Refreshed Kitchen

There are many ways to energize your kitchen from a complete makeover with lighting, flooring, cabinets, counters, and appliances to simply refreshing what you have. There are countless books and magazines that will show you a dream kitchen with a nightmare price: $9,000 to $25,000 for most major remodels.

But here's something to consider. If your cabinets are wood or laminate and are structurally sound but simply outdated, don't replace them. Renew them. Most finished woods and laminates can be cleaned, primed, and painted for a fraction of the cost of replacement. I'm not talking about some adhesive cover-up or laminate makeover. Just elbow grease, primer, paint, and imagination. The options are truly endless!

Some years ago, I had solid cherry cabinets installed in my boys' bedrooms to increase their storage capacity. Several of the doors had cosmetic defects and had to be replaced. But I got to keep the defective ones; as proof of my point, note this simple sign that I made from one of those doors for a kitchen that is presently being rejuvenated. All told, I have less than $20 invested in this little sign.

MSN House and Home concluded that kitchen remodeling yields the greatest return on investment of any home improvement project. In excess of 90% of what you spend will be returned and a great kitchen helps sell the house faster. Remodeling magazine concluded that the national average ROI for kitchen remodeling is 88%. The net result is that you'll recoup most of what you spend. If ambiance is what you like, enjoy it at home and save money too. There's no return on your investment when you eat out. So bring the charm of that Paris Cafe or Italian Pizzeria to your home. Or, if you're into the shabby chic or NYC fast food look, you can have your own bushel of rats! (Just kidding. These are two of our girls, Gypsy and Pearl.)

Almost Anything Can Become Decor

Many people fall into the trap of thinking that if they can't buy it at Target or a furnishing store or a high-end design studio, then it cannot complement their decor. Wrong.

Too many times I have found store-bought material to be too contrived or not precisely what I wanted to convey. In earlier posts, I've shown how tool chests and cabinets can be used effectively as furniture. I've shown how a galvanized trash can can serve as a laundry hamper. When I could not find the right piece or pattern, very often, I've made it myself. High quality solid wood tractor beds with working lights are not easy to find. Nor are beautiful, functional cradle plans that are designed around the mattress and covering set already selected. So what do I do? I make my own.

The same is true with decorating a house. In my last home, I went for an antique agriculture theme. Using print advertising, antique tools and farm implements, old saw blades, wood and iron shelving, carpentry planes, and other "country" items, I created an atmosphere of yesteryear without it appearing unkempt or dingy.

Similarly, you may not be able to find just the right wall-hanging to match your decor. Not a problem - in these photos you'll see three canvas paintings made with ordinary house paint. In each case, the colors were used elsewhere in the room and the wall-hanging helped tie it all together. As a motorcyclist, I was excited when the postal service announced a tribute stamp series to motorcycles. A simple matte and frame resulted in a decoration perfect for the sports bar-themed office. Hockey jerseys serve as window valances and autographed hockey sticks adorn one wall.

Dear friends of mine have a lovely cabin in the mountains of Georgia. It so happened that I had several Amish wagon wheels in need of a purpose. The last photo shows a hanging candle holder using decorative metal frying pans and crackled glass votive holders. If they don't intend to light the candles, they can wrap silk greenery around the chains and spokes. If they do, then it can be left as-is.

Don't limit yourself to what you see at the store.