Welcome back to 1981. You are looking at my in-laws' vacation condo in Saint Petersburg, Florida. In the following weeks, I'm going to take you through the process of re-doing it, and share with you the frustrations and joys of renovating long distance from Missouri. I'll also give you some quick tips and information I discover along the way. And at the end there will be a big reveal and hopefully you all will ooh and aah and tell me how amazing I am the condo is.
But first, a little background: the condo was purchased by my partner Ann's parents the year it was built. Being busy working people at the time, they had no interest in decorating it themselves and had the condo developer pick everything out for them. The developers happily obliged by choosing the very worst, cheapest, brownest and ugliest of everything. Every time you opened the door, it was like entering an early 80s bad motel beige time capsule. Right on.
But despite being ugly, it was always absolutely pristine. It was the little condo that could. Over thirty years, the carpet maintained its brilliant beige-ness. The brown polyester sheets had nary a stain. Then, last year, it was rented out to some college students, and the place was transformed into a pulsating pit of despair. The tenants left behind mountains of trash, drug paraphenalia, broken furniture and questionable boy smells. Now, sitting on the sofa or walking across the floor requires a hazmat suit. And it's no exaggeration to say that roaches cross your field of vision every 1-2 minutes. My right eye still has a tic from our last visit.
Jump to 2012 and Ann and I recently got the green light to redo the place. We've been itching to get our hands on it for years, and since we're into design and such, Ann's folks are thrilled that we want to take on the project. We are definitely NOT professionals, but since we've been very lucky to use it over the years, we're happy to do it for them.
Stay tuned for Part Two when I'll talk about getting started. Until then, enjoy a few more "before" pictures so you get the idea. And watch out for bugs.
(Images: Dabney Frake)
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This would be pretty high living to most of the world!
Looks fine to me
I think this is a bit harsh! I really like the cupboards...
I actually like the kitchen backsplash!
DUDE! My parents HAVE that print of the sea oats that's hanging above that gorgeous couch!
I've been to this condo and I can attest that photos do not do it justice. It's pretty bad. And everything is just uncomfortable. :) I can't wait to see it's transformation!
yep, definitely dated. can't wait to see the redo!
What fun!!! I can't wait to see the transformation.
Believe me I know, it looks worse in person.
Can't wait to see what you do! There is definitely a lot of potential, despite the Reagan era decor. :)
Not sure about "World's Ugliest", but I'm definitely excited to see the transformation!
What took so long....?
A little contact paper and new curtains...Perfect!
Great dining chairs...
This is a fabulous idea for a series--LIVE updates, as it happens! Love it, and yeah, that place could definitely use a little love.
Eww, it's so BROWN! Looking forward to updates!
dang, it is ugly.
There is no excuse for the couch and bed, but it certainly cannot be the worls'd ugliest!
It's not good at all... You two are going to have some fun with this! It's like every beach house we rent on vacation...
I am so looking forward to the transformation. And as someone said, this may be high living in some other parts of the world, but we are not in other parts of the world. Go for it and have fun
Let me have at it. I would love to transform it and bring it into this decade.
Wow, it really is a time-warp...but it has such awesome potential. Can't wait to see the results.
This place reeks of possibilities. I'll keep an eye out on what you come up with!
A motel? Time-share? Executive apt?
Wow. That's serious. And kind of depressing. Although I know some people would be grateful to live there.
Even in its day this would have been considered pedestrian. But doesn't the brown shower curtain pull it all together??
My favorite part is the mac laptop. It seems a little out of place. Can't wait to see the after pics.
World's ugliest? I don't think so. BTW, I kind of like that dinette set. (Is that what it's called?)
very dated... but I like the kitchen table!
I can't wait to see what you do with it! As someone who lives in a house from 1985 (complete with blue counter tops), I understand the itch to overhaul. :) Looking forward to the next three weeks worth of posts.
This is going to be interesting. Just new decor, or will there be renovations of bathrooms and kitchen? This poor little place needs a lot of TLC.
I've lived in worse... but hey, how much for the lamp? LOL
It seems like there is no where to go but up! I like the table and chairs also. Well maybe just the chairs.
This is nothing: it's just dated. Believe me, I have lived in and seen much, much worse.
