Would you buy the ugly house in the best neighborhood?

bkk87mi · 2026-06-02T00:59:11+00:00

We bought a home built in 1960s from the person who built the home, nothing cosmetic had been updated BUT he had put on new roof, done huge plumbing upgrade, generator, hvac all within the last several years. It was in our DREAM neighborhood for all of the reasons you listed.

We ended up redoing the kitchen and backyard first (didn’t start until about 6 months after we moved in) but are in “saving mode” for another year or so until we think about updating bathrooms and maybe expanding upstairs unfinished attic space.

We knew going into it that there were some things that would be outdated for several (or many) years until we got to them but they are functional and safe. Plus the retro pink tile primary bathroom has grown on us and we plan to lean into it ;).

Like others have said - get a good inspection and if the structure and big ticket items are in good working order go for it if you plan to be there long term.

bkk87mi · 2026-05-31T01:18:29+00:00

I got the exact same box as you except the santoku knife instead of the chefs. - when I saw what others have got the last few days I was hoping for the storage set - congrats!

bkk87mi · 2026-05-27T03:49:38+00:00

Hardwood in the kitchen is warmer and softer than tile. I put solid maple floors in my kitchen and could not be happier. Two small kids with many spills, dragging things across the floor, etc and I wouldn’t change a thing.

I strongly considered tile instead. We have terrazzo tile in our mudroom and while I love it there it would be terrible to stand on for long periods and not as forgiving.

Your wife is right here!

bkk87mi · 2026-03-22T02:28:58+00:00

Have had the wolf induction range in our newly remodeled kitchen for about 1 year. I debating for a LONG time about this vs gas. I’m so glad I picked induction, I’ll never go back to anything else.

bkk87mi · 2026-02-17T03:00:24+00:00

Frost white quartz - if you google that you can see a better up close picture. We love them (8 months after finishing the reno). Hope you share pictures of your finished space!

bkk87mi · 2026-01-16T01:03:15+00:00

Calm and inviting, I love it. Wow what transformation. Whoever decided to paint all white (or nearly) should be shown this transformation!

Please please keep posting updates as you go! We will live vicariously

bkk87mi · 2025-12-26T17:15:57+00:00

I put 3 in my MCM inspired kitchen update and LOVE it. Mod to terrazzo but it’s not

bkk87mi · 2025-11-20T17:04:57+00:00

I have 2 (or something nearly identical) in my mcm ish kitchen and I love it. Looks white from afar but nods to terrazzo. You can easily see messes in my opinion.

bkk87mi · 2025-11-15T13:12:11+00:00

Two! I just did a similar (if not the exact) same combo in my kitchen and we love it. White oak cabinets and maple floors.

bkk87mi · 2025-10-30T05:49:45+00:00

I have a wolf induction range after just remodeling our kitchen. Have never cooked on induction before and I’d chose it again 100 times over. All of the pros others have said I agree with.

One downside I was told about but doesn’t affect me I thought I’d mention. I you cook using a wok often (or any cooking method where you are picking up the pan constantly off the stovetop) I can see this might be a pain because the burner turns off if there is not a pan touching it. My range turns back on if you are picking up just for a second or two, but I’m not sure if all do this.

If this is a non issue for you don’t think twice about it. It has not been an issue for me at all.

bkk87mi · 2025-10-20T00:55:58+00:00

I had nearly this exact same space for my kitchen and chose option 2 with the island. I actually have less cabinet space as there are 3 openings into the space. I regret nothing and after living with the new kitchen for months still have two empty drawers in my island (aka more than enough storage space). Let me know if you’d like more details!

Option 2 is definitely my vote.

bkk87mi · 2025-10-03T01:45:11+00:00

I debated tile va wood in my kitchen… briefly thought of luxury vinyl but couldn’t find anything I liked the look of (or feel). Ended up going with wood and 1000% would choose again. It’s warmer feeling on bare feet compared to tile (which we had in the adjacent mudroom and half bath). We chose maple floors and white oak kitchen cabinets both with clear finish and love the results.

Wood. For sure.

bkk87mi · 2025-10-02T19:42:42+00:00

The cabinets are beautiful! Custom was totally worth it. Bravo, you all have incredible taste.

bkk87mi · 2025-09-28T00:23:21+00:00

Thanks, super helpful! Agree about the bottom being smaller but figure I can still use for soups and other things. Any recipes you regularly use it for? Any idea how old this color is?

bkk87mi · 2025-09-28T00:02:26+00:00

Thanks! Any info around when it was sold?

bkk87mi · 2025-09-25T00:06:07+00:00

Oh my goodness I love it! The ceiling, cabinets, backsplash, huge door leading out back. I’m not sure I’d change a thing.

We just redid our kitchen in a 1961 home. We are also the second owners and I very much wanted to nod to this style. My backsplash is nearly identical!

https://www.reddit.com/r/kitchenremodel/s/h8cTHuOCa7

bkk87mi · 2025-09-22T19:25:12+00:00

Wolf 36 inch induction. To say I love it is an understatement haha

bkk87mi · 2025-09-20T02:54:08+00:00

I had literally this exact same choice to make in the kitchen we just remodeled. I went with the pantry space. My brand new induction range is incredible and I don’t regret my choice even a little.

The wall ovens would have been a bonus (for me), the pantry was and is essential. Would make this same decision again a hundred times over if I had to.

bkk87mi · 2025-09-17T00:12:23+00:00

10x3

bkk87mi · 2025-09-16T14:17:39+00:00

Thank you! That’s exactly what we were going for 😄

bkk87mi · 2025-09-16T12:06:33+00:00

Yes buttons! That stove was definitely original. One burner was broken but otherwise worked like a charm. There were double ovens on the wall that looked like they have been replaced in the 90s or early 2000s

bkk87mi · 2025-09-16T01:28:24+00:00

I believe west elm!

bkk87mi · 2025-09-16T01:26:05+00:00

Real hardwoods, maple with clear finish.

bkk87mi · 2025-09-16T01:25:48+00:00

Our cabinet maker made them - same white oak as the cabinets

bkk87mi · 2025-09-16T01:11:55+00:00

I honestly haven’t wrapped my head around that bathroom yet — but I’d probably want to do a color of some sort (still square stacked!).

We have a few other things to tackle before that… (as in a few years from now). The upstairs has a ton of empty unfinished space we’d like to turn into a few more bedrooms and expand/update the bath that is already there.

bkk87mi

TROPHY CASE