Need help modernizing on a budget
Stacy Diane
6 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (25)
acm
6 years agoacm
6 years agoRelated Discussions
Need (very)low-budget dining/living area help
Comments (16)FLOOR - bound carpet remnant. I just bought one yesterday for my eat-in kitchen. It's about 6x8 and I paid $24 for it. I really want a seagrass mat in there, but it's under our everyday table and I have a 3 y/o... 'nough said. I also have bound carpet in our temporary home office, 10x12 and I paid $82 for it. Go to the big hardware store, most have bound remnants in their rug section. It's WAY cheaper than buying a scrap and having it bound. (Big one is from Lowe's, small one is from Menard's.) WINDOWS: My first choice would be a single bamboo shade for the window, same material as the ones in the family room. If you have acess to more red fabric you can make panels to flank the shade. Or you can repurpose the fabric into a patched table runner or placemats or something so you can keep it in the room. My personal preference is all blinds in an open area are contiguous. Same with panels, tho. FAN: I'd go with a chandelier to replace the ceiling fan IF you could center the table under it. (The table looks like it's to the right). Then I'd get an old table top fan and use when a fan was needed. Maybe something like this (I bought the one pictured, or something identical, on clearance for $8 so if you watch, they can be had on tight budgets): OK I previewed so now I can't go back to your pic and suggest a place/foundation for the fan, but... I grew up in a house that had two ceiling fans in the eat-in kitchen -- don't ask me why -- and always hated it so it's easy for me to suggest getting rid of it. :)...See MoreBudget way to modernize 1950's ranch?
Comments (10)I tried adding some landscaping type touches... and the seating. I know the plants would likely be less vivid in that shady spot - though perhaps some chocolate chip ajuga would provide seasonal color like the lavender shown. The yellow is a spice bush, which can tolerate shade. I know the fence is crazy looking - I just grabbed something quick online to give the impression... There are no sidewalks on my street, but a little fence adds a lot of cottage cute-factor, to me....See MoreNeed help with ideas for modernizing!
Comments (6)Your new place is charming. I love all the wood-it's authentic and brings so much warmth and character. Your frireplaces are nice and distinctive enough-art that's personal to you is all you need there. I'd look into flooring issue..since your wife dislikes laminate, and tile in kitchen seem to be a bit of a disconnect, both in color and character..I can see something like slate (not "rainbow" one, but rather of one color.).or ceramics/porcelain layed in subtle, classic patterns.. Can you share the(approximate) location and age of the house? Will help with defining, at least vaguely, how much big renovations might actually cost Let's say you make an open kitchen(wich you really should consider very well-not every house is suited to open plan, and there are gives and takes..pluses and minuses..will depend also on your family's needs) I don't know where you are-but here you take down walls-you touch electrical, plumbing, etc-you need permits from the city, you need everything to be by the code..if older house, double whatever you thought your budget is. But it's local too-I'm in CA..and folks from some other states might have different experiences and rules that are more lax when comes to remodeling. It might have asbestos, depending on the age of the house-here you pay for proper abatement when you touch asbestos. Might have lead paint if older. Etc. In short as somebody who bought their current house seriously under budget with plans to renovate-it took two years, and nowhere near that sum we gladly were ready to pay. Well ours was gut plus addition, yours is smaller (or seems smaller) and seems simpler to tackle. But just prepare yourself for surprizes as these are often bound to happen. And please, don't be in a rush to paint over the wood..it's part of what makes the place shine. Of what makes it for what it is. You work with wood by mixing in other finishes in furnishings, fabrics, plants, art..wood likes richness of colors or textures or even better, both next to it..much like in a forest. I really love the proportion of paint vs stan right now (meaning ceilings and walls etc). I'd consider it long and hard before changing it. I hope you'll get more comments..very interested to hear what others advise on exterior and landscaping, I myself need to think more. Congratulations..it's really a nice home you've found! ETA: sorry for all the typos...See Morehelp make old kitchen look modern on a budget
Comments (21)If you look through some European websites you'll see quite a lot of neutral non-wood cabinets, so yours are not really off-trend. And the addition of neutral-toned wood is also very popular. One thing that is different is that these neutral bases are often spiced up with some really bright colors, often bright green which is a nice appetizing color for a kitchen. Imagine yours with wall art that's very bright green and eye-catching - maybe edible plants. Add a bright green rug and maybe even the same bright color on a wall. That will give it an updated look at little cost. Light fixture could be modern or retro - please no overhead lights. Can you add undercabinet lighting now that could be used in your new kitchen later?...See Moresimstress
6 years agoStacy Diane
6 years agolwfromny
6 years agolwfromny
6 years agoStacy Diane
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoStacy Diane
6 years agokatinparadise
6 years agoStacy Diane
6 years agodecoenthusiaste
6 years agoStacy Diane
6 years agoUser
6 years agoCourtney Thomas Design
6 years agoStacy Diane
6 years agoStacy Diane
6 years agoStacy Diane
6 years agoSusan
6 years agoUser
6 years ago
Related Stories
HOUZZ TOURSMy Houzz: Modern and Airy Style on a Budget
Patience, creativity and help from family turn a baker’s cookie-cutter condo into a bright and cheerful home
Full StoryBATHROOM MAKEOVERSBathroom of the Week: Scandinavian Modern Style on a Budget
A designer creates a warm and airy 50-square-foot master bath in a midcentury Tampa, Florida, home
Full StoryHOUZZ TOURSHouzz Tour: A Modern Loft Gets a Little Help From Some Friends
With DIY spirit and a talented network of designers and craftsmen, a family transforms their loft to prepare for a new arrival
Full StoryREMODELING GUIDESHow Small Windows Help Modern Homes Stand Out
Amid expansive panes of glass and unbroken light, smaller windows can provide relief and focus for modern homes inside and out
Full StorySHOP HOUZZModern Bar Stools for Every Budget
Give your kitchen a modern upgrade with our favorite bar stools
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGNModernize Your Old Kitchen Without Remodeling
Keep the charm but lose the outdated feel, and gain functionality, with these tricks for helping your older kitchen fit modern times
Full StoryDECORATING GUIDESUse Trim to Modernize a Traditional Home — or Vice Versa
Bridge the gap between old and new styles with subtle variations in trim style and color
Full StoryHOUZZ TOURSHouzz Tour: Renovations Modernize a 1970s New Jersey Colonial
Better access to a great yard, an opened-up interior and family-friendly features improved this home for a Princeton family
Full StoryFUN HOUZZDesign Debate: Should You Modernize a Historic Home?
Should a historic home keep every period feature, or can it adapt to changing times? Our experts find a positive middle ground
Full Story
apple_pie_order