If your (my) idea of the perfect kitchen is like this:

[link]

then I guess granite is just so far outside my personal aesthetic that while I can see that people like it, I do not want it for myself-- it seems so cold and uninviting. Also, like Beverly said, it sort of reminds me of dead people.

Sophia, how likely is it that you will find a retro kitchen in a house in a desirable area or in good condition? If the rest of thr place is good, you can always work toward making the kitchen what you want. painted cabinets as suggested and if you can sell the granite, formica counter tops are not expensive.

Any kind of dark countertop bothers me, because you can't see if they're dirty. I'd probably get really good butcher block, if I was designing a kitchen. But my ideal kitchen is sort of circa 1900 with white-painted cabinets and wood floors and a high ceiling (and, um, stainless steel appliances).

Sophia--it's pretty easy to paint cabinets (we did ours), and that could make a big difference to the feel of that kitchen. The backsplash is kinda mid-century cool and you could change the countertops in the future. If the rest of the house, the price and location work for you, I'd say it was worth considering.

Thanks for the offer, but I'll wait (especially since you're going to be too busy/lazy).

I still haven't sent my mom and sister their souvenirs from the Bahamas...from over a month ago.

Ooh, that house is nice! I love the idea of selling the granite -- what a good way to take advantage of the fact that it's popular, but you don't like it, you know?

I really like my ten-years-ago mid-level kitchen, because it's all white -- cabinets, counter, appliances. I forget what the counters are in the new place, but the cabinets are light wood, which is fine. Really, whatever is fine.

Yeah, I have black speckled granite in my kitchen, and I kinda hate it, because it's impossible to see if it's dirty. (I should possibly be thankful for that fact, given my laziness, but...). But it seems like it would be such an undertaking to get it replaced.

I like the look of the Faux-granite counters I have in my kitchen right now, but don't like how easily they get marked up. If/when I redo the kitchen, I think I'll probably go for a more vintage look, but that isn't really even on the list at this point.

Even though it doesn't feel like it because of the 4th, it's Friday! What are people doing this weekend?

Tomorrow is errand day, like TJs and taking the cat to the vet for shots, and cleaning day for me. Sunday I was going to go to the nearby flea market and then hit the Gilroy outlets before I go see Lyle Lovett at the Saratoga Mountain winery, but then the Fluevog sale happened, so at least the outlets are out. I took Monday off too, and Juliana and -t and I are going to see Magic Mike and then eat $1 oysters for linner.

omg sloths and wallabies! SO CUTE.

I am going for my spa day today so I took the day off and have done nothing this morning but walk the dog.

But soon there will be SPA. yay!

Yay spa!

Tonight I'm seeing Magic Mike, and tomorrow I'm going to NYC! Where I will ride the SI Ferry and cook out at my friend's roof. On Day 3, I'm just getting into this not-working thing, so I'm already sad about going in on Monday.