There comes a time when you just can’t take it anymore and you need to take that renovation leap. Whether it’s with a full contractor team, a DIY project or a reno light. We sat down with PHG clients, and our very own PHG’ers here at the office to chat about how they endured (or are still enduring) their renovations.
Full Kitchen Reno with The Fitzwater Team
PHG agents Allison and Christian Fegel have lived in their South Philly home for the past 13 years. Just before Covid, they decided to take the plunge into a full kitchen renovation and started discussing details with the fabulous design/build team of Fitzwater Interiors. The project had a timeline of Feb 2021- mid April 2021.
photo credit: @dandoranphoto for Fitzwater Interiors
How long had you been thinking about renovating your kitchen?
Allison: Honestly, a few years. We spent a lot of time considering our options and talked to a few people along the way. We knew it had to be an all-or-nothing project so it took us time to commit the money, time, and to find the right team to help us.
Christian: We started out wanting a dishwasher which was going to be kind of a DIY project. But then we talked about a new fridge, and of course more food prep space and a more functional kitchen sink. When we started thinking about opening up walls and putting in new flooring, it was time to chat with a contractor.
Why did you want to renovate?
A: We love our neighborhood and decided that if we were staying in our house, it was time to make the investment and improve our home for years to come. We’ve lived in our house for over 13 years, 10 with our son. Having a small kitchen with no dishwasher, little counter space or storage space had its challenges! We had space to grow the kitchen (into the dining room) and we could see that happening but needed someone to help with the vision. We needed new everything - including appliances, lighting, and flooring so this was a true gut job that covered electrical, plumbing and even tearing out an old cast iron baseboard radiator.
C: Because Allison wanted to ;)
Did you use a HELOC loan? If so, were you hesitant, was it easier, harder than you thought?
A: While we originally applied for a HELOC, we ended up paying for the renovation from our savings. Applying for the HELOC and the closing process does take time so if that’s the way you choose to go, plan ahead. A HELOC is a 2nd lien on your property so consider how large of a line of credit you’d like open when you apply. Carrying the 2nd lien can make things like refinancing harder in the future.
What was the process of living with 2 adults, an awesome kid, and all those sweet kitties without an actual kitchen?!?
A: Oh boy, don’t forget this was all happening during the COVID shutdowns before vaccines. It was a bit crazy, we were all home (including our son in virtual school), everyone masked all day long. We quickly realized how valuable it was to be there so we could have conversations about issues and resolve them fast. We are lucky that we have a larger living room and separate dining room. The team was situated in the kitchen/dining room and we set up a temporary kitchen in our living room (including our fridge, microwave, toaster oven, table/chairs). We were squished but thankful we had the space to do that. We had people in and out of the house throughout the day. The cats made home in our bedroom, for the most part, especially during demo. Our super friendly orange tabby boys, Oscar and Leo, loved hanging out and making friends with the Fitzwater team.
C: When I look back on the process, I really enjoyed having the team around. Our contractor and all the subs were friendly and communicative and we let them know how much we appreciated their work. I liked that our son could see how much pride the team was putting into their work. I see way too many combative contractor-client relationships and that was not going to be an option for us on this project. We bought a few lunches and offered to pay parking tickets (which the team never got) and welcomed them every morning.
Oliver: It was always interesting because our kitchen was in the living room! They all wore masks and I was in school upstairs. It was fine honestly.
Did you encounter any surprises (good/bad)?
A: Opening up/removing a section of the wall leading into our existing kitchen space was actually a lot less scary than I expected! Making the decision to do that was key to the transformation so we had to be comfortable with it (we had a structural engineer give his input). That section of our house is so much better supported now and we found lots of fun old stuff inside the wall too.
C: No matter what job you do in a 100-year-old rowhome, there are always surprises. I think you have to choose your battles.
How was it to work with Fitzwater?
A: So amazing throughout the entire process - from initial meetings, design reviews, and actual build process. They listen to feedback and integrate ideas into the final design (a few of Christian’s ideas came to life in our kitchen though he did not get his dream wall oven/cooktop!) The whole team is friendly, detail-oriented, responsible, reliable, and responsive. We were updated all the time about the status of deliveries, what was planned for each week, what was delayed. The team grew and shrunk with the scope of the day/week.
C: I love their motivation. They wanted to do great work. They wanted to stay on budget and on schedule.
Glad you did it? What is life like living with the new digs?
A: We couldn’t be happier! When it was all done it was so hard to believe that this was our house. We still walk into the kitchen with smiles!
C: Not to be too dramatic but it was life-changing.
Advice for folks thinking about it?
A: Stop thinking and start doing!
C: But don’t be in a rush. All of our big design and layout choices were made during the planning phase and this was the key to a successful project.
KITCHEN DREAMS TURNED DIY
PHG clients Dan and Kara decided to bust open their tiny un-user friendly kitchen and make way for a better flow. They started thinking they were going the contractor route, but Dan can’t resist a good project so they took a deep breath, tuned into YouTube and friends, and went for it DIY.
