Other options for durable kitchen flooring are slate, laminate, and vinyl. Vinyl floors have come a long way from the sheet products I remember from my childhood. They are the most affordable, and can mimic tile, wood, and stone. 

Cabinets

Mismatched cabinets are still very popular. If you are replacing yours, consider doing one type on the wall and another type for the island. If you are keeping your current cabinets, you can update them by painting the island a different color.  

Counters and Backsplashes

If you are trying to transform the look of your kitchen without a complete remodel, replacing the countertop is a great option. The movement now is toward natural materials such as granite, quartz, and marble. Other options are stainless steel (what I used in my own kitchen), glass, and concrete. Don't forget to pay attention to the backslpash. For cost savings, use a basic tile for  most of the backsplash, with custom tiles used decoratively above the cooktop and as accents throughout.

Lighting

Every kitchen needs three types of lighting: task, ambient, and accent. Task lighting can be recessed lights or pendants directly over work areas like the stove and sink. Ambient is overall lighting for the room, which can be  an overhead fixture or recessed lights spaced evenly around the perimeter. Accent lighting can be rope lighting tucked behind crown molding or the toe-kick, puck lights affixed to the bottom of wall cabinets, or lights inside  of glass-front cabinets. This small kitchen is a great example of all three types of light being used for function and style.

Window Treatments

Some people prefer to keep their kitchen windows bare, but I advise against it. There are so many hard surfaces in a kitchen, you really need something to soften the room and absorb some of the sound.  It is also a great way to add a touch of color  and warmth to the room. A roman shade can offer softness and privacy, while a valance can be used when privacy is not an issue.  

The final trend is one that actually comes from historical kitchens. Wall to wall cabinets are a pretty recent development in kitchen design. Previously, kitchens were comprised of separate pieces of  furniture, each suited for their own particular task. While these cabinets below are all built in, they look like individual pieces of furniture. They also share similar design details of custom furniture.

The Color of the Month is blue, which is one of the most popular colors in the rainbow. There are so many different shades of blue, there is sure to be a good shade for anyone. Blue can be either cool or warm, depending on the shade you select. Cool blues  (sky, baby, or ice blue) give rooms a calming feel, which makes them perfect for bedrooms,  

Warm blues (navy, ocean, or slate blue) make a room feel cozy, making them perfect for gathering places such as living or dining rooms. 

Even though these two rooms feature white sofas, coffee tables, and accessories, they each feel completely different because of the shade of blue on the walls.  

While blue and white is a tried and true color combination, blue looks great when combined with other colors, too. Blue, yellow, and red work well together because they are all primary colors and are spaced equidistantly on the color wheel.

My final suggestion for blue is to use it where it appear naturally: above your head. The color of the sky looks great when painted on the ceiling, and gives the room an expansive feel. For those who believe in the paranormal, blue ceilings are also supposed to ward off ghosts and evil spirits. It is also supposed to be a deterrent for spiders spinning their webs! 

Before you were conceived I wanted you
Before you were born I loved you
Before you were here an hour I would die for you
This is the miracle of motherhood.

- Maureen Hawkins

Margarita Fruit Salad

One fact of life is that no matter what your current circumstance, there is always someone who is dealing with something worse. Whether the challenge is financial, physical, or emotional, it is important to help those less fortunate in whatever way we can. In that spirit, each month I share the needs of non-profit organizations in hopes it might stir up desire in someone to help out.

The 15th annual AIDS WALK Charlotte is the largest HIV/AIDS awareness and fundraising event in the Carolinas and will be held on Saturday, May 7, 2011.  Registrations is at Gateway Village Atrium, 800 W. Trade St, Charlotte. Registration begins at 8am, the program begins at 9am, and the walk is from 10 to 11. For more information go to aidswalkcharlotte.org , call 704.372.7246 or email

events@carolinarain.org 

This year is proving to be one of the worst years on record for tornado damage. Hundreds of people have died, and thousands have been left homeless. Below are some ways to help and donate to the April 2011 tornado relief effort.

The Red Cross is providing relief to people across the hardest-hit states, providing shelter and relief to survivors. To make a donation to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief, visit its  online donation page. You can also call 1-800-RED-CROSS or text "REDCROSS" to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services is responding to the deadly tornado activity throughout the South, mobilizing feeding units and providing support to the victims. To donate to the Salvation Army's tornado disaster response, visit salvationarmyusa.org, click on their donation page, and designate "April 2011 Tornado Outbreak." You can also call 1-800-SAL-ARMY or text "GIVE" to 80888 to make a $10 donation. Checks can be made out to Salvation Army Disaster Relief Fund, PO Box 100339, Atlanta, GA 30384-0339

Feeding America helps food banks provide food to communities affected by the recent tornadoes. To make a donation to Feeding America, visit its  online donation page.