Home Improvement On the Cheap

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
Angela53510

Angela53510

Senior Member
#61
Jan 24, 2011
11,782
2,947
113
#61
Last year we did a renovation of our 15 year old kitchen. We had solid light maple countertops, which we left in place as they looked brand new. We replaced the blue arborite with black granite with gold flecks.We put in a black granite sink and a new tall tap. We completely tore out the old back splash, put in some of the new fancy subway tiles. It looked incredibly awesome and modern. (Sorry my pics are on my computer, and I am on my Ipad!)

In June we put that house on the market, and sold it in a few months. While the acreage was part of the appeal, the kitchen really sold the place! The woman who bought it also wanted me to throw in my solid maple kitchen furniture, that matched my living room and dining room furniture. That was a definite NO!

I'll try and get on my computer and post the kitchen in a day or two.

As for our new home, the view of the lake and mountains is incredible. But we need a whole reno for the kitchen, and repaint all the walls. They painted them ugly shades of yellow, orange and brown. So back to light blue and whilte, which was the colour before the real estate agent told them to repaint. Sigh!
 
K

kaylagrl

Guest
#62
#62
Angela53510 said:
Last year we did a renovation of our 15 year old kitchen. We had solid light maple countertops, which we left in place as they looked brand new. We replaced the blue arborite with black granite with gold flecks.We put in a black granite sink and a new tall tap. We completely tore out the old back splash, put in some of the new fancy subway tiles. It looked incredibly awesome and modern. (Sorry my pics are on my computer, and I am on my Ipad!)

In June we put that house on the market, and sold it in a few months. While the acreage was part of the appeal, the kitchen really sold the place! The woman who bought it also wanted me to throw in my solid maple kitchen furniture, that matched my living room and dining room furniture. That was a definite NO!

I'll try and get on my computer and post the kitchen in a day or two.

As for our new home, the view of the lake and mountains is incredible. But we need a whole reno for the kitchen, and repaint all the walls. They painted them ugly shades of yellow, orange and brown. So back to light blue and whilte, which was the colour before the real estate agent told them to repaint. Sigh!
Click to expand...

Its amazing what a few improvements can do to change a home.When I lived at home my parents rented a two story house that was built around the 50's.Very dated.So they asked if they could put in indoor/outdoor carpet because they were horribly messy.The owner said yes and took it off the rent.We put up some boarders, new curtains and some paint.Nothing big.The owner had been trying to sell the house before my parents rented it.They had about 20 cards of sales people trying to sell the house for him.After we made the improvements he had an offer on the house and sold it.We figured we needed to go into the home improvement business.lol

Post the pics as soon as you get a chance.I'd like to see them.I like seeing how people decorate their homes.Sometimes it gets my creative juices flowing. :)
 
G

Galahad

Guest
#63
#63
DesiredHaven said:
Pallet projects? Because I love those, because they are cheap and rustic looking.

I dont think they would be the same thing though

You can use them for rustic walls

Pallet walls



Pallet Desks




Pallet tables



Cheapy wood stuffs, I think alot of them are cute, way too many to post, but I wouldnt mind my kitchen cabinets to have that loo, that would work for rustic lol

Might not last so long, but as long as pallets remained easy to find, and either free, or inexpensive, who cares right?
Click to expand...
DH, I don't want to press this too much, but would you consider exposing the pipes if you put a rustic table around or in between them. I'm serious. They sell paint that has texture to it. Rustoleum sell many colors and with several textures. You like rust look, even made by pallets, why not at least consider a pipe look. It can be like an old kitchen sort of thing.

Okay, just don't write it off so quick. Give some thought. Maybe check for pictures. I will online. I haven't so far, but will.

I do have one more idea to present to you, but I have to find pictures. Haven't had the time, but will look later. It is for the room you asked about.

Galahad
 
pickles

pickles

Senior Member
#64
Apr 20, 2009
14,479
182
63
#64
You have the same color for your kitchen cabnets that I have, the only exception is I painted the lower cabnets a darker green, it makes the kitchen pop.
I also used 200 yr old barn wood for the counter tops, put a heavy poly on to finish them, cost, only the poly and my time.
I salvaged two of the old barn windows and hung them on the kitchen wall, I plan to put some old photos of my grandparents farm in them.
The sink I found in a salvage yard, its an old double drainboard sink, goes well with the old barn wood.
Then found an old fifties stove online that was like new, it makes the kitchen. :)
The only real money spent was on the stove, 300$ and the retro tyle for the back splash, about 100$
So not bad for an full kitchen redo. :)
One way I save money is on curtains, instead of paying the high prices, I watch for sale on flat sheets, then see if any of the patterns I like.
I put curtains that look great in both our bedroom, and the tv room for about a 1.99$ each.
I hit a great sale. :)
Another decor that was nice when my kids were little, I found mix matched frames at the second hand store, and framed my kids cutest drawing and hung them in the family/ tv room, is made for a delightful decoration. :)
Ive fixed just about anything and learned to frame walls, ect... so if you have any questions, feel free to ask. :)

God bless
pickles

kaylagrl said:
Before and after.Some people would like the before but it wasnt my taste.