The absolute worst condo I ever had the ill fortune to visit was in Leisure World in Maryland. The two-story town home had been closed up and vacant for one year since its original elderly owners died. The HazMat house, as my realtor and I called it, reeked of fifty years of cigarette and cigar smoke and incontinent animals. The smells had permeated the walls, drapes and carpeting. The carpet was stained beyond recognition. There were hundreds of dead roaches, and who knows how many live pests lurking in the walls. Nothing had been updated since the place was built in 1958. I was in the home for 15 minutes and had to take a shower, wash my hair and all my clothes when I got home because of the smell.
I sincerely doubt that the Florida condo is anywhere near that condition. But I look forward to the makeover.
Can't wait to see what you do! That rattan light fixture is pretty darn cool - if you can do something with that chain...
I am very excited for you, although I'm also cringing about the bugs.
Can't wait to see what you do with the place!
Sounds like a fun project! I'm curious about your budget. What are planning to spend?
I'm curious about your budget as well.
And it seems like a lot of people are just bent on one-uping this condo, aren't they? Lol. It is pretty bad, even for a vacation home. It needs some love.
This is bad? You should have seen my first studio apartment. The kitchen was like a dark backdoor alley and all of my furniture was passed down from a billion generations ago. I loved that place, though... was the first thing that was mine.
Oh, fun! I look forward to seeing what you will do, and if you re-purpose anything-like those chairs-please do!
It's an exciting reno, but the world's ugliest? If only!
This site is about beautiful designs - not about social commentary. I can't wait to see the transformation of this plain brown box into something beautiful.
Geeze, thought this was a DECORATION site. Some of you guys are harsh...somehow I doubt the author is so cold-hearted to have forgotten about the suffering of other people in the world. It doesn't mean we can't talk about making something pretty, does it?
not the world's ugliest condo. It's the title--not the pictures--that makes me cringe.
oh stop with the "tornado victims, and the "someone would be happy to live there" crap. This is not the forum. This is Apartment Therapy, not "i'm so politically informed and rightious".
Now.. back to the condo. It is UGLY but I can see your vision and I'm excited to see what you do! Give us a little hint as to your possible color scheme... please??
It's a good thing that the weather in St. Pete's is so nice and the occupants can go outdoors where it's actually PRETTY.
I spy a KLH Model 21 radio! I'm sure you want it, but if not....I do!
my god people! what is this the cnn politics comments section?
yes, there are some crack houses and halfway homes that look a hell of a lot better than this place. But if you really think that apartment therapy has no room for a little hyperbole please just leave and let the rest of us laugh about how tasteless and dated the decor is!
cant wait for updates! Although I'm hoping to see an attempt to at least TRY to reuse some of the stuff. starting from complete scratch is almost too much like cheating.
worse. worse. man, being frustrated really ruins my proofreading abilities!
Time-warp - but I am kind of digging the dining room bamboo chairs! Keep those if you can.
I feel your pain. We bought our built in 1977 townhouse in 2010, and it had basically not been touched since the day the couple moved in there - orange shag carpet and all. You can see at: http://suburbiahappens.blogspot.com/
They moved in, did not touch a thing (but kept it very clean) and then moved into a retirement home. It has taken us 2 years to start to see a difference. I am excited to see what you can do in a few weeks!
So excited to see your progress!
It's not the worst i've seen, but I usually get to rent places like that, start changing the lights and if possible the kitchen "window" and the tub for a shower...
I'm really excited to see what you do!
Social commentary is always appropriate and even necessary these days. That's because we live in a society. Why so defensive, people? Yes, we love to decorate our homes, but everyone should develop a social conscience. We don't have to turn into Stepford Wives.
Really? People have an issue with the title? Clearly the writer was including it as a little quip toward the space. Get over yourselves.
I can't wait to see this transformation!
We have lived in our house for 33 years and I call it the potato house. Various shades of beige. Light beige, dark beige, medium beige, sand, etc. Get the picture. I would just love some color in my life. Hubby has to always research for fear of the wrong color so.......you guessed it , let's go with beige. Can't wait to see the finished project.
oh god make it stop....please make it stop
Thank you, surfmama and ecgc, for saying what I was thinking!
I can't wait to see what you do with the place. I am surprised by myself but I really like the cabinets too and think they could actually stay but it'll be fun to mix things up everywhere else. (And I second all of the comments about how this is a decorating site not a place for judgment, at least not the kind of holier than thou stuff that is happening; if the condo ends up being predominately pink then, by all means, let the judgement commence!)
I like the kitchen- just needs a bit of freshening up.
