Look at this beautiful kitchen refresh by Joni at Cote de Texas. She updated the counters, sink, faucet and appliances, and the transformation was completed in just a few days. Instead of gutting the space, she chose a thoughtful facelift that preserved the character of their home while adding practical, attractive improvements.
Highlights from her post that stood out:
On choosing a facelift over a full remodel: “We should gut it, I know in my heart. We should add new cabinets and remove the island, close off the opening to the family room and put in a gorgeous range with a hood fashioned after a fireplace, but really, why?”
On living happily in a small home: “We love our house, despite the fact that there is no storage and the bathrooms are terribly in need of a fix up and that Elizabeth’s room is about a foot bigger than a jail cell and our backyard is actually a courtyard. Poor thing — Lizzy never had a trampoline or a swing set, or even a place to chase her dogs around, instead she’s had a life of hiding from the neighbor’s prying eyes, a hazard of living on a town lot just 50 x 100. Yet, we’ve been happy here, very very happy and hopefully we’ll be happy here for quite a few more years… We could move now, we could probably afford something a little bigger and something a little nicer… But, our house is like an engagement ring — today, you could afford to buy more carats than you could as a newly wed, but it’s your ring, and it means something deeply to you, more than just bling.”
Sigh — well said, Joni.
This post is a great reminder that thoughtful updates can make a big impact without losing the soul of a home. The new countertops and fixtures refresh the room, while the decision to keep the house’s bones intact preserves its charm and personal meaning. The result is a kitchen that looks newer and functions better, yet still feels like part of the home’s story.
See the full post for more photos and details.
Also recommended reading: reflections on small-house living and its benefits for family life. Smaller homes often encourage connection and creativity, and they can be a wonderful choice for many families.