“Didn’t You Just Finish That Room?” (Plus, A Plumbing Cost Estimate For The New Kitchen)
Matt and I have our new plans for our house in place (which you can see here) and as I’ve shared those plans on the blog recently, I’ve had a few comments like, “Kristi, didn’t you just finish that room not too long ago?”
I had to laugh because I actually had someone ask me that about our kitchen. “Didn’t you just finish that room not too long ago?” Someone else said, “I remember how hard you worked on your kitchen, and now you’re changing it?”
I guess time really does fly when you’re having fun, because no, I didn’t just finish my kitchen not too long ago. 😀 In fact, it’s been almost exactly a decade (WOW!!!) since I remodeled our kitchen and turned this…
…into this…
I finished that remodel October 14, 2014. That was so long ago that the room next to it (which is now the pantry and breakfast/sitting room) hadn’t even been touched except for a bit of demolition. You can see it to the right of the kitchen in the photo above with the very rough wood walls, plywood ceiling, and dust everywhere.
I did repaint the kitchen in June of 2017 when I realized that the green was too hard for me to decorate around. But even that has been over seven years ago now.
When I did this kitchen remodel ten years ago, I desperately needed a usable kitchen. The original kitchen was one of the most inefficient kitchens I had ever seen. It had two walls of cabinets opposite each other. There was this wall of cabinets with the sink…
And then on the opposite wall was this bank of cabinets with a countertop.
And then on one of the side walls was the hookup for a standalone dishwasher and space for a refrigerator…
And opposite that was the hookup for a gas range with no cabinets or countertop.
So the layout was something like this…
(Ha! That IKEA kitchen planner is one handy tool not only for planning, but also for illustration purposes! 😀 )
Anyway, that kitchen was laid out so inefficiently that I would get frustrated just trying to make a sandwich in there. Actually trying to cook a meal was next level frustration. That just goes to show you that just because you have a work triangle, and just because that triangle has the proper measurements, that doesn’t automatically mean that the kitchen is going to be easy to use. The work triangle is just the beginning.
All that to say that there was no way I wanted to cook all of our meals in that kitchen, so if we wanted to eat at home, I needed a change, and I needed it to be quick (as quick as I could DIY it myself, tearing it down to the studs and rebuilding it) and as cheap as possible. We didn’t have any money saved up for a kitchen remodel at the time because we had just spent all of our money on the downpayment for the house.
So I did the cheapest remodel possible. I used stock oak utility cabinets from Home Depot and dressed them up as much as I could with trim.
Solid surface countertops weren’t in the budget, so I worked with a concrete countertop company that provided all of the materials free of charge, and my brother and I poured the concrete countertops.
And while I did buy new appliances back in 2014, they were far from top-of-the-line. They have served me very well over the years, though.
In all, I spent right at $10,000 on that kitchen remodel ten years ago. And I have definitely gotten my money’s worth out of that kitchen since then. Today, the countertops are stained, one burner on the stove doesn’t light on its own, the dishwasher no longer works, three wall tiles are cracked, one drawer handle came off and is lost, and the refrigerator ice maker leaks.
This kitchen has served me well, and it has worked hard for me for ten years now. I’ve been so thankful to have such a pretty little kitchen these past years. But I don’t feel a single bit of sadness in letting it go. I’ll always have pictures to look back on if I want to revisit the work I did when we first bought this house, but I’m ready to move on, and I can do so with not a bit of sadness or guilt. I only feel excitement about it.
I still have a while longer before I have to say goodbye to it. I still have a bedroom and a closet/laundry room to finish before we get started on the kitchen. I’m not taking a sledgehammer to my current kitchen today, or even next month. I’ll be using it for a few more months.
But I did meet with a plumber last week about the new kitchen because I wanted to be sure I could even do what I want to do (i.e., move the kitchen to the one room of the house with a slab foundation), and to get an estimate on how much it will cost to have the drain pipe, water to the faucet, water to the dishwasher, gas line for the range, and water to the refrigerator all moved over to the room with the slab foundation. Plus, I want another water line for a small built-in nugget ice machine. All of that came to $9000. I had to laugh. The plumbing alone for the new kitchen cost almost as much as my entire kitchen remodel ten years ago.
Addicted 2 Decorating is where I share my DIY and decorating journey as I remodel and decorate the 1948 fixer upper that my husband, Matt, and I bought in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do physical work, so I do the majority of the work on the house by myself. You can learn more about me here.
