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Young House Love » Reader Redesigns » Reader Redesign: Putting The Drama In Dramatic Makeover

| By John Petersik | March 15, 2012 | 198 Comments

Reader Redesign: Putting The Drama In Dramatic Makeover

When you see the pictures in this post, you’ll agree that Meghan and her husband can churn out a huge transformation. But what we also loved about Meghan’s email was the story behind how their before became a stop-you-in-your-tracks after. So if ever you were to not scroll right to the pictures and just read as you go, this might be a good time.

“Like the two of you, my husband and I bought a house that needed work, though in our case we couldn’t reuse much thanks to some frugal prior owners. We decided to gut our kitchen, family room, dining room, and bathroom down to the studs/subfloor when our first child was 12 weeks old.  Oh and we both worked full time AND DIY’ed EVERYTHING because my husband is cheap ambitious. There were a lot of late nights and weekends and our son learned to snooze away to the sound of a nail gun. With a refrigerator in the garage we actually had to go outside in the middle of the night to get a bottle for 2 AM feedings. You’d think we’d have learned our lesson, but have since renovated most of the rest of the house with two additional babies. Three boys in under three years while totally renovating a home DIY style. Do not try this at home. Here are some before shots, orange paneling and all (don’t be jealous):

Meghan Before 2

Notice the back and left side walls.  Now you see them…

Meghan Before 1

…now you don’t:

Meghan After 1

We also turned all the doors into windows and the window into a door (because why do anything the easy way?) and had to shut down the heat for a week to move the baseboards around a bit. Of course we did this when it was freezing outside so our poor son actually slept all bundled up with mittens. But he didn’t seem to mind.

Megnan After 2

The cabinets, windows, and sliding door (really almost everything in the room) are from Home Depot, the lighting is Restoration Hardware, one of my two splurges (the other being the Ming Green marble backsplash), the toy boxes under the console table are Ikea end tables, and all the accessories are HomeGoods and Ikea. Thanks for letting me share!” – Meghan

Meghan After 3

So… is anyone else exhausted just hearing that story? Sometimes we find it hard enough to DIY something with one toddler. So we can’t imagine it with a twelve week old baby. Job well done – Meghan! Thanks so much for sharing. And can you guys believe that’s the same house? Amazing, right? Let’s play the what’s-your-favorite-part game. Sherry loves the thick crown molding while I’m all over those pendant lights.

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Comments

  1. Avatar for anneanne says

    March 16, 2012 at 11:44 am

    OMG- I need to see more of that house. DOes she have a blog??? Wow, that was fantastic. I love everything

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      March 16, 2012 at 11:58 am

      Sadly she doesn’t! I wish she did too!

      xo,
      s

    • Avatar for MeghanMeghan says

      March 16, 2012 at 2:11 pm

      I decided to start one last night after everyone’s kind words. It is very basic :) http:/megandmartinmen.com thanks!

    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      March 16, 2012 at 2:30 pm

      Wahoo! That’s so exciting! Happy blogging!

      xo,
      s

    • Avatar for MeghanMeghan says

      March 18, 2012 at 12:27 pm

      Paint fumes must be messing with my head…wrong web address…http://megandmartinmen.blogspot.com/

      Thanks for all your kind words!

    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      March 18, 2012 at 11:17 pm

      So excited for ya Meghan!

      xo,
      s

  2. Avatar for AngAng says

    March 16, 2012 at 11:47 am

    Nice job! I am curious, are those “off the shelf” cabinets? And are they thermafoil or painted? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      March 16, 2012 at 11:57 am

      Here’s hoping she can drop in with that info!

      xo,
      s

    • Avatar for MeghanMeghan says

      March 16, 2012 at 2:19 pm

      They’re custom out of MDF and painted (color matched on Kraftmaid canvas). We’re currently attempting a custom look on IKEA’s Pax wardrobe system so I’ll let you know how they turn out!!

    • Avatar for MeghanMeghan says

      March 16, 2012 at 2:23 pm

      Oops sorry I answered about the fireplace built-ins but realized you may have been asking about the kitchen cabinets. They’re Kraftmaid painted canvas and peppercorn. Custom from Home Depot.

    • Avatar for AngAng says

      March 22, 2012 at 10:30 am

      Yes, kitchen cabinets! Thanks so much. Your kitchen looks awesome!

  3. Avatar for JessicaJessica says

    March 16, 2012 at 11:56 am

    Oh my. What a beautiful remodel! I”m super inspired.

    Reply
  4. Avatar for EmilyEmily says

    March 16, 2012 at 1:07 pm

    I have kitchen envy! Wow!! What an amazing transformation!

    Reply
  5. Avatar for HomeGoodsHomeGoods says

    March 16, 2012 at 2:17 pm

    What a beautiful renovation, congratulations! And thank you for sharing all of the HomeGoods acessories that you found.

    Reply
  6. Avatar for Laura SLaura S says

    March 16, 2012 at 2:40 pm

    I literally sighed out loud at work when I saw this. Beautiful! Can we get a close up of the backsplash??

