The DIYer vs. a Kitchen Remodel

This kitchen needs a facelift. Check out the dated tile, odd leftover cabinet parts, and the 1980 kitchen desk… Let’s get creative and add some new cupboards that aren’t falling apart.

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My love of DIY has expanded to the kitchen

After being a single mom for about 5 years, I married an amazing man and became step-mom to three bonus kiddos. It was hard to think we would have FIVE teenagers in the house. In OUR home. (And don’t get me started on the crazy emotional ride of the idea of getting married again.) However, it didn’t take long for me to see the calmness and support my hubby brought to my life.

This man not only brought calmness and happiness to our married life, but his support for my business ideas helped change my life again in such amazing ways. Ways I never knew I could reach. They are no longer dreams, but big things are happening.)

Are you thinking, Ummm, Chelly, What does this have to do with DIYs?

Okay, okay. One of the fun things we had going on in our home right was remodeling.

Who doesn’t love a good DIY house project?? I think my creative brain works a little bit differently than most with these types of projects.

Let me explain this DIY Kitchen remodel from my creative side…

How a Creative Person Remodels

Some days, I think I could be an interior designer. (People often think that’s what I do for my day job but I’ve been a graphic designer since 1997.)

I think our creative brains are just wired differently from most. Often, with DIYs, I have a visual that sparks the project beginning. The creative part comes when I turn that visual into something: A card, scrapbook pages, a logo for a client, my planner for craft businesses, a fun reversed canvas, or wedding glasses for a gift.

It all unfolds the same with my creative brain for projects like this kitchen project. I see it and then I make it happen. And this remodel is starting to feel like a big DIY for me.

DIYs became my therapy

Our kitchen is small, so I thought it would be easy, but kitchens are huge projects. There’s a lot packed into this room. And we use it so many times each day as a family. Plus, I work from home in the next the kitchen, so it was a crazy time.

Here are a few pics of our before…

So much darkness that needs to go. And very limited storage space.

How a Creative Walks Through the Process of a Kitchen Remodel

As a graphic designer, I get too excited for all the remodel things: picking out the colors, textures, using my pencil and then my graphic design software to design the new kitchen. Not exactly blueprint ready, but by the time I was ready to order the cabinets, I was on a first name basis with the cabinet guy at the cabinet department. Bless his heart, he did a great job. I knew exactly what I wanted he just had to put them in the model, and he had some fun upgrades — or should I say UPGRADE$. LOL

Actually, each time I went in, I thought it was a simple “minor change” or slight move. Then it was an hour later. Yes, I was there a lot until I was 100% happy it was my exact visual I had planned.

Also, I might have lingered in front of that navy blue sample cupboard so long I’m surprised they didn’t call security on me. I might have been trying to remove this visual…. LOL

Whatever though. I’m so excited I had to share the how with you all. Watch on my Instagram stories on @idesignbychelly to see the day to day on all the fun. I do call this a DIY but I’m all about leaving the heavy lifting to the professionals. The contractor starts this week!