BEFORE AND AFTER - Kitchen Conversion

With JULIE OLINIK and JUSTIN LELEIVER

When you first pull up to Julie and Justin’s home on 10th Ave in the Annex, you might not think much. The original structure is over 100 years old and has had four additions over the years. The outside upgrade is on the list, they laugh when asked about the plastic siding. Justin has worked for Pat Gris Stucco & Drywall for the last 6 years in Fernie and has picked up some fantastic renovation skills, allowing him to perform wonders to the inside of their home over the last 4 years. The couple finished the basement including a second bathroom and two bedrooms. They went on to build a 20 x 25 foot garage in the back, and most recently decided to take on the scariest renovation of them all.... the kitchen.

Kitchen renovations supersede all others. According to RONA, kitchen renovations when carried out properly can add as much as 10% to resale value of your home as well as making the space more enjoyable. People spend more on renovating kitchens than on any other room in the house. Completing most of the project on your own, such as Julie and Justin, does take more time but can be easier on your wallet and provide a great sense of accomplishment when finished. Having said that, the process can at times be stressful, especially when it limits or obstructs your access to amenities and appliances you may depend on in your day to day life.

When did you purchase your home?

We were extremely lucky when purchasing our home in March of 2004. We were able to acquire our property for $125,000, a small house on a half size lot in the Annex. Although the house was in need of some TLC, we scored this house just before the market soared.

What was your ultimate goal, renovation wise?

Our goal was to modernize our kitchen, optimize our living space and bring some sexy to the whole thing. We transformed a wall seperating the kitchen and living room into a bar that functions as a dinner table and a great party spot. The kitchen was just too small for a dining room table and this not only solved the problem but

What was the renovation process like, and what was the time frame?

The process started with me going on a trip to NYC while Justin tore down the walls, ceiling, floor, and hauled out truck loads of old building material and ancient insulation. He then rebuilt all the walls and reinforced part of the floor. Upon my return, Justin installed new drywall and flooring and installed the new cabinets and appliances. The new lighting went in and then we painted. The granite countertops were installed and then the cultured stone.

Renovating a kitchen while living in the house was challenging to say the least! We were in “reno mode” for about two and a half months. We made a make-shift cooking area in the living room with a hot plate, electric frying pan and toaster. We did dishes in the bathtub and BBQ’d as much as possible.

How would you describe the design style you used?

Modern meets natural. We upgraded all the appliances to stainless steel and changed the layout for more functionality. We used granite for the countertops and surrounded it with cultured stone to give it an earthy feel. We also installed new lighting which gives the kitchen a clean and bright atmosphere and the illusion of a bigger room.

What would you have done differently?

You definitely have a lot of decisions to make when renovating a kitchen. What we didn’t prepare for were the delays in shipping, back ordered items and postponed appointments. Although we had chosen everything from the granite to the cupboard drawer handles ahead of time, we constantly hurdled set backs when things were not ready when we were. I would have started ordering things months ahead of time and lined up the sub contractors furthur in advance.

Were you pleased with the final result?

Yes, Yes, Yes. It was all so worth it. We still can’t believe the transformation. When I walk out into the kitchen in the morning I feel like I am in someone elses home. Thanks to Ridge Electric and Stratton Plumbing as well as our great Fernie friends who would drop in for a beer and check out the progress. Mostly thanks to Justin’s diligence and determination to get it done and his eye for perfection.

What was the approximate cost of your renovation, and how do you think it affected your property value? 

Although there were some unforeseen costs we pretty much were able to stick to our budget of $20,000. We think the reno would bring quadruple what was spent in value to our home.

Is this a house you plan on calling home for a while?

After 10 years Fernie has us hooked and although selling our home would fetch us a great price, finding another home in Fernie would be difficult the way the market is now. We plan to keep renovating one room at a time and enjoy the fruits of our labour. 

What is one renovation/design rule you practice? 

It’s hard to state just one as we have learned so many rules of renovating so here are a few I learned during this process: 1. Have lots of patience. 2. Finish the job, don’t leave the finishing touches for another day because chances are it will sit like that for longer than you expect! 3. Clean up after yourself as you go. Starting a new day with a clean workspace and tools organized will lead to more productivity.