A Giant Fancy Kitchen— our DIY remodel, using repurposed antiques! *video*
Once upon a time, there was a kitchen…
The kitchen was in a falling-down old house.

A woman lived in the falling-down house.
She loved old broken garbage, and other fancy things.
I mean… she REALLY loved it.
Like… it was her *MOST ABSOLUTE FAVORITE.*

A man lived in the house, too.
He also had some favorite things.
The man’s favorite things were marching-at-dawn, and spending-no-money.

The man said— today we will march to the cabinet store and get cabinets and the kitchen will be finished in three days.
The woman was like…
…
…
…
lol.

The woman had a different idea.
A most-tremendous idea.
She said— WHAT IF:
We make a kitchen out of *magic.*
And.
Glorious wonder.
AND.
FREE STUFF I FIND ON CRAIGSLIST.
The man was like— WOW.
That sounds totally amazeballs.

No.
I’m lying.
The man did not think it was totally amazeballs.
Not at all.
The man thought it was NEGATIVE amazeballs.
Illegal, even.
He said— total disaster idiocy.

But.
The thing is:
The man didn’t have a choice.
He HAD to do the total disaster idiocy; because the woman had spoken aloud, the idiocy-forcing-spell-binding-sorcery-incantation:
FREE.
So the man was like— fine… but it definitely absolutely is not possibly going to be anything like you imagine… unless what you are imagining is a pile of flaming garbage.

Then the man made exactly what the woman wanted; which made him really super mad, because it definitely ABSOLUTELY could NOT be done.
The woman was like— I told you it was easy.

Now it is time for a video— the entire project, start to finish; it’s my favorite thing I’ve ever made, I hope you enjoy it!!
Two tips: make the video full screen (4 arrows in corner of video), AND turn up the brightness on your device! You’ll see more detail!
The song is Dive Bomber, Rob Rio.
Here are some links:
Index/search all 115 kitchen posts– the answer to any question is somewhere in there!!
Original kitchen, before remodel.
Posts with video.
Antique FREE grand piano repurposed into kitchen island.
Giant mirror on wall.
Gilt sconces.
A post illustrating the man’s love of spending no money.
Another post illustrating the man’s love of spending no money.
Building our DIY kitchen cabinets– with EXTRA deep countertops, LOVE THEM!
My first (and still favorite kitchen inspiration)– Pilar Guzman’s kitchen.
A checklist for your next remodel– all of my obsessive kitchen research.
My custom sink design– I wanted to use ALL of the available space!
Wall ovens that are ALSO the microwave– why have two boxes?
My first post about induction cooking– I’d used gas forever and had no idea what induction was…Our trip to see the totally-hidden-in-counter induction units– I updated this post, at the bottom with our final choices.
AND.
The Kingdom Mirror– if you are going to read any of my posts, it should really be this one.
November 30, 2022 @ 1:08 pm
It’s beautiful! My theory is that with house renovations you either pay in time or you pay in money. You paid in time, and it turned out great 🙂 I am super jealous of all the cool antiques you have out there on the east coast. I live on the west coast and people here think “antiques” are orange oak entertainment centers from the 1970s. LAME! I DEMAND SPARKLE! I DEMAND PIZZAZ! Clearly I need to move.
November 30, 2022 @ 1:09 pm
Thank you for including kittens. Congratulations. You really did accomplish the impossible. It is beautiful! Beyond beautiful! I’m so happy to finally see it.
November 30, 2022 @ 1:12 pm
Well that was quick! 🤣 Beautiful job! Love it and the video was great!
November 30, 2022 @ 1:12 pm
Gorgeous! And the fun videos of joyful dancing- just love it all!
November 30, 2022 @ 1:14 pm
Best blog post and best video you’ve done to date!!! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your kitchen. Absolutely remarkable!
November 30, 2022 @ 1:22 pm
I’ve missed you so!!
Beautiful times a million!
Please don’t stop ever again! 😜
.
.
.
[I’m totally serious! We NEED you!😘]
[Oh! And if you ever want to collaborate with a total newbie … me, me, me!]
November 30, 2022 @ 1:23 pm
It’s beautiful and unique to the house. You did a great job!
November 30, 2022 @ 1:23 pm
*****WOW*****
That’s it. No other words.
November 30, 2022 @ 1:29 pm
Gaaahhhhh! It’s amazing, glorious, and filled with giant fancy things. 🙂 Kudos to you for refusing to go down the big box store path. Truly lovely. Annnnd I’m so glad you’re back!
November 30, 2022 @ 1:32 pm
Well, that was so worth the wait!
November 30, 2022 @ 1:42 pm
OMG! I have been watching since the beginning and I couldn’t be happier for you and to have you share the final space with us. It’s absolutely lovely! I hope it brings you and your family much joy.
November 30, 2022 @ 1:45 pm
Fabulous!!!
November 30, 2022 @ 1:59 pm
You guys rock!! Absolutely amazing!
November 30, 2022 @ 2:02 pm
WELCOME BACK!!!!!!
Your writing makes my day!!!
November 30, 2022 @ 2:03 pm
Your video editing is just as impressive as your totally effing amazeballs kitchen! Welcome back and thank you for sharing!
November 30, 2022 @ 2:12 pm
loved the video… absolutely loved the kitchen.. but the best bit was the kittens! well done to both of you x
November 30, 2022 @ 2:26 pm
I am delighted that you are back.
The tone of your post couldn’t have been better suited! This kitchen seems to have wondered out of a fairy tale. It is brilliant in every way. So far from the hordes of beautiful kitchens on Pinterest ( nothing wrong with these but yours is in a league of its own).
I am speechless at the talent you have to envision such a beauty and the courage, gift and determination to actually create it.
Thanks a million for sharing! Happy Holidays
November 30, 2022 @ 2:33 pm
You did it! Kitchen of your dreams! It’s amazing and so very inviting! Be right there for cocktail hour!
Congratulations!
November 30, 2022 @ 2:35 pm
Your kitchen is gorgeous and where have you been? I’ve missed you. Happy that you’re back again!!! Xoxoxo
November 30, 2022 @ 2:39 pm
Oh, my stars Victoria, this is pure magical, everything about it! I just love it! You and your hubby are great together!