Revitalizing Tradition: Transforming a 1977 Ranch into a California Modern Masterpiece
“Caroline is extremely organized and knowledgeable about all aspects of construction…. She is very detail oriented, but most of all I appreciated her open communication through the 4 month long process on every detail. And she also offers great design advice and thinks of all the things overwhelmed homeowners in the middle of a remodel might forget! She will walk with you every step of the way.
— Julie & Shaun S.
Project Details
Client: Julie & Shaun S.
Timeline: June 2023 – September 2023
Location: Pelzer, SC
Initial Budget: $70,000
Final Budget: $90,500
The Problem
Julie and Shaun bought a 1970s Ranch with plans to remodel it. However, they faced significant delays after two contractors ghosted them, putting them in under major time crunch. With a firm move-in date approaching due to the notice given on their apartment, they needed to act quickly.
Their renovation goals included updating the existing kitchen cabinets, replacing the flooring throughout the house, and painting the entire interior.
Other plans included:
- Update the half bath
- Update the Laundry Room
The solution
After completely removing all the old flooring—including the kitchen tile, the dated hardwoods in the living rooms and foyer, and the carpet in all the bedrooms—we installed new white oak floors throughout the entire house.The homeowner had a small tray with her dream floor color, so we custom mixed stains to get the perfect match. Since door frames are set higher for carpet than hardwood, we crafted tiny pieces to fit all sides of the 10 door frames affected. Removing the railing that separated the foyer from the living room, along with the awkward window framing between the kitchen and the living room, really improved the flow of the space.
Budget
Here are some ways we kept the project on budget:
- We routed the cabinet doors to achieve a sleek shaker look in a more cost-effective way.
- We used countertops from a big box store.
- We reused most of the major appliances.
- We repainted the heat registers and the plantation shutters rather than replace them.
- We donated the old countertops. Besides this helping others, it saved on the dumpster costs.
Key Take Aways:
Best Choice:
Initially, the plan was to keep the cabinets and just replace the doors. However, the original wooden cabinets couldn’t accommodate hidden hinges. The best decision the homeowners made was to completely remove all the cabinets and start from scratch. This allowed for the addition of large drawers and a dishwasher. The new cabinets completely transformed the layout and overall feel of the kitchen, making it much more compatible with today’s needs.
High Points:
The highlight of this project is definitely the kitchen. The new cabinets and hardwood floors transformed the space, bringing it out of the 70s. With a Subzero Fridge, a dishwasher, a larger sink, a stunning hood, and a massive island, this kitchen is now perfect for both entertaining and working from home.