Wow. It’s that “just” part. Didn’t you just turn your front room into a dining room then back into a living room? My memory now goes like this: Pre-covid. Covid, post-covid. Does anyone else do that?
All. The. Time. It’s crazy to me that 2019 was 5 years ago. How?
I tend to say …”in the before times…” 🤣😂😅
Me too!! COVID feels like it just happened, I can’t believe it was already 4 years ago. Everything pre-COVID feels like it was so long ago, though…
Time surely does fly by when you are doing all the work yourself. Same goes for farm and garden work. I cannot wait to see all the new demo/construction and what the end product will look like, probably not as anxious as you are to see it get done.
In the 16 houses we lived in before we retired from the Army, I always told people that when you go to layout your new kitchen, imagine making Thanksgiving dinner in it for all your friends and family, and if you can do that, your kitchen will serve you well for any occasion.
Have fun, pace yourself, you’re now 10 years older, sorry to mention it, I have to tell myself that too when tackling a new project, but all of us are “here” to support and listen and most especially to cheer you on. Go get ’em.
Cheers,
I have enjoyed reading your blog and learning from your art projects.
You sat money is an issue but is there anything more wasteful than redoing what has recently been done? Sometimes more than once. I’m beginning to feel manipulated, thinking most of your projects aren’t needed but just fodder for blog posts. And truly, how much money is saved by adding on just a couple of rooms instead of your wonderful large addition? Especially since with the smaller addition other changes are necessary to already remodeled rooms. I’m beginning to think that the money in question is income $ from blog, not cost of remodel.
And who would want to trek from studio to the bathroom via the pantry? Looks like this will be a needed redo in the future. Another blog post or more.
I don’t blame you for considering income. I just feel manipulated.
You do realize there was absolutely no need to comment to this post. No one cares about your negative feelings. Simple solution – stop following her blog!🤪
Totally agree!
Totally agree. People like this need to get off the blog. I personally enjoy it and I am 79 years old and can’t do anything in the way of remodeling but I get so much joy watching all her creative endeavors.
She just amazes me.
Wow. Feeling manipulated by someone who shares her entire journey starting with thought process all the way through to completion of HER projects? The cost of the addition (as Kristi has mentioned) will be nowhere near as expensive as the “big wonderful addition”. This post seems mean spirited for the sake of being mean spirited.
It’s so incredibly bizarre to me that you would feel “manipulated” by me, of all people, as I’m one of the very few bloggers left on the internet who hasn’t turned into an “influencer” trying to sell you stuff all day long and filling my blog with sponsored posts. I’m just here sharing my projects in my home for anyone who’s interested. My blog isn’t required reading.
And by the way, I owe you answers about our finances and how we spend our money every bit as much as you owe me answers about your finances and how you spend your money. I’ll share any details I want to, but you don’t get to dig for more. I don’t owe you that.
Kristie, excellent response.
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Kristi – I have to tell you I am really grateful when you reveal to your readers what things really cost. There are others out there, blogging and on YouTube, who NEVER tell you what something really costs. That can be quite frustrating as one is looking for inspiration, finding it, and then wondering if it is affordable or if the estimate received from a contractor is a “normal price” or a rip off.
I understand and agree that your financial portfolio is a private matter. I sure do appreciate knowing the price of things though. How you afford it is your business and no one else’s, along with where you choose to spend your money.
Kristi….I follow another blogger with gardening/cooking/and home decoration, as well as crafts. I happen to love when she lists some new things she has found to help around the home, or for her projects. I do not purchase a lot, but when I see something I truly like or need, sometimes I do. I don’t see you do that much, but I would never mind. I don’t shop out at stores a lot anymore, so when someone shows me something new that I didn’t know existed I LOVE it. I don’t have to purchase, but at least I know what is new out there. And who cares that you make something on it…the price is the same anyway! I was just reading your W/D post this morning as I will need a new set soon. Thank you for being so open with your purchases/work and decisions…you SHOULD make something out of all your help…! I don’t see that you often do???
Really? This post was totally unnecessary, rude, and full of mean spirited remarks. Move on, and take your attitude with you.
Wow! Aren’t you pleasant? Let’s try and be nice.
