A Custom Kitchen With Brass Cabinet Hardware for a Vintage Look

Please give us some more details on Southern Yankee DIY. How did you develop it, and what sets it apart from the rest?

Southern Yankee DIY started about four years ago when I was tired of staring at boring builder-grade walls but didn't have the money to pay a contractor. I borrowed some of my Papa's tools & taught myself how to use them. We are currently renovating our dream home on 18 acres while managing cows, chickens, turkeys, and a toddler!

Did you remodel on your entire home? If so, were there specific rooms that were more challenging than others? Why?

We are renovating our entire home, and hands down, the kitchen has been challenging! It is such a big job to completely gut a kitchen, and so much planning goes into creating the kitchen of your dreams, especially on a tight budget. It is a large renovation filled with a bunch of small projects. We still aren't 100% done after over a year of work, but so far, I am happy with the outcome!

How did you choose the hardware featured in this project? What attracted you to Nostalgic Warehouse?

I have followed Nostalgic Warehouse on Instagram for a while and immediately fell in love with the vintage look and craftsmanship that goes into every piece. When I chose it for our kitchen, I knew it would make it feel custom. The quality is absolutely unmatched!

How long did this project take to complete?

Installing the hardware took one day, but completely renovating the kitchen is still a work in progress…

Will you use this hardware again in other areas of your home?

I would love to use the interior door hardware to give our entire house the vintage vibes we are trying to create! I also love that there are so many options; it makes me feel like I am picking out custom pieces, unlike a big box store with three options.

Did you learn any tips and tricks about cabinet hardware along the way that would be beneficial for others?

I recommend a hardware jig; you can buy them off Amazon, which saves a ton of time. I also recommend mixing and matching hardware styles like we did to create a custom look. My last tip is to choose quality hardware for an area like the kitchen. You want hardware that will not tarnish or break after a lot of use. With Nostalgic Warehouse, that is never an issue!

When starting a project, how do you organize and plan for it?

I always start with a design board, where I collect all the details I want to include in a project to ensure everything has a nice flow.

How did/do you choose a house to buy and renovate?

It was the right timing. My husband saw this home on 18 acres come up for sale, and it's only four minutes from my family. We put in an offer the next day. It was only on the market for one day, and we were sold on the land's charm and everything that the house "could be" for us.

Many people want to take on large remodeling projects. What are some recommendations for readers who wish to do an extensive remodel project?

Start by creating a design board filled with all the materials you want to use. Next, budget out everything! Decide how much the material will cost, which projects you can take on, and which will need to be contracted out. Knowing all of this beforehand will save a lot of stress later on.

What are some tips for readers who wish to make a transformation in their home?

Go for it! Don't worry about what other people think or what's "in style." This is your home, so do whatever makes it feel like home and a place you want to be. You can learn as you go; we are all learning, and no one was born an expert. YouTube, Google, and blogs are great teachers!

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

We love encouraging people to create the home of their dreams. You don't have to have a huge budget to create the home you want. The hardest step is the first one, but you will be so happy you did it! DIY can be challenging at times, but it is gratifying to look at something and say, "I built that!" If we can do it, so can you!