You may recall the wild card of that whole One Room Challenge was the flooring situation on our entire first floor: really badly worn out hardwoods in our living room, dining room and family room, sad 80s tile in our foyer and 2 layers of vinyl flooring and subfloors in our kitchen.
The long and short of it all is that once we got some quotes on having our floors all redone, it seemed kind of silly to invest in beautiful new floors and keep our falling-apart kitchen. If we replaced the cabinets in a year or two, we’d have to contend with potentially having to patch our brand new floors, and pretty much everyone we talked to, family, friends and contractors, advised us to just suck it up and do the whole thing at once.
So the new plan, at verrrrry long last: we’re going all in with a kitchen remodel! I know. We’re nuts. Read on.
How we’re going to try and swing this with our two-kids-in-college budget….
We’re keeping the same layout. Instead of blowing out the entire wall between our kitchen and dining room as we had originally planned and adding a ton more cabinetry, we’ll be keeping the kitchen footprint pretty much the same, except for enlarging the doorway on the back wall. We won’t get the huge island of our dreams, but we will be adding a counter overhang for seating, something we have really missed having with this house.
We’re keeping the same appliance locations. This saves a boatload on plumbing and electrical costs associated with moving appliances in a kitchen layout. We will be flipping the position of the fridge with the cabinet next to it so the fridge doesn’t open into the doorway and cause a dinner time traffic jam anymore (as it has done EVERY NIGHT FOR EIGHT YEARS!) but that’s a pretty easy move. The microwave location will also move to make way for a vent and pretty hood over the range!
We’re demoing and DIYing whatever we can. Mark is going to help me rip out the cabinets and countertops, and we’ll get some help ripping out the offending floors and installing new subfloors. Then the big one – we’re going to install the prefinished hardwoods ourselves. This one project is going to have such a huge impact on our entire house, I can’t wait to get going with it! Now to decide on a color……so many options!
What we’ll be hiring out…..
Ripping out the 2 layers of vinyl flooring and 80s tile. The building and installation of the cabinets, some finish carpentry, the countertop install, appliance installs, electrical work and plumbing.
The timeframe…..
Well, clearly I’m a One Room Challenge dropout this round!!! Call me crazy but we’re looking to bang this kitchen reno out before Christmas, which does not leave a lot of time. Like at all. HA!
I’ll be sharing how we’re expediting the process, all the decisions that are going into the renovation, and our weekly progress as if I was doing the ORC, because otherwise it will be 2022 and I’ll still be dragging this project out!
We’ve had quite a month in our family – between Mark and I we lost four beloved family members: Mark’s great uncle, 5 days shy of his 100th birthday and still cracking jokes (the inspiration for this table!); two of my uncles, both who had a profound impact on the lives on my brothers and I after our dad died when we were little; and our brother in law, who fought a hard battle with lymphoma this last year and who leaves behind a young family. It’s hard to even find the words to write about it all, and as much as I try to leave sorrows at the door when I come here – knowing that for many of you, reading blogs is a welcome diversion from harder things as well – I wanted to fill you in on my long absence.
I love this little place to daydream and learn and share and create. I’m glad you’re here and can’t wait to mull over with you the progression of this kitchen, and other fun pursuits as we head into the holiday season!
Wishing you LOVE and PEACE today, 
Joan says
I offer my condolences on all of your family losses. It can take a long while to find your equilibrium. May you and your families be blessed with many joyful memories to hold near. Peace be with you all.
Monica Benavidez says
Lisa, I’m so sorry for the tremendous losses your family has suffered. Sending you all love! On a happy note, I think your kitchen will be amazing and can’t wait to see it come together.
Lisa says
Thank you so much Monica, on both accounts!
Donna says
I love all your practical ideas to renovate your kitchen. It’s exactly what I would do if I had the chance. Why do so many builders put the refrigerator at the end right by the door rather than fitting it in the middle? Mine also has that little cabinet above it full of dusty serving pieces that are never used. It restricts the height of any new refrigerator too. I’m jealous of your new floor but happy you are getting in the swing of things again.
Lisa says
Donna it’s so funny how common that fridge position is – who want it opening into a doorway? I’ve been looking for alternatives to that cabinet over it – I have no idea how to make that space more functional!
