I once read that a person’s eyes do not “see” they collect. They gather information, light and
waves, among other things and transfer all of that to the brain to become something
recognizable. My eyes are collecting the beauty of my new surroundings that are finally coming
to fruition and transferring it all into something recognizable. JOY...okay…RELIEF is the only
word necessary in the drawn out process of getting this kitchen finished!
waves, among other things and transfer all of that to the brain to become something
recognizable. My eyes are collecting the beauty of my new surroundings that are finally coming
to fruition and transferring it all into something recognizable. JOY...okay…RELIEF is the only
word necessary in the drawn out process of getting this kitchen finished!
Kitchen Happenings
(and other goings on at Bret's Table)
(and other goings on at Bret's Table)
The basement is finally complete; the master bedroom measuring some 12 ft by 20 ft has been
painted in a cozy cottage green. The need to go to the mechanical room to get the actual color
name seems somehow inconsequential at this point. A good friend was kind enough to provide
a beautiful rug that almost covers the entire area. The closet, a full four times larger than my
old one, is already full and more space is needed. Go figure!
When first planning the new bathroom I kept asking anyone who would listen, "Why does a
bathroom need to be this big?" Now, enjoying it fully, I know that everyone deserves a
bathroom that measures 12ft wide by 17ft long. Although the concrete flooring from the
original basement had to be excavated and the area poured with new golden colored concrete,
the 5.5 x 8 foot shower alone is a wonderful thing to experience. Redesign of the floor meant
another change in plans. Jon figured that since new concrete had to be poured anyway, flat
river rocks should be used to create the shower floor.
Keeping true to character, I had my doubts, which seems ridiculous now given the spa in
which I get to shower every morning. I remember thinking, this is going to be impossible to
stand on…but It really isn't. Once I get the shower going and the heat pouring over the
stones, they heat up and provide a wonderful massaging effect on my feet. Having seen
pictures of spas, I knew a wall or curtain would never suffice in this awesome retreat. So,
glass block walls surround me for the light and water to dance off of while I sing the praises
of my conspirators in design and construction.
painted in a cozy cottage green. The need to go to the mechanical room to get the actual color
name seems somehow inconsequential at this point. A good friend was kind enough to provide
a beautiful rug that almost covers the entire area. The closet, a full four times larger than my
old one, is already full and more space is needed. Go figure!
When first planning the new bathroom I kept asking anyone who would listen, "Why does a
bathroom need to be this big?" Now, enjoying it fully, I know that everyone deserves a
bathroom that measures 12ft wide by 17ft long. Although the concrete flooring from the
original basement had to be excavated and the area poured with new golden colored concrete,
the 5.5 x 8 foot shower alone is a wonderful thing to experience. Redesign of the floor meant
another change in plans. Jon figured that since new concrete had to be poured anyway, flat
river rocks should be used to create the shower floor.
Keeping true to character, I had my doubts, which seems ridiculous now given the spa in
which I get to shower every morning. I remember thinking, this is going to be impossible to
stand on…but It really isn't. Once I get the shower going and the heat pouring over the
stones, they heat up and provide a wonderful massaging effect on my feet. Having seen
pictures of spas, I knew a wall or curtain would never suffice in this awesome retreat. So,
glass block walls surround me for the light and water to dance off of while I sing the praises
of my conspirators in design and construction.
“To know me is to love me.” But in this case, “to know wine
is to love wine.” Since I have no children to spoil, wine
deserved a room as glorious as the friends with which I share
it. Amazingly this room is the focal point of the basement, if
not the entire house. Bounding down the stairs I now gaze to
the right to see the new set of glass French doors back-lit to
show the beauty of a room covered almost entirely in slate
which holds the fruit of the vine and indeed was the work of
human hands.
Some time ago, I had an opportunity to purchase a beautiful
mid 1800’s French antique wine rack from (unfortunately
now) a defunct antique store called Méli-Mélo in Minneapolis.
This rare find is the center piece of the room that brings so
much enjoyment by its existence and with its contents. I
sometimes think I should put a chair in there just to enjoy the
quiet but the hérisson (hedgehog in French) wine-bottle-drier
overwhelms the spot a chair could sit.
is to love wine.” Since I have no children to spoil, wine
deserved a room as glorious as the friends with which I share
it. Amazingly this room is the focal point of the basement, if
not the entire house. Bounding down the stairs I now gaze to
the right to see the new set of glass French doors back-lit to
show the beauty of a room covered almost entirely in slate
which holds the fruit of the vine and indeed was the work of
human hands.
Some time ago, I had an opportunity to purchase a beautiful
mid 1800’s French antique wine rack from (unfortunately
now) a defunct antique store called Méli-Mélo in Minneapolis.
This rare find is the center piece of the room that brings so
much enjoyment by its existence and with its contents. I
sometimes think I should put a chair in there just to enjoy the
quiet but the hérisson (hedgehog in French) wine-bottle-drier
overwhelms the spot a chair could sit.
I haven’t forgotten that I’m taking you on a tour of my now one-of-a-kind dream, but previously nightmarish kitchen. You had to
know that the basement is complete. This allowed everything that had been stored on the one remaining empty kitchen wall to
move to the mechanical and laundry rooms downstairs so that the kitchen could be finished.
As your eyes can gather from some of the pictures the walls were a pumpkin spice color. Honestly, this color really did nothing
for the caramel colored subway tiles which we laboriously and meticulously installed. After much deliberation we listened to the
wife of a Chocolatier and purchased a delicious looking (not tasting) chocolate brown that surprisingly creates a warm and
inviting place to relax. Combining the richness of chocolate brown with the warmth of caramel gives the kitchen a kind of "I
want to eat here" feeling if I do say so myself.
Lights for the track lighting are ordered and on their way and utensil hangers to attach to the walls are all that remain to this
journey. I teasingly say to Jon, "In the next house I’ll do such-and-such…"which causes him to roll his eyes and groan loudly;
knowing full well that I might actually be serious. For now I am ready to take this journey on its intended path: bringing family
(that is what you all are) together to experience the joy of food and wine at Bret’s Table.
know that the basement is complete. This allowed everything that had been stored on the one remaining empty kitchen wall to
move to the mechanical and laundry rooms downstairs so that the kitchen could be finished.
As your eyes can gather from some of the pictures the walls were a pumpkin spice color. Honestly, this color really did nothing
for the caramel colored subway tiles which we laboriously and meticulously installed. After much deliberation we listened to the
wife of a Chocolatier and purchased a delicious looking (not tasting) chocolate brown that surprisingly creates a warm and
inviting place to relax. Combining the richness of chocolate brown with the warmth of caramel gives the kitchen a kind of "I
want to eat here" feeling if I do say so myself.
Lights for the track lighting are ordered and on their way and utensil hangers to attach to the walls are all that remain to this
journey. I teasingly say to Jon, "In the next house I’ll do such-and-such…"which causes him to roll his eyes and groan loudly;
knowing full well that I might actually be serious. For now I am ready to take this journey on its intended path: bringing family
(that is what you all are) together to experience the joy of food and wine at Bret’s Table.
| Heading down the stairs to the master bedroom. Still under construction. |
| Shower in master bathroom downstairs |
| Wine Celler |
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