The pair allotted $13,000 to correct the situation. That's pretty modest for a kitchen. (Cabinets alone often cost that much or more.) But Jason and Jess rolled up their sleeves and forged ahead, armed with grit, ingenuity and a strong work ethic — and they didn't go 1 cent over their improbably small budget.
Before Photo
Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer
The house they loved was owned by the bank and had sat vacant for more than two years. The only thing that remained of what had been an impossibly small kitchen was that lone counter you see to the left of Jason. Everything else that had made up the kitchen had been either stripped or stolen.
What this home lacked in kitchen, however, it made up for in bedrooms. It had five, and one of those was on the other side of the kitchen wall.
What this home lacked in kitchen, however, it made up for in bedrooms. It had five, and one of those was on the other side of the kitchen wall.
Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer
Not having an architect-friendly budget didn't faze these two. Paper and pencil would happily suffice. They quickly realized that tearing down the wall between the fifth bedroom and the kitchen would sacrifice a bedroom they did not need in return for a much more spacious kitchen, complete with a walk-in pantry. (Always consult an engineer or architect before tearing down walls, to determine whether they're load bearing.)
Find an architect near you
Find an architect near you
Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer
The reality of remodeling is that things usually get really messy before they get better. But that surplus bedroom was well on its way to becoming part and parcel of a new, expanded kitchen.
Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer
A major part of the success of this project was the willingness of Jason and Jess' families to pitch in. Both their parents — even Jason's grandmother — worked tirelessly with them during days and evenings, even on weekends. Jason would get home from work around 6 p.m., don his jeans and tool belt, and get down to business.
Even the couple's two little boys were welcome whenever safety allowed; the budding kitchen often doubled as a construction play yard!
Even the couple's two little boys were welcome whenever safety allowed; the budding kitchen often doubled as a construction play yard!
Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer
A spacious family kitchen was starting to take shape. The fifth bedroom was nothing but a memory, and the walk-in pantry was framed and nearly ready for its door.
Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer
But what about appliances? How were those expensive necessities going to fit in the budget? One word: Craigslist.
Jess pored over the appliance listings every day and finally scored a stainless steel dishwasher for $50, a gas range for $450 and a refrigerator for $0. (I wasn't aware of the "free" section on Craigslist until Jess pointed it out to me. Check it out — there are some really fabulous finds there.)
Jess pored over the appliance listings every day and finally scored a stainless steel dishwasher for $50, a gas range for $450 and a refrigerator for $0. (I wasn't aware of the "free" section on Craigslist until Jess pointed it out to me. Check it out — there are some really fabulous finds there.)
Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer
The catch: The appliances were priced so well because they were really dirty. No problem — a day or so of heavy scouring, and they were as good as new.
Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer
Jason and his dad (and often Jess' father) worked every evening — often late into the night — and nonstop on the weekends to make the kitchen move-in ready. Together they completed the project in 34 days. It was an unforgettable labor of love.
Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer
Although the cabinets were going to take the biggest dent out of the budget, Jess was reluctant to skimp on them. So she postponed the kitchen's hardwood floor and selected creamy white painted cabinets that were perfect for the bright, airy feeling she envisioned.
She ordered the cabinets from a recommended supplier in the hardscrabble industrial district south of Seattle's downtown. Although she was able to acquire the units for less than $5,000, she paid a price in terms of time and frustration. Orders were entered incorrectly, there were overcharges and delays, and the wrong cabinets were delivered initially.
In another cost-saving measure, she ordered the countertops from the same supplier. (The more you buy, the bigger the discount you can usually negotiate.) Jess selected a not-so-popular color of engineered quartz to shave costs further, and ended up paying less than $2,000 for the stone when all was said and done.
She ordered the cabinets from a recommended supplier in the hardscrabble industrial district south of Seattle's downtown. Although she was able to acquire the units for less than $5,000, she paid a price in terms of time and frustration. Orders were entered incorrectly, there were overcharges and delays, and the wrong cabinets were delivered initially.
In another cost-saving measure, she ordered the countertops from the same supplier. (The more you buy, the bigger the discount you can usually negotiate.) Jess selected a not-so-popular color of engineered quartz to shave costs further, and ended up paying less than $2,000 for the stone when all was said and done.
Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer
Just when it seemed time to relax and celebrate their new kitchen, disaster struck in the form of a 2-year-old with permanent markers and a highly inflated notion of his artistic ability. You could have heard Jess' shrieks from the next county.
The Deslongchampses needed to remove the damage without wrecking the finish. After much painstaking trial and error, Jason and his brother found that toothpaste and rubbing alcohol did the trick. They squeezed toothpaste onto the ink marks, let it sit for an hour or two, and then carefully worked with rubbing alcohol until the toothpaste and the permanent marker had thoroughly disappeared.
Afterward there were drinks all around and one child up for adoption. (Just kidding.)
The Deslongchampses needed to remove the damage without wrecking the finish. After much painstaking trial and error, Jason and his brother found that toothpaste and rubbing alcohol did the trick. They squeezed toothpaste onto the ink marks, let it sit for an hour or two, and then carefully worked with rubbing alcohol until the toothpaste and the permanent marker had thoroughly disappeared.
Afterward there were drinks all around and one child up for adoption. (Just kidding.)
Even though the hardwood floor and subway tile backsplash will have to wait for a second phase, the kitchen is still a thing of beauty. Jess was able to secure her heart's desire — the farmhouse sink — by settling for a still-gorgeous but discontinued model. And the faucet? A bargain version of an expensive design, purchased on Amazon.
Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer
Jess has wine with Mom here to celebrate a dream come true, a budget maintained and a kitchen that is the hospitable heart of a home that will stay in this family for decades.
More: How to Remodel Your Kitchen
More: How to Remodel Your Kitchen
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