Looks like a typical 80s-90s Florida apartment. My parents live in one of these, (not a vacation apt.) and their cabinets and backsplash have that faux wood grain too. Not by choice. Theirs is actually lighter, so there are days when it has potential for looking very nice.
Oh yeah, everything else about the apt. is very Florida too! From the kitchen floor tiles to the carpet in the rest of the rooms, to the opening in the dining area. The only thing this condo forgot to make it more 80s-90s Florida are the ceiling tiles in the kitchen, the floor to ceiling blinds, and the popcorn ceiling across the entire apt.! Ha, ha. Gotta love Florida. :-D
"'World's Ugliest Condo?' What?! I'll have you know I lived in a rat-infested cave that would simultaneously set you on fire and then douse it with dog feces every time anyone entered or exited a doorway! And I shared it with six sick elephants! Plus, I was forced to walk uphill both ways to school! And wear roach carcasses as shoes! You're all ungrateful and GET OFF MY LAWN! I'll show you an "ugly condo..."
Can't wait to see what you do with this place. I've been wanting to renovate my parents' vacation home for years.:)
Renovating from afar seems like a really smart decision!
@ANNSTARRR, BWHAHAHAHA! That made my day! :)
This reminds me of every place that smelled like cats and cigarettes during my childhood, when everyone smoked and everyone smoked indoors. Can't wait to see the progress!
At least the sofa and the photo above it sort of match. Which cannot be said of the ugly braided rug.
I look forward to the After pictures.
The table and chairs could use reupholstery and some paint, but are gorgeous none-the-less.. the hanging lamp is very cute and the backsplash would be amazing with newly painted cabinetry.
I can't wait to see how the bathroom transforms. Our (new to us) 1950s house had previous owners that updated the kitchen and bath in the late 70s/early 80s. BLEAH. I really don't like brown or beige. Memories of my Catholic school uniform. Shudder.
Save the dining room table---with a great paint color and re-upholstered seats it will look amazing!
I'm very excited to follow this project! Toootally reminds me of the post prom weekend accomodations in Wildwood NJ! haha
What fun! It's like starting with a blank canvas!
Call me crazy, but I see some potential in that hanging lamp!
I bought a condo in the same area last year which was just as dated but also filthy. Can't wait to see what you do and where you source everything since there is no West Elm, CB2 or other stores I love within two hours of here. At least doing this long distance you may be able to get to stores and look at things easier. I have the same tile and it looks like I will have it for a while. Unfortunately with my zoning everything even laying wood floor requires a permit and the building enforces it so larger renovations have been put on hold.
Very funny post. "brownest" is very funny
I actually like the backsplash in the kitchen. Florida has AMAZING thrift stores, although I have never been to St. Petersburg. Last time I was in Miami, I went crazy with the thrifting and had a bunch of stuff sent home. Everything in CA is so picked over, but I found some absolute gems while there.
I Love this kind of project have fun !!!!
I moved into a house that was a charmer little craftsmen in LA with a gorgeous yard, however the last people that had lived in it for only 20 years left behind, brown wall to wall shag carpeting stuck to the floor with beer and coke, torn cheap blinds, cottage cheese ceilings, all the windows were blocked or closed up permanently with paint, giant ceiling fans in every room Old wallpaper from the 40s in bad shape or 60's sears panelling covering the walls and a giant fireplace painted gloss dried blood red, and the back yard was a dust bowl.
It's just a real treasure underneath. I didnt have to rebuild anything. Most of it was cosmetic.
Have a great time renovating
less world's ugliest, more bland and undecorated ?
Good luck with everything! Do you have a copy of the CC&R's? Do you know what you can and can't do without the HOA's approval? It can be a bummer, but creativity thrives on constraint. You may be limited to carpet in the bedroom and living room due to noise mitigation measures built into the regulations.
I take it you are on the 2nd floor? I'm looking at the tile and I'm not sure if I'm seeing the floor or tile has buckled, or it's a crummy tile job. In any case, some selective demolition to look at the sub-floor might be in order.
I also note you have sparkly ceilings! Oh, yay! (NOT!) I got rid of mine after having them tested for asbestos and then remediated. Then I had a crew with gyp board texturing goo mixed with paint attack the ceiling with nice even/un-even textures. Turned out good - smooth, but hand made. And better than high gloss paint but definitely more reverberant than the sparkly ceiling. Oh, well. Once I knew there was asbestos, I HAD to get rid of it, you know?
