Custom Vintage on a Budget
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNER AND HISTORIC HOME PRESERVA TIONIST NICK DRUMMOND’S ADVICE TO THOSE LOOKING TO DIY THEIR OWN KITCHEN RENOVATION.
Does the thought of customizing your own kitchen leave you seeing dollar signs? While kitchen renovations can be incredibly expensive, they don’t have to be. “Getting a custom kitchen doesn’t have to be expensive; we had a very limited budget,” Nick says. Check out the following tips for his ideas on how to save money on your next renovation project.
• BE STRATEGIC. After you’ve determined your budget, figure out those specific parts of the renovation process that you are not able to do on your own and allocate for those larger expenses. “We spent the big money hiring experts to do the structural and plumbing/electric stuff,” Nick says. “Most of the rest we did ourselves.”
• GET CREATIVE. Saving money on various aspects of your renovation will mean figuring out alternatives to ordering from a big box store or having a professional customize a piece for you. “We found creative workarounds to get custom cabinets by ordering a custom flat-pack kit that gets shipped to you—advanced Ikea, basically,” Nick says. “We learned how to customize them more in a historically correct way.”
• SHOP VINTAGE. Be on the lookout for pieces that will complete your kitchen and give it a personalized, authentic feel. Facebook Marketplace, estate sales and even thrift shops are great places to hunt for treasures. “Vintage stuff is often very cheap or free,” Nick says.
• SALVAGE & RESTORE. Rather than purchasing new, check out local salvage opportunities. Not only does this enhance the historical feel of your design, it is also a great way to recycle durable pieces and often save money. In the case of the stove, Nick splurged more than usual to restore it but says it was worth it. “For the price of a nice new stove, we have an even better vintage one that will last forever and look fabulous doing so,” he says.
• ADD FINISHING TOUCHES. Look for small ways you can give your pieces a vintage feel, even if they aren’t. “Everything (cabinets and trim) has a hand-brushed finish for a more old-school look,” Nick says.