Software
Houzz Logo Print
kellercindy1

Remodeling new home ourselves & need advice

last year

Included: 1ST: Actual pictures of the house, 2nd: tile sample I like, 3rd: sketch of the house layout & 4th: AI pictures of house I created with the tile (not a very professional job) -- not sure what order they might be for when you view it.



There are many projects planned for the home and we are planning a move that is 1200 miles away, so in an effort to get us moved in and reduce cost, I am trying to work with the honey oak cabinets in the kitchen. I am not a fan of honey oak cabinets, but they are in good shape with the exception of the damaged cabinet above the microwave (which I have not figured our why it is damaged). The floors that must be replaced are in the living room and kitchen (due to damage) and the tile in the laundry room and both bathrooms (it is very dated). It is just my husband, myself and our 2 non-shedding dogs that travel with us.


My thoughts and questions after weeks of thinking:


- I am considering the white tile (in the picture), everywhere, but the bedrooms (& leave the wood in bedrooms). I am unsure about tile in the study, but since it is right by the kitchen, it might be better to tile it.

(What are thoughts about the tile? I am not worried about it being slick, there are matte versions

of it and I like area rugs. Should the floor in the study be the same as the kitchen?)


- I am thinking the counter tops remain the same -- but updating sink and fixtures.

(Thoughts? Maybe a new sink black fixtures and black hardware on cabinets?)


- Changing the damaged cabinet in to a wine rack with accent painting behind it.

(Other ideas?)


-Painting all of the walls and trim white-- such as Sherwin Williams Moderate White SW 6140 or Natural Linen SW 9109. or Shoji White SW 7042 -- I might vary the white slightly from room to room, but I prefer to keep the colors in the house fairly consistent.

(Other ideas on the paint? I think it will make or break it for me tolerating the cabinets. I have

had white walls, but I am liking the crisp modern feel they could bring.)


- For the dining area -- using a rectangle wood dining table that can extend from seating 2 people to 6 people ( it has been in my family for about 100 years and somehow has a modern feel) -- I would have it stained to a dark finish.

(I am pretty into the table as it was my grandmother's and my 90 year old dad, who does

beautiful work is refinishing it. I would like advice on chairs and stain. I love modern chairs. )


- I am not a fan of ceiling fans because they just are not stylish, but it is Texas and they maybe necessary. In a compromise with my husband, who is more practical then myself, I might be able to get rid of the one in the dining area,

(What are your thoughts on the fans? -- I saw beautiful ones in Restoration Hardware, but that is

not in line with my budget, at least for now.)


You all knocked it out of the park in 2016 when we bought a very ugly house and remodeled it ourselves with your suggestions. Your suggestions saved me thousands of dollars, as you helped me work with the honey oak banister in the entry. I am so eager to hear your thoughts and ideas - don't hold back. Thank you










Comments (13)

  • PRO
    last year

    Why are you changing the floors? Even if they need to be refinished or repaired they are better than tile. If you want tile marble is not good with that kitchen- waaaayyy too formal. Slate maybe. Limestone. But really keep the wood.

  • last year

    Thank you, dark slate? Would that be a white or cream limestone? It is laminate and the water damage done by their dog peeing on it in the kitchen and living room is not repairable. The wood is good in other areas

  • PRO
    last year

    If it’s laminate remove it all and replace with engineered wood or lvp.

  • last year

    That tile is nice, but it looks like tile you would put in a bathroom, not a kitchen. I think removing all the wood and replacing it with tile would reduce the value of your house. Either repair it, by replacing the damaged sections, or get all new engineered wood. If you do this before you move in, you won't be inconvenienced and you will likely never have to change your floors again while you live there. In parts of the country with very hot climates it is not unusual to have a lot of tile, so if this is where you are, my advice would be different. But a different tile would still be a better choice.

  • last year

    Thank you — I will explore we are in the most southern part of Texas so tile is most common

  • PRO
    last year

    Agree. Do not replace good hardwood with tile. I would paint the cabinets instead to create contrast between the cabinets and the floors, and maybe change out the counters and hardware. This color combo works great with your floors:



    Gray Kitchen Renovation St. Louis, MO · More Info

    Or this:


    Historic Foursquare Kitchen · More Info


  • last year

    Thank you. I am starting to reconsider… perhaps the damaged areas could be covered with a nice area rug? I could put the money into other areas like the cabinets

  • PRO
    last year

    I'd talk to a flooring contractor to see if the damaged areas can be sanded out or just have several planks removed/replaced. You wouldn't necessarily have to replace the entire floor.

  • PRO
    last year

    You said it’s laminate. Do you mean laminate or engineered wood? If it’s engineered hardwood it might be able to be refinished. Laminate is sawdust with a picture of hardwood glued on top.

  • last year

    I was told it is laminate by the owners but a nice quality

  • PRO
    last year

    Doesn't look like laminate to me. In any event, I'd find out what it is first before you make any decisions.

  • PRO
    last year

    Looks like engineered oak to me…

  • last year

    We are shifting our focus …. Maybe the owners were mistaken, but we are definitely putting the thoughts for the floor on hold. We are going to look into painting the cabinets the colors you suggested (those colored cabinets are in my current home).