[ Update: Voting now closed]
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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Kristin says
I’m all about #2, I am a ceramic artist and painter myself and I greatly appreciate the immense talent and dedication that kitchen took. They are all amazing, but the scifi one, just WOW!
tova says
My two favorite are #2 and #4, but I voted for #4 since it’s more doable for me (and probably most other people!).
Marcia says
It was so enjoyable to re-read these adventures, and each one is truly a winner in my book! I love how Retro Renovating makes people think outside the big box (store).
Darnelle says
Gotta pick #1 it just looks so great and almost original. Lovely!
Jacki says
Luke’s folks’ kitchen looks soooo original. I couldn’t imagine myself re-veneering cabinets! Talk about a lot of work with a warm authentic outcome.
Robin, NV says
I know! That’s why I voted for Luke and his family. That’s real dedication! And it turned out so perfect.
Mary says
I also voted for Luke and his family. It’s a true restoration which turned out absolutely beautifully. I would love to have a cup of coffee in the cozy, warm kitchen! (from a vintage percolator, of course!)
BrennyC says
Exactly. I cannot even imagine the amount of work they put into that restoration. And grandma should get a “best curtain” award too. Had to vote for this family!
Robin, NV says
I wish I could vote for everyone, all of the projects are amazing in their own way. Kudos to all the Retro Renovators out there!
Dave W says
Sara’s super economical retro kitchen for me. It looks comfortable and fun.
Kelly M says
The Liberace magnet on her fridge pushed her over the top of the others for me — just live her kitchen!
Kelly M says
That would be “love her kitchen,” although I can imaging living in it!
Adrienne says
They are all lovely- but the sci fi dream…!!! Wow. That one didn’t just speak to me- it hollered! 😀 I’m envisioning a giant Sputnik lamp over a dining nook off to the side…
Jennifer Kepesh says
What a tough choice! What should we value higher when making this selection for “the hard way”: no-holds-barred determination to create a particular look with vintage materials, whimsy + crafting expertise + perseverance, determination to save what’s good, honoring the notion of “modest” while injecting cheer and personality? To me, this contest is less about the outcome, more about the conscious choices, including the choices of constraints. I haven’t made a pick, but I’ll think about it more.
pam kueber says
My answer to your question: Yes. “The Hard Way” is about all these elements in any number of combinations.
Carol K says
Super original and they did it all themselves without a lot of $ spent. Great job!!