*Bob*

I like it when a raging row (on a serious topic) breaks-out between say, 'Splinkydinky' and 'Widget001'

Er.. Mrs *Bob* isn't sure, but she'll come round.. eventually.

I suppose one of the benefits of having a certain amount of 'free time' means time to seek stuff out and do some work (though a joiner will be needed to get the best out of them). But even so, that's half a wall of original solid wood cabinetry with dovetail jointing, nice melamine resin shelves for less than a grand - and to cap it off, the far right cupboard has a fold-down ironing board in it. Now that's what I call a gadget.

Creative recycling implies that somehow it was a way of 'getting by' without coughing-up for a proper kitchen. On the contrary, I preferred what was there to what I could have put in.. as did the buyer. The dreadful kitchen below is due for a 'doing over'. I have my eye on these 30s cupboards, as a starting point. Any thoughts?

Slate does mark. But if you rub over just the tiniest bit of WD40 from time to time, all the marks will disappear.

When I bought my last flat, the agent dismissed the kitchen. Of course, you'll have to rip it out.. it's reflected in the price blah blah. The units were 1950s, kinda home-made. Well made. Interesting. Great. A lick of paint, a new cooker, a bit of imagination with the paint and lights and a nice fridge later, it was done. The couple that bought the flat pissed their pants over it.

What's 'the good stuff'?

I think Alan has already committed. It's a 'current' design. It looks just fine. It'll tire long before you tire of it. IKEA are the masters at bringing-in current design well before the rest of the factory retailers follow suit, but the build quality is truly pants - like 85% of modern furniture - only 500% worse. Fake black teak bedroom. Oh dear. I have to hold my hand up to that as well. I had the 'dream ticket'.. black units and duvet covet with grey/white/red asymetrical striping.

Absolutely.. I agree. I don't find it annoying or offensive either. But with some wearers - self indulgent, perhaps.

Sometimes pretty things are worth hassle.

She's better than your average singfest winner - but if she simply knocks out gruesome bombastic sub-Carey power ballads (as Cowell will no doubt insist) she won't be around for too long. Will Young did good - he made some smart choices for songs and production of said songs and managed to shed the 'talent comp winner' image.

I like kitchens which are a bit of a mess. I can't stand stand uber-matching fitted kitchens. A hotchpotch is much nicer. Yeah.. I'd get a bit of glass. The colour you choose would depend on how brave you're feeling / how drunk you are when you place the order.

Ta-daaaaar! http://www.opticolour.co.uk/kitchens_with_opticolour_coloured_glass_splashbacks_installed.html

What about glass? You can have it back-coloured in any colour you like.. a tasteful neutral colour.. or go the whole hog and make your kitchen look like a Mayfair nightclub toilet - the choice is yours.

I can understand how lovers of 'real pubs' berate the likes of the Bish, Cherry et al. But ABO really is abysmal.. several rungs down to poo ladder with one foot in the sh*t.

X-Factor, my friends...

These are the lights for Christmas 2008. They turned the ones on for Christmas 2007 ages ago.

What does the rest of your kitchen look like, Al?

Does anybody find the white poppy thing annoying/offensive?

macroban Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I wonder why their target customers are size > 12(ish) or less. More sporting - they're more difficult to hit.

Music lecturers.. you've gotta love em. They play you Standing Stone instead of Abbey Road. You want The Police but they give you Sting. It's just not right.

SeanMacGabhann Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- there is something about the way he carries his > place in musicall history that irks me unduly. In what way? From memory, the last thirty years from Paul have been commendably restrained and dignified, considering where he's come from. At the core of the anti-Paul brigade's mind-set seems to be some bizarre notion that somehow he doesn't deserve it (his place in musical history, I mean). Personally I can't think of many people who are more deserving. Paul aint cool. He never was. But I am a fan of the Beatles and for that, I give him his due.

I really struggle to understand why anyone would seriously 'hate' Paul Mc. So what if he wrote 'The Frog Chorus', and he wears silly polo-necks, and he let Linda play tambourine in 'Wings' and there was that business will the bagpipes on Mull of Kintyre? So what? John got killed, Paul got old. Take the last few years of John's life (with Yoko Sodding Ono) and imagine another thirty years of that. Go on.. try it.. I feel queasy already. Bleugh!

There's absolutely nothing wrong with 'posh bashing'. It's an English tradition - long may it continue.

Someone please lounge this sucka. Before I lose the will to live.