A lot of these regrets are about decisions you made when you were single. You bought the house on your own. At the time, they were the best decisions don’t be too hard on yourself
At the same time, it's not a huge leap to think ahead. If you want to live somewhere for a long time, you need to think about how the space will grow with you.
I'm surprised to hear you say that you think it was a mistake to make your house into a duplex. It's all about the different situations you are in. When you first got the house you were living alone, and needed the extra income. I believe that now that your boyfriend is living with you you probably have more income and can afford to have the house on your own. I wouldn't call that a mistake. Change in circumstance.
I always think about how she changed this house from a nice family home into a duplex and how it will likely stay this way forever because landlords will see it as a so-called investment property. Toronto doesn't need more 1-2 bedroom apartments, it's all we build, while homes for families downtown are disappearing. Not to mention that renting it will only continue to drive up the already inflated market making this place further out of reach for people struggling to buy. And it sounds like each of Kelsey's personal regrets about the upper floor stem directly from splitting the home into a duplex, but hopefully she can fix them for herself :)
@@seanandernacht800it was only a 2-bed house though, so it would only have worked for a very small family. The same number of people will live be able to live across both. I know it’s also about the number of small rentals, but I think that’s more of a shame when it’s a 3+ house
for the love of every single god, make sure you regularly turn on that floor heating for a few hours just to keep the water moving and ESPECIALLY in cold weather/frost to prevent damage. the actual cost of fixing that stuff when you have poured that much concrete over it is insane. I really like your basement bathroom, very full of plants, looks super good! like something from a fancy magazine
Since the downstairs living room isn't so big maybe they're using it when they have a lot of guests dtay at their house? Also it could be that the lighting in the kitchen is better than in the livingroom. They probably have their reasons :)
I didn't even realized how long this series has been going on until you mentioned that you've owned this house for 4 years. I was here when you bought the house and I've been following every update/renovations ever since. Time does really go by so fast!
the toilet room color discourse is so old and i’m glad that searching through the comments there’s no talk about it. i feel like every time that room is even mentioned so many people lose their minds about it even though you’ve said sooo many times you like it and won’t change it. and i’m glad! i think it’s super pretty and provides some warmth to the room that it otherwise probably wouldn’t get since it’s so small and in the basement.
I remember when the upstairs apartment reno video was released and ppl in the comments were very upset that you kept the closed off room layouts & didn’t blow out any walls. and i remember being like “guys! she clearly says she likes the ability to return them as rooms in the full house later down the road if need be” & basically fighting for my life defending that decision in the comments 😭 and now look! you were so correct about that design decision. your house is so beautiful, love these videos 💗
Before repainting due to scuff marks, try using Magic Eraser on the scuffs! Edit: And let's face it, you could've replaced the globe, the truth is, Rachael's light was never a good choice for that space.
Dear Kelsey: Try not to be too hard on yourself. I think you've done an amazing job renovating your home. I absolutely love your downstairs bathroom, dressing room and bedroom. Job well done, Kelsey, job well done! Sincerely, Canadian Colleen
Kelsey. I think instead of an ottoman in front of your fireplace area a round dining height table would look so good and be useful. It would make an entry moment and you could sit on the built in bench area instead. The table could hold flowers, junk but also be additional occasional dining or cocktail area
Or maybe a couple nice petit arm chars that can double in the dining nook. I hate to not enjoy the new fireplace. Folding or stacking din. chairs have come a long way for emergencies
A bistro set for playing games, having a drink by the fire or talking on the phone in a cozy spot. The chairs can be extras for the kitchen, too like another commenter said.
My back starts hurting after sitting on stools for longer than 20 minutes so I wouldnt recommend them for your dining area. I saw someone suggest folding chairs and think thats a really good idea to save space and also provide comfort if needed. I am sure there are also nice ones available!
The upstairs living room didnt get mentioned at all, is that because its become the junk room and you dont want to show it? 😅 How come you dont make it into Elliott's office? Seems like the best room from my pov
I love that you shared that. Sometimes it’s easy to get caught into a feeling that “why does it always work for them and not for me?” kinda thing. It’s good to see the other perspective and remind ourselves that things are not always perfect. Either way, your house is so cozy!!! We’re hoping to buy a house soon and I can’t wait to renovate/decorate. Good to know that spray paint is not so durable for highly used items! ☺️
i love kelsey’s (and elliot’s) making home series and finally got around to watching her internship video last night! this video is perfect for my morning to see how kelsey switches things up especially after her time in austin.
Why can't Elliot use the upstairs living room as his office? It's much roomier than the small kitchen. Incidentally, you didn't show that sitting room, would have liked to see how it progressed.
I feel most regrets that you’ve had could’ve only been understood after experiencing them yourself. Of course there were some “duh!” regrets that you’ve had which as onlookers the audience can clearly see but it’s a fact that when you’re in a place yourself and everything is your responsibility, a few things slip away or go unnoticed; it is okay! No renovation or change can be absolutely perfect or remain perfect because you as a person change.
