Kitchen Renovation anyone? Just say No!

I had no idea why kitchens cost so much to renovate.

My family (including my mom and dad last July) has put so much sweat equity into this kitchen it should be worth $100,000. We spent less than $5000, new-to-us appliances included.

Here is our work at this humbling progress. From brown wood and lino floors to white walls, avocado cupboards and engineered hardwood.

We found a guy who makes laminate countertops in his garage. Perfect!

Our amazing contractor installed the wood floors, a new door and my parents put their skill into painting the cupboards.

We bought a secondhand Bosch dishwasher for $200 and splurged on a new faucet, fridge, stove and hardware.

Here is what we started with:
1960’s kitchen with ‘newer’ appliances.

First week: Paint June 23, 2013

Week Two: Laminate Countertop July, 2013

Week Three: Engineered Hardwood floors and copious amounts of coats of paint. I think it was FIVE coats of paint to be exact. July, 2013

Week Four and throughout the NEXT YEAR!: Final paint and new hardware. Viola c’est fini! June 15, 2014!

This kitchen is inspired by this photo from houzz.com and our designer friends Robyn and Angela.

Many, many hours of painting by Steve, my mom and dad made this $5000 transformation possible. It was a labour of love.

Let’s review–
BEFORE:

TODAY:

With God all things are possible.

With Sexy Neck’s ideas and vision a smokey house became a home.

With my parents labour of love, our roots have grown deep.

With our boys love of fort building, creating and playing every corner of our home has been explored and filled.

With old and new friends stopping by laughter and memories have brought us home.