Fight back to school.

Renovations are nearing the end. I learned loads during the design and build. As well, I can compare our build to the neighbor's renovations and CR's preliminary designs.

Things I learned.

1. K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Stupid) - Limiting the materials equals less transitions, transitions are difficult. My neighbor incorporated eight different materials in his kitchen. The kitchen resembles multiple kitchens simultaneously from different issues of Dwell Magazine - in other words, his kitchen is cluttered and confused.

2. Absence can be used to define space.

3. 50% of the total wattage in the kitchen must come from fluorescent light fixtures.

4. Cable rails are not code in SD county as off 2008 .

5. Good design does not mean spending tosh cash, nor does it mean using "fashionable" modern build accessories (i.e., cable rails, Zebra wood, Miller chairs). It is poor form to rely on these items to mimic good design.

6. Good form always follows function.

7. I need to keep my mouth shut when I look at other people's builds. They do not want to hear that their house looks like a Design Within Reach showroom. Most people who call themselves a designer are laughable. Chris's engineer friend calls herself an architect because she worked for a construction firm. Last time I checked, an architect is a certified professional. This is equivalent to saying, Chris is an gladiator because he watched an entire season of American Gladiator.