Kitchen and Living Room Combined Designs: Countertops

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhulXvNExzcvUxfVhkeF4C-62iszs09APjMlFge-9QpzOAQXqYBEmrXU0wCR0ae1Gvb89Ubho1K3QQ2At106-iSrUEFtRDyXCGHFSFxzzNMC5K2EL0qjKXKlZhCsahFgHILo3O88du_do8/s1600/IMG_0766.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMgoLKYZ8rCLoI__JWEX9xt7aJzl9A3wwZcopMYdKRq0CMqkGUPxDw2ZmXkMu6bfR2D79Y9QeXdaqHFLRVxeB4YKXgoQUANsjlXAAScKQQ6j3J6C6YPY-Ot2IKbbJNjzWmhiKzAYvni3c/s1600/IMG_0829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMgoLKYZ8rCLoI__JWEX9xt7aJzl9A3wwZcopMYdKRq0CMqkGUPxDw2ZmXkMu6bfR2D79Y9QeXdaqHFLRVxeB4YKXgoQUANsjlXAAScKQQ6j3J6C6YPY-Ot2IKbbJNjzWmhiKzAYvni3c/s1600/IMG_0829.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Having to decide what one wants to do with their life at the age of 16 is</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">one of life's cruelest jokes.  If it weren't for earning a scholarship to attend</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">nursing school, I might have taken a much different path.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If I'd known I could build forms with balsa wood, cut things with</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">X-acto knives, use a hot glue gun, smell magic markers,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and see the inside of a million different houses, surely I would</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">have wanted to become a counter templater.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5y76pmRZNAu4MQ81d_jKlFb8CoW7t6Fa9u9w3ohNMa5ReYdIBT900lq4snbnthMGueEOHkS3LHN557sY3NvKF7ReQdthw7KmsDAH5HmpiZVCxQG39GQZm12Dt1Q4ysS9p-B4XFsVtTAQ/s1600/IMG_0831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5y76pmRZNAu4MQ81d_jKlFb8CoW7t6Fa9u9w3ohNMa5ReYdIBT900lq4snbnthMGueEOHkS3LHN557sY3NvKF7ReQdthw7KmsDAH5HmpiZVCxQG39GQZm12Dt1Q4ysS9p-B4XFsVtTAQ/s1600/IMG_0831.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I've never seen this done before and I thought for sure they</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">would have arrived with laser instruments to ensure a perfect</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">fit right down to the micron.  But, no, it's still a very old-school</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">process.  Simple square of wood are made to outline each section of</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">counter. Smaller squares of balsa wood are lined up tightly against</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the wall to follow any small curves in the wall.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBqIo2yBcjmx7o-k8jGDDCW8ySSfm8Eh0lnoRwpUUxXrI-piV1H9jp2eU8M7OzA9bdxIb7elxtrOyNiQWlCeKHc33ezYO4BDfgy1muAhyFlxgRovdOEm0yiZpdp-t3XEI2L2aaVv9rjvw/s1600/IMG_0836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBqIo2yBcjmx7o-k8jGDDCW8ySSfm8Eh0lnoRwpUUxXrI-piV1H9jp2eU8M7OzA9bdxIb7elxtrOyNiQWlCeKHc33ezYO4BDfgy1muAhyFlxgRovdOEm0yiZpdp-t3XEI2L2aaVv9rjvw/s1600/IMG_0836.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And each template is marked with instructions such</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">as the size of the radius cuts in the inside and outside curves</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">of the sink and notes where the counter is to be placed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxn9gJ5B-LCActW3k3MZHUEngYf_dqY0L26t4bhIbWkUwxz2SLy9F69yWuUCwK7lHnzyFKOrW52b9XndDeeERjbIEiOJAKNwRGmtNSJbatd9BWGAVCgJj0TzzNjvrkBKlVJ1OnyfaTp5A/s1600/IMG_0841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxn9gJ5B-LCActW3k3MZHUEngYf_dqY0L26t4bhIbWkUwxz2SLy9F69yWuUCwK7lHnzyFKOrW52b9XndDeeERjbIEiOJAKNwRGmtNSJbatd9BWGAVCgJj0TzzNjvrkBKlVJ1OnyfaTp5A/s1600/IMG_0841.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is the template that shows a tricky portion</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">of the counter next to the fridge.  The "No BS" means</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">no backsplash as well as the one place in the kitchen</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">where I needed to have a seam in the counter.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This area will end up a built-in for a small microwave,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">a small TV, some cookbooks, and other doo-dads. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Just under the counter, you'll see a gap next to the fridge.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There was a little four-inch gap there so instead of filling</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">it with a panel...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimcL4YIP8MlMuI2vUQypXC3PO85qnPHXD9h5L0dfvo8yNLhnmlWoUbiCarv-uXsmQHJBojRg9N6hENDHJgHA1xNyZmWKJ3awq3f6WS6CuagAE5_4IKmkEGTcpQiipYO2cMPaqgj6BT160/s1600/IMG_0773.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimcL4YIP8MlMuI2vUQypXC3PO85qnPHXD9h5L0dfvo8yNLhnmlWoUbiCarv-uXsmQHJBojRg9N6hENDHJgHA1xNyZmWKJ3awq3f6WS6CuagAE5_4IKmkEGTcpQiipYO2cMPaqgj6BT160/s1600/IMG_0773.