I just sold that EXACT kitchen table on craigslist! It was in worse condition, and someone had painted the legs blue. We bought it 10 years ago in a thrift store for $10. I can't beleive I lived with it for that long, and I can't believe those awesome chairs went with the set!
Great article and I'm looking forward to the updates.
Oh the 80's... they were so brown, weren't they?
Utterly abominable. Can't wait to see the afters.
Well I hope you keep that little Tivoli radio.
This is probably the funniest post I've come across on AT. The replies are a riot. I'm looking forward to updates on progress. I laughed really hard at every photo, because I know this situation is going to be rectified, and well... dayum! Have fun!
What a fun project this will be for the 2 of you! I look forward to the updates. Please do include budgets- I'm always curious to know how reno costs compare to the Boston area.
I second AlisonK's sentiment! Bring on the change!
wow, yeah, it's maybe not the world's ugliest as much as it is just plain blahhhhh. But since there are soooo many condos like this across the entire country, it'll be interesting what you can do with it. Good luck!
Lucky in-laws!
looking forward to seeing it. absolutely love the faux bois cabinets!! all the rest is kinda yuck...
I like the print on the wall above the sofa, but it would look a lot better in a different frame I think.
Have fun! I look forward to seeing what you do with this space.
Love the dining chairs - they'd be great painted gold with oriental upholstery.
Great project! Good luck with it! I like all the windows -- pretty bright, overall...
I know I've seen those kitchen chairs in yellow...
Not a fan of the lamp, personally...
Looking forward to your progress.
A friend's parents owned that couch. I am unsure if it was included in her mom's estate. And I have owned that oven in my very own condo. It was the one appliance that was still working when I finally bit the bullet for the redo. I would love to see a "green spin" on this project not limited to energy efficiencies but featuring rehab or how to keep it out of the landfill. I will be cheering y'all on to success. Good Beyond Beige luck!
Hardly the ugliest, but pretty dated, I'll give you that. Though I have to say, I feel like when I see places like this, all I can think of is the potential of how they could look (often with very little changes) rather than what they look like at the moment. Hope it works out well!
Would you like us to come over and help? How far are you from Brooksville?
WHAT, no band-aid colored plastic vertical blinds??!!! LOLOL
This will be cool, I can't wait to watch the transformation!!
@emilycharette; LOLOL poor parents!! you should do them a favor and accidentally knock it off the wall! ;)
@RKTRIX; i've lived in a condo (built in 1972) in Miami for almost 20 years and never had to get permits for anything, except for the AC replacement (even for that, the building management takes care of it with the AC company and i just pay the city fee).
I think we have sound proof concrete floors/walls down here.
A good idea for the floor might be to pull out that carpet and do like i am, figure out the cheapest, quickest, easiest way to either polish or coat it with something to keep the concrete. If you like the look of course...
I've never heard extra noise and no one has ever complained about me (i'm on the 8th floor).
And as a super bonus, i swear it keeps the rooms at least 10 degrees cooler!!!
If not, why not laminate flooring? i remember reading about some underlayments that are made to reduce sounds.
And as for the ceiling, I say GO FOR IT BABY!! Take that S**T off!! I don't think asbestos was used in the 80s and you could just do yourself!!
I did my ceiling in the LR/DR and kitchen. Um yes, it took me over 3 weeks LOL!! but i'm super slow and had no experience, but mostly because i'd repainted it several times over the years in high gloss so it was WAY harder to scrap off than normal, chalky, regular sparkly popcorn!
But it was soooo worth it!
I did have to hire someone to come in and smooth out all the gouges i made all over the place, with that Spackle stuff. But then I painted it in super high gloss white mixed with a little pink paint. It really surprised me just how much brighter the whole space is now!!
Have fun and i'll be watching!! :)
My only complaint is that I can't see the 'after' right now!
Did anybody notice the Tivoli radio between the twin bed set? The radio's presence is just a teaser for big things to come!
It is definitely dated, and I am so sorry to hear that people came into the home and destroyed it~sad that people have not taught their children to show respect for someone else's property. I look forward to seeing the transformation. Good luck!
Reno and redo is highly over rated...except for a few things...there is nothing wrong with the place...one manz horror is anotherz heaven so why be so harsh with describing the place...over 80% of the world population would die to live in such place atleast
I like the back splash in the kitchen.
Would it be passive-aggressive to e-mail this to my aunt? She has a lovely condo, but it's in a similar situation and the discord between my funny, kind aunt and her dark, blah surroundings just makes my mind go for a twist. Weird.