The kitchen chairs, I could see taking the first spindle out on each armside and then taking the top section where the handhold area is, off, then new paint or stain. Basically mimicking the style of the new chair you are going to recover. You have done a Beautiful job ❤
I remember when u first started the reno all I could think is "oh no, she is going to be stuck with two kitchens". However, now I think splitting the house might've been a great choice. I wish you would go into the finances, and get a new appraisal of the house. You took a two story house and turned it into two units. You added a bathroom and a bedroom. the property value might have increased. I'd like to see a cost vs value comparison (if that's sth you haven't already done and I just missed it somehow).
I'm glad most of the regrets were furniture and fixture related and not structural as those are the scarier ones to regret where as the former can easily be fixed
Your decision to split the house was very smart and for then and in the future. Even if you pull out the kitchen now and end up raising a family in that house it’ll be easy to convert it back if your circumstances change. I can see a time in the future when you’re travelling the world and your collage age kids have an apartment each while at university and starting their lives in the big city
You identified a couple of golden rules: never skimp on kitchen and bathroom fixtures and fittings.( never buy made in China). Always mock up your kitchen, use cardboard, and ensure that your cabinets are functional before you commission someone to build it, make sure every room will be wired for multi purpose, that way you space your power sockets and lighting in areas that give you future flexibility.
🤔 I never heard of anyone making a cardboard mockup. Do you mean flat, like a gallery wall? Because flat is still going to miss a few 3d details, like counters with sharp corners, or knobs that stick out too far with little hooks that catch and rip your clothes. Videos like this is what helps you to learn those dangers from others. I think what might work if you hire a kitchen contractor, is to ask how he fitted out his wife's kitchen, then ask her opinion 😂 or get a system from a specialist company that already has mockups to test. Go visit and pretend you're making breakfast before coffee, eyes half closed and minimal energy 😅 or visit the space, but use it as learning experience without placing an order. Well, maybe not. Maybe first ask if they mind you trying to learn more about kitchen layouts. A more honorable method to approach the issues. ❤ But, seriously, there's LOTS of companies with mockup kitchen examples you can walk around IRL to get an idea of how far away is the spice for my spaghetti sauce? Or where do I put the lids for my pots, and the chopping boards? Unfortunately, not all show the depth of passthrough space for necessary clearance to appliances like a dishwasher, washers and dryers, etc. But ask for that info, because they PROBABLY already know that too.
This kind of content is so important/vunerable because it shows that while you are a professional and expert in your field, you're still human and your home's style, preferences and functionality grow with you and that it's not a failure if something that was or at least seemed like a solid and permanent decision at one stage of your life just doesn't always suit your needs down the line, these kind of videos really help to normalise the human experince and bridge the gap between people with a platform that could very easily only show the perfect side of their craft to seem like they have it all together 24/7 unlike us mere mortals😅 and I just love that tsg value transparency and are so relateable on the matter
For the living room rug, I feel like some form of a pop of color would be nice. You could draw inspo from the art piece you had above the fireplace combined with other colors already present in the room. Burnt Orangey tones sound nice to me personally. Plus you could still layer with the sheepskin rug you have
Wow!! 4 years!!! I think you did such a great job!! I think the worst regret is prob the heated floors. I imagine they were costly! Your basement bathroom is so beautiful. I love it!! I’m really looking forward to the office makeover!! Oh and the reupholstering of that cool chair. You should be so proud of your home. It really is beautiful.
We get the keys to our own first home in two days (eek!), so this was a well timed video. I could only hope that ours looks as amazing in 4 years and that we have as few regrets ❤
There is no doubt of the effort put into this video. The quality of the edits are fantastic. The information Kelsey gives here and her delivery is perfect. This 19 minute video takes us through a simple teaching on DIY as well as design ideas. She points out her regrets as well as success. The ying/yang of interior design. Her confidence is through the roof here. I mention all of this because the level of expertise these ladies (business owners) reveal to us in each video over the years continues to grow and inspire all of us that, "Hey you can do this too!!" A+++
I really appreciate this video. I just bought an apartment and I am going crazy with some details, what if I regret this, what if I don't like that... it made me understand that this will probably happen with time and use, and it's OKAY, most thing are easily fixable! Thank you
Daaaaang I’ve never heard of someone having to seal your own countertop. They ripped you off. And I do agree the pullout cabinet on top is odd. They’re usually used for the bottom, right next to the stove. My brother has one and it’s amazing. And again your contractor should have known that about the pull out cabinet.
I think your home is gorgeous and it always has been. Your style is yours no matter what the comments are. I understand, the comments help you to look at things through a different eye. But it's still BEAUTIFUL ❤❤
I think you should cover the Ikea chair in the dark green. If you entertain I dont recommend stools in the kitchen. They have no back support, very uncomfortable.
