Formica to the rescue.

Ok, I asked and someone answered. (Read previous post).

Here we have Formica saving the day:

Before.





And after.


Sarah emailed me these photos and wrote:


So, here is our adventure with laminate. Please note: this project is NOT complete. Still need to paint the door and much more. We are renovating an old home. We plan to stay here for a few years....but don't want to invest in something we will not use for a lifetime. Sort of like a flip, but we are going to live here for a few years. Perfect for our starting salaries (and starting family!) We spent 10k for this entire project (my husband is handy).

The Formica Monologues.

So, I posted about Formica counters and a bunch of you had thoughtful comments on the topic ranging from "Ew, gross" (I am paraphrasing) to "Good grief. We need to get over ourselves. Not everyone can afford Carrara marble. It was an affordable solution at that time, just as paperstone is today."

True. But that kitchen was ugly. I suppose it's less about Formica itself, and how you use it in the kitchen.

So, let me ask this:

Do you have Formica that is working for you? Send a photo and I will post. (I remember, actually, a Domino photo that showed a happy pink & brown kitchen with Formica counters and, well, I was impressed how cheerful and successful the room was. It certainly put my then-Formica counters to shame. But what didn't, really? Nothing. Nothing, is the answer. They were horrifying.)

And then let me ask this:

For the money, what counter material presents the best value for the look, in your opinion? And what IS paperstone? What would be your counter of choice on a budget, and then if money were no object.

Go.

More art.

Where's my jetpack, anyway?

Formica. WHY? Seriously, why did this ever happen to us? When was this preferred to stone or wood or whatever? Was this part of The Future, at some point in history? Like Tang or jetpacks or astronaut ice cream? I want some answers. I know there are some old people reading this. You need to step up to the mic and explain this, pronto.

Melbourne's own Westin Hotel wins Qantas Frequent Flyer award

The Westin Melbourne, the most decorated Westin property in the world has been recognised by frequent flyers as one of the best leisure and business hotels in Australia.

Last year, the Westin was named in Conde Nast traveller's gold list as one of the best places to stay in the world, alongside the best luxury hotel in the Victorian Tourism Awards hall of fame amongst others.

Now consumers who travel frequently have named the Westin Melbourne in their favourite category. Qantas Frequent Flyers were asked to vote for their favourite qantas.com hotels across destinations and categories such as comfiest bed, best room, best view and more. The results are now being showcased in a spectacular minisite that has been integrated into 'Hotels' on qantas.com. www.qantas.com/hotels

Anne Jamieson, Sales and Marketing Director, the Westin Melbourne said, "This is a great honour. Qantas frequent flyers are connoisseurs of the industry. As world travellers, their taste is most discerning. So to be voted as one of their favourite hotels is certainly flattering."

She said, "Our guests love the Westin because of its unrivalled location in the heart of Melbourne, the welcoming staff and the sleek chic ambiance which epitomises the hotel."

About Westin Hotels & Resorts

With a portfolio of more than 150 properties around the world, Westin Hotels & Resorts is in the midst of the most robust growth period in the brand's 77-year history. Westin Hotels is the fastest growing upper-upscale brand in the world with plans to expand to more than 250 hotels in the next five years. Westin Hotels & Resorts is owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT). Starwood Hotels is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with approximately 940 properties in more than 97 countries and 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood® Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, Sheraton®, Westin®, Four Points® by Sheraton, W®, Le Méridien® and the recently announced AloftSM and ElementSM Hotels. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with more than 940 properties in approximately 97 countries and 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, and the recently launched AloftSM, and Element SM. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.

Auberge Saint-Antoine Hotel

This article is about the Auberge Saint-Antoine. The stone-house style hotel is the best in all Canada. According to Travel and Leisure, the hotel is rated as No. 2 in Canada and one of the top 500 hotels in the world.

Auberge Saint-Antoine

The hotel is located in the “Old Fort,’ in Quebec City, Quebec. Moreover, the hotel has 95 rooms, 2 restaurants, and 2 bars. For a little on the hotel’s history, it was built sometime in the 19th century, on old Quebec City, and later became a hotel.

Badroom in Auberge Saint-Antoine

The hotel also has 6 conference rooms, where you and other guests can hold conferences and meetings.

Furthermore, the hotel’s in-room amenities include a large work desk, fine linens/bedding, free high-speed Internet access. a variety of magazines, safety boxes, a minibar, coffee maker, ironing board, voicemail, dual phone lines, A/C connection, large windows, no-fog mirrors, heated bathroom floors, and a Bose sound system.

Bathroom

For the outer area of the hotel, the amenities include concierge service, room/laundry service, baby-sitting services, auditorium, displays of archaeological artifacts, an all-around security system, exercise/gym room, message therapy/beauty salon center.
The outer room services include indoor/valet parking and car wash services.


If you want to enjoy a fine meal at one or both of the hotel’s restaurants, they offer French cuisines, which you will enjoy. They also offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner packages, where you have a meal for two, three, or four people. Do not forget about the fine wine the hotel serves its guests.


Of course, if you want to get away from the hotel, for a spell, there is the whole city to explore. Quebec City has plenty of shopping malls, live events, cinemas, sporting events, parks, museums, and other places of interest for you to see. Note that all the main signs in the city are written in both French and English.

Lastly, the nightly room rates for the hotel starts at $169 for classic rooms and go as high as $599 per night for a luxury suite (rates subject to change and depends on the type of room rented).

THE FAIRMONT HOTEL DUBAI

Located on Sheikh Zayed Road, across from the World Trade Centre, The Fairmont Dubai is a luxury hotel equipped for business and leisure travellers alike. Offers a large choice of restaurants and bars, a beautiful Roman style health club and spa. Located close to all the main shopping centres, movie theatres and a 15-minute drive to the beach.
The Fairmont Hotel Dubai - Hotel Facilities
Fairmont Rooms Fairmont Rooms are the most popular type of accommodation boasting magnificent views. Located on our higher floors 21-30, Fairmont Rooms have a four-piece bathroom for your comfort and enjoyment. Bed Type: King or 2 twins beds Size: approx. 440 sq. ft View: City (Sheikh Zayed Road, Abu Dhabi, Bur Dubai) or Pool view Common Amenities All guest rooms at The Fairmont Dubai offer the following amenities: Air-conditioning with individual climate controls (windows do not open) Sony CD Radio Alarm Clocks Bose CD Radio Alarm Clock (Fairmont Gold & Penthouse Suites) Bathrobes and Slippers Bathroom Amenities including: Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Lotion, Bath Gel, Bath Salts, Cotton Balls, QTips, and Loofah Bedside Control Pad for Lights, Do Not Disturb and Make-Up Room Bodum Coffee Pot & Bodum Tea Pot, Kettle with complimentary coffee and tea Hair Dryer Iron and Ironing Board In room Magazines Mini-bar Complimentary Newspaper - National Newspapers or Local Newspapers (when National is not available) In Room Safe - in which you can recharge your laptop while storing Smart Maid Service' door panel Interactive Television with Internet Access (Free Web Surfing) Wake up call service TV Audio in Washroom Two dedicated phone lines Guest Voice Mail Data Port Turndown Service in all rooms