I think when starting with a fixer-upper, things are done sooner to be more livable and then when time and funds change, more can be done. I think Kristy works that way, as do a lot of us. She lived a while with that house that needed almost everything. Then she did some lower budget renovations…that were actually beautiful. Now, there is some final and extensive changes that will probably make her house her HOME, more what she needed and wanted. (I always love that she does things for her and Matt, without the pressure of the next buyer) I don’t think she does anything without a lot of thought and agreement with her husband, and I think that is totally their choice. I think MOST homes are a work in progress. We all find better ways as we live in the structure, and/or just need a change. I love following Kristi, and I find I learn a lot, even if it doesn’t apply to me at the time. I’m in it for the long term, maybe you are not? But, no need for the negativity even so.
Oh my Jeanne. It’s the internet. No one is forcing you to read this blog.
I’m doing some do-overs in my home and am thankful you aren’t around to criticize me too! I learn so much from Kristi about how to make my home what I want for me. If you don’t like what happens on her blog, please just go away.
Poor thing. If you feel manipulated, you’d better call for help. The ONLY thing this blog costs is a little bit of time to read it. I’ve been following Kristi since they got the keys to this house and moved in. No one put a gun to my back to force me to follow along. How sad for you. Sounds more like a bit of jealousy going on from you, and that’s sad too. Myself and countless others are just very happy to follow along, and possibly learn new things along the way. No need to tear down someone else to build yourself up. I feel sorry for you.
Jeanne no one is forcing you to read or follow this blog, I was raised that if you can’t say anything nice then keep your mouth shut. It’s crazy how people when are faceless they can spew such venom that they wouldn’t say to that persons face. Feel free to move on and take your negative self with ya.
It was awhile ago..lol! The very first blog/pictures I saw was the disaster after you painted your cabinet doors and left them outside overnight! You caught my attention with your explanation and sheer determination to forge ahead!
You go girl!
Shocking, Jeanne, just shocking. How, why, when, or where Kristi and Matt spend their money is nobody’s business but theirs.
Other than reading Kristi’s blog, I don’t think you know either one of the parties you are insulting by your rudeness. It is ludicrous that you feel “manipulated”— laughable, in fact.
I’m sure a bit of scouting will lead you elsewhere in the blogging world. This one hardly seems the place for you or your comments.
We need to see finished pictures of the studio including the beautiful red chair!
Again, what about your workshop?
Have a great week.
I promise you that as soon as I finish up the electrical, the trim/doors, and can get some pictures of the finished room, I’ll share them.
Again, the workshop is being built tomorrow and Thursday.
We don’t “need” to see anything…..we’d just like to see. Big difference there.
Ooooh, that original kitchen layout seems like whoever designed it forgot about all the useful appliances – thus the oven, fridge, and dishwasher just kind of stuffed into the blank spaces in the room. I completely see why you had to change it early on!
Was the floor in the kitchen cork tiles?
No, it was actually asbestos tiles.
I just want to say that I have LOVED all of the posts lately. I think that the back and forth and changing of plans is totally normal when you’re planning out big decisions, and I’m very much enjoying the process. I really loved the floorplans, and the change of direction.
Also, I personally am cheering you on for being all new cabinets in the kitchen. If anyone has read here long enough they know you used inexpensive cabinets and hacked them to fit/work. I totally remembered that. From my memory, I believe you also did that for the pantry. And then you loved the Ikea version when you were installing the studio cabinets. I believe there’s a whole blog post somewhere about why they’re better. Thrift and environmentalism are good values, but they’re not the only values that matter. Having a home you love to use and works well for you and makes sense day to day also matters.
Also, personally I like reading that – hey I did this, hasn’t worked out forever so I’m trying something new. Have I agreed with every single project/choice/layout you’ve tried over the years – nope! 🙂 Although I do very much like the current direction, and I love the evolution. I think some people stay trapped in homes/rooms they don’t love because they’re “done”, or they’re afraid to move on decisions because they’re afraid of being trapped in “done” homes…it’s nice to not see that. I think we need to allow other people to change more freely, and I feel like reading your blog allows that.
Anyway, thanks! 🙂
Ditto what Kate said. One other thing, you don’t know what you don’t know. Until you have cooked in a kitchen for a while, it’s hard to tell what will work perfectly or end up driving you crazy.
A shorthand way to evaluate kitchens for anyone apartment condo or house hunting: if there’s a stand-alone fridge or stove, it’s probably a bad kitchen that will drive you nuts!
