Kitchen re-do

When we first saw this house, one of the quirks that we found most interesting was "the column." Perhaps this was a fad of the '70s kitchen, along with avocado-colored appliances and fondue pots (although I must admit, since Gerold showed me the wonders of Swiss fondue, I'd love to have time to use ours a little more). Or perhaps the column was erected so that one wouldn't have to see too much of the eye-sore kitchen at any one time. Or maybe it was just installed as a place to hold someone's Star Wars-figurine collection. Regardless, it was an interesting architectural feature.

It didn't take too long before we decided that the column had to go. Repainting the kitchen brightened it significantly, but wherever we stood the column was blocking either a window or the rest of the room.

As Dad perfected his skills at creating gorgeous kitchen counter units, we gradually needed the space in the column less and less. Finally, with Dad's counter adorned by the lovely granite we dug out of hiding in our 'barn,' the column emptied, my brother's sawzall and a hammer, the column came down. The top half now resides in the landfill, and the bottom half remains as a temporary counter until we can replace the island with something a bit more functional.

It's a huge improvement, largely because it makes the kitchen so much brighter. See for yourself! Thanks, Dad.