Reader Kitchen: A Kentucky Makeover for $37,000

Homeowners gut their poorly functioning kitchen and create a more social and stylish space with an island and new cabinetry

Erin Carlyle September 4, 2016

Former Houzz Editorial Staff. Writing about the cost of renovation and what it takes to remodel. Former Forbes real estate reporter. Fascinated by cool homes, watching the bottom line.

Former Houzz Editorial Staff. Writing about the cost of renovation and what it takes... More

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This new series profiles kitchen remodels shared by homeowners on Houzz.

Kitchen renovations are among the most popular home remodeling projects in the U.S., and their costs range widely. One homeowner might spend $5,000 for a DIY project, while another might pay $100,000 or more for a total rebuild. A variety of factors can affect the bottom line, including room size, project scope, the location of the home and the cost of materials and labor in that area.

To get a closer look at some recent kitchen renovations — and their price tags — we asked Houzz readers to share their stories. Up first is a kitchen makeover in a Victorian home in Covington, Kentucky.

Before Photo

Reader Kitchen: A Kentucky Makeover for $37,000

Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: Dawn Danley-Nichols and her husband
Location: Covington, Kentucky
Size: 231 square feet (21.5 square meters); 12½ by 18½ feet
Cost: About $37,200
Construction time: About 11 weeks

Before Photo

BEFORE: “Before the remodel, our kitchen functioned rather poorly despite having all the necessary components,” homeowner Dawn Danley-Nichols writes in an email. “The cabinets, sink and appliances all hugged the walls while leaving a huge gap in the middle. Plus there was no seating in the kitchen (and nowhere to put seating without it being in the way). My husband used to complain that nobody would hang out with him while he cooked.”

Danley-Nichols’ two biggest aesthetic complaints? “The dark tile grout that always looked disgusting” and “the 38-inch cabinets that looked ridiculous due to the height of our ceilings in our 165-year-old Victorian.”

AFTER: The homeowners gutted the old kitchen, in many places taking it down to the studs. They moved plumbing and gas lines and added electricity for more lighting. “My husband’s heart was set on dark cabinets,” Danley-Nichols says. “I was terrified of the kitchen becoming a dark cave. One weapon in my arsenal was obviously gobs of lighting, and the second was limiting the upper cabinetry to only one wall to avoid the feeling of being closed in.”

The couple added a kitchen island to bring in seating and to take advantage of the previously unused central space. “Plus, as big art collectors, moving the kitchen essentials away from the walls created amazing space for my husband to curate paintings from some of his favorite artists,” Danley-Nichols says.

Countertops: LG Viatera Rococo quartz; backsplash subway tile: Foggy Morning With Black Patine, Fireclay Tile

AFTER: The couple bought new appliances and cabinets, installed quartz countertops, added a subway tile backsplash and had their contractor install new lighting and plumbing fixtures. Though everything is new, Danley-Nichols and her husband found ways to save on the quality products they wanted. “We went to a local high-end appliance shop, and they gave us an incredible deal on the refrigerator and dishwasher,” which are both from GE’s Cafe series. “We purchased a lower-end Italian range,” a 36-inch Verona range with double-oven, “but the appliance shop traded out the handles and the rear trim kit of the range to make it appear much more expensive. Never think you can’t afford goods at the local mom-and-pop shops,” she says.

One regret: forgetting to add a pot filler. “We would have used it often,” the homeowner says. Nonetheless, the couple are happy with their new kitchen. “The difference is astounding.”

Walls moved: No
Plumbing moved: Yes
Plumbing replaced: No
Professionals hired: Paul Stefanelli, Stefanelli Custom Homes, America Homes; Paige Castellini, Castellini Interior Design
Splurges: High-end backsplash tile by Fireclay Tile in the kitchen and by Encore Ceramics in the butler’s pantry
Savings: They purchased a lower-end Italian range and had the appliance shop trade out handles and trim to make it look more expensive. They completed some projects themselves, including waxing, burnishing and hanging the barn wood shelves, and painting the walls and ceiling.

Cost breakdown
Appliances: $9,500
Cabinets, sinks and countertops: $16,000
Faucet: $200
Tile: $4,500
Labor: $7,000 (estimated)
Total: About $37,200

Share your kitchen: Tell us about your kitchen remodel and post your pictures in the Comments!

More
How Much Does a Renovation Cost and How Long Does It Take?
From the Pros: 8 Reasons Kitchen Renovations Go Over Budget

Up next: A Dallas refresh for $40,000