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[LuckyCharms]

This message was self-deleted by its author (LuckyCharms) on Fri Mar 27, 2026, 05:35 PM. When the original post in a discussion thread is self-deleted, the entire discussion thread is automatically locked so new replies cannot be posted.

[MiHale]

1. Way to stay productively busy...beautiful job, Lucky...

Have had hands that looked like that…clean up ok, or what? I had darkened wrinkles for a couple weeks.

You did real good.

[LuckyCharms]

3. My hands were stained for several months.

Just washed them with soap during the day. I like to look at that pic during my lazy spells to remind me to get my ass in gear and do some work.

Thanks, MiHale.

[MiHale]

15. 👍

[Fla Dem]

2. Very impressive. A lot of work went into your new kitchen. You did a great job!

[LuckyCharms]

4. Thanks. a normal person would have had that done in 3 weeks.

That took 10 months, because I had no idea what I was doing, and I'm a perfectionist.

I did do a bunch of other remodeling too during that time period though.

I found out that kitchens are difficult.

One measurement flows through 50 other measurements.

[UpInArms]

5. Well done!

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[debm55]

6. Excellent work. LuckyCharms. Thank you for sharing with us.

[alwaysinasnit]

7. What a transformation Lucky. Good job!

[quaint]

8. Outstanding!

I still have the original 1969 kitchen here, except oak floor 1975 and fixtures and copper re-pipe, 1990.
I only use a dorm size fridge, purchased 2020 when nothing was normal.

[LuckyCharms]

9. Before the contactor did the kitchen in the first few photos...

There were cupboards, not cabinets, from 1957! I refinished them in the early 80s I think, before the contractor came in and redid the kitchen in the 90s.

[Diamond_Dog]

10. Lucky,

Mr. Diamond and I (with the help of 3 teenage sons for muscle) remodeled our kitchen entirely by ourselves. New cabinets, different plumbing, the only thing that stayed the same was the floor. I think you could almost have grounds for divorce doing this with your spouse! So you did good there!

We originally had those old honey oak cabinets too, and I ended up choosing new cherry wood cabinets, just like yours except mine were new so we didn’t have to refinish anything. I really wasn’t so sure I’d like darker wood, but once they were in, I really liked them.

I had exactly 5 feet of counter space with the old layout - 2 and 1/2 feet on either side of the kitchen sink!
What idiot ever thought that was sufficient counter space?? We rearranged everything so now I have triple that.

You did a great job on your kitchen. Hats off! Would you ever do it again?? lol

[LuckyCharms]

11. Diamond_Dog, congratulations on doing your own kitchen!

I know what you went through! I'm proud of you.

They say that a lot of divorces are caused by DIY kitchens!

We managed pretty well except...

A friend of mine did a HUGE drawing of my father, from an old picture. I was remodeling my living room at the same time as the kitchen. I had that huge picture off the wall and in the kitchen, leaning against the base cabinets. It fell forward, the glass shattered into small shards, and went everywhere in the kitchen. This was around midnight.

I had a complete breakdown. Lost my shit. Cried. Curled up on the floor in the fetal position. Thought I would end up in a mental hospital for a few days.

I had ruined a $300 piece of material earlier, and that just topped off the day.

If you are not a pro, the stress from doing stuff like this can be overwhelming.

I'm proud of you and your hubby and sons.

Edit to add: I would not do this again, because my body is wrecked.

[Diamond_Dog]

12. Boy, I hear ya.

I was told “you’d better make sure you like this style/color/finish because we are NEVER DOING THIS EVER AGAIN.”

I sure do know the feeling of wrecking a pricey item into the wee hours of the morning. I hope you were able to salvage the drawing of your father!

In our case, absolutely NOTHING was plumb. I know that the fellow, an older retired Italian Youngstown steelworker, built the house for himself and his wife in the early 50s. Some things were built to outlast World War 3 and made demolition a chore in itself. Often times one job led to 10 others. I think my car knew how to get to Lowe’s all by itself from the ruts in the road between our house and the store.

Can you imagine being a home remodeler for a living?

Edit to add: I learned some very creative swearing during this project from hell.

[LuckyCharms]

13. Check out pic 15.

The shims under that base cabinet...

That leg of cabinets was out of level greater than one inch over just a 6 or 7 foot run!

Edit to add: Yes, I was able to get the pic re-framed for $75.

[Diamond_Dog]

14. Yikes!! I can believe it, though!

[BoomaofBandM]

16. It is beautiful.