Wednesday, December 7, 2011
(Up)Date Night Part III: The Big Reveal
Tami wraps up her (Up)Date Night story, telling about the great change the new Wilsonart HD Countertop and undermount Wilsonart Stainless Steel sink made to her kitchen. Tami also sends kudos to L.E. Smith Company and Bryan Building Center for their contributions. Click here for more information about Wilsonart HD.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Remodeling on A Budget Part 1
By Jenn at Five Dollar Shake
Six years ago, my husband and I decided to sell our little two bedroom house in search of a bigger and better home to raise our kids in. It didn't take us long to decide on a location, but the house was another story. There were very little homes in our price range to choose from. So, we went with the best constructed home that needed the least amount of work. What it did need was cosmetic attention, and lot's of it. Each and every room was covered in wallpaper and dark brown carpet, ah la 70's style.
Then the economy crashed, and our income was cut in half. Making even the cosmetic changes more difficult. Happy to be in a home in our choice of neighborhood with our choice of schools, we waited, and waited. We waited until one day I said, ya know what - let's just do it, let's dig in and if it takes us a year, so be it. Well, it took us way over a year, much closer to two, but we did it, and we did it all on a budget.
I’m very excited to have the opportunity to share the details here on The Lean Remodeler of our complete make over of three rooms (kitchen, dining, living room) all at once, and on a budget.
The biggest tip from our experience of remodeling on a budget is to plan to do everything you are capable of yourself! Thankfully, my husband is a real “do it yourself” kind of guy. Taking advantage of opportunities such as Wilsonart’s DIY countertops literally saved us hundreds!
Below is a photo of our living room, and an example of how we lived while doing our remodel one step at a time, as our budget permitted.
Was it worth it? You'll soon see for yourself...
Six years ago, my husband and I decided to sell our little two bedroom house in search of a bigger and better home to raise our kids in. It didn't take us long to decide on a location, but the house was another story. There were very little homes in our price range to choose from. So, we went with the best constructed home that needed the least amount of work. What it did need was cosmetic attention, and lot's of it. Each and every room was covered in wallpaper and dark brown carpet, ah la 70's style.
Then the economy crashed, and our income was cut in half. Making even the cosmetic changes more difficult. Happy to be in a home in our choice of neighborhood with our choice of schools, we waited, and waited. We waited until one day I said, ya know what - let's just do it, let's dig in and if it takes us a year, so be it. Well, it took us way over a year, much closer to two, but we did it, and we did it all on a budget.
I’m very excited to have the opportunity to share the details here on The Lean Remodeler of our complete make over of three rooms (kitchen, dining, living room) all at once, and on a budget.
The biggest tip from our experience of remodeling on a budget is to plan to do everything you are capable of yourself! Thankfully, my husband is a real “do it yourself” kind of guy. Taking advantage of opportunities such as Wilsonart’s DIY countertops literally saved us hundreds!
Below is a photo of our living room, and an example of how we lived while doing our remodel one step at a time, as our budget permitted.
Was it worth it? You'll soon see for yourself...
Friday, November 18, 2011
Urban Pioneer: Tug of War with my Fridge
By Andrea, the Urban Pioneer
I've talked a little about the kitchen, hitting the low-lights, but let me dig a little deeper and tell you the oh-so-frustrating story of my refrigerator.
On a warm summer day (yes, we do have those in Minnesota), I moved in to my little piece of Urban heaven. My furniture was in place, boxes were piled in the 2nd bedroom for safe hiding and I loaded up the fridge with food. When I returned after a weekend at the lake, I found the fridge had slow cooked all of my groceries sitting at a balmy 87 degrees. The food went into the trash and off to the appliance store I went.
My new fridge arrives, new food is purchased and I go on my way.
If only it were so easy...
But the 2nd fridge didn't work either! Fortunately, this time I didn't load it up with food, so my loss was minimal. A quick call to the appliance store and I believe a new fridge will be at my door sooner than later. Wrong again! Due to an address mix up that "could not be fixed while an order was still in process," it took three weeks to get a working fridge delivered. When the new one showed up, it fit through the 1911 doorway, but not into the space reserved for the fridge in the kitchen.
After a month or so without a working refrigerator, I decided to keep what I had knowing plans of a remodel are in my near future. In the meantime, I have to push and pull the fridge into place, depending on if I want to get in the freezer or get out my kitchen door. I'm looking at it as extra security... but redoing the kitchen and finding the fridge a home sure would be nice.
I've talked a little about the kitchen, hitting the low-lights, but let me dig a little deeper and tell you the oh-so-frustrating story of my refrigerator.
On a warm summer day (yes, we do have those in Minnesota), I moved in to my little piece of Urban heaven. My furniture was in place, boxes were piled in the 2nd bedroom for safe hiding and I loaded up the fridge with food. When I returned after a weekend at the lake, I found the fridge had slow cooked all of my groceries sitting at a balmy 87 degrees. The food went into the trash and off to the appliance store I went.
My new fridge arrives, new food is purchased and I go on my way.
If only it were so easy...
But the 2nd fridge didn't work either! Fortunately, this time I didn't load it up with food, so my loss was minimal. A quick call to the appliance store and I believe a new fridge will be at my door sooner than later. Wrong again! Due to an address mix up that "could not be fixed while an order was still in process," it took three weeks to get a working fridge delivered. When the new one showed up, it fit through the 1911 doorway, but not into the space reserved for the fridge in the kitchen.
 |
| My refrigerator in the 'freezer using' position |
After a month or so without a working refrigerator, I decided to keep what I had knowing plans of a remodel are in my near future. In the meantime, I have to push and pull the fridge into place, depending on if I want to get in the freezer or get out my kitchen door. I'm looking at it as extra security... but redoing the kitchen and finding the fridge a home sure would be nice.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
(Up)Date Night Part II: Tammy Tours L.E. Smith
Tami has a kitchen makeover, including Wilsonart HD countertop in the Deepstar Bronze pattern (1814). She even gets a tour of L.E. Smith Company's fabrication shop to see her countertop being made. Click here for more information about Wilsonart HD Laminate.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)