Part 1:

Part 2:

This week, we’re beginning a two-part kitchen renovation with a family who’s been waiting 20 years for this moment.

Brian and Catherine Vailes love the home they share with their kids, Jackson, Luke and Meggie.

But their kitchen is past due for an update.

So, we’ve been helping them plan a way to pull off a massive project in just two weeks, which we’ll cover in two episodes.

On top of all that, Brian, who owns Sign Pro in Mobile, Alabama is planning a custom “digital backsplash” for the kitchen.


The Projects

Scrape popcorn ceiling

The Vailes’ kitchen will receive a major makeover, but first we have to scrape the popcorn texture off the ceiling to make it all match the modern look.

It doesn’t hurt when you get the kids to help out. In just a few hours the first night, they get the entire ceiling scraped!

Finish the drywall and ceiling

The kitchen’s drywall is textured above the chair rail, but smooth below it.

We need the walls to match, so first we need to repair the drywall, and then we need to sand off the texture.

Before I repair any areas where the drywall paper is torn, I spray them with primer to seal them. Then I apply the joint compound.

And before we start making dust, we seal off the kitchen with plastic zippered walls and hook up BuildClean’s dust-control system to filter the air.

Then, little by little, we knock down the texture.

Paint the cabinets, walls and ceiling

We move the cabinet doors outside to prep them for paint.

While Brian and Catherine sand the doors outside, Chelsea sands the cabinet boxes inside, and I’m checking to see how easily the chair rail will come off.

The next project for Chelsea and Catherine is priming those cabinet doors.

Once the first coat on the doors is complete, Catherine carries the work into the evening by spraying the cabinet boxes inside.

Later, Brian applies the first coat of wall paint to see if we’ve removed enough of the walls’ texture, and after that, we paint the ceiling.

Remove countertop, fur down and valance over the sink

Brian and Catherine want granite countertops, and they want to remove a fur down that serves no clear purpose other than to display overhead décor.

So, we’re removing the dated laminate countertop and tearing down that fur down, along with the valance over the sink.

Install Granite Countertops and Faucet

Brian’s business came in handy for this renovation because he created a “digital backsplash,” a custom, vinyl backsplash that no one else has.

We also added a new faucet from Delta’s Allentown Kitchen Collection.

Add Hardware and Light Fixtures

We outfitted Brian and Catherine’s kitchen with Rok Hardware’s knobs and hinges.

And remember those unflattering fluorescent lights?

They’re gone — replaced with these stunning fixtures from Linea Lighting.


Post-Production Thoughts

This kitchen has been waiting 30 years for an update. The space seemed smaller than it was, thanks to darkly stained cabinets, the pointless fur-down, and a dated valence.

Plus, the fluorescent light fixtures and vanilla laminate counters made the room feel unnecessarily institutional.

But after some good decision-making and two weeks of hard work, the room has been transformed!

“Today’s Homeowner” hosts Danny Lipford (right) and Chelsea Lipford Wolf (left) visit with homeowners Brian and Catherine Vailes.

Removing the fur-down and valance has opened up the space so your eyes can be drawn to the new light fixtures, which give it a clean, modern feel.

Everything is brighter now too, thanks to the lighter color we painted the cabinets and the new tint that was added to the walls.

The darker shade of paint Catherine chose for the island cabinet adds just the right amount of contrast. Plus it coordinates perfectly with the granite that she’s been waiting so long to enjoy.

By the way, the materials and installation for these countertops totaled about $2,300 and all the other materials combined came to just less than $1,500.

Here’s the price breakdown:

  • Countertops: $2,300
  • Digital backsplash: around $75 retail and about $225 for labor/installation
  • Light fixtures: $259 for all three
  • Faucet: $260
  • Sink: $300
  • Knobs: $75
  • Hinges: $105
  • Paint: $250
  • Crown: $206

So Brian and Catherine’s kitchen renovation cost about $3,800, and I think it’s safe to say they’re happy with it!


Other Tips from These Episodes (Parts 1 and 2)

Simple Solutions with Joe Truini: How to Build a Storage Shelf Under the Kitchen Sink

Here’s how to build a shelf that will fit under the kitchen sink and will nearly double the storage space so you can organize all your supplies. Watch video.

Simple Solutions with Joe Truini: Don’t Wipe! How to Scoop Wood Glue Residue to Protect Your Wood Grain

You could wipe away wood-glue residue with a damp cloth, which most woodworkers do, but then you’ll drive the glue into the grain. Here’s how to scoop out the glue. Watch video.

Best New Products with Jodi Marks: This Faucet Lets You Know When the Water’s Hot (or Cold)

When the water is cool, a ring on this faucet lights up blue. When it starts to get warm, it turns to magenta and when hot it turns red. Watch video.

Best New Products with Jodi Marks: This Ladder Offers Great Stability and a Useful Flip Tray

Gorilla has a new hybrid project ladder that features a wider footprint on the steps to offer greater stability. Watch video.

Watch and Learn: Do It! How to Properly Paint Cabinets

Here are Danny’s tips for properly painting cabinets — the key is preparation. A pad sander with 220-grit paper will help! Watch video.

Editorial Contributors
avatar for Danny Lipford

Danny Lipford

Founder

Danny Lipford is a home improvement expert and television personality who started his remodeling business, Lipford Construction, at the age of 21 in Mobile, Alabama. He gained national recognition as the host of the nationally syndicated television show, Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, which started as a small cable show in Mobile. Danny's expertise in home improvement has also led him to be a contributor to popular magazines and websites and the go-to source for advice on everything related to the home. He has made over 200 national television appearances and served as the home improvement expert for CBS's The Early Show and The Weather Channel for over a decade. Danny is also the founder of 3 Echoes Content Studio, TodaysHomeowner.com, and Checking In With Chelsea, a décor and lifestyle blog.

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