LORD HAVE MERCY, I’m so happy to report that last month, our son moved into his first home–the condo we renovated as he battled a health crisis. What amazing grace (and prayers!) carried us through those challenging months. His home looks awesome, and since we stayed on budget, it is shaping up to be a wonderful investment. Woohoo! Condo Makeover on a Budget: Get the Look (Industrial Farmhouse) shares shopping resources and highlights of the remodel.
Condo Makeover on a Budget: Get the Look (Industrial Farmhouse)!
About That Adventure…
Our eldest son (a former high school Honors English teacher turned attorney) bought a foreclosed condo in a great neighborhood. The catch?
It was a big ol’ mess, and it didn’t make sense economically to spend too much on a reno.
Unfortunate Colors in the Condo ‘BEFORE’
The renovation became an adventure when days before the closing, he was fighting for his life. What began as an e. coli infection progressed to Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) and then Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP).
So rare, none of the treating physicians in the hospital had ever seen it, and to say that it was a stressful chapter during the pandemic is a gross understatement. (Oh, and he contracted Covid while on chemo with a shut down immune system so there was that too.)
You can read my reflections about our journey HERE.
Renovation With Cost Conscious Budget
Since the project entailed a small budget, I thought you might appreciate learning how we creatively stretched his renovation dollars. (And if you care to cut to the chase, see the video of the ‘after’ at the end!)
Deep Cleaning the Disaster Interiors
Unfortunately, there was little beyond the oak cabinets, doors, trim, and fireplace to salvage. As a result of years of cigarette smoke, every surface was yellowed with tar.
If you have never power-washed and mopped interior walls and ceilings…oh, my. Hours of laborious deep cleaning were imperative. Then, all of the trim and doors were removed.
Condo Reno: Demo in the Kitchen
Next, 9′ of wall cabinets were removed, and the bulkhead over the breakfast bar in the kitchen was demolished.
That baby did not disappear without a fight!
We learned just how well-constructed this home is!
What a huge difference after we erased the line of stubby overhead cabinets to make room for statement-making pendants.
New Lighting & Resurfacing Kitchen Ceiling
I brought several options for pendants for our son to approve, and he chose a modern industrial farmhouse design.
Since the kitchen’s ceiling was textured, it was necessary to re-surface the whole thing after the soffit removal and lighting installation.
Condo Makeover: Demo of Flooring
The only existing flooring we kept was the vinyl in the utility room since it was neutral and in excellent shape.
If you have ever removed vinyl flooring, then you know it is a beast!
It was painstakingly scraped from the bathrooms and kitchen. All of the carpet throughout (including two flights of stairs) were removed as well.
Priming & Painting Walls & Ceilings
Walls and ceilings were primed and painted a bright white, and oh, what a transformation that made.
The previous owner had sponge-painted walls in two hues: a satin harvest gold and a semi-gloss lipstick pink. Not fun to paint over, but certainly worth all of the effort.
What a welcome clean slate when we erased awful glossy finishes with 25 gallons of flat white paint (and a few gallons of grey).
Budget Friendly Makeover: Color Palette
Our son wanted the condo to feel modern, minimal, industrial and neutral, so we chose a spectrum of greys and a crisp gallery white to work with the warmth of the oak fireplace and trim throughout.
To keep things simple as the designer, I provided “the client” with three samples of each proposed color.
Dark Charcoal Painted Cabinets
Budget necessitated we work with the cabinets, and I was okay with that since they are solid wood. However, before I began painting, we made two important upgrades to the kitchen cabinets.
First, we added a riser and crown to the upper cabinets on the frig wall. Second, we added beadboard paneling to the breakfast bar for extra durability and interest.
The paint color for cabinetry was an important consideration so I took the time to paint three cupboard doors in each paint color option.
The darkest gray (SHERWIN-WILLIAMS Carbonized) emerged the winner, and this gorgeous hue can appear soft black, deep blue, and even mink-y brown depending on the light.
How Did You Paint Cabinets?
While I painted them by hand, you won’t find a tutorial from me since I still lack experience. I also painted our kitchen cabinets in the Arizona house, but we didn’t use the property enough to know if the painted doors held up nicely.
The big box stores now sell water-based paint suitable for painting cabinets so if you imagined oil paints were the only option…nope.
Even though I was also prepared to paint the existing wood trim and interior doors, I waited as long as possible to make that call. In the end, we left them alone!
The oak lends masculinity, warmth, and contrast with white walls while seamlessly blending with the flooring.
