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spendogirl's 100% DIY kitchen

15 years ago

Sad, but true, long time lurker... our kitchen was an 80's nightmare.. along with the rest of the house.. we have gutted one room at a time.. right down to studs..

We knocked out a wall to make the kitchen open concept to the family room and to accomodate an island..

Here are some details:

Floor: - HD 16x16 multi coloured slate

Walls - Laura Ashley Taupe #4

Cabinets - Saddle Maple 100% assembled from Lowes

Backsplash - 4x4 multi coloured slate from Lowes

Counter - 12x12 majestic brown granite tiles from Rona

Fridge and Stove - GE Profile

Dishwasher - Kenmore

Microwave - Samsung

Lighting - all from Lowes

Faucet - too ugly to remember, being replaced when I decide what I want

Now hopefully the pictures will show:)

[IMG]http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/spendogirl/kitchen/IMGP2019.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/spendogirl/kitchen/IMGP2020.jpg[/IMG]

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[IMG]http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/spendogirl/kitchen/IMGP2084.jpg[/IMG]

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[IMG]http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/spendogirl/kitchen/IMGP2256.jpg[/IMG]

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Comments (31)

spendogirl
Original Author
15 years ago
ok..what did I do wrong?
writersblock (9b/10a)
15 years ago
You used bbcode, and this site uses html. You want the Âimg src= "THEURL"Â only using the regular karets () as the enclosers. Look for something called embed rather forum (don't use photobucket so not sure what they call their various copy/paste options, sorry) So:
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I think it isn't a terrible baseline but there is so much variability. I just built $250k (roughly) Permits - 3% (included water tap-in) Septic - 7% Roofing - 3% Siding - 3% (vinyl) HVAC - 4% Drywall -2% Floor - 5% Windows - 4% (but relatively very high for this house) Plumbing - 3% Foundation - 5% (pilings) I've spent 10% on others. So I think that is a pretty low number but not bad for basic house. So the numbers aren't terrible. I don't know who separates out "rough labor". The roof cost $7500 and that was labor included. Ditto with the siding. I definitely think the drywall is a little high. I've built with appliances at 1.5% and 5% so there is a lot of variability there. Cabinets (and tops) can also be more like 7% on a nicer home. But 4% isn't bad for basic stuff. These numbers are for a basic house, generally, and things like well, septic, permits, excavation are very local.
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I love almost all of these, although that "target" kitchen was awful and expensive, I bet. I see a theme on many of these of no uppers and no paneled appliances. I think that is what helps to make them unapologetic kitchens. I find that that look is more about function, yet it also has loads of "form" to me. I love the phrase comfortable retro modern. I have been trying to explain to people that I want a retro modern 1930-40s look for my kitchen and that I am trying to make it comfortable and welcoming most of all. People understand a 50s or 60s vibe. They understand Victorian, but there were a lot of years in between! I hope when mine is done it will be quirky and happy. I want it to be a place where everyone knows they will get a good meal and where real ingredients will be used. Nothing pretentious or highbrow. My garbage can will be a garbage can. People will be able to find it and know what it is. My fridge and freezer will be visible and open to all. The stove is vintage and is not a high end restaurant grade stove. I am cooking and baking for family and friends here. I hope to have enough space to hold my gadgets and room for others to hang out and hopefully, pitch in. I'd also like to not feel like I am far away from the action when I am cooking so it will be open plan. I don't need to hide it away. It will be more Julia Child functional than "Something's Got to Give" designer looking. I also don't want it to look like I took it out of a showroom and copied into my home. If I am successful, a new guest will not have a clue what year it was done. BTW - I am a real estate agent and can't stand the same old, same old. Too many houses have expensive kitchens with nothing special about them. Boooorrring. Buyer's don't buy safe and 100% neutral. They want something to be excited about and to tell their family & friends about prior to moving in. Most people want a little style and don't want the same look as everyone else's. It is a myth that people should do things all neutral to sell. While some common elements are fine and make people feel safe about them, there should be something that is a little special, or dare I say, quirky, about a kitchen. People buy when they are thrilled and intrigued by a new kitchen. An older kitchen will matter less, but if they are paying for improved, they want it to have some feature/s that are unique.
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I should have mentioned that the $5,000 budget is ONLY for the kitchen and NOT for electrical. We have a separate budget for that. We've pretty much already planned and priced the unfinished cabinets...$1200. We've allowed $200 in the budget for a double sink that I saw somewhere and would like. We've allowed $130 for the faucet that we like. The $5,000 budget is very doable. The "holes" in the flooring are not termites...we had an inspection before buying the house and from the basement and crawl space we can see that there are no bugs. The holes are most likely just gaps in the flooring....we'll see. The subflooring in both rooms of the kitchen is older rough cut lumber (kind of like what you'd see on the floor of an older barn) and the joists were large...more like beams. So we are not concerned about the flooring. As for the wall removal... In plank construction, there are only 4 components: 2 posts, a beam held up by those posts, a beam below those posts, and planks that were nailed from the top beam to the lower beam on either side of those beams...I hope that all made sense. So, finding anything in the wall is extremely unlikely. In the town we live in, most homes were constructed in this manner and we know quite a few people who have removed walls to enlarge rooms. There is a trip to the borough hall planned so we can find out what needs to be done for that. Electric... DH and FIL are updating the electric. FIL built his house and an addition onto his house and is knowledgeable in this area. No concerns here....wiring already priced. We are planning on doing surface mount for the electric because there is no way whatsoever that I am opening up a plaster and lath wall!!! There is a bathroom above the kitchen and we will be looking at the plumbing when we take down the tiled wall of the kitchen. There are newer fixtures in that bathroom, so we will see what is there. We were told by the previous owner that the piping is cast iron, not lead....and we can see some of it for the vent. I will try to post pictures later. For now we are taking a break from the remodeling (just got finished building most of a fence in the backyard) and taking the kids to Knoebels for the first time. Ought to be a nice day. :) Thanks for the advice so far. Also, I will try to play around with Excel or something to draw the layout for the current kitchen and for our plans.
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writersblock (9b/10a)
15 years ago
Sorry, meant to say look for embed rather than forum, or it may just call it html.
ci_lantro
15 years ago
jessie21
15 years ago
deep, rich, beautiful!! great job, spendogirl!
ljsandler
15 years ago
I am blown away! Great, gorgeous job! Love all your rich, earthy colors. Can't believe you are DIY!
User
15 years ago
WOW....you have such talent. What a wonderful warm home ! c
claybabe
15 years ago
WOweee: Gorgeous! I bet you are loving it! I really like the slate on the floor and backsplash, and the tile countertop gives a nice counter point/contrast. Love the rich colors, and change in the space. Also love the edge detail on the counters.