View attachment 100693


View attachment 100694
Click to expand...
 
K

kaylagrl

Guest
#65
#65
pickles said:
You have the same color for your kitchen cabnets that I have, the only exception is I painted the lower cabnets a darker green, it makes the kitchen pop.
I also used 200 yr old barn wood for the counter tops, put a heavy poly on to finish them, cost, only the poly and my time.
I salvaged two of the old barn windows and hung them on the kitchen wall, I plan to put some old photos of my grandparents farm in them.
The sink I found in a salvage yard, its an old double drainboard sink, goes well with the old barn wood.
Then found an old fifties stove online that was like new, it makes the kitchen. :)
The only real money spent was on the stove, 300$ and the retro tyle for the back splash, about 100$
So not bad for an full kitchen redo. :)
One way I save money is on curtains, instead of paying the high prices, I watch for sale on flat sheets, then see if any of the patterns I like.
I put curtains that look great in both our bedroom, and the tv room for about a 1.99$ each.
I hit a great sale. :)
Another decor that was nice when my kids were little, I found mix matched frames at the second hand store, and framed my kids cutest drawing and hung them in the family/ tv room, is made for a delightful decoration. :)
Ive fixed just about anything and learned to frame walls, ect... so if you have any questions, feel free to ask. :)

God bless
pickles
Click to expand...

Wow,you are one savvy shopper! Feel free to share pics.I have a few projects on the go but I would like to do something with the counters.They are light and they stain easily. :(
 
K

kaylagrl

Guest
#66
#66
Ok so I have a few projects on the go.Luckily I have great parents who dont mind lending a hand and doing a project.Here are a few of the updates to the kitchen.

DSC03909.jpg



DSC03921.jpg


Added a backsplash and trim.Hoping it still all matches.lol
 

Attachments

K

kaylagrl

Guest
#67
#67
Ok dont know why the last photo went sideways but you can still make it out.lol
 
O

oldthennew

Guest
#68
#68
we do love beautiful and crisp!
awesome jobs done!!!
:)
 
K

kaylagrl

Guest
#69
#69
oldthennew said:
we do love beautiful and crisp!
awesome jobs done!!!
:)
Click to expand...

Thank you! Home improvement is a lot of dirty work though. Gosh,the glue to stick the tile bout knocked out,so strong.I have furniture Im painting now to go along with a room newly painted.I have spring improvement fever I think. lol lol
 
p_rehbein

p_rehbein

Senior Member
#70
Sep 4, 2013
30,283
6,585
113
#70
Yes, I know it says "Home Improvement on the Cheap. And, when we are through, believe me, it WILL be an IMPROVEMENT!

bulldozer.jpg
 
C

cmarieh

Guest
#72
#72
I absolutely love Butcher Block Countertops, they are beautiful especially this one.

my kitchen.jpg
 
C

cmarieh

Guest
#74
#74
kaylagrl said:
Really is a pretty kitchen.I always wondered if a white kitchen would be hard to keep clean though.
Click to expand...
I don't know. However, I think if it is kept up several times everyday I don't think it would be that hard to keep clean. I have always loved the huge kitchens because I like to cook and bake so that kitchen would be P-E-R-F-E-C-T for me although, I would be equally happy with cherry cabinets.
 
Willie-T

Willie-T

Banned
#75
Feb 7, 2015
22,418
413
0
#75
kaylagrl said:
Really is a pretty kitchen.I always wondered if a white kitchen would be hard to keep clean though.
Click to expand...
We have a 100% white bathroom, and "Yes" it is a bit of a pain to maintain.
 
K

kaylagrl

Guest
#77
#77
cmarieh said:
I don't know. However, I think if it is kept up several times everyday I don't think it would be that hard to keep clean. I have always loved the huge kitchens because I like to cook and bake so that kitchen would be P-E-R-F-E-C-T for me although, I would be equally happy with cherry cabinets.
Click to expand...
I know,its so hard to find a good size kitchen anymore.If I could change anything about our house it would be expand the kitchen.Not enough space or cupboards for me.
 
K

kaylagrl

Guest
#78
#78
Willie-T said:
We have a 100% white bathroom, and "Yes" it is a bit of a pain to maintain.
Click to expand...

Oh gosh! That would be hard to keep clean.I dont have kids but we have dogs so I have to plan around that.I do like the look of white though,looks fresh and clean.
 
Willie-T

Willie-T

Banned
#79
Feb 7, 2015
22,418
413
0
#79
kaylagrl said:
Oh gosh! That would be hard to keep clean.I dont have kids but we have dogs so I have to plan around that.I do like the look of white though,looks fresh and clean.
Click to expand...
Fighting dirt was just the reason I built my desk brown,
.
IMG_0296.JPG IMG_0297.JPG IMG_0298.JPG
 
You must log in or register to reply here.