For the cabinets next to the range hood maybe look into the cabinet pulls that pull completely out and down. Could be a good compromise 🤷♀️ I've been looking into them for my house
4:38 You might be able to use locktight to keep the screws attached to the knob if you do not want to replace them. There are a couple of varieties of locktight if you choose to use it. 😊
Those heated floors in the basement could still be seen as an investment because a future owner of the home would likely love them! Could even be marketed as a “luxury” feature of the home. You also never know if you’ll get hit with record cold weather or something and will be glad that you have that extra method to heat with. So I definitely wouldn’t see them as a waste!
We redid our attic into a room/bathroom and you think you know where you want outlets & lights and your contractor doesn’t always help you! I wish they’d said put two up high for the tv, don’t put light switches there, etc. some do, some don’t! They don’t seem like huge mistakes, just learning experiences!
LUV this video, and your fashion style and tips! It's great to see how things worked out. Momma taught me to pay attention to others mistakes rather than repeating them. It's cool that you're transparent enough to share. Bravo.
Your home is beautiful! I would be very proud of owning my own home and of how beautiful the renovation is. That's a serious accomplishment! As far as finding things since that you prefer or that aren't perfect; that's life. We have to learn to separate the big issues from the small ones throughout life. You've done all the right things. Lots of your hard work went into your home. Hopefully we're always learning from what we do. That's a good thing. Regrets like these are a waste of energy. You've done really, really well. I suggest making this into a list of gratitude for learning about small details you'll change next time.
I actually love all the different whites in the kitchen! You could add some color in artwork behind the stove. The plants are gorgeous in there, very zen.
I actually prefer the matching pulls even on the upper cabinets (as well as on the lower ones....) In my area it is common that we seal our own countertops/stone. We have to seal it once a year as well as the grout in between the tiles.
So many of your regrets are fixable! For the most part, I think they are more design regrets than renovation regrets. Also, I don’t think you should regret splitting your place in two. It was a good financial decision to have the additional revenue stream when you were single and couldn’t have known when you’d have two incomes in your house to cover costs
I don't understand why so many are saying Elliot should have his office in living room. For frig sakes, there is a lot of room in the kitchen plus all the storage area. If they aren't needed at this time sell the appliances. (Not the washer/dryer, it's handy) put in a smaller fridge and a toaster oven. Then you can create or buy more cupboards or whatever to make the space more purposeful to your needs at this time. Anyhow, just my 2cents.
Honestly I like a lot of the decisions you made, and some of them could be easy fixes! I think you should put Elliott’s office in the apartment’s living room instead of the kitchen. For your basement toilet room, I like the brown color but I think the bright white on top is too much of a contrast. Maybe a taupe, light brown, or wallpaper would be more cohesive and make the dark brown less stark. Overall great renos, and I think making the house into a duplex prob increased its market value a lot!
Great home and thank you for sharing all of your amazing work including mistakes. I feel so proud of all of yiu ladies being Canadian its even better it shows that we're normal and not ...well content dull people that live in a frozen world. I've just discovered yiu on utube in the past week and am so thrilled. And even your mistakes are good thank you, thank you, and one more irritating time thank you!
My personal regret is to have used pvc flooring in my kitchen. It got damaged super fast, but at the time we wanted to save time and money... You just make mistakes and learn from it, when the time comes, we will have it tiled by professional and hopefully that will fix our big mistake 😅
Ozmo is a great quality wood finisher. The in floor heating is superb if it makes the area too warm. Our lives are always going through changes, and we find our tastes and needs do too. You do wonderful work. Never stop.
I don't know if you've tried this already but you can just put another coat of wax over your stairs without removing the existing wax. Wax you have to keep recoating but you don't have to remove to recoat so it's easier to maintain than polyurethane.
Kelsey you look stunning in that outfit! The fit, the hair, the boots! It's all 👌. Back to the house, how dare you regret heated floors?! Shut it and take it like champ on behalf of all of us who dream of such warmth. I think underpinning the basement would have cost you a lot more than 10k. Like a lot more. And I too had a dam "designer" (air quotes) make a mistake in my kitchen which cost me money to fix so yeah I hear you. It sucks. And there are sooo many details! Really we expect them to know all these things and they don't. grr. I'm surprised you don't regret the fireplace colour cuz that's my regret on your house haha! And last, be glad you did all the work for splitting the house into a duplex. It's very easy to dismantle if you don't need it but now the infrastructure is there and paid for it'll be just as easy to bring it back if/when you chose to do so. You can always use a wet bar upstairs in the office, right? And I don't know if you have answered these already, but why not sleep upstairs and use the basement as the guest bedroom? Or why doesn't Elliot use the basement as his office? Ok bye. Thanks for the vid.
I thought those kitchen chairs were a bad idea , glad you finally noticed.I think the long bench ,is taking up space too.The table is good there ,but needs another bottom.Just my opinion , it’s your house.
As reenactors we use wax to finish a lot. Warmth is a trick. If you take rough wool fabric and buff rest os the stairs with it staits will be ok. Just looooots of buffing , many hours and elbow grece, but you can fix it.