It made me sad….
I would tread lightly - much of it is moving into cool retro land (e.g. kitchen cabinets and some of the tiling).
Kitchen: new appliances, a new sink/facet, some stone flooring, maybe some new light switches/power outlets to go with upgraded lighting... and the kitchen is good to go!
Bath: new sink/counter top, upgraded lighting, a new soaking tub.
Throughout: new furniture, paint, lighting, and switch plates throughout... though, you might be able to use that dinette set.
i would put in wood flooring, throw out all the furniture and fixtures, paint the walls and the kitchen and bathroom cupboards white and update the kitchen counter, floor and appliances. you'll have an incredible beach condo.
I personally think it IS pretty awful, but let's not descend into snobbishness, people.
This reminds me of the PCB vacation condos of my youth, including the monster Florida roaches (Palmetto Bugs?). I think it's definitely time to update and since this is a vacation home I think it should feel more like an escape. Personally, I would use the dining chairs as a jumping off point for a retro inspired redo with lots of white and pops of tropical or pastel colors while keeping in mind the functionality the space (easy cleanup, multiple cooks in the kitchen, living rooms that become sleeping areas etc. )
Those kitchen cabinets are GORGEOUS! Please don't rip them out! The condo looks like it has good bones... looking forward to seeing the transformation!
Oh my gosh, I was traumatized as a child visiting Southeast Florida with a Palmetto Bugs infestation! Yipes.
I also see a lot of potential and suggest a slight retro vibe that pays homage to the condo's origins but welcomes it to the current day. If it's still really the in-laws place, I'm sure they'd appreciate a bit of the familiar mixed in with all your new ideas. Good luck. And I'm sure the AT community would love a vacation place to visit, which we'd all keep nice and clean haha.
hOPEFULLY YOU will renovate the chairs... NOT THrOW THEM AWAY ...
I love the dining set, i think would be great to see it get a face lift and reused in the space.
Good luck with the project, I am sure the after photos will be wonderful.
Was Golden Girls filmed there?
I was going to ask if David Hasselhoff and Kit live around the corner....
I think it could really be something wonderful.
ahhahahaha, this is the worst ever! Can't wait for makeover updates. What a fun project!!!
This is hardly "the world's ugliest condo." Just saying. Yes, it could be prettier, but it looks like any other standard apartment/condo.
This place has good bones-a yard sale, dumpster and fresh paint will go a long way. Definitely feeling a breezy tropical theme with the dining room chairs as a jumping off point. Mai Tais, anyone?
These comments crack me up. The ugliest place gets defended on AT and frequently the nicest gets blasted. I think it is nature of the users, we all see the potential of a place (and this one has tons!) and if it is totally perfect, then well, we have to dis it since there is nothing left to do.
I personally think it will be fun to see what you do, and love that AT is doing this type of running post. Best of luck!
I haven't read all of the comments yet -- I'm saving them for my coffee break!! But I do want to say that the colour scheme of this condo is my mother's wet dream. Oh how she loves beige upon brown upon beige with some off white accents!
It looks like the apartment I'm about to rent, with a similar ugly couch. I'm in serious need of a student apartment makeover idea. I've read it all online but it is pretty much identical to this apartment, the cupboards, carpet and wall-paper included. I have a beige,brown and orange couch and a mustard and brown big comfy chair. HOW could I EVER decorate a rental to work with those things I got. Student budgets are terrible..
My college roommate definitely had that table and chairs...in yellow. I begged her to let me paint them white. I'm sure they are still yellow.
Great idea for a series--can't wait to see the result!
Can you share the budget for this project?
Wow. With so much breathless anticipation from AT followers, I bet you're feeling the pressure. Allow me to add to it:
I hope you take advantage of the fab thrifting environment Florida offers. I also hope you *avoid* the following: IKEA, CB2, West Elm, large expanses of white, Eames and, well, for once, anything MCM.
G'wan. I dare ya.
I second brooklynbabe (above). Tropical theme would be gorgeous! Bright pinks, oranges, blues, greens for accents, and keep the background neutral for when it starts to look dated.
Before I read this condo was in Florida, I knew
This condo was in Florida. I grew up in a similar
setting with similar furnishings. Even the gold frame
around the bland artwork rang very true. those chairs
are very cool however and would look amazing
Painted turquoise with a graphic black and white
seat covers. Good luck, Can't wait to see the after!
