Our youngest son recently purchased his first home. He has a "just starting out budget" and we knew improvements would be required. Our son lives four hours north of here. Since I am now officially retired, I am excited to be able to lend a helping hand. Our son closed on his home a few days before his dad had knee replacement surgery. We had one weekend to move him in and get as much done as possible prior to surgery!
With the help of a friend and her two daughters, we tackled the kitchen. Pulling out previous shelf paper, giving every inch a thorough cleaning, putting in new shelf paper, and setting up the kitchen was my priority. This mama wanted her boy to have a clean kitchen, clean bedroom, and clean master bath before heading home. Mission accomplished! Now let's take a closer look at what updating is needed on a shoestring budget.
First thing my guys did was to take down the "faux whatever" above the counter to the left. Notice the lovely (not really) ceiling fixture in the kitchen. There are two of them. For now, we just cleaned them.
With the help of a friend and her two daughters, we tackled the kitchen. Pulling out previous shelf paper, giving every inch a thorough cleaning, putting in new shelf paper, and setting up the kitchen was my priority. This mama wanted her boy to have a clean kitchen, clean bedroom, and clean master bath before heading home. Mission accomplished! Now let's take a closer look at what updating is needed on a shoestring budget.
First thing my guys did was to take down the "faux whatever" above the counter to the left. Notice the lovely (not really) ceiling fixture in the kitchen. There are two of them. For now, we just cleaned them.
After the guys tore out the "faux whatever" in the kitchen, they went into the neighboring room and tackled the mess on the wall. Before you knew it, all that was gone too! See that drink on the counter! It was the real deal...sweet tea...very sweet tea! The kind you can only find in the deep south. I needed it!
In case you are wondering about the paint color, yes it really is tangerine! This is a shot from the kitchen into the kitchen eating area. Please forgive me if you have tangerine on your walls. It's just not the color choice for me and mine!
The formal dining room was also gifted with the lovely tangerine. See that chair in the corner? The previous owner left it for us. I touched the arm and it fell off and then the other one fell off! Now I know why he left it!
Here is what I love about this house...it's almost everywhere. Sadly, the white molding was painted brown. Soon it will be white again!
We were exhausted by about 6:30 pm Saturday night, so we headed to the local cafe for a yummy dinner. I don't usually order meat, but this girl needed a good dose of protein! We were a mess too. Thankfully, they serve great food and are non-judgmental about dirty appearances and cobwebs in your hair.
Before we left on Sunday, my boy's kitchen looked a little better. I knew that every inch had been cleaned and given a dose of Mama Love!
So what's on the agenda for moving this 1960's home into the present? After trying out a few color choices, a paint has been selected. Sherwin Williams Olympus White is slated for the walls. It's a nice, soft grey which will brighten and freshen up his home. All the moldings are getting a nice, fresh coat of white paint.
We also know he wants a crisp, blue front door as opposed to the current dreary brown. I'm really liking this color from On Sutton Place. My son's bricks are about the same color.
As soon as my hubby, now known as Mr. New Knee, is able to function on his own, I am headed up to tackle the kitchen cabinets. They were white at one time, but had been sanded down and varnished (not so well in some areas). I would love to remove them and start over, but that is not in his budget. So friends...this is where I need you! What are your thoughts? Have you tackled a kitchen cabinet make-over job? Looking forward to hearing your great ideas!
Blessings from Fixer Upper Mama aka Lynda at Still Woods Farmhouse
Sharing with these great blogs!
It's so much fun to help others fix up and redo their places! There's just something about the challenge and in your case, I think your son trusts you so you have full (gulp) reign! His home has good bones, it's going to look great.
ReplyDeleteI love that you visited my blog. I know my daughter has plenty of time to do the things she wants yet young kids don't have that sense of fleeting time so I'm hoping she and Tom squeeze a lot out of their time off.
Congrats on your new job! Are you enjoying it? I love hearing of women taking that leap of faith in mid life. I'm planning on doing the same...just need to do a little more research. And best wishes to your husband...hope he is getting around on his own very soon!
Thanks again for the visit! :)
Jane
Hi Jane. Thanks for stopping by! My new job is only temporary since it is nursing Mr. New Knee back to health. After that, I am going to be Fixer Upper Mama! Our son is very nervous about this huge purchase, but as you said, it does have good bones and is in a nicer, more established neighborhood in a college town. I think the resale value will be good. Have a great weekend!
DeleteBlessings from Lynda
Nothing like sweat equity with parent and friend help! Paint does wonders, doesn't it? And is so affordable. It has save us a ton of money as we have planned out renovations for our home over the years. Hope it goes well.. Linda
ReplyDeleteThank you Linda. He started painting the walls last night and what a difference that has made! I will share updates later. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteBlessings from Lynda at Still Woods Farmhouse
Congratulations to your son on the purchase of his new home and a speedy recovery to your husband. I think re sanding and painting the cabinets will perk them up again. It's a nice size kitchen and the tile floor and counter looks to be in good condition.