VEeerrrrrry nice!
rmkitchen
15 years ago
I am so proud of you! What a warm, cosy space.

Congratulations!!!
rosie
15 years ago
Wow again! You have created a warm, and rich and handsome kitchen. Good for you, and happy cooking!
quietlife3
15 years ago
Now that's a transformation! Beautiful job. I love your choices. As another said, it is very warm and rich looking. Congratulations!
justnotmartha
15 years ago
Such a night and difference! You must feel so proud every time you look at it . . . which is likely 59 out of every 60 minutes right now! :-) Congrats to you and your DH on a job very well done!
josie724
15 years ago
amazing....that was DIY? You did a GREAT job
lee676
15 years ago
Very nice makeover. Dark, rich colors win me over every time.

Oh and i also like the name "spendogirl"...
bluekitobsessed
15 years ago
Congratulations! I'm always so in awe of the DIYrs who can sleep at night without worrying about the huge debt they've just taken on!
laxsupermom
15 years ago
Beautiful transformation! Great rich colors. Congratulations on your gorgeous new space.
Yvonne B
15 years ago
Beautiful!
janran
15 years ago
You might not have computer skills ;), but you're renovation skills are enviable. What a beautiful and inviting kitchen!
User
15 years ago
Great job! Looks F A N T A S T I C!!!! Lots of work but I'm sure it was worth every minute!!!
morton5
15 years ago
Wow, great work! The colors look very nice together. Congratulations!
sw_in_austin
15 years ago
That's a really beautiful room; such a dramatic change. Congratulations.
raehelen
15 years ago
Quite impressive!

Another DIY here, and boy it takes a long time, doesn't it? Just FYI, your granite tiles look a lot like the counter material I bought for my basement vanity (long story but when I picked it up, is a different granite)- it was called G-3564 (YUP- that's the actual Chinese name for the granite), also know as Danyang Red, or Louyan Red from the Fujian Province it is a biotite granite of Paleozoic Age. (I like to research, and hate to see all my hard work go to waste! :>)
marilyn234
15 years ago
Beautiful job. Your colors are all so warm and rich looking. You should be very proud of the great work you've done!!! Love the slate floor and backsplash.
kitchenenvy
15 years ago
love your slate floor and back splash your kitchen is great you have to be so proud
spendogirl
Original Author
15 years ago
Thank you everyone... yes, we are very proud of the work.. it's not perfect.. but a definate improvement...

And yes.. it definately took a few months of washing the dishes in the bathroom, but we made it work and just went with the flow...
mustbnuts zone 9 sunset 9
15 years ago
You did a great job! It looks fantastic! What rich color cabs. Love the granite and especially the backsplash and tile floors. Gorgeous! You should be so proud. It is beautiful! Congrats!
redroze
15 years ago
I too, am amazed that your kitchen is DIY. You guys worked hard on a rich, dark beautiful kitchen. Enjoy it!!
yesdear
15 years ago
DIY!? Impressive! Quite a radical transformation, and it all ties together so nicely. Great job!
boysrus2
15 years ago
I can't believe you did all that yourselves. What a feat! There are so many elements to a kitchen redo. You should give yourselves a big pat on the back. It looks terrific!
annes_arbor
15 years ago
It must feel so great to get rid of the 80s kitchen. You did a fantastic job; it's beautiful. I really like the edging on the counter!
na_praha
15 years ago
Cheers on an incredible job - looks fabulous.

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