If you can find them cheap secondhand, you could get Giancarlo Piretti’s Plia folding chairs for the dining room! I think the smoked "glass" look with the chrome could complement the rest of the space when they're out
you could get the wrap film thing for your upstairs fridge to change the colour? If you need more colour but dont want to spend lots on the upstairs kitchen then those peel and stick things are great :D Also, for the gap, that is still fillable, L shaped incert that you screw in from the cupboard side
This is fun! We own a home for 2 years now and I get what you said sometimes like thinking something would a regret and then finding it a good decision afterall. Though we obv also have real regrets 😂
And on an actual house related comment what about a bench on the long side and a cute little stool on the rounded side? And you could have some fold away stools for is guests come. We have that for dinner parties all the time and if you find the right ones it’s pretty comfy!
I think ice cream parlour chairs (i think thats what they are called) would look cute in your kitchen. They have a back, but the metal work doesnt make them look heavy, but light and airy.
For anyone who buys Ralph Lauren. I worked at the company and day one they made a point of telling us how to pronounce the name of the company. It is Ralph Lauren (lore-in). It’s his name it’s pronounced the way you would normally pronounce Lauren when speaking to the person. Everyone wants to make it sound French or more fancy but it’s a very American name.
I enjoyed every single makeover you have done. Some things are a bit minor, and some just a matter of knowledge at that time and taste and being frugal. You could easily rent out a whole house in future when you decide to move again and that will be an investment with 0 regret, believe me. ❤
My dad has decorative pull knobs in his kitchen and they pull off just like that! He’s super glued them too and it still happens. So weird. He’s just going to replace them all. Also, SUCH A CUTE OUTFIT
Omg that vintage ikea chair! We had one as a kid and it was so much fun to spin around and around, it was in the orange but I’m so happy you’ve got one now!!
I Scotchguard furniture as thoroughly AF!!!! Try it on your ottoman. I have chair covers I water/stainproofed 15 yrs ago (and my husband is a MESSY eater) and they wipe up so easily.
I love those chairs around your dining table. I understand something smaller, but I've seen many vids of people regretting having stools with no backs. Recommend still having stools with backs.
about the countertops, @lonefox has some marble countertops (or something similar) and used really interesting stuff to seal it. it should be in his kitchen makeover (on his most recent house) if I’m not mistaken
![[Review] The Clutter Connection (Cassandra Aarssen) Summarized](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/OsdC6YVxw40/mqdefault.jpg)
There is no way you've owned this house for 4 years. WHAT!!!!!!! I'm in denial. I've been a fan for so long 🥲
literally was so surprised when we figured that out
Omg! Yeah! I swear it wasnt that long ago, too!
It's seem like yesterday
I can't believe it's been that long since Kelsey used to fight with the racoons at her last place, or when they were in the loft.
i miss the coffee table from the layered white rug and sheep skin era
A lot of these regrets are about decisions you made when you were single. You bought the house on your own. At the time, they were the best decisions don’t be too hard on yourself
Yep! Truth!!!
Regretting deciding when you were a new home owner can be simple - learning curve. Take what you want to fix and go forward. 🥶🖤🔔👍🏻💕
Yes! My family motto could be something like "I made the best decision I could with the information I had available at the time."
At the same time, it's not a huge leap to think ahead. If you want to live somewhere for a long time, you need to think about how the space will grow with you.
I don't think she was single at that time tho, she was in a private relationship before
I'm surprised to hear you say that you think it was a mistake to make your house into a duplex. It's all about the different situations you are in. When you first got the house you were living alone, and needed the extra income. I believe that now that your boyfriend is living with you you probably have more income and can afford to have the house on your own. I wouldn't call that a mistake. Change in circumstance.
When things are super stable and Fabulous in your new life together.....Rent this duplex ( great Inve$tment) and find a love nest for the 2 of you
I always think about how she changed this house from a nice family home into a duplex and how it will likely stay this way forever because landlords will see it as a so-called investment property. Toronto doesn't need more 1-2 bedroom apartments, it's all we build, while homes for families downtown are disappearing. Not to mention that renting it will only continue to drive up the already inflated market making this place further out of reach for people struggling to buy. And it sounds like each of Kelsey's personal regrets about the upper floor stem directly from splitting the home into a duplex, but hopefully she can fix them for herself :)
I agree with you
@@seanandernacht800yikes not the NIMBY in the TSG comments
@@seanandernacht800it was only a 2-bed house though, so it would only have worked for a very small family. The same number of people will live be able to live across both. I know it’s also about the number of small rentals, but I think that’s more of a shame when it’s a 3+ house
for the love of every single god, make sure you regularly turn on that floor heating for a few hours just to keep the water moving and ESPECIALLY in cold weather/frost to prevent damage. the actual cost of fixing that stuff when you have poured that much concrete over it is insane. I really like your basement bathroom, very full of plants, looks super good! like something from a fancy magazine
Close all the registers. Use only floor heat downstairs?
That’s what we’ve done and it’s perfect.
Tip for countertop: if you put some water on it and it beads up/ sits on top it is sealed; if the water soaks into the stone it isn’t sealed.
But why not make Elliots workspace in the living room space above? I doubt that gets a lot of use unlike the guest bedroom
Exactly! That way he gets more space & isnt crammed into a kitchen corner.