New Tile for Entry, Bathrooms & Backsplash
Because our son was so ill, I shopped Home Depot and Lowe’s for tile possibilities, bringing samples home for him to consider.
He chose an encaustic look tile with personality and a star motif for his bath, a wood-look ceramic for the second bath and entry, and a Spanish style tile with an aged appearance for the kitchen backsplash.
My husband tiled these surfaces without a hitch.
Inexpensive & Durable Laminate Flooring
I knew the laminate with the traditional look of oak hardwood would play nicely with other industrial elements.
When you’re working within a budget (or it doesn’t make good sense to invest in hardwood), this product is hard to beat. It is quiet, comfortable underfoot, and installs quickly.
Custom Window Seat
My brightest idea for this project was repurposing the stubby row of cabinets removed from the kitchen soffit. I knew the 9′ run of 18″ high cupboards would make a perfect dining room window seat and this way, he wouldn’t lose any storage.
I painted it out, and for the top, my husband nailed on salvaged maple hardwood flooring from our own home and then added a new maple trim.
If ever our son decides to get rid of it, there is flooring and trim underneath so all be well. In other news, he rescued a blind and deaf kitty the very first day he moved in, and Snoopy loves his window seat. 🙂
Kitchen Appliances
You won’t even believe how I lucked out with kitchen appliances and stayed on budget. When we renovated our own home, we salvaged a brand new Whirlpool over-the-range microwave which didn’t fit with our kitchen design. So that was a freebie.
Next, I spotted an almost new Whirlpool dishwasher at a garage sale and learned it was only used for six months before a remodel…$40 was a steal!
The refrigerator was an easy decision since it was nearly impossible to find any standard frig in stock at the big box stores (it seems with Covid, everyone and their granny is working on home improvement). But we found one (Whirlpool again!) at Home Depot!
The bargain of all bargains for the kitchen was a serendipitous gift. Someone had special ordered a modern Whirlpool electric range with smooth top from Lowe’s and then returned it (unused and still in box).
There it was on clearance for 70% off, and I snagged it, not noticing that it was the exact companion range for the microwave we salvaged five years ago! Yep. Meant to be.
Final Touches
With a blank slate, we installed all new light fixtures including a modern ceiling fan, replaced all the light switches and outlet covers, added hardware to the cabinetry in kitchen and baths, carpeted the two flights of stairs (yes, my husband DIYed it like a pro!), and deep cleaned once again.
The industrial style wood and steel small table was a local find for $14, and we attached vintage casters to the legs.
Get the Look With Cost Conscious Finds
Paint colors
BENJAMIN MOORE Stonington Gray (Master Bedroom & Bath)
SHERWIN-WILLIAMS Carbonized (on all cabinetry)
Video of the Makeover Reveal
Find more inspiration from my Pinterest Boards RIGHT HERE!
More Resources for the Condo Renovation
I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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Who are you people!!!!! Seriously do y’all keep your capes hidden in your basement somewhere? Michele you are a perfect example of the promises of God -He fills you with strength , The joy of the Lord is your strength and he has carried you, raised you and (your son) up he has gone before you, stood beside you and covered you …. Not just this year but always. To think of all this year has brought – your family has once again remained steadfast. The condo is beautiful – that Michele touch shines through for sure and can I say your husband is a Rock star ! I am filled with joy this morning to see this for so many reasons – Romans 8:28 is so true.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours ….. For God has been good to you and you are his .
Author
Oh, Marilyn. I’m taking my time savoring your words of affirmation. Our Father does fill us with strength and is the Source of all my joy. Because of His presence, I can accept and welcome reality with its heartbreaks and challenges. What a journey it has been and continues to be, and indeed He has gone before us, making a way where there was only despair and little hope. Days ago we read the health report from the government about our son’s infection and disease which started from a simple sandwich at a restaurant. Across the nation as a result of this strain of e. Coli, one life was lost, several were hospitalized, and our son was the only person in the country who developed the rare TTP blood disorder. It is a deadly diagnosis. The full gravity of our story is only now beginning to settle. Who can say what divine purposes remain? Where would we be without souls who cared enough to whisper pleas for mercy? My heart is very full. Thank you. Thank you. May this Thanksgiving fill your spirit with new hope and fresh wonder.
Beautiful job!!! Very inspiring!!!
Author
Thank you! What a labor of love to share – not as fancy design stars but ordinary real life renovators digging into a mess! 🙂 Happy Thanksgiving!
Wow! You guys did an awesome job! I’m so happy your son made it through such a difficult health crisis. Happy Thanksgiving to you all!
