Farmhouse Kitchen Renovation Questions Answered! Budget, Regrets, Living with Antique Appliances 

Love your reno! We renovated our 1830’s farmhouse kitchen which included removing a 26’ brick supporting wall and renovating a small bathroom. We spent an obscene amount (over $100k-paid cash) and I have absolutely no regrets. We’re in our mid-50’s and have lived here 29 years and plan to die here. Don’t care about resale value. Our kids’ can deal with that😂

You will love having that bigger work table when your kids get older, and really start to cook with you. You will be especially glad at holiday baking and party times ..I have six kids and speak from experience!! Your home is beautiful, your kids are making beautiful memories of growing up there!_ Blessings !!

Love your approach to life and simple living. Breath of fresh air.

Can't understand why all the questions about the Berkey. People leave toasters and coffeemakers and all kinds of unattractive things on their counters all the time. You probably don't get c moments about your Kitchen aid. The Berkey is shiny and nice. I love your kitchen. I, too have no dishwasher. And I agree about the stove. They're all about the same. A stove is a stove. Your approach has really influenced me. Simplicity makes life so much easier.

I LOVE the fact that you kept the office cabinetry wood, as like you said, it’s so grand! It also adds such a complimentary contrast with the white, and picks up on the other wood features throughout the house. You have such a stellar eye for balance. Thank you for sharing 🌸

The formal dinning room will be missed if you convert it. Once your family grows and you have more people over for dinner, you’ll need a big table for everyone to sit around. It’s great for holidays and formal dinners too. I’ve always wanted a dining room. It’s such a nice room!

I think the fact that you love your renos and struggle to find regrets shows the value of WAITING for things...which is so unpopular these days because you were able to curate a space that reflected what you love and was set apart from modern kitchens 💜

As for the antique furniture, my thought is always that I spend less on my antiques than most people spend on their new furniture, and it’s 10X more sturdy and has already lasted way longer than any new furniture. All of our dressers are antique and I love them.

I’ve had a dish washer for 37 years. I’ve been washing my own dishes for a year now. Just got rid of the dishwasher and replaced the space with a beautiful curtain. I’m a slow learner. Lol Having a dish washer was just another step. I’m saving so much time. I think it’s just something society tells you you need. This reality is making me look at other functions in my home. My kitchen is Farmhouse on Boone and Farmhouse Vernacular inspired. Thank you so much ladies!!

For the longest time o wanted a sink like yours, nut double bowl, double drainboard. They make replicas out of cast iron and resin (no rust ever!). But one day I realized they are so shallow! I searched all over snd cannot find deep ones. I'll be going with a black stainless drop in single basin for my "new" house. I'll have a dishwasher and if i didn't I'd get a double bowl.

I love the "done well, fast and cheap" perameters. My husband always talks about that. He made our kitchen cabinets, Butler's pantry, and laundry room. It's all going to be beautiful.

I think anyone would just LOVE your style and you would have numerous offers on this beautiful home full of CHARM.

That green color is so pretty on you. I think a simple white embroidered valance would look beautiful on that large window.

When my husband did our kitchen, we also did dishes in the bathroom. Used a microwave and electric, skillet, and toaster oven. It worked amazing well. And now it's behind us. Love my kitchen. ❤

Every element of your kitchen is perfect. Trust your decision. It's a workspace with ideal functionality and beauty.

You did a FABULOUS job with your Reno. Your home is to die for.

We live on an acre of desert land in Arizona...would not have a dish washer at all but I love all the vintage stuff you have and used to dress my homes in that sort of thing. Now we live in a RV so sadly cannot do that . Love your home and I would never leave it.

I love your shelf above the stove, I'm going to do something like that to get away from the upper cabinets and so matchy. Love the pantry too!

Your kitchen is so big and bright and beautifully decorated. The shelves over the stove my fav! My kitchen is all old hutches, pie safe, harvest table, all built by my father in law. Blessed

Lisa , I've been watching your videos for two months now and you are a joy and blessing. My sis in law introduced me to your videos and I'm learning so much at 51 years old.😁

Yay for all the spring content 🥰💕

Oh love this !! Thanks for the honesty

You are never boring, I could listen to your calm voice all day while I'm trying to clean up my mess. You are so inspiring!

Excellent summary of the process, pitfalls, etc. 👍🏻

Well I think everything turned out amazing!!!!