Since the downstairs living room isn't so big maybe they're using it when they have a lot of guests dtay at their house? Also it could be that the lighting in the kitchen is better than in the livingroom. They probably have their reasons :)
I would love to work in the kitchen honestly, snack time 24/7
@@ellavanvlothe same thought!
I agree fitting a desk in the living room would be ideal, the kitchen looks super crammed
I didn't even realized how long this series has been going on until you mentioned that you've owned this house for 4 years. I was here when you bought the house and I've been following every update/renovations ever since. Time does really go by so fast!
Consider wooden folding chairs for your kitchen table? They can be put away when there are no guests but look chic if they are out
Was going to suggest this too
That's such a smart idea!
I also want to add that the built-in seating area is pretty big, maybe get rid of the chairs and just get a longer table?
Yep Folding Chairs kept in a closet until you need for company
the toilet room color discourse is so old and i’m glad that searching through the comments there’s no talk about it. i feel like every time that room is even mentioned so many people lose their minds about it even though you’ve said sooo many times you like it and won’t change it. and i’m glad! i think it’s super pretty and provides some warmth to the room that it otherwise probably wouldn’t get since it’s so small and in the basement.
It’s such a nice warm tone!! I find it really soothing. And it’s only the lower portion of the wall, so it’s not overwhelming.
I remember when the upstairs apartment reno video was released and ppl in the comments were very upset that you kept the closed off room layouts & didn’t blow out any walls. and i remember being like “guys! she clearly says she likes the ability to return them as rooms in the full house later down the road if need be” & basically fighting for my life defending that decision in the comments 😭 and now look! you were so correct about that design decision. your house is so beautiful, love these videos 💗
Yeah that countertop installer should have done the sealing as part of the installation
This why don't pay all the money until they do their work right.
Yeah she got ripped off by that company
Yeah, she should reach out to them and see if they would do it now since they skimped before!
Before repainting due to scuff marks, try using Magic Eraser on the scuffs!
Edit: And let's face it, you could've replaced the globe, the truth is, Rachael's light was never a good choice for that space.
I tried this on my walls and while it did remove the black scuff mark, now that section of the wall is now permanently slightly darker
I use a shot of WD 40 or even olive oil on scuffs, they come off so fast.
Hand sanitiser/ alcohol always works for me. Doesn’t cause the paint to have any shiny spots afterwards either
Dear Kelsey: Try not to be too hard on yourself. I think you've done an amazing job renovating your home. I absolutely love your downstairs bathroom, dressing room and bedroom. Job well done, Kelsey, job well done!
Sincerely, Canadian Colleen
Kelsey. I think instead of an ottoman in front of your fireplace area a round dining height table would look so good and be useful. It would make an entry moment and you could sit on the built in bench area instead. The table could hold flowers, junk but also be additional occasional dining or cocktail area
Or maybe a couple nice petit arm chars that can double in the dining nook. I hate to not enjoy the new fireplace. Folding or stacking din. chairs have come a long way for emergencies
A bistro set for playing games, having a drink by the fire or talking on the phone in a cozy spot. The chairs can be extras for the kitchen, too like another commenter said.
My back starts hurting after sitting on stools for longer than 20 minutes so I wouldnt recommend them for your dining area. I saw someone suggest folding chairs and think thats a really good idea to save space and also provide comfort if needed. I am sure there are also nice ones available!
The upstairs living room didnt get mentioned at all, is that because its become the junk room and you dont want to show it? 😅 How come you dont make it into Elliott's office? Seems like the best room from my pov
I love that you shared that. Sometimes it’s easy to get caught into a feeling that “why does it always work for them and not for me?” kinda thing. It’s good to see the other perspective and remind ourselves that things are not always perfect. Either way, your house is so cozy!!! We’re hoping to buy a house soon and I can’t wait to renovate/decorate. Good to know that spray paint is not so durable for highly used items! ☺️
i love kelsey’s (and elliot’s) making home series and finally got around to watching her internship video last night! this video is perfect for my morning to see how kelsey switches things up especially after her time in austin.
Why can't Elliot use the upstairs living room as his office? It's much roomier than the small kitchen. Incidentally, you didn't show that sitting room, would have liked to see how it progressed.
Exactly. They should just split the upstairs and turn it into his office space and then half guest space instead.
I was thinking this too!
Same thought here there must be a reason …very curious
I feel most regrets that you’ve had could’ve only been understood after experiencing them yourself.
Of course there were some “duh!” regrets that you’ve had which as onlookers the audience can clearly see but it’s a fact that when you’re in a place yourself and everything is your responsibility, a few things slip away or go unnoticed; it is okay!
No renovation or change can be absolutely perfect or remain perfect because you as a person change.
