Completely miss f longs. Always trapped between wanting what I want, limited budgets, and the oppression of ecological impact. In the magazine I edit, more and more projects we feature are kitchens in the $150-200K range. My hope is an era of new creativity around spaces, especially kitchens, a la Sophie Donelson’s Uncommon Kitchens. I always love a real take on costs.
I thoroughly enjoyed this read. Getting money back out of real estate projects is such an interesting theme. Here in Germany, people often over-invest in renovation work (even if they rent!) because they plan on never leaving except feet first 😂.
Same in Switzerland. The housing market is not very liquid (most people rent) and the entry cost is mind boggling (no such thing as a ‘starter home’ here). This leads to a lot of verrrry custom renovations and add-ons that only work for the people living there (kind of) and need to be torn out by the next buyer once the owners die or move to a nursing home.
That said, I loved this article and your realtor’s non-nonsense assessment. We also have two categories here: value-maintaining, like when we replaced the old drafty windows with triple-glazed ones (can be written off in taxes); and value-enhancing, like when we replaced the metal garage doors with a modern automatic door (no tax break).
Love this. As a wife of a realtor, I think we get stuck in the resale of it all too often. The joy and connection matters so much more to me (even if just to do partial reno. Mostly, I still want this kitchen reno for you!
Great post.Thank you. Always clever, personal, informative and witty. In a freelance career (writing) the money comes and goes so the renovations are forced to be slow. This can be and has been a good thing for us. Things I've learned over 21 years. 1. If there is the possibility of your children growing up in a house, always buy the very best pieces of furniture you can even if you have to wait, because they will move around the house as the kids grow and can be recovered. Cheap furniture is a waste of everything. 2. Never buy Ikea. Never. Except small storage. Anything bigger always falls apart even if it looks great at first. 3. It's okay to be a bit risky with painting colours because painting is relatively a huge bang for buck and easily fixable. It's not okay to be risky with upholstery or floors. 4. In terms of upholstery, only use timeless natural plain fabrics (linen, cotton, cotton velvet because they don't date and are still good when your tastes change or evolve and your adding and subtracting elements. 5.Never buy polyester fabrics or rugs. NEVER. Regardless of practicality. 6. Use auction houses to buy great things at very low prices (simple vintage or antique things to mix with modern store bought). 7. Use marble in kitchens even though it's porous and stains. It looks beautiful stained and the composites are ugly. 8. Don't be talked into expensive tiling in bathrooms. You can tile minimally and simply and PAINT the walls. So much nicer than tiling everywhere. 9. Most MDF built-ins are nasty. Better to source something vintage in most cases. 10. If you have to have built-ins (like kitchen cupboards) use black interiors not white, a little bit more money but way chic-er. 11. Hire someone to hang your art. it will save time and money in the end. 12. Beware of coffee tables. They are usually ugly. A big covered ottoman with trays on top is often nicer.
Yes. The reality of kitchen costs feels very hidden/obscure these days
Great one, so excellent and thorough
Thanks Sami!
Thank you for making me feel normal!!
Anytime!
Completely miss f longs. Always trapped between wanting what I want, limited budgets, and the oppression of ecological impact. In the magazine I edit, more and more projects we feature are kitchens in the $150-200K range. My hope is an era of new creativity around spaces, especially kitchens, a la Sophie Donelson’s Uncommon Kitchens. I always love a real take on costs.
I thoroughly enjoyed this read. Getting money back out of real estate projects is such an interesting theme. Here in Germany, people often over-invest in renovation work (even if they rent!) because they plan on never leaving except feet first 😂.
Smart moves
Same in Switzerland. The housing market is not very liquid (most people rent) and the entry cost is mind boggling (no such thing as a ‘starter home’ here). This leads to a lot of verrrry custom renovations and add-ons that only work for the people living there (kind of) and need to be torn out by the next buyer once the owners die or move to a nursing home.
That said, I loved this article and your realtor’s non-nonsense assessment. We also have two categories here: value-maintaining, like when we replaced the old drafty windows with triple-glazed ones (can be written off in taxes); and value-enhancing, like when we replaced the metal garage doors with a modern automatic door (no tax break).
Love this. As a wife of a realtor, I think we get stuck in the resale of it all too often. The joy and connection matters so much more to me (even if just to do partial reno. Mostly, I still want this kitchen reno for you!
Ha! Same!
I actually like your bathroom floor tile. Is it porcelain? Great piece tho!!! You've done your hw and your design inspo pics. are so cute!
Def not porcelain no
Haha, yeah good point! I am looking at slate options and so noticed them right away! thank you for your response.
Obviously I love this
Great post.Thank you. Always clever, personal, informative and witty. In a freelance career (writing) the money comes and goes so the renovations are forced to be slow. This can be and has been a good thing for us. Things I've learned over 21 years. 1. If there is the possibility of your children growing up in a house, always buy the very best pieces of furniture you can even if you have to wait, because they will move around the house as the kids grow and can be recovered. Cheap furniture is a waste of everything. 2. Never buy Ikea. Never. Except small storage. Anything bigger always falls apart even if it looks great at first. 3. It's okay to be a bit risky with painting colours because painting is relatively a huge bang for buck and easily fixable. It's not okay to be risky with upholstery or floors. 4. In terms of upholstery, only use timeless natural plain fabrics (linen, cotton, cotton velvet because they don't date and are still good when your tastes change or evolve and your adding and subtracting elements. 5.Never buy polyester fabrics or rugs. NEVER. Regardless of practicality. 6. Use auction houses to buy great things at very low prices (simple vintage or antique things to mix with modern store bought). 7. Use marble in kitchens even though it's porous and stains. It looks beautiful stained and the composites are ugly. 8. Don't be talked into expensive tiling in bathrooms. You can tile minimally and simply and PAINT the walls. So much nicer than tiling everywhere. 9. Most MDF built-ins are nasty. Better to source something vintage in most cases. 10. If you have to have built-ins (like kitchen cupboards) use black interiors not white, a little bit more money but way chic-er. 11. Hire someone to hang your art. it will save time and money in the end. 12. Beware of coffee tables. They are usually ugly. A big covered ottoman with trays on top is often nicer.
I’d just paint that soul destroying grey kitchen floor, even if it ruins it and it looks like shit in a few years, maybe by then you can replace!
I’m here for the real people with real challenges (life changes, financial, etc) and REAL LIFE dreams. Bravo for bringing realness!
Pls make your realtor’s advice a recurring feature!
Fantastic post - lots of insights. Who would take out a bathroom??? Such a terrible call.