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Do-it-Herself Kitchen

Kathleen Holmes, Seattle, WA

Before I took the kitchen in my 104-year old house down to the studs, the only home improvement “experience” I had under my belt was years of watching DIY television. True, I was reared on 1980s episodes of "This Old House," but could that really help me build and design a kitchen from scratch?

As it turns out, yes. And my DIY attitude didn’t hurt.

Over the course of three-and-a-half months, the kitchen went from my least favorite place in the house to my new haven. Dated plumbing, peel-and-stick linoleum tile, nondescript cabinets, and a sink and faucet with more quirks than a bus full of adolescents gave way to updated waterworks (including the modern conveniences of a disposal, dishwasher, and icemaker), refinished original fir flooring, IKEA cabinets customized with my own wood working details, a classic subway tile backsplash, moulding and trim to replicate the millwork in the other rooms in the house, granite countertops, and a beautiful sink and faucet that actually work like normal.

Rebuilding this space was a mighty tall order for my first home improvement project, but my naiveté turned out to be an asset. Throughout this project I learned more than I ever thought I could about construction, architecture, and design. And sure, there were times where I felt I had bit off more than I could chew, but that led to the most important lesson of all: that I really could do this myself. Well, that and that caulk is amazing at concealing life's mistakes.

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