The kitchen chairs, I could see taking the first spindle out on each armside and then taking the top section where the handhold area is, off, then new paint or stain. Basically mimicking the style of the new chair you are going to recover. You have done a Beautiful job ❤
I remember when u first started the reno all I could think is "oh no, she is going to be stuck with two kitchens". However, now I think splitting the house might've been a great choice. I wish you would go into the finances, and get a new appraisal of the house. You took a two story house and turned it into two units. You added a bathroom and a bedroom. the property value might have increased. I'd like to see a cost vs value comparison (if that's sth you haven't already done and I just missed it somehow).
I'm glad most of the regrets were furniture and fixture related and not structural as those are the scarier ones to regret where as the former can easily be fixed
When your outfit matches your kitchen you know you have found your signature style! Great advice!
I loved watching the original series! This lil recap was great! Like walking down memory lane :’)
Your decision to split the house was very smart and for then and in the future. Even if you pull out the kitchen now and end up raising a family in that house it’ll be easy to convert it back if your circumstances change. I can see a time in the future when you’re travelling the world and your collage age kids have an apartment each while at university and starting their lives in the big city
You identified a couple of golden rules: never skimp on kitchen and bathroom fixtures and fittings.( never buy made in China). Always mock up your kitchen, use cardboard, and ensure that your cabinets are functional before you commission someone to build it, make sure every room will be wired for multi purpose, that way you space your power sockets and lighting in areas that give you future flexibility.
🤔 I never heard of anyone making a cardboard mockup. Do you mean flat, like a gallery wall? Because flat is still going to miss a few 3d details, like counters with sharp corners, or knobs that stick out too far with little hooks that catch and rip your clothes. Videos like this is what helps you to learn those dangers from others. I think what might work if you hire a kitchen contractor, is to ask how he fitted out his wife's kitchen, then ask her opinion 😂 or get a system from a specialist company that already has mockups to test. Go visit and pretend you're making breakfast before coffee, eyes half closed and minimal energy 😅 or visit the space, but use it as learning experience without placing an order. Well, maybe not. Maybe first ask if they mind you trying to learn more about kitchen layouts. A more honorable method to approach the issues. ❤ But, seriously, there's LOTS of companies with mockup kitchen examples you can walk around IRL to get an idea of how far away is the spice for my spaghetti sauce? Or where do I put the lids for my pots, and the chopping boards? Unfortunately, not all show the depth of passthrough space for necessary clearance to appliances like a dishwasher, washers and dryers, etc. But ask for that info, because they PROBABLY already know that too.
This kind of content is so important/vunerable because it shows that while you are a professional and expert in your field, you're still human and your home's style, preferences and functionality grow with you and that it's not a failure if something that was or at least seemed like a solid and permanent decision at one stage of your life just doesn't always suit your needs down the line, these kind of videos really help to normalise the human experince and bridge the gap between people with a platform that could very easily only show the perfect side of their craft to seem like they have it all together 24/7 unlike us mere mortals😅 and I just love that tsg value transparency and are so relateable on the matter
For the living room rug, I feel like some form of a pop of color would be nice. You could draw inspo from the art piece you had above the fireplace combined with other colors already present in the room. Burnt Orangey tones sound nice to me personally. Plus you could still layer with the sheepskin rug you have
Wow!! 4 years!!! I think you did such a great job!! I think the worst regret is prob the heated floors. I imagine they were costly! Your basement bathroom is so beautiful. I love it!! I’m really looking forward to the office makeover!! Oh and the reupholstering of that cool chair. You should be so proud of your home. It really is beautiful.
We get the keys to our own first home in two days (eek!), so this was a well timed video. I could only hope that ours looks as amazing in 4 years and that we have as few regrets ❤
There is no doubt of the effort put into this video. The quality of the edits are fantastic. The information Kelsey gives here and her delivery is perfect. This 19 minute video takes us through a simple teaching on DIY as well as design ideas. She points out her regrets as well as success. The ying/yang of interior design. Her confidence is through the roof here. I mention all of this because the level of expertise these ladies (business owners) reveal to us in each video over the years continues to grow and inspire all of us that, "Hey you can do this too!!" A+++
Oo, but the sofa-area downstairs could be a dining room? And living room upstairs?
I really appreciate this video. I just bought an apartment and I am going crazy with some details, what if I regret this, what if I don't like that... it made me understand that this will probably happen with time and use, and it's OKAY, most thing are easily fixable! Thank you
Daaaaang I’ve never heard of someone having to seal your own countertop. They ripped you off. And I do agree the pullout cabinet on top is odd. They’re usually used for the bottom, right next to the stove. My brother has one and it’s amazing. And again your contractor should have known that about the pull out cabinet.
Maybe I missed something by why doesn’t Elliot have his office in that upstairs living room space? Don’t you have a tv downstairs on the main floor?
I love the light fixture in the guest bedroom.
For the chairs in the kitchen. Remove them and purchase 2 nice folding chairs you can store away. They make nice wood ones with padding even.
I think your home is gorgeous and it always has been. Your style is yours no matter what the comments are. I understand, the comments help you to look at things through a different eye. But it's still BEAUTIFUL ❤❤
You should get terry cloth ice skate blade covers. Those plastic ones *can* contribute to rusting.