The large window is wonderful

You nailed it, kitchen is gorgeous

I have loved the renovations you have been doing. Your kitchen is gorgeous!

Thank you for sharing Lisa. I love your home and content. Looking forward to the final tour and reno of the bathroom. Have a good weekend.

Lisa, great video!!! Your kitchen is one of my absolute favorites!! Really a dream kitchen in my mind. Love all your Reno’s and finished results are just beautiful and functional! Thank you for all you bring to us on your channel.

Thanks for the honest explanation of your kitchen renovation. It was insightful and helpful.

This is really great!

I want a vintage stove for that very reason: no electronic parts. It will still work when the power is out (which happens for u to 10 days at a time around here).

I just enjoy watching these videos since they are so interesting and informative. Love what you did with the kitchen and the stove fits it so well. You are so candid about your experiences and feelings which is really refreshing. Can’t wait to see the porch and bathroom renovations! ❤️

I love your simplistic way of thinking. Range hood, cabinetry, triangular layout, ect are modern ways. Definitely not needed! Love you ❤

Love your kitchen! It seems perfect for your family and business. It is classic and will stand the test of time. ❤️

Your house is so beautiful, I love it. I love how it has so much character. Totally my vibe. I love the wood touches and that the room still feels light and airy but has some depth.

Yay a new video!

Omg..such a wonderful video. So many answered questions. Its definitely where one is in life regarding remodeling bc right now in my life I need it DONE...Lol. love how real you are Lisa.

i love the layout of your kitchen, its almost like a galley kitchen. The triangle is over rated and even some designers say it is not used all the time. Love your stove, i have been looking for one similar to yours for my summer kitchen, since our power goes off a lot. I dont have a overhead fan either. But probably will once we do a kitchen overhaul. Thanks Lisa...i love your white kitchen.

Stunning Lisa. Oak office cabinets match the oak kitchen work table. Love the sink and cabinets. Wish I had these reno videos 25 years ago!

I like the Berkey where you have it. I can't imagine planning a kitchen around small appliances.

I also have three shelves for display over one end of the counter. You kitchen is charming!

You are so hard working! Thank you for that! Don't forget to take time for yourself sometimes 😉. Your house is dreamy. Thanks for sharing💛

I live in PA had a caloric wall oven and cooktop and was original to the house, I loved it kept the kitchen warm in the winter. We had a refrigerator that caught on fire the gas company flagged the cooktop as out of code because of the pilot light and cut the gas to it. We had to replace it and currently on our third one, the original was 51 years old. They don't make thing like they use to.

Hi Lisa!!! All i can say is you’re whole house is absolutely beautiful!!! And as long as you and you’re family are happy with your home that’s all that matters!!! I live in a 1920 craftsman home in the country and almost everything you described in your kitchen is the same hear.. no range hood (there ugly looking) have a dishwasher but don’t use it, no garbage disposal ( they smell) you get my point.. Everything is not a must... Do what makes you happy and enjoy it😊😊 And of course you’re such a sweetheart 😊😊

Your right, old appliances last a lot longer , I've had two friends who bought fairly pricey stoves, they both had them less than 6 years, and I have had the same dryer since the 60's, most of my friends buy a new one every 5- 10 years.

I love your farmhouse work table and the three light fixture above it! You did really well as you have very few regrets on your kitchen renovation. You did a wonderful job designing your kitchen to work best for you and your channel. ❤

We have never owned a dishwasher or had a range hood..I’m with you. Your kitchen looks great love it👍

If you ever feel like moving the Berkey, you could get the cute Berkey stand and put it on your work table. You have said the work table is plenty big. It wouldn’t be in your way at all and the kids could still easily reach it.

You made very wise choices, that make your kitchen charming and appealing and very usable for your family and your business. You have made that space the heart of your home. I love that you are so real, unpretentious and kind. Lisa, you are a breath of fresh air in our crazy world. May God bless you and keep you and your family. 🌻🌻🌻

I've been a casual viewer for over a year and just realized we are in the same state! 🤣 For some reason I thought y'all were in Pennsylvania.

Love your ideas and information!! Always do a table for your meals because I love that tradition!! Barstools end that beautiful sit down family tradition. We always sat at the table when I was growing up. I also love Dave Ramsey! Be very proud of all you have done because it is beautiful

Your kitchen is beautiful! It's a working kitchen and awesome vintage look. I love the layout. I wish I had my grandmothers Chambers stove! Wonderful remodel of this 160 year old farmhouse with so much charm! I added a 1920's buffet server to my kitchen for extra storage space. My pantry for this size house 2900 sf is too small.

