Home Improvement, Island Style

  I think I'm constitutionally incapable of leaving well enough alone!  My landlord built us a perfectly serviceable kitchen but I just have to brighten up and personalize my space.

  Here's the progression of the kitchen in our apartment:

 This is how it looked when we moved in

 And this is how it looks now

I have always loved the island prints on the fabric you can buy here!  Elizabeth helped me buy two yards of this beautiful blue fabric and I trimmed it to fit behind the kitchen shelves and book shelves.  To turn the fabric into a back splash (and keep it from getting dirty or moldy), I covered it with clear contact paper before pinning it in place.
  I love that it's cheerful and functional and makes this little corner of the apartment feel a little homier!