I think you should cover the Ikea chair in the dark green. If you entertain I dont recommend stools in the kitchen. They have no back support, very uncomfortable.
For the cabinets next to the range hood maybe look into the cabinet pulls that pull completely out and down. Could be a good compromise 🤷♀️ I've been looking into them for my house
do a small round table instead of ottoman for flowers and mail.
4:38 You might be able to use locktight to keep the screws attached to the knob if you do not want to replace them. There are a couple of varieties of locktight if you choose to use it. 😊
We have a very similar color I’ll be it more rust/orange in our bathroom from floor all the way onto the ceiling and we really like it!
Those heated floors in the basement could still be seen as an investment because a future owner of the home would likely love them! Could even be marketed as a “luxury” feature of the home. You also never know if you’ll get hit with record cold weather or something and will be glad that you have that extra method to heat with. So I definitely wouldn’t see them as a waste!
What about extending your kitchen bench seating to make it a u-shape? You could round the edge to mirror the island.
I would like to add. The awesome thing about owning your own place you can always change it. 😊
I think the maroonish fabric 3rd from the bottom would be so cute! I like the subtle pattern.
We redid our attic into a room/bathroom and you think you know where you want outlets & lights and your contractor doesn’t always help you! I wish they’d said put two up high for the tv, don’t put light switches there, etc. some do, some don’t!
They don’t seem like huge mistakes, just learning experiences!
LUV this video, and your fashion style and tips! It's great to see how things worked out. Momma taught me to pay attention to others mistakes rather than repeating them. It's cool that you're transparent enough to share. Bravo.
Your home is beautiful! I would be very proud of owning my own home and of how beautiful the renovation is. That's a serious accomplishment! As far as finding things since that you prefer or that aren't perfect; that's life. We have to learn to separate the big issues from the small ones throughout life. You've done all the right things. Lots of your hard work went into your home. Hopefully we're always learning from what we do. That's a good thing. Regrets like these are a waste of energy. You've done really, really well. I suggest making this into a list of gratitude for learning about small details you'll change next time.
I actually love all the different whites in the kitchen! You could add some color in artwork behind the stove. The plants are gorgeous in there, very zen.
❤ what you’ve done with your home, especially the kitchen nook and the color of the downstairs loo.
I actually prefer the matching pulls even on the upper cabinets (as well as on the lower ones....) In my area it is common that we seal our own countertops/stone. We have to seal it once a year as well as the grout in between the tiles.
So many of your regrets are fixable! For the most part, I think they are more design regrets than renovation regrets. Also, I don’t think you should regret splitting your place in two. It was a good financial decision to have the additional revenue stream when you were single and couldn’t have known when you’d have two incomes in your house to cover costs
I don't understand why so many are saying Elliot should have his office in living room. For frig sakes, there is a lot of room in the kitchen plus all the storage area. If they aren't needed at this time sell the appliances. (Not the washer/dryer, it's handy) put in a smaller fridge and a toaster oven. Then you can create or buy more cupboards or whatever to make the space more purposeful to your needs at this time. Anyhow, just my 2cents.
Honestly I like a lot of the decisions you made, and some of them could be easy fixes! I think you should put Elliott’s office in the apartment’s living room instead of the kitchen. For your basement toilet room, I like the brown color but I think the bright white on top is too much of a contrast. Maybe a taupe, light brown, or wallpaper would be more cohesive and make the dark brown less stark. Overall great renos, and I think making the house into a duplex prob increased its market value a lot!
Use thread locker for knobs. It helps lock it in place.
Do a cute fold up Bistro chair for the dining table. It will match the table base and allow a back but not take up too much room.
Great home and thank you for sharing all of your amazing work including mistakes. I feel so proud of all of yiu ladies being Canadian its even better it shows that we're normal and not ...well content dull people that live in a frozen world. I've just discovered yiu on utube in the past week and am so thrilled. And even your mistakes are good thank you, thank you, and one more irritating time thank you!
My personal regret is to have used pvc flooring in my kitchen. It got damaged super fast, but at the time we wanted to save time and money... You just make mistakes and learn from it, when the time comes, we will have it tiled by professional and hopefully that will fix our big mistake 😅
Tip: use nailpolish remover to remove the gold spraypaint of the toilet tank flush handle☺️and it is back to it’s original self
Great job, Kelsey. You've learned so much AND continue creating content. What a wealth of knowledge and inspiration.
I questioned your decision to split your house but i think it was smart considering the Toronto housing market nowadays.
Ozmo is a great quality wood finisher. The in floor heating is superb if it makes the area too warm. Our lives are always going through changes, and we find our tastes and needs do too. You do wonderful work. Never stop.
Personally I like the brown in your water closet but honestly you are the one living with it so as long as you like it that is all that matters.
I don't know if you've tried this already but you can just put another coat of wax over your stairs without removing the existing wax. Wax you have to keep recoating but you don't have to remove to recoat so it's easier to maintain than polyurethane.
