Shop Products
Houzz Logo Print
ucgal

Newbie here - thought I'd post pictures of reno in progress

ucgal
12 years ago

I'm new to Gardenweb. I've been devouring the pictures, tips, and ideas posted here. We're doing a 100% DIY update to a 1960's kitchen.

Background - House is the one I grew up in. We purchased from my dad 10 years ago. House was built in early 60's.

My parents updated appliances in the 80's. And painted dark cabinets in a creamy white. Still had the original formica counters. When they updated the appliances, they converted the old electric coil rangetop to gas. (Gas line was already there.) They did not update the inadequate under cabinet range hood.

Goals -

* get a 2nd oven. We host most holiday meals, including a Sicilian 7 fishes feast on Christmas Eve. A 2nd oven was required.

* function function and more function. I wanted a low maintenance counter that I could put hot stuff directly on. I wanted lots of counterspace. I did not want to lose cupboard space.

* style - a far last place... but tried to make choices that are going to work forever... or as forever as is possible. We plan to stay in this house for decades... and made our choices more for function than resale.

* Low budget with an emphasis on reuse.

The kitchen is smallish. (started out 12x9, ended 14x9 because we extended it 2 feet into the family room/eat-in area).

A few before pictures. I'm not super neat/tidy so apologies for the messes.



Lovely formica counters



Old rangetop and hood and wall oven we kept, but moved.

We installed stainless counters with integrated sinks. Wish I'd joined Gardenweb before we ordered these - I would have done the marine edge.

Mid remodel: - new counters (stainless) on sink side, butcherblock on stove side, and the start of the "from scratch" cabinets that DH built. We tore down everything on the oven/range side and built new cabinets. New oven cabinet has the wall oven lower, and the MW above it (off the counter!!!). Reused wall oven and micro. Moving the oven gave us more room on either side of the spot for the new bertazzoni range (with our 2nd oven).



Where it stands today. Backsplash up behind the stove. Doors on the new cabinets. John Boos butcherblock on either side of the stove.



And a look at the whole kitchen as it stands today

Still to do:

- Replace window above sink

- build draws for extension on the counter side of kitchen.

- "true the wall" and put up the subway backsplash.

- sand/paint/replace hardware on all remaining cabinets.

Thanks for looking.

Comments (15)

  • catlover5
    12 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    How exciting! Now that looks like a kitchen one can cook a meal in, with love nonetheless! Congrats!

  • 2LittleFishies
    12 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Looks great! : ) Love the wood on either side of the range!

  • hlove
    12 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Looks like you're doing a great job! Love the mix of old and new and love the expanse of stainless counters. Continued good luck going forward!

  • desertsteph
    12 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    it's looking a lot more functional! be sure to repost pics when cabs finished, new hardware etc. moving your mw gives you a lot more needed counter space - that surely helps in prepping a meal.

    can your dh put full extension glides on the drawers? that'll help a lot!

  • a2gemini
    12 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Nice job!!!!
    I think you used a lot of creativity in your design!

  • fouramblues
    12 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Especially love the range run, but it all looks terrific! I'm impressed that this is all DIY.

  • ucgal
    Original Author
    12 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Yep - the new drawers have full extension slides.
    The old drawers aren't as deep as the cabinets, but don't have the hardware slides you see today... they have an attachment at the back of the drawer that hangs on a rail above the drawer.... so they pull out fully.

    I forgot to mention... much of the new cabinet area was built with wood salvaged from the removed cabinets. The old cabinets were built with a combination of plywood and planks.... good quality wood that was too good to throw out.

  • User
    12 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    It looks great. I love the cutting board beside the range. And the range! Love it.

    What did you do, if anything, with the extra space behind the microwave in that cabinet?

  • Mizinformation
    12 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Woot! Love it. You are a DIY/salvage soul sister. You've got a great space, nice light, and quite a bit of storage for a compact layout. Tell us about the stainless counters -- did you have a local shop fabricate them? What was the install like? Integrated sink or drop-in? Thanks for sharing!

  • ucgal
    Original Author
    12 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Marti8a - if you turn the corner into the eat-in/family room, there's a new broom closet, behind the oven... with room for the ironing board... there's a nook behind the mw for the iron storage.

    Lol... of course I'm very undomesticated... can't remember the last time I ironed.

  • AnnaA
    12 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I so admire DIYrs. Your work is beautiful!

  • michelle16
    12 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Can u tell me the backsplash and grout color used. I love the contrast of the dark grout?tks, looks great!

  • ucgal
    Original Author
    12 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Michelle16 -
    It's the cheap white subways from Lowe's - with a light grey grout.

    Tile: American Olean Tile

    Grout from Home Depot: Delorean Grey grout

  • Dando
    12 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I can't believe I've not seen you. You must be on one of the upper decks and I'm stuck down here in the engine room, but, we are definately in the SAME boat.
    I had to re-make my drawer boxes to get full extension glides.
    My kitchen is also the one I grew up in, home built early 70's, and re-done once late 80's. Bought the house several years ago, and been DIY remodel ever since trying to get moved in.
    Makes one wonder if the walls were ever plumb and floors were ever level? (or if houses actually settle THAT much) LOL.
    Seems the deeper you dig, the more problems you find.

    Yours is looking good though! Great additions/modifications. Keep up the good work!

  • Lake_Girl
    12 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    What size are your grout lines? Did you use spacers, or is the space built in to the tiles? Thanks!