Our Kitchen Remodel Plans: A Vintage, Upcycled Approach
You have no idea how many times I’ve started this post, and then got sidetracked. But here we are — ready to work on the kitchen! Yes, I know, it has been a project forever in the making, but this time it’s really happening. Now, before you get too excited for me, let me tell you the details.
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| Created by AI, not our kitchen idea |
Why We Waited 12 Years to Remodel Our Kitchen
We met with a wonderful gentleman last week who needed us to nail down a few more details. You see, I thought we were ready and raring to go — you know me, jump in with both feet — but then he began asking questions, and I was stumped.
It’s funny, I’ve been dreaming up this kitchen for twelve long years. I know what I want it to look like, but getting what I see in my mind out onto paper? That’s a different story. Don’t you wish they could enter your mind for a few minutes just to see your vision too?
Over the years, life kept nudging this project down the list. We decided to do the rest of our home before circling back to the kitchen, and it only took twelve years to get here. Health issues slowed me down and honestly, the kitchen just wasn’t ready yet.
Looking back, I’m thankful. If we had remodeled the kitchen twelve years ago, I wouldn’t be happy with what we chose. The vision I have now — well, that only came from years of living in this house, cooking here, and noticing how we actually use the space.
Balancing Kitchen Dreams With Real-Life Limitations
I finally ventured over to AI for some assistance with photos, and I thought surely the pictures would speak for themselves. Nope. My thoughts still got lost in translation.
My husband understands me perfectly — he can finish my sentences and my ideas. That’s when I knew he was the one all those years ago. But not everyone follows my train of thought, especially when I get excited and bounce from one idea to the next.
Sometimes my brain is already three steps ahead while my mouth is still on step one. And after getting sick, well, let’s just say that tendency has gotten stronger.
One thing I’ve realized? The kitchen in my mind has ten-foot ceilings. Reality check: our ceilings are eight feet. That’s when I knew I had to start making adjustments and get more practical.
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| Not what I had in mind, but you never know what you will get when experimenting with AI |
Why Old Homes Deserve More Than Cookie-Cutter Kitchens
When we had our windows finished earlier this year, I mentioned our kitchen remodel plans. The guy’s reaction made something clear: there are two kinds of people.
- People who love old homes.
- People who want to strip them of character.
Some contractors say they love old homes, but then push new everything. That attitude speaks volumes. My advice? If you’re not doing the work, don’t put down the homeowner’s vision.
And if you want to tear out the character? You’re not my people.
I still browse Zillow every day. Nothing inspires me like old homes with original details. But nothing kills the joy faster than scrolling to the kitchen photo and seeing:
Da, da, da… NEW KITCHEN. I want to scream with horror every time.
Instant heartbreak. Am I the only one who feels this way?
Designing for Personality, Not Resale Value
When we bought our home, we actually had appointments lined up to redo the kitchen right away. But something didn’t feel right, so we held off and focused on the rest of the house first. Best decision ever! Back then, we would have let a contractor design the whole thing, and while they might have been “professional,” they didn’t know us.
That’s the thing — you know more about you than anyone else does. You know what works for your family, your quirks, your habits. A designer might suggest what’s trendy or “good for resale,” but I want something different.
My mom has suggested hiring a kitchen designer a time or two with everything we have to work around, and I get where she’s coming from. But for me? I want our kitchen to reflect our quirky personalities. We spend so much time in the kitchen, whether we want to or not, so it may as well make us smile every time we walk in.
And resale value? Blah, blah, blah. Who cares? We’re sticking around. Why not create a space that fits us for the rest of our time here instead of worrying about someone else’s taste?
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| You can have some fun, but you can also get frustrated quickly with AI |
Giving Our Vintage Cabinets New Life
After months of searching for vintage cabinets, I had a lightbulb moment. Why not use the ones we already have in a new way (they are vintage after all)? Once we looked at our existing cabinets with fresh eyes, we realized they could be completely transformed.
Right now, our garage looks more like a workshop. Poor Old Bessie (my car) has been kicked out so we can experiment with sanding, staining, and painting. My husband has more experience with building and refinishing furniture than I do (zero for me!), but I’m learning, and honestly? It’s been cathartic.
There’s something deeply satisfying about taking a piece that looks tired and giving it new life. That’s really the heart of upcycling: making something unique out of what you already have.
I bought a respirator to protect my lungs. I’ve heard some say I shouldn’t be doing this kind of work, but the satisfaction of transforming a piece? I can’t walk away from that high.
Maybe one day I’ll open a furniture restoration business. Who knows? I have been known to walk on the wild side a time or two. For now, I’ve moved from kitchen scientist to woodworking experimenter.
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| This is the Vintage Rehab kitchen reworked with AI assistance |
Upcycled Kitchen Ideas From Our Collection
If you’ve been following along, you know we’ve been collecting vintage pieces for years. Auction finds, antique store treasures, hand-me-downs from family — they’re all part of our stash. I see them not as castoffs but as potential.
One piece I’m especially excited about is a buffet we recently picked up, a heavy black lacquered piece that the previous owner called an entertainment center. She had it sitting in her barn, but I saw something different: a future kitchen island.
With a little sanding, some creative reworking, and a lot of elbow grease, it’s going back to its roots. Honestly, I’m a little in love with it already.
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| Created with AI: I feel like I get closer and then further from what I see in my mind |
Why We’re DIYing Some of This Kitchen Remodel
As we meet with contractors, one thing is clear: not everyone “gets it.” Some people want to rip out all the character and install can lights, large profile tile, and shiny new cabinets. That’s just not me. If you tell me to go modern and sleek, I’m running the other way, literally.
So, we’ve decided to make as many pieces as we can ourselves. We’ll call in pros when it’s necessary — I’m not about to start rewiring lights or running plumbing. My sister has done her own electrical work and even hooked up a gas stove, but I’m too cautious for that. Still, almost everything else is fair game.
DIYing this remodel means the kitchen will feel like us — not a catalog, not a cookie-cutter design, but a space full of vintage character and upcycled heart.
The Plan Moving Forward
Right now, my days feel like a mix between dog mom and a woodworking student. I keep reminding myself this isn’t a race. Sometimes I do not move as quickly as I would like, but that’s okay. I’d rather take longer and love the end result.
This kitchen remodel is about more than cabinets and countertops. It’s about creating a space that tells our story, reflects our love for old homes (and old kitchens), and makes everyday life feel just a little more magical.
So, if you’ve wondered why I’ve been a little quieter lately, it’s because I’m knee-deep in sawdust and stain. But don’t worry — I’ll be sharing updates, mistakes, and victories along the way. Because you know me, I can’t keep the fun all to myself.
Ciao,
Cara
P.S. I’ve learned that using AI for images comes with both wins and fails. Some of the pictures came pretty close to what I had in my mind, and others were way off (you’ll probably spot those right away!). It can definitely be a helpful tool if you’re planning a remodel, but don’t be surprised if you run into a little frustration along the way. I decided to just roll with what it gave me and share the best and worst results with you.