Kelsey you look stunning in that outfit! The fit, the hair, the boots! It's all 👌. Back to the house, how dare you regret heated floors?! Shut it and take it like champ on behalf of all of us who dream of such warmth. I think underpinning the basement would have cost you a lot more than 10k. Like a lot more. And I too had a dam "designer" (air quotes) make a mistake in my kitchen which cost me money to fix so yeah I hear you. It sucks. And there are sooo many details! Really we expect them to know all these things and they don't. grr. I'm surprised you don't regret the fireplace colour cuz that's my regret on your house haha! And last, be glad you did all the work for splitting the house into a duplex. It's very easy to dismantle if you don't need it but now the infrastructure is there and paid for it'll be just as easy to bring it back if/when you chose to do so. You can always use a wet bar upstairs in the office, right? And I don't know if you have answered these already, but why not sleep upstairs and use the basement as the guest bedroom? Or why doesn't Elliot use the basement as his office? Ok bye. Thanks for the vid.
The chartreuse or pine green fabric for the chair would be a good burst of color into that living area
I thought those kitchen chairs were a bad idea , glad you finally noticed.I think the long bench ,is taking up space too.The table is good there ,but needs another bottom.Just my opinion , it’s your house.
As reenactors we use wax to finish a lot. Warmth is a trick. If you take rough wool fabric and buff rest os the stairs with it staits will be ok. Just looooots of buffing , many hours and elbow grece, but you can fix it.
If you can find them cheap secondhand, you could get Giancarlo Piretti’s Plia folding chairs for the dining room! I think the smoked "glass" look with the chrome could complement the rest of the space when they're out
What about using the upstairs living room as an office?
Try finding antique bentwood Czechoslovakian cafe chair. Super cute, smaller and would look hip against the clean vibes.
Varathane brand floor finish (satin) is a great water based polyurethane for high traffic areas like stairs. ❤
you could get the wrap film thing for your upstairs fridge to change the colour? If you need more colour but dont want to spend lots on the upstairs kitchen then those peel and stick things are great :D Also, for the gap, that is still fillable, L shaped incert that you screw in from the cupboard side
This is fun! We own a home for 2 years now and I get what you said sometimes like thinking something would a regret and then finding it a good decision afterall. Though we obv also have real regrets 😂
I appreciate ur honesty on mess ups & regrets... it's very helpful
HEATED FLOORS MAKES IT TOO WARM? girl sign me upppppppppppppp gimme that basement sauna
Just having the upstairs kitchen to get you through that Reno was worth it
Honestly ya forgot to mention that. Sooo handy for a 6mo + kitchen reno!
Loved the video but constantly distracted by how exceptional your outfit is in the video! That skirt is phenomenal!
And on an actual house related comment what about a bench on the long side and a cute little stool on the rounded side? And you could have some fold away stools for is guests come. We have that for dinner parties all the time and if you find the right ones it’s pretty comfy!
The dark green fabric for the Fridene chair would look amazing 😍
I just don't understand why Eliot works from the kitchen and not the living room upstairs 😅 Maybe because of the natural light?
Love the house and after all this time I’m still in love with the color of the bathroom !!
I think ice cream parlour chairs (i think thats what they are called) would look cute in your kitchen. They have a back, but the metal work doesnt make them look heavy, but light and airy.
For anyone who buys Ralph Lauren. I worked at the company and day one they made a point of telling us how to pronounce the name of the company. It is Ralph Lauren (lore-in). It’s his name it’s pronounced the way you would normally pronounce Lauren when speaking to the person. Everyone wants to make it sound French or more fancy but it’s a very American name.
I think the ikea chair looks great in a light color, do an off white or cream.
I will always love your basement bathroom. It is my dream bathroom!!
I enjoyed every single makeover you have done. Some things are a bit minor, and some just a matter of knowledge at that time and taste and being frugal.
You could easily rent out a whole house in future when you decide to move again and that will be an investment with 0 regret, believe me. ❤
Love the chartreuse fabric for the chair.
Thank you for sharing things you give up on, like the stairs.
My dad has decorative pull knobs in his kitchen and they pull off just like that! He’s super glued them too and it still happens. So weird. He’s just going to replace them all. Also, SUCH A CUTE OUTFIT
Loved that you shared your regrets! Such a useful video! ❤
Omg that vintage ikea chair! We had one as a kid and it was so much fun to spin around and around, it was in the orange but I’m so happy you’ve got one now!!
THE GREEN CEILING LAMP IN THE GUEST BEDROOM IM IN LOOOOOOVE
I Scotchguard furniture as thoroughly AF!!!! Try it on your ottoman.
I have chair covers I water/stainproofed 15 yrs ago (and my husband is a MESSY eater) and they wipe up so easily.
I love those chairs around your dining table. I understand something smaller, but I've seen many vids of people regretting having stools with no backs. Recommend still having stools with backs.
Replace that ottoman with a chic entryway table where you can have a gorgeous floral arrangement 🥰
about the countertops, @lonefox has some marble countertops (or something similar) and used really interesting stuff to seal it. it should be in his kitchen makeover (on his most recent house) if I’m not mistaken