When To Renovate and When To Refresh

Hello dear friends! Over the weekend I announced that we are now embarking on the planning stages of renovating the Storybook Cottage kitchen. I received several cries of “No! Just do a refresh.” So let’s unpack all the why’s and what for’s regarding When To Renovate and When To Refresh. 

When To Renovate and When To Refresh

Let me allay several of your fears and assure you the beadboard ceiling and brick hearth will be remaining. Mr. Decor and I still adore those features and they will be staying. But, to state quite simply the kitchen needs more of a refresh.  We’ve been down that road. 

Here was the kitchen, aka the dark dungeon, when we first moved in:

Shortly after we painted the cabinets white, replaced the countertops, and installed a backsplash. 

Everything was done on a budget using builder-grade materials. It was an inexpensive bandaid that I hoped would see us through two or three years. 

This was a good refresh on a very well-used 40-year-old kitchen. But honestly, it was akin to the phrase putting lipstick on a pig. A cute pig, but still a pig. 

The Walls Come Crumblin’ Down

Sometime before we moved in we know that the kitchen had flooded. The 40-year-old bottom cabinets boxes are literally peeling and crumbling. 

Throughout the life of the kitchen, various DIYs made by previous owners have been attempted. The under-cabinet “lighting” with its exposed wiring not only looks horrible it is not up to code due to obvious safety issues. 

Then there is the dishwasher that no longer works, a stove on its last legs…you get the idea. There are only so many refreshes one can do. A refresh is most often a temporary fix. 

My refreshed cabinets that were supposed to be temporary went strong for 7  years. Because every time that I thought the kitchen would FINALLY  get renovated our older home had other ideas. 

We weathered a tornado and needed a new roof.  Then a pipe broke under our foundation resulting in a host of problems and we had to install an entirely new hot water system. As a homeowner, it is always something. 

Seven years in, despite proper prep work, the painted finish has been chipping away the past few years in almost every area. You gotta love Gracie’s appropriate reaction to the chipped baseboards. 

Oil-based paint was used to paint the cabinets and trim. The white shade, over time, has turned slightly yellow. So touch-ups with the original paint color no longer match and the kitchen looks like a polka dot.  

It’s Time To Renovate

In February we made the decision that now was the time. Of course, the heating and cooling system then decided it was time for its moment to shine. Sigh. But there are plenty of decisions to be made while we wait a few months for the coffers to refill. I thought perhaps for those embarking on a similar process you would appreciate the journey. 

The first bit of research is looking into what the Top Kitchen Trends are right now. 

It’s a good time to gather information on:

• Cabinet styles
• Lighting
• Color 
• Countertops
• Appliances
• Flooring

Side note: we don’t plan to change our flooring as it is fairly new.

Dreaming and Scheming

For me, the fun part of renovating is gathering ideas for what your dream kitchen looks like. 

This kitchen is truly lovely with all its wonderful finishes. 

Liz Marie’s kitchen is so full of wonderful details. 

Julie Blanner always hits the right note for me.

Sweet offerings from Studio McGee. 

I adore Courtney’s French country kitchen.

Amber’s kitchen is truly glorious!

This gorgeous country kitchen in Germany. 

Pretty much any kitchen by Anne Wagoner gives me heart flutterings. 

A brick and white kitchen delight!

I hope you’ll join me each week on the road to renovation which will start in the next few months. We’ll look at new trends, classic ideas, and more!

Laura