Our Home Renovation Journey: Tackling the Kitchen and More

 

Original Kitchen

Since purchasing our 10-acre property in Central Lower Michigan, we've made a lot of progress turning the neglected mobile home into a comfortable place to stay during our trips up north. We've had a well drilled, cleared piles of trash, stripped the interior down to the studs, and installed new drywall, wiring, and plumbing. We've also finished the bathroom and given the porch a much-needed makeover.

There's still plenty of work ahead, but every completed project brings us closer to the getaway we envisioned when we first bought the property.

The Kitchen Transformation

When I say the kitchen was ugly, I mean it was UGLY! It looked like something straight out of the 1960s, with mustard-yellow and brown tones that made the space feel dated and dark.

We knew it needed a complete overhaul, so we took it down to the bare bones. After installing new plumbing and drywall and putting in new cabinets, the space finally started to look like a kitchen again. Once everything was in place, I couldn't wait to cook in it!

Before the renovation, the kitchen was completely unusable, so we relied on grilling and cooking over the campfire. The flooring had to wait for another trip, but it was one more item on our growing project list.

Rebuilding the Kitchen

Seeing the new cabinets in place was a big milestone. After all the demolition and work behind the scenes, we could finally see the kitchen taking shape.

Saying Goodbye to Unwanted Guests

The old kitchen wasn't just dark and outdated and it was also a haven for critters. Cockroaches, rodents, and other unwelcome guests had moved in before we purchased the property. It took plenty of effort, bug bombs, and traps to get the problem under control.

Even after all that work, owning a seasonal property in the woods comes with its own challenges. Mice can find their way inside when the weather gets cold, and chipmunks can be surprisingly determined little visitors!

One winter, we returned to find a not-so-pleasant surprise under our pillows: acorns, courtesy of our chipmunk squatters. Apparently, our little visitors had decided to use the mobile home as a storage spot!

That experience taught us an important lesson: we need to pack away anything that might attract critters before leaving for the season. We now make sure food, bedding, and other belongings are put away carefully before we lock up and head home.

Renovated Kitchen

From transforming the kitchen to dealing with the wildlife that comes with having a property in the woods, this renovation has certainly kept us busy!

There's still more to do, but looking back at how far we've come since purchasing the property in 2016 makes us proud of the work we've put into it. Each project helps make our 10-acre Michigan getaway more comfortable and enjoyable.

We'll continue sharing our property projects, outdoor adventures, and seasonal trips between our Metro Detroit home and our up-north getaway here on the blog and over on our Life Between Homes YouTube channel.

Thanks for following along!