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...the little bit of mahogany countertop that could be reclaimed</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">from the store counter got cut up to become little shelves</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">for a wine rack.  With a little sanding and about seven coats</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">of tung oil, they're almost too beautiful to hide.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhulXvNExzcvUxfVhkeF4C-62iszs09APjMlFge-9QpzOAQXqYBEmrXU0wCR0ae1Gvb89Ubho1K3QQ2At106-iSrUEFtRDyXCGHFSFxzzNMC5K2EL0qjKXKlZhCsahFgHILo3O88du_do8/s1600/IMG_0766.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhulXvNExzcvUxfVhkeF4C-62iszs09APjMlFge-9QpzOAQXqYBEmrXU0wCR0ae1Gvb89Ubho1K3QQ2At106-iSrUEFtRDyXCGHFSFxzzNMC5K2EL0qjKXKlZhCsahFgHILo3O88du_do8/s1600/IMG_0766.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My desire to have no upper cabinets in the kitchen</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">required a solution for adding some good storage.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That proved to more difficult than I expected.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This beautiful piece from <a href="http://www.darbyroad.com/" target="_blank">Darby Road</a> was too wide</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">as were many I found over the past several months.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVzXOsjTxceFahLK6_RhpZlbUzCHU7A9p04HEstr_SiURvLkPUk3shM5VDkWKGT-1x3H-FfJh2vOp0VAVhQls7-j6MRwrNFzATKmClkLMXhRhGcIYgj38-COFdXB4-ZLI78AwbcEglSuc/s1600/IMG_0803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVzXOsjTxceFahLK6_RhpZlbUzCHU7A9p04HEstr_SiURvLkPUk3shM5VDkWKGT-1x3H-FfJh2vOp0VAVhQls7-j6MRwrNFzATKmClkLMXhRhGcIYgj38-COFdXB4-ZLI78AwbcEglSuc/s1600/IMG_0803.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This one was too tall as were most that I liked.  Also</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">from the Darby Road warehouse.  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFF8fcS3XUjr4T3yLOX7jqK0Xa0S6IzlGSn6qjm9TLzdop5PCJtshfW0f2Bum0wEcf-MgZbqye4OlH0PTTQAbZGGaK761AzHtFkhGjFFQ8caL_H_PQ1yGesGLrf3dCkLrbI99hqK2YR18/s1600/builtin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFF8fcS3XUjr4T3yLOX7jqK0Xa0S6IzlGSn6qjm9TLzdop5PCJtshfW0f2Bum0wEcf-MgZbqye4OlH0PTTQAbZGGaK761AzHtFkhGjFFQ8caL_H_PQ1yGesGLrf3dCkLrbI99hqK2YR18/s1600/builtin.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I've also been on the lookout for some cool old doors</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">or window to do a custom built-in piece between the </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">dining room and kitchen, but, after a year, nothing. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhowNzh_HpwoBh0SdHeOCjW943H1ZOuxk64n38VVHPuasWnSirU3g0vBC73Ec8siBm1YK1OMlX9Q7eN4gJjWf3SZtyoKWxuMlPx7bqVFChZwr-YQsHUIKqqVrrVNJRxZzfhx27hL_EgqNk/s1600/IMG_0876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhowNzh_HpwoBh0SdHeOCjW943H1ZOuxk64n38VVHPuasWnSirU3g0vBC73Ec8siBm1YK1OMlX9Q7eN4gJjWf3SZtyoKWxuMlPx7bqVFChZwr-YQsHUIKqqVrrVNJRxZzfhx27hL_EgqNk/s1600/IMG_0876.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I finally found a piece over the weekend that seems</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">just right to hold many of my dishes and serving pieces at</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ecountryantiques.com/" target="_blank">European Country Antiques</a> right here in Cambridge.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Sorry for the blurry iPhone photo.)  It's a great place to</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">check out if you're in the Huron Village neighborhood.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's just packed with rustic European pieces.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's nice and deep with really sturdy shelves to hold the</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">weight of dishes.  I was hoping for something with a little</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">hidden storage but I could put baskets in the bottom to</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">hide some of the less pretty stuff.  </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsL0p1xKEWdeCa-35TkWcP0S9S3x2Izb7Oq9u-KCmzXcA2IR-uRvnmIUqf-SWG2kJWKF7fN8zLGXGdCH0Ak9HPZCpAW8GxedG6wdxq2Uay5hos0EeibTfpzpMZRQLLymklI7AfiHtppZ8/s1600/IMG_0878.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsL0p1xKEWdeCa-35TkWcP0S9S3x2Izb7Oq9u-KCmzXcA2IR-uRvnmIUqf-SWG2kJWKF7fN8zLGXGdCH0Ak9HPZCpAW8GxedG6wdxq2Uay5hos0EeibTfpzpMZRQLLymklI7AfiHtppZ8/s1600/IMG_0878.jpg" width="310" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I look forward to the day I can have it delivered and</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">start putting things on their forever shelves.</div></div>

Counters and Storage

Having to decide what one wants to do with their life at the age of 16 is one of life's cruelest jokes. If it weren't for earning a...

Kitchen and Living Room Combined Designs

Counters and Storage

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