I love your kitchen:) Your video is really informative thanks☺️💛

Lisa, maybe you could use old dairy milk cans as your "stools" at your island. There are different varieties and are so neat!!

I love your kitchen..my house is 1925..,and I try to keep it with plenty of charm.. You did GREAT

I love your kitchen and wouldn’t change a thing! Even without a dishwasher, it’s perfect! I have one because it came with the house, but I love washing dishes.

It’s beautiful and I thought that was cheap to redo all that it’s classy and perfect for a farm house.

I have a Berkey in my kitchen and actually love how it looks! It’s right next to the sink, but up on a stand so a water glass fits under the spout and pushed back against the wall. I think the Berkey itself is a really beautiful unit!

Even though I enjoy & learn from your videos I rarely offer a comment. However, this video inspires me to say WELL DONE!!! ❤👍

Lisa I have remodeled so many homes and I rarely see clients who are qualified to. Remodel properly. You did well. Omg, I had a caloric range in my first home but it was a small wall unit.

The most beautiful kitchen ❤️

Hi Lisa, I love your kitchen so much, the office is a really smart idea. Your videos have been so calming especially during lockdown, andI bought your book recently too. Watching from Dublin 🇮🇪 ❤️

The way you’ve done the kitchen is what would sell it for me! I love it. The vintage sink and stove - major pluses. Although I must say I’d like a dishwasher.😉not a dealbreaker though ( I wouldn’t mind having it put in the pantry.)

Interesting question about the placement of your stove. I think it really works for you in your busy kitchen because you are at the end of your traffic pattern and you have your big work table on a pivot and next to your sink for easy, quick clean up when necessary. I love your “eat in” kitchen and how it’s the hub of your home!❤️

Honestly so jealous you have the perfect house! I would give anything to be on a property like yours! :) the house is everything 👌👌

I think my stove is about the early 1970s and my pilot lights are always on. So I think your correct about the technology not changing to much. My oven part has a pilot light too. Sometimes the ceiling fan blows the stove top ones out for me . Hello cast iron to keep them covered 😀 beautiful stove . I love it.

I'm with you, the Berkey has to be near the sink for convenience, especially with kids. But I love it's shining beauty on display too.

I can remember using a stove where we had to use a match to light.

I love your reno and I love your attitude about life. BTW you'd be so proud of me...finally success with my sour dough bread....after about 5-6 loaves...I love watching all your RU-vid videos. I've caught up on all of them. 💖

I love it the kitchen and 8 think the island is perfect

I’d love a gas but we have to get propane filled by truck so it would be too expensive. But I am so thankful for the stove I have now. Great video! It’s fun to see different designs and creativity

We are the opposite in the middle of a kitchen remodel since Valentines Day we haven't had no stove and using a single burner hot plate but have had our sink the entire time, until next weekend.

I live in an 1890's farmhouse and we are going to be working on the kitchen this year! The former owner left an old hutch that was actually used in a store many, many years ago! I love how everything looks just beautiful in your kitchen! We dont have a range hood, either! I love how you have the kitchen fridge built in! When we bought our home it was completely dilapidated and we had to totally gut and redo. I am so sad we dont have the french doors and pocket doors! My MIL has a farmhouse sink like that in storage and I would LOVE to have it in my kitchen! However....our windows were kept where they were. Which means the window sits too low :-( I found a Berkey at a yard sale...I wont even say how much (cheap...with 2 new filters!) And so happy because I wanted one since I saw it on your counter....mine sits in the same place!

Your kitchen is lovely.. Xx

We just finished a complete kitchen renovation a few months ago. After meeting with tons of companies for cabinetry and other finishes. you truly get what you pay for when it comes to quality of the finishes. If you want it built to last it’s going to cost a little bit more.

This was really interesting because some things I'd wondered about and others you offered perspectives I'd not thought of. Let us know how all that lifting of cast iron pots & pans keeps osteoporosis at bay! That's a lot of weight-lifting for even one of your meals for 8.

Interesting about the range hood. Where we live when I was switching from an electric to a gas stove, the installers couldn't hook it up unless we installed a range hood. It meant a kitchen redesign, but it's turned out to be a good change.