Regarding your water, gas hookups, would you consider an induction stove, wouldn’t need gas hookup. Love love mine. Had a gas stove and glad I switched. It heats the pot, not the element. Fast, easy stove top wipe and clean. My sisters switched too after using mine.
Completely agree about the induction stove. Another benefit is that food/grease does not burn onto the outside of your pots & pans, making that cleanup easy as well. As a lifelong gas stove lover and electric stovetop hater, I’ll never go back to either. Induction stovetop only for me from now on.
I 100% agree about an induction cooktop, I love mine and heard about someone who had both a gas and induction cooktop who never used the gas anymore. You just have to have cookware that a magnet will stick to, like cast iron or some stainless steel. Not all stainless is magnetic. But the easy cleanup alone is worth it and the instant temperature response is a dream to cook with.
I’ll look into it! I know for sure that I want the Cafe Appliances in matte white with gold accents, so I’ll see if they an induction in that style.
I always thought a gas stove top was the best, electric was so so, except for ovens, but after using an induction stove for the past 2 years, I will never go back to any other type of stove. I do not cook much, because I hate cooking…but I use my stove everyday and love it…easy to use and best of all easy to keep clean! My oven is conventional, convection and an air fryer…worth every penny I spent on it!
You are an inspiration with your talent, vision, positivity and creativity. Thank you for sharing your projects with us. Looking forward to continuing the journey!
I’m so excited for you! Your new projects are going to make your home so fantastic! I certainly didn’t realize that I’ve been following your blog for over 10 years! Best wishes to you and Matt!
Also, if you get a nugget ice maker, get a refrigerator without an ice maker. (They always break). We have a side by side with no ice maker & live it. We have an ice bin that we keep filled with our counter ice maker. Easy & no mess! !
I have friends that buy ice to fill their automatic in frig ice maker after it broke because they like the crushed ice & water dispenser in the door.
It’s funny you mention that. I hadn’t even thought of that, but as I was writing that sentence, it dawned on me that I probably don’t need both. I definitely don’t need two ice makers! If I have nugget ice, I’ll never use the ice from the fridge ice maker.
I’ll miss the pretty kitchen but I’m sure you’ll do something just as nice in the new kitchen. Have you considered an induction stove rather than gas? My sister just built a new house and the induction stove is amazing to cook on. Way better than gas.
I was just looking at an induction stove. I need to do more reading about it, but it looks like a great option! And it would save me money since I wouldn’t have to have a gas line into the kitchen.
I don’t have an induction stove but do have a couple of induction burners and use them probably more than my cooktop. If I ever need to replace my cooktop I plan on getting an induction cooktop. I love it, the control over heat is phenomenal. There’s no waiting for the element to cool down like on a standard electric burner. They are so easy to clean too.
We are planning on making the switch to induction from gas in a few years when we redo our kitchen. Our neighbors just did the same, and you will need a higher voltage outlet wired (240V). That’s going to be a pain for us but would hopefully be easier for you with the construction of a new space.
Hi Kristi!
I’m sure you’ve thought about this already, but your current layout will make it super easy to keep your current kitchen functional while you work on your new one. We just finished a diy kitchen remodel and planning things around keeping existing functionality available was super helpful.
Also, I would strongly suggest that you cost a wall mounted pull-out front rack for your laundry room. It is SO nice not to fuss with a standalone front rack for stuff that needs to air dry. Have fun! Blessings,
Jenny
I am so gratified that you are planning to remodel your house and kitchen, so that it really functions well for you and your husband. And I look forward to reading every one of your posts. They are the first thing I open in my email. Thank you for the incredible, educational blog posts you so carefully craft and put up. I have learned so much from you and the care you take with every project.
Regarding your plumber’s quote, the work you are asking him to do is not trivial. And if he is fully licensed, insured, and bonded, he has a lot of overhead just for those things. And those qualifications indicate that he is 1) skilled enough to be licensed by the state, and 2) a serious professional. Also remember that if you use a properly licensed professional, you have recourse through your state contractor’s license board if the job is substandard. I have seen family and friends occasionally use unlicensed people who have done a terrible job, and their money is lost without real recourse.
If you want to get additional quotes from other plumbers, which would be a good idea, there are two places to suggest for you to look. First, Angie’s List (now called Angi). You can look at the background and reviews for different tradesmen and select the ones you want to contact you for a quote. I have found some very good subcontractors on Angie’s List.
