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To Baltimore, We Go!

March 28, 2017

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It’s hard to believe we leave on THURSDAY for Baltimore to tackle this year’s Lowe’s Spring Makeover. We’ve been working double time behind the scenes to make sure everything has been ordered, delivered and designed for the kitchen we’ll be making over. There are still a few things we’ll have to figure out on location, but we have the most capable crew (our dream team!) helping us this year and it’s helping ease a lot of nerves and has us more excited than ever.

We’ll fly in Thursday and fly home Monday, so this will be the quickest kitchen makeover we’ve ever done (our 4th in nearly 4 years!) and although it won’t be a full blown renovation, I think we’ll be able to fool ya into thinking it was.

Chris is finalizing his minute-by-minute renovation timeline (as he does), but a few exciting things we have in the works include: new flooring, an island with the addition of a dishwasher (their first!), exposing a brick wall!, taking out that bright green soffit and raising the upper cabinets, new appliances, and some seriously cool DIY shelving, among a few other surprises we have up our sleeves. We’re also doing the whole thing on a relatable, very affordable budget.

Here’s a sneak peek at where we’re headed:

 

cabinet color (Valspar’s Beguile) subject to change | hardware | fridge | range | backsplash | pendant lights | faucet | flooring | stools | shelving brackets

Because we’ve never seen this kitchen in person, only through photos and a couple Skype calls, a lot of things, like the cabinet color, are subject to change. Sometimes you just gotta get there and make quick decisions. Fortunately, we have the best minds on this project helping us on site. We trust Kim and Scott and Daniel so much (we’re also bringing along Chris’s equally handy brother, Brandon) and we know whatever we run into, we’ll be able to figure it out.

We’ve been gathering inspiration for the past few months right here, if you’d like to see. This kitchen (via) has been especially inspiring for this more historic, traditional space we’re working with.

We’ll be sharing a lot of live updates on Instagram while in Baltimore, so I hope you’ll follow @chrislovesjulia over there to see all of our progress and any problems we run into as it goes down.

See our previous kitchen makeovers here: 2013 (our first home’s kitchen), 2015 (our current kitchen), 2016

This project is in partnership with with Lowe’s Home Improvement. 

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What do you think?

  1. Lillian says:

    what is the source of those gorgeous inspiration pendants? (if you know) Thank you so much! Just discovered your blog and am enjoying it very much!

  2. Kates says:

    super excited to see this reveal! I watched your insta stories and i am really excited to see how it turned out. Was looking beautiful!!!

  3. Ann says:

    Ugh love the inso – wish you had picked my kitchen, ha! Good luck, it’ll be beautiful per usual.

  4. Christina says:

    I can’t believe my favorite bloggers are going to be so close! I yelled at my husband last night asking if Lowes asked for volunteers (he works at Lowes lol). Apparently not…or he’s lying. I’m so excited to see what you guys do…especially to a home in an area I’m familiar with and you see these styles often. But seriously…if you need volunteers….I’m handy, hard worker and for free! ????

    PS love all the tips you’re getting from people in Baltimore, too! I didn’t even know places like that existed in Baltimore!!

  5. Laura D says:

    So happy you’re doing the floors! We have similar 12×12 inch tile floor in our kitchen (and whole house.. it’s a rental) and they’re definitely not pretty in their kitchen. Also so excited to see what you do for counter tops. I always love your counter choices. Even your faux marble in your home office!

  6. Diana says:

    So excited about this! I love the colors you’ve chosen in your mood board. It’s going to be beautiful. Can’t wait to see the finished project.

    http://dahliasanddimes.com/2017/03/27/framed-magnetic-chalk-board-diy/

  7. lu says:

    Seeing your work…I am sure is going to be amazing! Can’t wait to see the transformation!

  8. Emily says:

    Yay! Can’t wait to see it all! Best wishes :)

  9. Ashley K says:

    If you have time (which it sounds like you probably won’t) go to Housewerks Salvage in Baltimore. They pull old pieces from old factories, churches, and schools that are being demolished. They also have random military equipment there. It’s one of my favorite spots to hit up when I’m in Baltimore. They have some truly beautiful pieces for sale.

  10. Jenna says:

    Cant wait to see the transformation! The kitchen as well as the CLJ to the rescue from last year were some of my favorites you’ve done!

  11. Erin says:

    This is so exciting! I feel like I rarely see cool stuff like this happening in Baltimore lol. If you’re looking for some delicious seafood while you’re here (because it’s TOTALLY necessary), stop by Thames Street Oyster House in Fells Point! Looking forward to seeing the end result!

  12. Katie says:

    I am SUPER excited to see how the open shelving goes. This is pretty much EXACTLY what I would put in our dream kitchen to open it up without loosing too much storage. Can you update us on how you do it? And how it goes? I’d love to see more details! And if you like the steel frame…its so affordable that I feel skeptical on its quality! I’d love to see more details!

    Good luck! The inspiration looks amazing, I can’t wait to see the final result!

  13. Shira Smith says:

    Where in Baltimore is the makeover? I’m sure you guys won’t have much time to explore (if any!), but there’s definitely some great restaurants here that will do takeout/delivery. Enjoy your trip to Charm City! :)

  14. Nikki says:

    Everything is awesome except for those stools…They look so cheap.
    Can’t wait to see the finished kitchen, you guys always kill it!

  15. Mara Smith says:

    I’m just a short drive away from Baltimore, I’d love to help if you guys are looking for volunteers! And meet you all too, of course :)

  16. Stacy G. says:

    Have a safe trip! I am looking forward to seeing the project.

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