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      March 16, 2012 at 2:52 pm

      She has just started a blog so here’s hoping she adds some close ups!

      xo,
      s

  7. Avatar for SarahSarah says

    March 16, 2012 at 3:10 pm

    This transformation is amazing. I read it at work over my lunch break and literally cried out loud! So inspiring, both the transformation and your story! You guys are so brave =).

    Reply
  8. Avatar for AnnaAnna says

    March 16, 2012 at 3:24 pm

    My favorite part would be the whole thing! But since I have to pick one item, I’m with you John. The pendant lights are sinfully gorgeous!

    Reply
  9. Avatar for KevinKevin says

    March 16, 2012 at 4:50 pm

    I really like the stools in the before picture. I hope they found a good home.

    Reply
  10. Avatar for RebekahRebekah says

    March 16, 2012 at 5:12 pm

    Meghan, You have the same exact house that we do, or at least a really similar main level floor plan!! Would love to know the dimensions of your whole space (kitchen, family room combo). We are considering taking down the wall between the kitchen and dining room and flipping the two spaces. I have been trying to get my husband to agree to something other than brick on the fireplace and I gasped out loud and was thrilled to see what you guys did with it! I have since showed it to my husband and he is finally relenting from his previous strong objection to removing the brick. Whew. A huge thank you for that!! Great job!

    Reply
  11. Avatar for LindseyRLindseyR says

    March 16, 2012 at 5:30 pm

    Gorgeous, love it all! Open, airy, “cool”. I loved the thick molding as well and am drooling over the fridge. Great choices!

    Reply
  12. Avatar for WendyWendy says

    March 16, 2012 at 7:53 pm

    Gorgeous!! I would love to see Meghan and her hubby featured in an official House Tour someday. Nice work!! :)

    Reply
  13. Avatar for LaurenLauren says

    March 18, 2012 at 10:19 pm

    I think my jaw actually dropped when I saw the before and after! I can’t imagine having three little boys and still making time to do all that (with such great taste!)

    Reply
  14. Avatar for John@Our Home From Scratch[email protected] Home From Scratch says

    March 19, 2012 at 10:41 am

    Wow. Love this. Wondering what the granite counter color is…

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      March 19, 2012 at 10:44 am

      I think she mentioned that a little while back in the comments. Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  15. Avatar for Lauren NicoleLauren Nicole says

    March 19, 2012 at 12:31 pm

    My favorite part is the “ambitious” husband! I did not marry one of those so I secretly swoon over them at times even though I wouldn’t trade my hubby for the world. ;)

    Reply
  16. Avatar for denisedenise says

    March 19, 2012 at 10:27 pm

    Simply beautiful. Question, though. I see they put an electric stove in an island, but it appears there’s no extractor. Do they have a pop up extractor, or did they decide to forgo it? If so, how’s that working out??

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      March 20, 2012 at 8:47 am

      Here’s hoping she drops in with that info for ya!

      xo,
      s

  17. Avatar for ColleenColleen says

    March 20, 2012 at 9:47 am

    Whoa, that’s fantastic! Does she have a blog, or are her DIY hands too full with hammers and screwdrivers and babies for anything else? I’m with the other commenters on dying to see more about the fireplace…

    Reply
    • Avatar for ColleenColleen says

      March 20, 2012 at 9:54 am

      Ah, sorry. Just saw that you said you think she started one. My bad for being redundant! :)

    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      March 20, 2012 at 1:24 pm

      No worries!

      xo,
      s

  18. Avatar for CaveGurlCaveGurl says

    March 20, 2012 at 1:27 pm

    My first question is why don’t they have a blog?!?!?!? LOL

    The counter top had me at hello! Amazing transformation!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      March 20, 2012 at 2:36 pm

      Update! They started one! If you scroll back through the comments you can see the url!

      xo,
      s

  19. Avatar for ColleenColleen says

    March 20, 2012 at 5:20 pm

    Ah, and a star is born. Thanks for the update about the new blog!

    Reply
  20. Avatar for LindsayLindsay says

    March 20, 2012 at 8:53 pm

    How did you guys get rid of that lovely soffit above the cabinets? We have one here and the DIYer in me is a little scared to tackle it.

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      March 20, 2012 at 11:18 pm

      Here’s hoping she drops in with that info!

      xo
      s

    • Avatar for MeghanMeghan says

      March 21, 2012 at 9:55 am

      Just say no to soffits :) We cut a small hole in the soffit every few feet to ensure there was nothing important in there (electrical, venting, etc.). We were lucky and they were empty (except for mice…ew) so we just removed them during demo. This allowed us to get taller cabinets. Not that the 5′ tall me can actually reach up there but hey it is all about beauty right? Hope that helps!

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John and Sherry smiling against pink backgroundHey, we’re John & Sherry. We’ve fixed up 7 homes, written books, designed products, started a podcast, and then downsized & moved to the beach! Here you’ll find over 3,000 DIY projects & home updates. More about us…
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