Homemaker Monday: To Design a Kitchen: Part Six

Welcome to...

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YOURS: Today's "YOURS" goes to Mama Rika at CompleteLee Blogger. Normally, I find that I gravitate towards posts with pictures, but this recipe sounded so good and so...me...that it spoke to me and I had give out some linky love. Mama Rike teaches us how to make whole wheat blueberry muffins, a perfect addition to a Christmas breakfast. For Mama Rika's entire post, click HERE. Thank you, Mama Rika, for your inspiration and please feel free to grab the "I Was Featured" button on my left sidebar! By the way, I plan on making these this week, so if you'd like to come on down to Mexico, Mama Rika, there will be some waiting!

MINE:
Work Centers - The office/drink center: My goal in this part of the kitchen was to have two computer work stations and a drink service area for guests...



Here's how we did it...

The computer work stations: Because we currently have five kids in school, we decided to design this area with two computer work stations in mind. It was important that we have the computers connected to the internet, but we didn't want the kids to have access to the internet in their bedrooms, but in a high traffic area of the house. I can't think of a higher traffic area than the kitchen, can you? I have to admit that I'm not completely happy with the way this looks at the present time. When I designed it...



...I kind of forgot that there would need to be space for a printer. I designed space in the cabinets for the computers, even making sure the carpenter carved out little slots for air circulation...,


...but I did not design enough space in the cabinets for the printer. So, there it sits on the granite countertop, taking up space. As you can see from the uncluttered drawing, I also did not plan out a space for the phones (Mexican and American), the modem, the router and all of those hideous cords! I have tried to bundle them and ziptie them as best as I could, but they are still visible. Any ideas on how to get this place looking less cluttered? I'm all ears!

Now, onto the guest drink center. The lower portion includes a small fridge for special guest drinks...


These drinks might include bottled juice, Perrier water, rootbeer, Sprite, or canned Mexican fruit nectar. These drinks are strictly off limits to the kids unless we are having a movie night or other special occasion. Otherwise, my guest drink stock would be depleted in, literally, two days, and the kids wouldn't have an appetite for dinner because of drinking cans and cans of sugary soda. Basically they are allowed milk and water when at home. Yeah, not too fun, but hey, I'm trying to do what's right!

Anyway, alongside the mini-fridge we have an ice maker we purchased on sale at Sam's...


If you can believe it, I have a dear friend who also has nine kids and she encouraged me to add this to the design of our kitchen. She was so right. The ice maker in our fridge does not produce even a fraction of the ice we need when we have our extended family Sunday dinners. I'm so glad I listened to her!

The upper portion of the drink center stores fun mugs and glasses for guests to choose from. I said "fun" mugs and glasses. That's what Mormons say. We say things are "fun", even if they are inanimate objects. It's kind of annoying, but...it's what we do. Anywho...all of these "fun" mugs and glasses were given to me by my loved ones and they are special...and fun...


While going to miriad home improvement stores looking for kitchen design ideas, I was always drawn to the designs which included wine racks. Even though Mormons don't drink, I knew I needed to have one. We added it in, but if you're Mormon, you fill it with San Peligrino's and thrift store wine bottles...


See? I can still be a good Mormon and have a wine rack.

And...the crowning achievement of this work center? The water fountain...


This was one of the most brilliant ideas my husband has ever given word to. It cuts down on the glasses that go into the dishwasher and the kids friends never have to ask where the cups are. They just go to the fountains. Without fail, for some reason, it is always the last thing they do before they parents drag them out the door. Really, I have no idea why, but they do. I guess it's just in case they get thirsty on the 120 second drive home.

So there you have it! The sixth and final series on designing a kitchen. Thanks for looking!

OURS:
Okay, Heavenly Homemakers, what ideas, tips, how-tos or homemaking inspiration do you have for us today? How about if you've never participated before, why not go through your archives and see if there is a post you could share with us? It's always so fun meeting new people here and I can guarantee you'll get lots of comments for new bloggers who could become your new bloggy buddies! Thanks for your participation, whether you are reading, commenting or linking up today. Have a great one!



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