In this episode, we sit down with Carol Walsh, a homeowner and realtor from rural Monterey County, California, who recently completed a full kitchen renovation — largely on her own terms. The kitchen transformation wasn’t just about aesthetics. It was also a capstone project for her coursework in historic preservation, making the renovation both personal and educational. What started as a theoretical school assignment quickly turned into a real-life remodel when Carol and her husband decided to invest in enjoying their kitchen before potentially selling the home.

We walk through the scope of the project, from its outdated 1975 yellow-tile beginnings to the modern, budget-conscious result completed for under $30,000. Carol emphasizes how she and her husband divided tasks strategically — hiring out drywall, electrical work, and flooring while doing everything else themselves, including cabinetry assembly, demolition, and tile work. The result is a high-end-looking kitchen built with meticulous planning and sweat equity. But Carol is clear: this approach required deep focus, time flexibility, and experience. She stresses the importance of understanding both your capabilities and your limits.

The renovation’s success came down to smart decision-making. Carol pre-purchased every material before demo day, anticipating supply chain issues and price hikes. She leaned heavily on online resources and architectural Twitter threads (including some from Marilyn), using them to fill in knowledge gaps — especially around lighting design. Our realtor-guest’s biggest takeaway: design choices should reflect both functionality and future resale value. She chose neutral backsplashes, timeless cabinet styles, and high-quality secondhand appliances, all while resisting the urge to impose overly personalized finishes.

Living through the renovation presented challenges, especially with pets and a teenager at home. But Carol’s message is clear: do it sooner so you can enjoy it. Her kitchen has now become a space of inspiration — from her morning coffee ritual to newfound baking adventures, it’s a space that brings her daily joy. She also reflects on managing the renovation as a couple. Despite a few tense moments, she and her husband succeeded because of clear roles, mutual respect, and years of working on smaller projects together.

We wrap with Carol’s advice to DIYers: be brutally honest about what you can take on. A beautiful result isn’t just about elbow grease — it requires vision, discipline, and knowing when to bring in help. For anyone considering a home renovation, her story is a blueprint for how to lead a project with both creativity and pragmatism.

00:00 – Intro & Welcome
00:26 – Meet Carol & Her Project Overview
02:02 – Designing a Kitchen for School & Real Life
04:09 – DIY vs. Hiring Out: Making Smart Choices
08:22 – Budgeting & Repurposing High-End Looks
13:09 – Countertop Crisis & Sink Installation Lessons
16:45 – Appliance Challenges & Unexpected Fixes
18:28 – Timing the Project for Life & Budget
22:08 – Stockpiling Materials to Beat Inflation
24:14 – Couple Collaboration & Role Clarity
33:24 – DIY Lessons: When to Call in Help
36:54 – Design Decisions with Resale in Mind
41:37 – What Brings Daily Joy in the Kitchen
43:40 – Final Thoughts on Timing & Enjoyment
45:02 – Wrap-Up & Closing Comments

Have questions? Want to be on our show? Email us!  [email protected]

Learn about our hosts:

Taylor: TPD Architecture and Design: https://tpdarchitect.com

Marilyn: Runcible Studios: https://runciblestudios.com

SherI: Springhouse Architects: https://springhousearchitects.com

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