Although functionally the layout of the kitchen in our 1886 Victorian was still working and the existing cabinets were in good shape, the kitchen needed a little sprucing up. So my wife and I embarked on our kitchen remodel. Part of the remodel was to build a soffit to accommodate the new high velocity A/C. For balance and symmetry, we carried the soffit around the perimeter and then built a coffered ceiling with recessed lighting in the center space. We built new glass-front wall cabinets with recessed lights and crown molding and installed these above the existing wall units. We removed a cast-iron radiator and used this space for a new drawer microwave and a cabinet for trash/recycling. We removed the old flooring, installed electric radiant heat and new porcelain tile flooring. We used a distressed paint technique on the cabinets to integrate the old and new cabinets and replaced the old hardware. We installed a new soapstone countertop and travertine backsplash in the food prep areas and a mahogany countertop with a beadboard backsplash at the eating peninsula, updated the electric to current code, installed new linear under- cabinet lighting and new appliances.
Who did the work: I did most of the work myself Cost: $10,000 to $25,000
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