Name: Seth and Allison (plus a dog, and a baby on the way)
Type of Project: Kitchen/Family Room renovation
Location: Ventura, California
Type of building: Mid-Century, multi-level, single family home

The Renovation Diaries are a new collaboration with our community in which we feature your step by step renovation progress and provide monetary support towards getting it done in style.

As part of our new Renovation Diary program, we're taking you into kitchens and bathrooms all over the country to meet the homeowners and be a part of the process as these rooms are transformed week by week. In this post, we're introducing you to Seth and Allison, who are in the process of remodeling their kitchen, as well as making significant changes to the layout of their home that will make the kitchen and adjoining family room a lot more useful. More

When Joellyn moved into her grandparents' Montana farmhouse, there were some changes that needed to be made. The original 1970s kitchen was one of them. See how the updated space looks now:

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I don't know about you, but the sight of a Smeg refrigerator in a kitchen just makes me happy. I love how much personality they add to a room. They're so streamlined, so retro, so cheerful! More

An organized pantry is a great benefit, whether it's shelving, a cabinet, a closet, or an entire room. It makes cooking easier, helps keep track of foods on hand, and well, it just looks nice. A few helpful items — jars, labels, baskets, and smart stacking — all help keep things nice and tidy. These awesome pantries have more great ideas and inspiration. More

All of this organizing and cleaning of the kitchen this month has me daydreaming a little bigger. I start thinking… if I owned my place (instead of renting, like I do), how would I change it? And what style would I choose? There are so many options! More

Boom. That was the sound of illness descending upon me this week and flattening me like a phlegmy pancake. I've been holding court on the sofa, surrounded by a moat of used Kleenex, cough drops and Nyquil. The death rattle in my throat would scare off even the bravest guard dog. More

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I recently installed under cabinet lights in the kitchen of my rental apartment, and for a relatively small investment, they have made a big impact: They provide lighting for such kitchen tasks as dish washing and food prep, and their ambient glow is a pleasant alternative to the harsh overhead lighting I relied on previously. Fluorescent, halogen and xenon are all popular choices, but if you are looking to go the energy saving route, check out these LED options below: More

Which pattern would YOU choose for this Danish kitchen? Would you add warmth with gold? Cut the modern with a more traditional, or floral, print? Just for fun we photo-shopped out what the homeowner actually chose, so you can pick your favorite wallpaper for the far accent wall, and let us know your selection. Jump below for a few beauties to choose from... More

January around here is all about organizing, and there's nowhere in the home that organization is as important as in the kitchen. Whether you want things shut away behind sleek cupboard doors or arranged on open shelving for all to see, an ultra-organized kitchen is a sight for sore eyes. Let these spaces inspire you to begin 2013 with a room that's a treat for the eyes as well as the tastebuds. More