londonjeeblog_hnevli 
Addition Of A Beautiful Island, Raises The
Value of Your Home
A New Island in a home by Evergreen Area…
As I Turned my car off, I could see the beautiful fall evening sky in front of me. Luxurious, with peaks and tinges of red, orange and purple danced in the shy, creating a semi northern light effect, the new Moon peeking through the sky but just a shadow, still few hours prior to its arrival.
The air was cool and fresh on my skin and the far distant sound of dogs barking, screech of tires brought me back to reality. The cobble stone courtyard was nicely arranged with bougainvillea, jasmine and gardenia, nightshade and lavender potted flowers. Around the plants and along the courtyard hung beautiful Christmas lights still not taken off, but some solar light along the steps for showing the way.
I was called to check out and design a kitchen in a home in the Evergreen Area. We will call this Homeowner Shirley, not giving up their identity. Of course, I showed up on time as usual, took off my shoes…. no shoes ever in the home. You treat customers’ homes like your own, but wear socks since the floors are Icey cold and at times or could be a little messy. Beautiful home build about 20 years ago in the newer part of the Evergreen hill, away from the Villages, more towards the little bridge farther away from San Felipe. Cell phones do not work on these roads, even though it is located within proximity within the City of San Jose.
The smell of aromatic flavors torpedoed my senses, Ginger, cardamom, a whiff of cinnamon, and to add to injury, fennel, cloves and star Anisa, all put together in a cup, from heaven. She mentioned to me that the tea had garam masala, ( all mentioned spices I listed) with black earl tea bags, and condensed milk and water, all boiled together, to prepare the brew,. She handed me this tasty liquid as I entered her humble abode with a plethora of samosas, made with peas, potatoes rolled in Filo dough, lightly browned, with abundant spices , some major, turmeric, mustard, fenugreek, chili pepper , all browned in olive oil, then rolled and lightly fried. I was so moved by her hospitality and in return thanked her and munched on a samosa, with swigs of warm tea.
Shirley is looking to do porcelain tiles in entry, and fireplace, ceramic in kitchen, and engineered wood all over rest in living room and foyer. She has Oak Cabinets which came with the home and Tile counter with tile backs-plash. Change the window in the breakfast nook area from double hung to a Bay window, plus storage cabinets underneath. make the island bigger, do something with soffits, (which she does not know hides all wires and mechanical aspects) does not like double oven, instead single oven and take off cook top. Take microwave off the counter
. I will post pictures and let’s design this together…
5 Tips to stay within budget:
1: Overall look open and clutter-free
2: Colors should sing a symphony of mutual benefit
3: Double Oven raise the value of the home
4: Fans instead of microwave, keep smells at bay
5: Leave soffits, as is , blends around, again your kitchen your say so.
