings under his breath.

Den

This is Jim’s domain.  He has a large desk, a credenza, and a file chest and hutch.  A console is still on backorder.  Jim displayed his collection of old cameras on the hutch, so when he expressed an interest in the Photographer’s Tripod Floor Lamp from Pottery Barn, I agreed.  We picked up the Adeline Rug as well, since if you remember from yesterday, finding rugs was such a challenge. 

This room has wide, dark cherry planked wood floors.  Crisp white beadboard would really add architectural detail.  And Jim agreed.  I imagined a richly textured green grasscloth to grace the upper portion of the walls.  And Jim disagreed.  Again and again.  I worked on him over three days and many meals, and as often as I thought I could get away with it.   I flew back home understanding my place as the employed one and before I left I chose Benjamin Moore’s Chopped Dill.  But insisted it be done in the Matte finish.  Maybe I will come back and faux finish it…