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.
December 1, 2022 @ 2:51 pm
So happy to have you back. Hope you stay!!!
Kitchen is a piece of art. I love it.
A question: Where are your electric outlets? How do you plug something in – like a toaster? I can’t find them???
Also, did you run the electric up through one of the piano legs to power the induction stove top?
Really a marvel of creativity.
By the way, thank you for your music recommendations. Loving Rob Rio.
Andrea
December 1, 2022 @ 2:57 pm
Wow oh WoWeeeeeeee!!!! Truly Amazeballs!! –> Swoon! 🙂
Dancing, Kittens, GFTs, Marble, Brass, Dahlias, Blue & White China it’s ALL There!! 🙂
VEB, you have vision and persuasion and verve!!
Brava to you, and Bravo to Paul on making it happen!!
December 1, 2022 @ 3:16 pm
I have followed your kitchen saga for several years. What you and Paul have accomplished is totally amazing. You are extraordinarily creative and talented. Congratulations and well done! Kudos!!!!
December 1, 2022 @ 3:31 pm
Gorgeous kitchen!! Wonderful video! I’m thinking your dancing lessens the stress, adds to the fun, and keeps you and Paul together! Lol!! Great work and kudos to both of you! And the kitties are delightful!
December 1, 2022 @ 5:20 pm
The furry supporting actors deserve academy awards!
December 1, 2022 @ 6:39 pm
I so enjoy your writing and design! Just the night before your announcement I visited your page hoping you were back. So funny, so clever and with an astute eye!
December 1, 2022 @ 7:00 pm
fantastic work!
December 1, 2022 @ 8:50 pm
I LOVE the kitchen!! It is the most non-kitchen looking kitchen I’ve ever seen!! Kudos to your vision.
December 1, 2022 @ 10:59 pm
I’M SO GLAD YOU’RE BACK!!!!! OMG, I am not exaggerating— I was worried. And I also missed the Giant Fancy Things.
December 2, 2022 @ 9:52 am
I love you very, very much. The kitchen is everything.
December 2, 2022 @ 1:57 pm
Victoria, somewhere connected to this recent post was a picture of a light blue and white kitchen with an amazing tiled floor in the same color scheme. I loved it, AND NOW I CAN’T FIND IT! I’ve searched your blog and instagram in vain. Can you please tell me where in your blog and instagram I can find it, and who designed that kitchen? (I’m sorry to bother you with such minuscule things.)
December 2, 2022 @ 1:59 pm
I forgot to mention how much I love your kitties. Please give them all big, fat kisses for me!
December 2, 2022 @ 3:35 pm
Beyond beautiful and the video was delightful! I especially adored the darling kitties and the dancing!
December 2, 2022 @ 5:22 pm
Your vision was well visionary! It is one of a kind and something to behold! So so happy y’all are okay and that it is finished! I know you are loving every second you are in there! Paul and the kittens…so special!
December 2, 2022 @ 5:43 pm
OMG this is actually incredible. Why are some people so unfairly blessed with skills and talent? AMAZING STUFF. Congratulations! And please keep posting.
December 2, 2022 @ 6:33 pm
Victoria, so glad to have you posting again. The kitchen is stunning. It is incredible what you and your hubby have accomplished by repurposing some fantastic finds. I am look forward to seeing you more of your posts.
December 2, 2022 @ 11:28 pm
The kitchen! The music! The dancing! The kittens! I swoon…..
December 3, 2022 @ 1:29 am
LOVE the playful video and your dancing abilities! Your innovative approach at making the kitchen truly original and unique is brilliant. Btw, your sense of humor is delightful. ~ Happy Subscriber ~
December 4, 2022 @ 6:46 am
Apparently I am one of a dozen Lisas who adore you. I’m ok with that as long as you realize I am the Lisa who sent you oodles of Tuxedo kitty pictures to cheer you up. I take full undeserved credit for the revival of your soul and the blog. In a very significant way, your style has inspired the decorating of our new/old house on College Creek in Williamsburg, VA. P.S. I grew up not far from you, in Delaware County.
December 4, 2022 @ 9:48 pm
I have missed you so much!! This video is amazing, and hilarious, as expected! Your home is a masterpiece; you and Paul make a helluva team! I’m happy to see that you’re still dancing! Your kitchen is…..I can’t think of the appropriate words….amazing, spectacular, stunning, beautiful, did I say amazing? And spectacular??? 😘