DIY ceiling trim/new kitchen? Will it match enough for $1800 saving?
101newkitchen101
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
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Mary Elizabeth
3 years agoRelated Discussions
Top ways to save $$$ when building/designing a new home
Comments (40)I'd add in, "Listen to your architect and builder." This adds the caveat to make sure they know what your budget is and that you will LISTEN to advice on maximizing it. I've had both of them explain calmly and gently that something I wanted to do is probably going to be ghastly expensive. And then proffer an alternative that helps get closer to what we want without spending needlessly. If you listen at the front end of the project regarding siting, design, and site development, you'll save yourself so much more money than can be squeezed out of the budget by altering finishes at the end. Some things I've just had to give up on entirely, but I think I'll be happier in the long run for having heeded professional experience. Now, I'm not trying to build a house for $50/sq ft or otherwise get ridiculously under the market rate. But my husband and I were just talking about prioritizing our budget. Which, for us, means spending money on the things that either cannot be changed or would be very difficult to change later - structural elements, windows, etc. Finishes can be upgraded later, built-ins can be added, etc. I find that if you are upfront with most professionals you work with about wanting to be cost-conscious, they'll suddenly become a font of information about how to do so. It helps to be friendly, polite, and not condescending when you do so. Often I've had this happen when I go to one of them and say, "I'd like to do A, but it's sort of expensive." It is not unusual for the response to be, "Well, if we do B, C, and D over in these other areas of the house, we can probably free up enough of your budget for A. And that's really cool, and now I want to do it, so let me go think about it some more." Most of the time, they go think about it, and then come back with an even better idea. Cultivate your pros. They know so much more about their craft than a youtube video does. (Side note: Most of them also seem to like homemade chocolate chip cookies). Also note that this approach is more likely to get you what you want than telling them, "I want A, and Google says that it shouldn't cost me more than $X, so I think you should do it for that even though you quote more."...See MoreExpensive DYI upgrades to my kitchen while saving for remodel
Comments (12)How far out is your remodel? I ask because Restore Habitat for Humanity store would probably rather have you cabinets donated unpainted, then painted - so if you are just a few years away, see if you can live with them stained. You really don't need your kitchen to look like a particular year. You need it to be functional and to suit your own taste - which marketers are attempting to influence. First, least expensive change - turn off HGTV. It is designed to make you hate your kitchen (maybe even you whole house) so you will go out and buy new stuff. It is also designed to feel like you must have trendy kitchen - which will also be outdated in 10 years and then you can buy more new stuff. Remove the wooden valence over the sink and paint the window trim white. Look into changing lighting - google "replace fluorescent light fixture". Chose paint colors that work for the room. Cool grays and warm tone woods do not mix - neither brings out the best in the other. You want a kitchen that looks clean, bright and functions well, not one that is trying to be something it is not. If you think you are more than 10 years out, consider new countertops, backsplash and sink. I did this and added a farmhouse sink in a similar kitchen for abut $5000 - I DIY the backsplash, so saved some $ there. (Pics are in my "my pics" idea book - no attempt was made to "update", only to refresh.) When you do remodel, or even before if it breaks down, consider removing the over the range microwave and put in a nice stainless vent. If you can live without the storage and tackle some ceiling repair, remove the cabinets and soffit over the peninsula. There are some online tutorials. You could look into buying some unfinished doors and staining to match or painting to match to replace the arched doors. A local cabinet maker can help you if the available unfinished doors are not the right size. You can also remove upper cabinets and replace with shelves - but you have to be comfortable living with that look and the work involved in keeping it clean....See MoreNeed design help for new home--wood trim, wall paint, and metals!
Comments (22)I love chair rails, but it looks like yours were put up too high. Many people put them up wrong. They are supposed to occupy the lower 1/3 of a room, not break the room in half! For eight foot ceilings, a chair rail at 30" off of the floor looks great. If they are not your style, don't feel badly about removing them, since even if you liked them they are at the wrong height. Realistically you can either paint the oak white (or a trim colour of your choosing) or sand off the golden stain and apply a darker more modern stain if you want to go for a rustic look. Painting will be much less work (but make sure you use a good primer for adhesion), but if you love the rustic wood look you could consider the sanding/ re-staining option. I would leave the hardwood floors completely alone since they will blend into the decor once you cover them with area rugs, plus light oak hides dirt and wears really well! I would also leave the staircase alone if it were my house, since it matches the floors and you will have plenty of other more pressing projects to occupy yourself with. Lighting is easy to change and makes a huge difference!...See MoreShould we put 9 ft. or 10 ft. ceilings in a new Craftsman build?
Comments (100)cpartist give excellent suggestions for how to deal with 10 foot tall kitchens, keeping the ambiance Craftsman and attractive. I will note I find 9 foot tall ceilings plenty fine for me, but go with feels comfortable to you. Although I do have a cathedral ceiling in the public part of the house.... (No, my house is not Craftsman). As someone else noted, you'll have to change your door heights and other aspects of your home to go with the increase in ceiling height - and that's not going to be cheap. Even at six foot one, I don't feel cramped in homes that have 8 foot ceilings - I was just in one (probably built in the 60s or 70s) this past Sunday (after months of not being to get out and visit folk very often at all). It was fine. But 9 doesn't affect pricing as much as 10 feet would. Please don't do without upper cabinets. You'll hurt resale, as not everyone is going to want to stop everything and remodel as soon as they move in. Even though I mostly have drawers, the lowest one is always a pain to access anyway.....See MoreJuneKnow
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3 years agoMary Elizabeth
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