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 5, 2022 @ 8:16 pm
How wonderful it is to have you back!!! That video was awesome sauce!! (Loved the dancing parts.) You have a beautiful, spectacular kitchen now. Hurrah! Well done you two. Well done.
December 6, 2022 @ 6:35 pm
Great remod. Really like the use of the Emerson square piano. Did your husband do the teardown and retrofit on it? I like the small mirror above the sink. I would have used the larger one in the bedroom. Good eye. Thanks for letting me comment.
TJ Roberson
December 6, 2022 @ 9:34 pm
That is THE MOST AMAZING thing I have EVER seen. EVER. I am just stunned!
December 8, 2022 @ 10:57 am
PERFECTION!!!!
I am so happy that you finally have the kitchen of your dreams!! And finally 🤣 I have been so invested in this project since I discovered you years back when you found the Kingdom Mirror and other GFTs.
I think my favorite part is how it doesn’t really *look* like a kitchen. And how you have utilized all the spaces so well! I am going to need MOAR POSTS and also ALL THE PICTURES. 🥰 Happiest of holidays to you and Paul!
December 9, 2022 @ 8:49 am
I am so thankful you are posting again. Missed you so much. Your kitchen is fabulous as I knew it would be…you have such a gift for creating beauty around you and a gift for words to write about it. Thanks to you, my husband bought me a 3-drawer, glass front, Belding thread chest for an early Christmas present. It is almost jewelry ready. Now to find some fancy sparkly things to put in the front windows!
December 10, 2022 @ 9:50 am
Thank you so much for updating us-it’s like our neighborhood child has graduated – minus the uncomfortable party 😁💕
So proud and can’t wait to see what’s next.
Beautiful work, you two!
December 10, 2022 @ 2:14 pm
As others have stated -You were missed. I was a little worried about you and am so glad you are back. Seems you’ve learned a lot about technology on your journey and will most likely branch out and get noticed by the world. I’m looking forward to a new TV show with your accomplishments and Mishugas (craziness) of creating on a free platform. Best of luck to you and Paul and kitties.
December 11, 2022 @ 2:09 am
How nice to see you post again!
And great music and video.
I’m glad you’ve had a finished kitchen for a long time! Thanks for giving us closure!!
December 15, 2022 @ 11:01 am
Thank you so much for posting again! I’ve missed your posts so much!
The kitchen is beautiful! Thank you for clue-ing everyone in about conduction cooktops!
I’ve since seen one live example and was so proud to already be in-the-know.
That floor!
That sink!
The back splash!!!
The flowers!!!
The best mirror EVER!!!
(The lady mirror is my favorite).
They are exquisite. Museum quality ART!
Way beyond …way,way!
Exquisite.
Thank you again.
And I just can’t get enough!
Keep ‘em coming, when the muse has brushed you with inspiration of course!
Happiest of holidays!
December 21, 2022 @ 8:19 am
Oh wow. This is just fantabulous!! I have often wondered how your kitchen turned out and it’s a delight to my heart to see it and to remember the ins and outs of years past. 🙂
Thank you for the wonderful video. How y’all got anything done with the tiny feline units is beyond me.
Beautiful, beautiful. You and Mr. Get-it-Done are to be commended. 🙂
December 31, 2022 @ 6:18 pm
This was soooooo worth the wait !!!! So glad that you are well. Yay !!!
January 1, 2023 @ 8:57 pm
Where did you get the faucet?! I love it, along with the rest of your beautiful makeover. I am so glad you are posting again. I have missed your posts.
January 11, 2023 @ 3:40 pm
Words…. too many…
Amazing, beautiful, marvelous and unbelievable!!!
Paul – kuddos and high fives all the way.
Dancing with joy!!
I missed you so much!! Crazy world –
LOVE IT!!!!
February 26, 2023 @ 11:13 pm
I genuinely did not think you would ever finish your kitchen. I thought you would hem and haw forever. It’s so beautiful. Simple with the focus on the FGT’s! It reflects you beautifully. I love your humor. Paul did beautiful work. Congrats! It even tops that Guzman lady’s kitchen.
April 30, 2023 @ 10:23 pm
I love the sink so much! Did you build it with mitered stone then add a brass insert? Please to explain! ❤️
May 11, 2023 @ 12:46 am
Hi,
A) your kitchen is amazing and I find your writing delightful
b) do you like your induction cooktop? would you recommend it to friends? what about strangers on the internet commenting on old blog posts?
I’m working on building my forever home out of a Philly rowhovel (it is not a rowhome yet, but IT WILL BE.) and have been trying to find realistic reviews of induction but everything is all “we just installed it, it looks nice!” and nothing about how it works and if they like cooking on it, etc. Do you have any thoughts you’d be willing to share?
June 5, 2023 @ 2:11 pm
Well, it’s PERFECT! And somehow, the kitchen looks so much bigger with the large pieces in it! You must be in utter bliss.
June 9, 2023 @ 10:33 pm
Bravissima.
August 12, 2023 @ 9:19 pm
Thank you for tickling the devil on my shoulder. I’ve been married nearly 25 years, and I do think our marriage became markedly better for both of us when I found my Else. But our Else is pronounced “Rachel.” Maybe because she’s Welsh?
I do adore your genius show. So glad you’re back to sharing. Cheers.
September 1, 2023 @ 2:49 pm
Victoria
I have been looking for a square grand since you first posted the transformation. After YEARS of looking, I finally found one Free!
Since your husband is not available to help us move it, I thought about deconstructing it before moving. Could you please give me an idea how long that takes so I can ask the owner if it’s possible for her to make the time available. Love your blog!
Maureen