So why start a blog 16 months after purchasing the house? Why write about projects now, after we’ve already made a number of visible changes?
It comes down to the kitchen.
Now that we’ve wrapped up our other big project for the year (getting married), we’re ready to begin project number two: a complete kitchen remodel. We’ve already done a light transformation once, and you can see the difference those smaller changes made.
1970s Lumberjack’s Paradise:
21st Century Kitchen:
That first round of work—paint, new appliances, cabinet hardware, and vinyl tile—made a huge visual improvement. It proved the potential the space had. But those changes were cosmetic: functional shortcomings remain, the layout is dated, and much of the original material is nearing the end of its useful life. So instead of another round of patches, we’re planning a full gut remodel that keeps the appliances we like and replaces almost everything else.
Why a full remodel now?
There are a few practical reasons. One, living here for the past year and a half taught us how we actually use the kitchen—where storage is lacking, which work zones are inefficient, and what lighting is missing. Two, after the wedding we have the bandwidth and a clearer timeline for a multi-week renovation. Three, this is the space that will determine how we cook, entertain, and live for years to come, so investing in a thoughtful, long-term solution makes sense.
What we’re keeping and what’s changing
We love the new appliances and plan to keep them, both for budget reasons and because they fit our needs. Everything else is on the table: cabinets, countertops, flooring, lighting, plumbing fixtures, and the layout in general. The goal is to transform the kitchen into a light, efficient, and durable workspace that matches the rest of the home and our style preferences.
Design goals and inspiration
Our design priorities are simple:
- Improve the kitchen workflow by creating clear work zones for prep, cooking, and cleanup.
- Increase functional storage with smarter cabinetry and organizers.
- Bring in more natural and layered lighting so the room feels bright and welcoming at all times of day.
- Use durable, low-maintenance materials that can withstand everyday cooking and entertaining.
- Create an aesthetic that balances modern lines with timeless details, so the space won’t feel dated in a few years.
Inspiration is coming from a mix of contemporary kitchens and classic touches—clean cabinet fronts paired with textured tile backsplashes, warm but neutral color palettes, and quality hardware that feels both solid and restrained.
Practical considerations
We’ll be documenting the process because kitchen remodels are full of decisions, surprises, and trade-offs that others may find useful. Key practical questions we’re addressing now include:
- Layout options: Do we keep the existing footprint or open it up? Can we improve sightlines to adjacent rooms?
- Cabinet style and storage solutions: Which organizers and pull-outs are worth the investment?
- Countertop and backsplash materials: What balances durability, cost, and maintenance?
- Flooring choice: Which option works best for a kitchen with traffic and potential moisture?
- Timeline and budget: How do we phase work to minimize disruption while staying on track?
What to expect from this blog
This blog will track the entire remodel: planning, design decisions, product selections, contractor coordination, the demolition and build phases, and final reveal. We’ll share photos, lessons learned, and realistic cost and timeline updates so readers can follow along and, if useful, apply what we learn to their own projects.
Starting the blog now makes sense because the kitchen is a large, multiphase project that benefits from documentation. It also gives us a place to collect all the details, choices, and resources we discover along the way.
We’re excited to see how the space evolves once we demo and rebuild it from the studs up—keeping the appliances we love but reimagining everything else. If you’ve ever wondered about the difference between a cosmetic refresh and a full remodel, this series should make it clear. Stay tuned for the planning phase, design mockups, and the first day of demolition.