It’s that time of year! We invite you to help us choose our “The Hard Way Award” winners for 2014. In our Kitchens category (Bathrooms, tomorrow) Pam and I chose four four finalists from among all the reader kitchen remodels we spotlighted last year. Take a look — and then vote now through Tuesday night for your favorite. Your vote will help inform our final selection, which we will announce in one week.
#1 — Molly’s cross-country kitchen cabinet crusade:
Reader Molly got an 1,800-mile adventure along with her vintage steel kitchen cabinets. This intrepid retro remodeler commandeered a rental truck — and the help of a good friend — to pick up two different sets of vintage steel kitchen cabinets from Missouri, took them for powder coating in Illinois, and then drove them cross-country to her vacation home in Palm Springs before having them installed in her kitchen. One thing is for sure — there were no shortcuts on Molly’s renovation journey.
- Read the full story and see all the photos of Molly’s cross-country kitchen cabinet crusade and remodel here. (opens in a new window)
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#2 — LuRu’s midcentury sci-fi dream kitchen with tiles she made by hand:
LuRu — a ceramic artist — knew she had to do something to make her home’s tiny kitchen more visually interesting. She had a limited budget for the remodel, but she got creative and used her talents to hand make 64 square feet of tile for her kitchen backsplash. Not only are the tiles LuRu made gorgeous, but she also made a special ‘stovescape’ depicting an atomic space theme. LuRu’s hard work and vision transformed her tiny kitchen a real work of art.
- Read the full story and see all the photos of LuRu’s sci-fi dream kitchen with handmade tiles here. (opens in a new window)
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#3 — Luke and his family rebuild and restore a 1953 kitchen:
Reader Luke and his parents made restoring the flood damaged, poorly maintained kitchen in their new 1953 home a family affair. Instead of gutting the space, the family realized the value of the kitchen’s original features. They chose to instead repair, rebuild and refinish the kitchen cabinets and add new appliances, new flooring and laminate countertops. Even Luke’s grandmother got into the restoration by sewing curtains for the space based on a design she saw in our post on cafe curtains. This family labor of love helped to turn this once sad space into a sparkling midcentury kitchen once again.
- Read the full story and see all the photos from Luke and his family’s loving remodel of their 1953 kitchen. (opens in a new window)
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#4 — Sara’s super economical retro kitchen with salvaged vintage wood cabinets:
Reader Sarah — an avid cook and food blogger — needed to remodel her tired kitchen, making it more user friendly, cleaner and more inviting all at once. With only a limited budget, Sarah got creative — finding a whole boatload of wood cabinets taken from a local Air Force base for $200 at her local Re-Use store. To complete the budget-friendly renovation, Sarah used aluminum edged laminate countertops, inexpensive but reliable appliances, and VCT flooring. With ample storage and counter space, Sarah now has a fun, cheery and functional kitchen she loves.
- Read the full story and see all the photos from Sarah’s super economical kitchen remodel. (opens in a new window)
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TikiPaka aka Pat Lanspery says
I voted for #2 — LuRu’s midcentury sci-fi dream kitchen with tiles she made by hand: Because this is not your normal cookie cutter kitchen! She has done great work in this entire space and her artwork in the entire room is unbelievable.. Just love it! I wish her great rewards for all her hard work! TP
Mary Elizabeth says
As always, each of the candidates was super creative in locating materials, refinishing, and adding artistic period touches. But I am a sucker for Luke’s family and how three generations worked together to restore their home’s former grandeur.
Kelly Wittenauer says
Amazing amount of work & dedication went into each! My vote goes to Luke – a wonderful story of family & it looks most like a photo from back in the day.
Phyllis Carson says
I love the kitchen, it reminds me a lot of my own with the natural wood in the cabinets and the extended bar. Everything looks so comfortable.
Brandon Petree says
I grew up in Sarah’s house, She was my other mother!
Carol Ankrom says
LuRu so completely Original, Creative, and Skillfully Executed! Wonderful Design and Execution!!!
Melinda says
It was so hard to choose! I love them all and hats off to everyone for all their hard work and dedication. However, LyRu’s tile is just so incredible, I had to give her my vote.
Jarrod says
That midcentury sci-fi kitchen is crazy cool! Kudos, Janet LuRu.
lynda says
Very hard to choose a winner among these super winning kitchens! Every story is so sweet and the work to create a vision of a perfect kitchen is amazing. You all have so much much energy. That perfectionist personality shines through in these kitchens. I ended up voting for Luke, since I felt it was such a lovely gift to his parents. I wonder if he will ever tackle another remodel??
lexavline says
this is the hardest decision I’ve made all year! ok, so it’s only a couple of weeks into the year, but still. Luckily, you’re all winners for living in such great spaces:- )