Author
Thank you so much for your kind words. The grace of God and support from friends we may never meet sustained all of us, held us in perfect peace. 🙂 Happy Thanksgiving!
Michele, thank you for this inspiring tour. What a change… Before our very eyes! So much work and I’m sure stress, which deals a blow to health. I’m happy that your son is doing better. Now finished with school, he can relax and enjoy his new career and home. And, you and your husband can do the same. Many Blessings.
Author
Thank you, friend! To be honest, the renovation was the positive shining light through that awful summer and early fall. Everything was slipping away from us in our lives yet here was a tangible thing we could return to and chip away at little by little, edging closer to something fresh and new and life-giving. Then with the kitty our son rescued, the story continues to get richer! Wishing you a lovely Thanksgiving week and peace to you and yours.
I understand completely. I’ve had a similar experience and I’m so happy for you. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family, Michele.
Author
Thank you, friend.
You & your husband did an incredible job!!! Y’all should be so proud with a huge sense of major accomplishment. Love all the choices your son made & what a huge blessing for him after ALL he went through! And completed & moved in BEFORE the holidays…icing on the cake!! So happy for all three of y’all!
Author
You’re so right! What a blessing that we were able to muddle through and complete the project before the weather turned cold and the pandemic grew even more problematic! There are always blessings to be found – everywhere you turn – thank you for pointing me toward another one. 🙂
Amazing transformation! My favorite idea was the wood moulding to take kitchen cabinets all the way to the ceiling. Looks so expensive. Love everything! Pray your son is 100% now.
Author
Thank you so much for your prayers! We still need them and are so thankful. I love making ho hum cabinets look custom – it costs so little yet the pay off is huge!
That is amazing! Your son will be happy in this home for years to come. Thank goodness he has such talented parents.
Author
He is an amazing guy, and even through the battles we have faced in recent months, we smiled and carried only positive energy into his home while we did the work. I think the project kept us all hopeful and looking ahead to better times. 🙂
great taste Michele, a real man style condo and I am sure that your son will feel so happy and comfy in that
apartment which is so important to help him over his battle. I wish him a very good time and again your
support was fantastic
Author
Thank you so much. I’m so excited for him to enjoy his first place and begin a new chapter. His health is improving, and we are so grateful for all the good will and prayers!
the best gift ever.
Author
🙂 So gratifying to see a project through!
Wow! A labor of love and so beautiful.
Author
Thanks so much! My husband is the true hero. He is amazing and a true Renaissance guy who can take my ideas and bring them to life. We would be lost without him. 🙂
Yes but I meant the recovering of your son’s health. What a gift.
Author
🙂 Thank you so much.
Wonderful post! Amazing transformation of the condo and even more amazing news that your son is doing so much better! Many prayers for him, you and your family were offered since last summer! Happiest of Thanksgivings and Merry Christmas to each of you!!!
Author
Thanks so much for reading and supporting us in prayer. My son and I have good days and bad days, but we are slowly gaining strength and feel as though we can be productive again. Hope you have a wonderful week of Thanksgiving too!
I agree with all of the comments! Y’all did a fantastic job. I do wonder, however, if you had the ac/heating ductwork cleaned? I know from experience that after a heavy smoker moves out that is a very important thing to do. My sister moved into an apartment that had to be totally redone – even to having to replace the light switch and outlet plates replaced . Cleaning wouldn’t even remove the tar . However, they didn’t clean out the ductwork. Every time she turned a.c. or heat on you could smell the cigarettes! Needless to say , she didn’t live there long. After moving she had to have all of her upholstered furniture , drapes, and her clothes cleaned. That horrid smell lingers!
Author
You are definitely a kindred spirit! YESSSSSS, we sure did get our ductwork in order – in fact, we were so concerned about our son’s respiratory system that my husband and a friend thoroughly cleaned every inch and replaced with new everything!! I was there when they disappeared into the attic, and I quickly left because…what an undertaking that was! And When you want something done right and it’s as important as air quality (and you’re a germaphobe), you do the research and just do it.
You did a good thing. A good, good, good thing. The before and after is nothing short of amazing especially considering you had a budget to deal with. It’s easy to make anything look good when money is of no concern but when you have to budget you have to get creative…and you did.
I absolutely love the transformation!!!!!!!!!
And I’m so glad your son has recovered:)
Author
Yes! A budget may come with constraints but it also opens a doorway to creativity and because it limits options, that can work toward one’s advantage. Thank you so much for your support and kindness. Our son is so lucky to be alive – circumstances could not have been more grave, and we remain amazed and humbled by the Grace. xox