You can also join Nextdoor in your area and post to ask for recommendations for a good plumber. You can also search for previous recommendations for plumbers, and also, posts about bad experiences with plumbers you want to avoid!
In our area, we are lucky to have a fantastic nonprofit organization called Consumer Checkbook, where they rate both by quality of job done as well as how the price compares to an average. Unfortunately, they are not there in Texas.
All this talk about kitchens, (which I have loved everything you have ever done in a kitchen), reminded me about your neighbors kitchen. You toured it when it had been “flipped”. Did the the new owners ever fix the awkward layout? Just a random thought on a beautiful sunny day…..
If they did, they haven’t mentioned it to me. I know they wanted to remodel it, and if I remember correctly, they had an architect friend draw up new plans so they have them when they’re ready to remodel. But I don’t think it’s happened yet.
Sometimes I think people forget that remodeling activity = income for you.
Even if it didn’t, it’s not up to others to tell her how to spend her money. Just jealousy. Imho
Agree – I didn’t mean this negatively at all, unlike the odd “OMG I’m being MANIPULATED” commenter. But no redone space is ever a waste because it’s all put to use on her blog.
The only internet thing that I am tired of is people changing kitchens not to improve functionality in any way, but because their formerly super trendy kitchen is “outdated,” and to fix it they put in the current super trendy look, ensuring that seven years from now it will “need” to be redone again.
Your current kitchen is really lovely, but if it isn’t working for you and you’re ready to change it, then its time to move forward.
I love the “feet” on your cabinets. I’ve assumed that was one of your diy projects. Could you share the pattern you used to make them, or provide a link to them? I love them much more than others I’ve seen. I appreciate it! Thanks for your continued blog. I’ve been following for years!
Unfortunately, I don’t think I kept the pattern. I just used a pencil to draw a design on a 1″ x 4″ piece of lumber, and erased and redrew until I liked it. Then I cut it out with my jigsaw and used that as a pattern for the rest of them. There are photos in the post I linked below where you can see a closer view to use as a visual guide so that you can draw your own, but I just used 1″ x 4″ lumber and a jigsaw.
https://www.addicted2decorating.com/diy-decorative-cabinet-feet-for-stock-cabinets.html
Kristi, per the rude comment (and your reply to her) I used to follow a blogger from Indiana/Ohio area who bought homes, lived in them while redoing them, then sold them a few years later, so they could do it again. Suddenly, probably due to the onset of IG, there were always “I just have to tell you” posts about some fantastic item – remember the beginning of that exercise bike, or the mirror that was a computer or something that had a personal trainer? Or the beginning of the motorized bike craze? This person would tout the awesomeness for a week or so, then you never saw the item again. I wondered what happened to all these “gifts” when she started selling the items off in order to fund her next project. So I messaged her and asked what the deal was, and how could she consciously fawn over these things just to sell them off and make a buck more. Well, she wrote back and raked me over the coals, as she had the right to, and blocked me from her page. I decided then and there to never follow another blogger or influencer that constantly showed off the latest gift she got from a company, because it was all a gimmick to make money! So I love that you remain true to what you love to do and don’t do things just for free stuff for yourself! As for the plumber estimate, I guess tearing up the concrete to run plumbing isn’t cheap! Wonder if it would just be cheaper to change to the post and beam foundation??? I have no experience with either option!
I’m working on one gut job kitchen remodel for my mother’s next house (currently with very old and nasty cabinets), and fantasizing about my own future kitchen remodel, so I’m loving all this kitchen talk. Glad to see some good ideas about how to get down those plumbing costs!
Regarding HD unfinsihed wood cabinets, last year I did a big shifting around/facelift on my current kitchen to make it more workable for now, and added one cabinet from Home depot. They do not have that annoying middle stile where the doors meet anymore, at least not in my 30″ wide upper, so it’s a lot easier to get things in and out of the cupboard. Just a quick note if you ever have a need to install something basic, don’t write those off for that particular reason! I recall you complaining on that point for your teal kitchen.
Can’t believe I’ve been following you well over a decade, since shortly before you moved into this house! I remember the Cameron Diaz kitchen well 🙂 You continue to inspire with your authentic voice and everyday outlook on living in a DIY fixer upper.