Their reno is ongoing, stay tuned for final pics!
Did you buy the house knowing you were going to reno?
I wish I could say it was all according to plan, we had a list of things that we needed to fix and a list of things we wanted to change. As we started those minor projects, the leap to a full kitchen renovation became smaller. Eventually, we just pulled the trigger on a whole kitchen renovation.
Why did you want to renovate your kitchen?
The original kitchen was a small L-shaped layout that made having two people in there at the same time a difficult operation. Additionally, we had a large refrigerator hutch at the entrance of the kitchen that blocked the largest window in the house. A galley kitchen would correct the flow of the space and we would be able to take full advantage of that wonderful window currently being blocked. The only obstacle, the door to our backyard was in the corner of the room. Because the door already had to undergo a structural repair we turned that door into a window and cut a new door where another window once was to give us the ability to achieve the galley layout.
What made you decide to DIY it? How did you learn how to do it?
Money and time; everyone is trying to get work done and contractors are flooded with work. Fortunately, all the changes are minimal, unfortunately, it touches every type of construction. Learning has been a real challenge but has been the most rewarding part of the process. We have an incredible support group of friends and family that we have drawn from for knowledge and help.
Your dad is a woodworker and furniture maker, how is he playing a role?
I grew up helping my dad install his work in some of the most beautiful homes in Philadelphia and across the country. It has always been a dream to furnish a house with his pieces. He will be producing our kitchen cabinets and we twisted his arm to try his hand at producing a custom French door.
There are a lot of leaps of faith in a project like this and I don’t think I would have taken any of those chances without his example to follow. Unexpected issues cannot be avoided but prepare as best you can and you’ll find a solution for the rest.
What surprises have you run into?
Our house was built in the 1920s so the house has 100 years of surprises hidden in the many many layers of walls. It is fun to see the different building techniques and trends as you peel the layers back. The different wallpapers have to be among my favorite things to uncover but I am still holding out hope for a time capsule! It is terrifying to uncover old electrical that could have and should have burned your house down or wildlife that has been living in your house, rent-free.
What's it been like living without a kitchen for the last 6 months?
We have a small efficiency kitchen set up in the living room. It was much worse in our imaginations than in reality; having said that, we are looking forward to getting into our new kitchen.
Ready to take on any other areas of the house next?
The next project will be at the next 100 anniversary. Happy 2120.
KITCHEN NIP AND TUCK
Rita and family moved in 7 years ago to a nicely renovated row home. It didn’t need a thing and although the kitchen was functional, it just wasn’t this artist families style. They wanted color and a statement to wake up to. It may have taken some time but they started with some help from the professionals.
They are halfway there. Updated pics featuring fabu wallpaper coming soon!
How long have you wanted to renovate the kitchen?
Since we bought the house 7 years ago! Although it was a brand new kitchen, it didn’t feel like us. We started with good intentions and built a corner banquette, we hung a new pendant light, but really dragged our feet on the cabinets or walls. I like color…so the dark cabinets were always an eye sore for me. Many years later, we finally made steps to finish.
What was the delay?
A few things. You see all the opportunities when you first move in, but as you start to live in it, your motivation dwindles. We also had mini projects in between: landscaped the back yard, some paint jobs here are there, and had a new railing built. The cabinets for some reason always seemed like too much of a burden to have done. And, of course, you change your mind about what you want to do a bunch of times.
How did you land on your cabinet color and wallpaper?
We knew we wanted a bright blue. A couple of weeks before the painter was coming, I was reading Architectural Digest and the kitchen of the featured home had the exact color I had in mind! And they actually referenced the color - California Blue by Benjamin Moore, the paint of our local paint store, Colomy Paint. Also, the color is named after my home state, so it felt kismet. I didn’t even go get the sample or paint chip. Just went with it.
I actually bought wallpaper years ago, but as other elements were getting finished, it made less and less sense for the kitchen. It was a lesson for me to pick wallpaper last. We found a new wallpaper that fit better and we can’t wait until it’s up.
Did you think about painting yourselves or did you know you wanted to hire professionals?
Never contemplated doing it ourselves. We don’t have the time or patience and learned a long time ago that it’s worth it for us to hire professionals. If we did it, it would probably take 2 months, each cabinet would have a different opaqueness, and we’d be missing a cabinet door. Instead, we left the house for 4 days (how long it took to get everything done) and we came home to blue cabinets.
What's the ETA on the finished Kitch?
Yesterday!
Advice for folks thinking about it?
It’s ok to do one thing at a time and sit with it, as you may change your original idea. And when it’s done, it still feels as good as you thought. I mean, I’m assuming since I still have a few final touches.
We hope this inspired you to open that can of paint, to call that contractor, and get renovating. We can’t wait to see your before and afters no matter which way you go about it! And you know we are always standing by if you need a new project to move on up to!
