Keeping the Memories and Modernizing the Charm

by Terri Kotula

$4500

2 Months

Medium

We purchased my Grandma's home when she passed away. As a little girl, I spent many wonderful days here.

Grandma's Kitchen Before

We wanted to preserve what was here...just modernize it.

Grandma's Kitchen Before

We wanted to keep the memory of Grandma in "her kitchen"

Grandma's Kitchen Before

This is where grandma's little kitchen table sat where many wonderful meals

were served!

We stained the cabinets a mocha color.

We chose the butcher block counter tops to keep that warm industrial look...so the kitchen would look "gourmet" yet NOT too feminine! We purchased the American Walnut butcher block from Lumber Liquidators. A 12 foot section was 500 dollars and an 8 foot section was 300 dollars! My husband made the cut for the sink. Lightly sanding and putting food grade sealer on it was REALLY EASY! When I have a stain on the butcher block, I use some "fine" grade sea salt and 1/2 a lemon. Apply the salt and lightly rub the 1/2 lemon (cut side down) then wipe with damp rag.

WHEN DOING A RENOVATION PROJECT...BEFORE YOU BEGIN....CHECK DISCOUNTS AT RETAIL STORES LIKE LOWE'S OR HOME DEPOT. CHECK CRAIGS LIST FOR BRAND NEW ITEMS PEOPLE ARE GETTING RID OF....CHECK SALVAGE YARDS WHICH OFFER WONDERFUL DISCOUNTS. WE PURCHASED AN 8 FT. SECTION OF "THIN CUT" GRANITE FOR OUR OTHER COUNTER TOP FOR 40 DOLLARS!

keeping the memories and modernizing the charm, home improvement, kitchen design

We wanted the kitchen to look "gender neutral". This kitchen is used as much by my husband as it is by me! Still have to put the "finishing touches on it..."

After renovating 5 houses in 10 years, my husband and I've gotten quite good at buying high-end products at a discount price! You can find HUGE bargains at Lowe's in the clearance center AND on line. Our stainless steel farm sink originally 1100 dollars discounted to 400 dollars INCLUDING shipping!

IF WE'D PAID FULL RETAIL FOR THIS KITCHEN, it would've cost us around 20,000 dollars. We paid 4500 dollars!

Granite 40 dollars from our local salvage company! The wall cabinet was designed and made by my husband! Provides much needed counter space in the kitchen!