First of all, I love your kitchen. I think, consulting Paige on the design was a good idea. I love how well thought her kitchen turned out. Also, as far as painting out the cabinets in the eating area, I would say no. In the era, more public spaces would be more grand. Kitchens would be more simple with cheaper woods and painted cabinets. Love what you done so far.

I agree about the Berkey - we don't tuck ours out of sight, either. It's accessed all day so why would we make our kitchen less functional by putting it somewhere inconvenient?

I love everything you did and it flows so we'll with everything else in your house . The old cabinets that took out if no one is going to use them maybe donate to habitat for humanity for someone that can't afford cabinets 😊

I really like your kitchen.

Construction costs have risen greatly here in Canada and finding trades is near non existent because they are all so busy!...Berkey - You could move it to the left side of the sink, so you have more space on the counter to the left of your stovetop - it is still next to the sink, so still convenient.

We recently bought our house without a dishwasher! I agree waste of space that I honestly used to hide dirty dishes instead of doing them. Haha

Lisa, looks gorgeous! My friend had a stunning antique 1940s stove in her house. I hadn't seen her in a while, and went up to see her and she had GOTTEN RID OF IT. :'( She said it was too small. Now she has a big modern thing. I get that it's not everyone's style but I wish she had given it to me instead of junking it.

Everything is So Beautiful! God Bless!

I can’t wait to see that bathroom 😍 Do you have a half bath ?

We didn’t have a range fan at our old house. I thought I needed one so we have one at our new house. It doesn’t help me at all. Cast iron cooking is just Smokey.lol. I wish I didn’t have one. I love your kitchen.

I found a Roper stove for $200. I'm going to get it whether or not I use it immediately.

I find no dishwasher does not bother me . I just do the dishes a little as I go. Sometimes when I bake 3 things at once lol I have a mess but I have never had one . Also no range hood. Sometimes when I have the bacon frying to high a temp smoke out the kitchen , open the window and screen door lol. I guess you do not miss it if you are not used to it.

Turning the dining room into a master is a great idea :) you could easily have people sit around the island when hosting a big thanksgiving or Christmas meal! The two big walk through rooms would be perfect for your four boys and then the girls could have your master and nursery :) when they get older they will very much appreciate not having to share a bathroom with their brothers

I have practice Fung shui for many years. You kitchen is perfect. If you want to know why . Reply

My in-laws have an antique stove like yours in their cabin. I’ve used it dozens of times and do not find it any different than my modern one at home.

Just an idea 💡 maybe you could find a place for the Berkey in the pantry? I already have a place in my RV for the Berkey they I’m going to win with you guys 😂😘

I don’t cook much or I would be like you and not have the dishwasher, it would be easier to clean as you cook. But because it’s just me, hubby and a grown son and we don’t cook every night, we just throw things in the dishwasher. However,,,, loading and unloading it is a pain in the butt. In fact, I told my hubby I would just as soon have that cabinet space for other things.

SHARED

I began fermenting veggies. I'm wondering about any combinations you've found that you prefer together. For example, I added garlic cloves and onions with green beans. I'm thinking about adding some more seasoning.

I have an old house we remodeled and a 40” Wedgewood gas stove made in 1950. Mine is kind of opposite in that the burners have to be lit with a match and the oven doesn’t. That’s just because the burners were malfunctioning, so my husband turned off the pilot lights. It doesn’t bother me to light the burners, My stove has 4 burners and a griddle in the middle. I’d love to have mine restored. We also have another one with two ovens, but no griddle, same brand. Im wondering if someone could combine the two? Although I do like my broiler that’s in the space where your storage space is. I live in Idaho, but I would be willing to drive it to Missouri. One thing you didn’t mention about the newer ranges, is that they can have much higher BTUs than the vintage stoves. That’s something I would change about mine if I could. PS Thanks for all the detail on every answer, especially your thought process on the cost. I can totally see your reasoning, as it is your livelihood. Maybe someone could think about if their husband had his own business and needed to buy a building for it. I think you came out very well, since you generate your income from your home! Great job! And SO MUCH YES! about communicating with your carpenter/contractor! We took our whole house down to the studs(it had been totally destroyed by the previous owners) and if we hadn’t lived one block away and I hadn’t been on site every day pretty much, we would have ended up with a totally different house. It was pretty crazy how different our visions were!

The large window is gorgeous, I hope you leave it. Maybe over time you will get used to it. The whole reno is spectacular! Our dishwasher is used for storage of casseroles and things not used often. I agree it's much easier to do the dishes and get them done and ready for reuse.