Julie S says
Oh my goodness, this post was a one-two punch! I’m so sorry about all the good people you had to say goodbye to. I’m glad you have a crazy kitchen remodel to distract you a little bit and make a filter to slow down all that grief. Like anyone I love a full kitchen remodel and am very much looking forward to the posts to come! Praying for a healing heart and simple blessings for you guys.
Lisa says
Julie I am grateful for the kitchen reno right now too. It’s a great diversion right now. Thank you so much for your kind words!xx
Debbie - MountainMama says
Oh Lisa, I’m so sorry for your losses, that’s just awful! We had the same in my family two years ago, we lost so many people one right after the other, it was heartbreaking.
I will be looking forward to watching your progress on your kitchen, that’s so exciting!!!!
Lisa says
Debbie it’s funny how it happens like that sometimes….I’m sorry you had a deluge of losses too! Thank you for checking in on this reno. You’re the sweetest!
Brenda says
Oh Lisa! I’m so sorry your family has had so much heartache lately. No one is immune unfortunately. Many hugs going out to you and your family at this time. This remodel may be a comforting (?) distraction for you guys. I’m excited to see this project as it unfolds.
Thank you for sharing what’s been going on in your lives. We’ve missed you!
Lisa says
Thanks so much Brenda, I appreciate that so very much! The remodel is definitely a welcome distraction! 🙂
Lynne says
I am so sorry for your losses. Sending prayers of comfort to you and your family.
I love your plans for your kitchen! Looking forward to seeing it come together for you!
Lisa says
Lynne! Thanks so much for coming by! Thank you for your kind words. The kitchen is a great distraction!
Londen says
So sorry for your loss Lisa.
On another note, I’m so excited for you guys to get your kitchen done! I think it’s a great idea to do it now and have a deadline like Christmas to get it finished.
Lisa says
Thank you so much Londen! If the kitchen is done on my timeline it will truly be a Christmas miracle, but a girl can hope! 🙂
Shelley @ Calypso in the Country says
Hi Lisa! First of all, I am sorry to hear of your losses. I am sure it is especially hard having them happen all at once. Prayers for your and your family. On a happier note, I am excited to watch your kitchen reno! So what if you are a “one room challenge drop out”! I know you will make your kitchen beautiful! Good luck with the project and I look forward to following your progress. Enjoy your weekend!
Shelley
Lisa says
Thank you so much Shelley! I must have been nuts to try to join the ORC this round, ha!! The kitchen has been fun to work on though!
Edie says
So sorry for your losses Lisa…prayers are with you and your family??.
Lisa says
Edie thank you so very much! I truly appreciate that.
Shelley | Crazy Wonderful says
Lisa, I am so sorry to hear of your losses, what a difficult month. One is hard enough, but four?! Keeping your entire family in my prayers. How exciting about the kitchen!! It’s going to be amazing!
Lisa says
Thank you so much Shelley! The kitchen is definitely a fun diversion, so many little details to attend to! I don’t know how you built a whole house from scratch!
Tara @ Lehman lane says
Best of luck with your kitchen remodel Lisa! It is going to look amazing and you can totally do it on a budget!!! Also, I am so sorry for your loss of close family members. I lost a dear friend of 15 years to cancer this fall and had to step away from blogging for a short time as well. There are really no words but just wanted to say I am sorry. -Tara
Lisa says
Oh Tara – I am sorry for your loss as well! It’s hard to come back to writing about all things house and home when our hearts are banged up, isn’t it? Sending lots of love to you.
Trish says
I am so sorry for your family losses. Prayers for peace set in your heart.
Lisa says
Thank you for your kind words Trish! I appreciate that so much!
Jessica says
Lisa I am so happy for you!!!! I know you will make it amazing and I am going to love following along.
Lisa says
Thank you my friend! It’s a wonderful distraction and I’m loving the process!
Jessica says
I just saw the last bit of your post. I’m so very sorry that you have lost such dear people to you. Sending all my love.
Lisa says
Jessica you are so sweet, thank you so much. I’ve missed you!!! Hope you’re coming back to your blog! I am trying to get back to mine on a regular basis but it’s been one thing after another. I’ve been thinking of you!