Have You Ever Designed or Remodeled Your Kitchen?

Have you ever designed or remodelled your kitchen?

  • Yes, part of a new build

    Votes: 1 11.1%

  • Yes, part of a new build, but contractural obligations limited my choices

    Votes: 1 11.1%

  • Yes, a full gut remodel

    Votes: 3 33.3%

  • Yes, but the remodel was limited for whatever reason

    Votes: 2 22.2%

  • Nope. I love it as it is

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Nope, Wish I could, but not in the cards right now

    Votes: 2 22.2%
  • Total voters
    9
  • Poll closed .
Mountain Cat

Mountain Cat

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Whether as in a new build, or as part of a remodel? I'm talking about function, not simply changing flooring or countertops or paint color.

How did this work out for you? Are you happy with it, and did the actual construction proceed as you planned?

I built a new home which I moved into a year ago, and right now I'm down here at the old home, looking at the horridly dysfunctional old kitchen (prepping to sell - unfortunately I had surgery and rehab in the interim so we're not quite ready for that yet here), and knowing I had a hand in designing the new kitchen for actual functionality.

I will note I love my new home and kitchen tremendously. Considering how dysfunctional the old one was/is, the new one is a dream - despite the contractor omitting some features such as a place to store platters for easy access.

Will post more later. I'm simply taking a break down here before getting back to work...
 
I've thought about a remodel - changing countertops, backsplash, flooring, but haven't so far. It wouldn't improve the functionality. Just expensive cosmetic changes that will probably go out of style in a year. In a condo, you're limited in what you can do. I heard a homeowner removed a load bearing wall, and the ceiling collapsed. OMG. Think I'll hold off.
 
I used a well known chain here to remodel and fit - its a very small kitchen (galley style) and I probably got the best out of it. I don't like it very much but other than moving house there is no option. Its simply too small. I have some photos somewhere which I will post.

Mountain Cat said:
I will note I love my new home and kitchen tremendously.
Click to expand...

How fantastic! I'd love to design a kitchen from scratch. You are lucky, indeed. Photos please if you can (when you get back).
 
Not quite a "full gut remodel" but a major re-fit after the floods of 2013. The counter top is the same as is the sink and gas hob.

kitchen worktops-s.jpg
 
We bought our joint about 30 years ago, there was a breakfast bar and old fashioned. I replaced the whole kitchen, even putting in French doors in to open up the back. Prolly cost me around $7k to 8k .
Things by this time we're getting worn and old so I got new bench top dish washer oven and hobs. All new doors fitted aw well. I'm happy with it. Pics later.

Russ
 
@Mountain Cat
My last seven years before retiring I worked for Lowe's as a kitchen design specialist.
I designed simple makeovers, upgrades, full scale remodels and new construction.
I worked in a small rural store. The smallest in the district. I was always #1 in the district and #1 or #2 in the region My success was due to the passion I put into every project. Designing a kitchen is a very personal and intimate process. Other than their bedroom people spend more time in their kitchen than any other room in the house
As a designer I needed to know how my clients functioned in their kitchen. I put together a "Wants and Needs " check list that included budget information.
I always informed my clients that I would focus on meeting their needs within their budget. Budget allowing we could address their wants.
Clients were frequently tripped up by the small things. A beautiful farm sink. Pot faucet near the cooktop. Fancy faucet on the sink. Cabinet hardware. Clients would bring in pictures of their dream kitchen. They would drool over hardware that ran from $15 to $50 per piece. Clients never gave thought to the cost of lighting.
My talent was giving my clients a $100,000 dream kitchen on a $30,000 budget.
I loved my job and I was very good at it.
I am not sorry that I retired but I do miss the creative challenge and the joy on a client's face when they see their beautiful kitchen.
My fondest memory is the first kitchen I designed. The floors were good but everything else was replaced. Cabinets, countertops, backsplash, sink, fixtures, lighting and appliances.
Her budget was very tight. I could not sell her custom cabinets . I had to go with inexpensive stock cabinets. I spent 2 weeks working with that sweet Lady. I chose the prettiest hardware at the best price. A combination sink faucet kit. Paint. The loveliest, least expensive backsplash and countertop .
This sweet Lady touched my heart. She was a Widow. Her husband was only 54 when he died. He had only $10k in life insurance. Enough to bury him with not much left. Her eldest son had been killed in a drive by shooting. She had scrimped and saved for years to remodel her kitchen.
I visited the job site a couple of times. When it was completed I went for a final walk through.
When I knocked on the door my sweet client almost knocked me over with an outrageous hug. OMG! She was in tears. Her kitchen was everything I wanted it to be for her. Beautiful on a tight budget.
She had a pot of coffee brewed and on the table there was a platter of the best homemade cinnamon rolls I have ever eaten.
That was enough to make me love my job. What she did later was really incredible.
Every time she came into the store she would look for me. She would take my hands in her's. She said the same thing every time. "Elizabeth, every morning I walk into my beautiful kitchen, pour a cup of coffee , sit at my table and say my prayers. Every morning I thank God for putting you in my life and ask Him to watch over you."
For the next seven years she did that every time she came into the store.
In addition for the next seven years this sweet Lady brought me 1/2 dozen home made cinnamon rolls every month.
I am so glad that I had such a challenge from the beginning. That project taught me that kitchens were both personal and intimate. That experience taught me that focusing on the client was much more important than the $$$ taken in.
Over the years I designed and sold many beautiful kitchens- 2 were 6 figures in cost. None of those kitchens touched me more or made me prouder than that first tight budget kitchen
 
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One of the things I dislike about my kitchen is the lighting
I am jealous. I would love to have under counter task lighting.
 
It is on the list. I want to give the kitchen a face lift. Paint the cabinets and walls . New hardware, countertops, backsplash, hardware, sink and lighting. It will be a year or two before I can budget a facelift for the kitchen.
 
Yes.
The last home we lived in in the UK. The kitchen was useless and whilst our landlady was on a very long holiday (6 wks plus), we looked after hey Irish wolf hound and lived in her house whilst our kitchen was gutted. We were involved in the refit but the cooker had to stay put because of the gas mains. However we did have the sink moved and a partition wall taken out along with loads of extra cabinet space put in. It was so much better afterwards. The photos of the refit are on here somewhere! Feb 2016 it was.
 
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