Victorian Home's Kitchen Demolished, Except for the Dishwasher

Christine Urbanek bought a 1890s Victorian home in need of major renovation. The property had been a rental for several years and was updated in the 1970s/80s, but it required significant work due to uneven foundations, electrical and plumbing issues, and health concerns with lead paint and asbestos.

Urbanek's first step was reconfiguring the home's layout. She removed a wall separating the dining room and kitchen, creating more space for a laundry room and pantry. The original dining room was converted into a living room for an open-concept kitchen.

One of the few things Urbanek chose to keep from the old house was the dishwasher. The rest of the kitchen and living room were renovated with new cabinets and storage, including a 'secret sauce' hack where she added nice drawer pulls and handles to basic Home Depot cabinets.

The home's transformation was a financial challenge, but Urbanek managed to complete it for under $100k. She attributes this success to her frugal approach, which included finding secondhand sliding doors and repurposing other materials whenever possible.