ReplyDeleteHi Pat! Thank you for your kind thoughts. You are correct, the counter tops and floors are in good condition. It's the size of the kitchen I dread when it comes to painting! Have a wonderful rest of the week and a terrific weekend!
DeleteBlessings from Lynda at Still Woods Farmhouse
Your son is so lucky to have you! I will be checking back on your progress. What a difference paint alone will make :)
ReplyDeleteI'll make sure he reads your nice comment! I can't wait to share the updates later. Thank you for stopping by and giving a word of encouragement:)
DeleteBlessings from Lynda at Still Woods Farmhouse
I redid cabinets in a 1950s house one time. The were original varnished pine and I wanted them white. The hardest part was stripping the boxes while on the wall, especially over the stove. I decided then and there that I would never redo cabinets again. Good luck on the renow, your son is a lucky young man. I am going to follow along and see the finish. I can't wait to see that molding all white.
ReplyDeleteI bet that was a difficult task! I made a comment on another person's blog after they did a kitchen re-do and she gave me a huge tip. She said there is a paint that has enamel in it and does not require any prep work of the cabinets. We are going to do a light sanding, but are not going to strip them. I'm going to research the paint she suggested. Hope it works well for us! Have a great rest of the week and weekend! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteBlessings from Lynda at Still Woods Farmhouse
Looks like this will be a great fixer-upper. It's always fun when I can help others make decisions...it's just me making decisions for myself I tend to have the issue with. LOL! I think this sweet home will has great potential and can be done nicely on a budget...especially if MAMA is helping him! (smiles) Hugs and blessings, Cindy
ReplyDeleteI think so too, Cindy. Due to the need for improvements, he was able to purchase a much larger home. As of today, the Olympus White is in several rooms and from the photos he is sending, it looks fantastic! Thanks for stopping by and giving words of encouragement!
DeleteBlessings from Lynda at Still Woods Farmhouse
I know your son really appreciated all your hard work! It looks better already but I'm sure with the improvements you described it's going to be a great place to live! Thanks for sharing the photos! Blessings, Janet
ReplyDeleteHi Janet,
DeleteI can't wait to share more when the trim is painted. He is working on the walls now and the Olympus White has made such a difference. I am looking forward to seeing all the walls painted!
Blessings from Lynda at Still Woods Farmhouse
Good job Mama! Your son's home has so much potential! Thank you for linking up to Thoughts of Home on Thursday. We really appreciate you! Have a wonderful weekend!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the words of encouragement! I'm really going to need them when I start painting those kitchen cabinets. My son has enjoyed reading the comments and knowing that there is a light at the end of this renovation nightmare! I was excited to find your party and look forward to visitng the other party goers.
DeleteBlessings from Lynda at Still Woods Farmhouse
There is nothing like mama's love! Your son is blessed to have you and Mr. New Knee there to help him get settled in. I hope you will continue to show the progress on his new home.
ReplyDeleteAwe, thank you. I am excited to be at this point in my life when I don't have to worry about work and can spend a week with either of my two boys helping out. It is a blessing. I plan to show his progress on another post. He has been painting the walls and what a difference already! Thank you so much for stopping by and please come back soon!
DeleteBlessings from Lynda at Still Woods Farmhouse
How exciting for your son to have his first home and for a mother who will help.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing with SYC.
I was excited to be able to share with SYC! Thank you for stopping by and I hope to see you again soon! Have a wonderful weekend:)
DeleteBlessings from Lynda at Still Woods Farmhouse
I painted my kitchen cabinets many years ago and then we repianted them about 4 years ago. It was worth the time in my opinion. How is your husband doing? I need a knee replacement and I have been putting it off for 3 years now and hope to put it off for another 3 years so I can have it done and then retire... Lucky you being officially retired!! Thanks so much for stopping by!!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Deb
Hi Debbie. Thanks for the encouragement! I think painting the cabinets will make a world of difference. My husband is doing so much better. He is walking with a cane now and has graduated to outpatient physical therapy as opposed to the therapist coming to the house. My mother had both of her knees replaced within a few years of each other and she does not regret her decision. She has done very well with her new knees! I imagine you will as well when it is time. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteBlessings from Lynda at Still Woods Farmhouse
Lynda, wow what a challenge! Why would anyone paint that gorgeous molding brown?! Can't wait to follow your progress! Thank you for sharing @Vintage Cahrm! Blessings, Cecilia
ReplyDeleteHi Cecilia! I agree! I have no idea why they would paint all the molding dark brown. I am looking forward to showing the freshly painted molding soon! Thank you for stopping in for a visit.
DeleteBlessings from Lynda at Still Woods Farmhouse