Excited to see this; I thought mine was the ugliest condo in the world, but I see that there may be worse. Actually, I think this condo could be improved by minor changes -- though you definitely have to get rid of that sofa!
I look forward to part two of this!
I can't decide whether my favorite detail is the braided rug or the bed with one leg missing. This may not be the filthiest or the nastiest but yes it certainly is the ugliest. Good project.
@surfmama and @ecgc - hear hear!
@annstarrr - lmao
It is ugly. The post is a great idea. It's about design NOT bleeding hearts.
I choose to offer encouragement and support rather than the wagging finger of guilt - enjoy your renovation!
Doesn't matter how nice the redo if you don't get rid of the roaches. And if you can't get rid of them- sell.
Have fun re-doing the condo --look forward to seeing the after. I know the feeling --I rented to these nice but smelly boys for a few years = a huge mess, including lots of ciggie burns and candle wax melted into everything. Oh and they built loft beds! might as well re-do rather than just scrape the stuff off.
goodbye to beige and peach
This is NOTHING I am a residential designer in St. Petersburg Beach and I could beat this this condo 10 times with only the "before" pictures on my laptop! LOL
that couch is amazing... the wooden light fixture in the dining room is pretty awesome too. LOL but yes it does transport me to the 80's.. thats where i grew up. Can't wait to see the redo.
Keep the backsplash!
You've teased us long enough. Time for some more pictures and stories.
@petwood "Was Golden Girls filmed there?" bwahahaha wow you read my mind! amazing.
can't wait for updates! have a blast with the renovation : )
The kitchen could be left almost as it is. I don't think is the worst condo ever. You could easily live with it and just paint the walls and get new bits and pieces!
DEFINITELY REPURPOSE the dining chairs if you can! Paint and reupholstery can turn them into Jonathan Adler-inspired kitschy chic/Draper glam. I would actually get rid of the table and maybe go with a sleek glass top and brass style - something to set it off a little. The lamp is oddly fun too - maybe it goes somewhere else creative or gets painted.
I'm fascinated by this place. I've been scrolling back up and looking at the pictures over and over again. "Welcome back to 1981" is right! It reminds me of being a kid; all the houses I visited when I was little were covered in beige and peach and gold. I bet that couch was SO comfy when it was new, too.
It'll be cool to see the renovation. I hope the 80s vibe doesn't disappear completely, but I get that it must be turned down a few (dozen!) notches.
I would love some pictures with the curtains open. I think this is a great project! So excited to hear all about the budget and plans. The comments are awesome - ANNSTARR you made my day :)
There is definite potential in this place but not before you get rid of that wicker lampshade above the dining room table! And although the carpet looks clean enough, that would be the second thing I would get rid of! That said, I do like the bright entrance way (those tiles are fine) and in all honesty, I'm just glad you never visited the council flat I lived in in London!
I also agree with the person who said it reminded them of the smell of cats and cigarettes like all the houses they grew up with! I know those places so well (cat litter smell, not actually cats as they smell lovely) and somehow when visiting those kinds of homes I could always hear a clock ticking.Tick,tick,tick...even writing it gives me anxiety! Does this place have a ticking clock to drive you mad? If so, that would be my third thing to dispose of!
Have fun with this endeavor, it will be so satisfying!
Overreact much? That place is FINE. Like most of the posters on here you can add a few new pieces to the dated pieces for a nice look that looks like it was collected over time and has more character. I don't know if you're looking to have everything all new or what. Just because something is old, doesn't mean it is bad. Maybe you have the budget to redo everything, in that case go ahead and spend your money. Otherwise it is a bit wasteful to just replace stuff because something is a little old. I hope you repurpose items, and make good use of paint.
I am curious - what sort of budget are you working with? I can't wait to see how this turns out!
"Pulsating pit of despair" sounds about right. Can't wait to see what you guys do with the place!
$30k sounds very tight, but it might work. If you use open shelves intead of upper cabinets in the kitchen that will save you a bundle. If you aren't too picky and just want plain stuff, you should be able to get your tile and flooring on clearance somewhere.
Since you are long distance, it is going to take you about 2x as long as you think. And one piece of advice I will offer is to get everything on site before you start. Rent storage if you have to. There is nothing worse than waiting for fixtures, tile, appliances or building materials to arrive. Stuff gets delayed, back ordered, or what have you, then your crew moves on to another job.
And you know you can't scrape those ceilings yourself, right? Asbestos abatement needed.
Don't feel bad - gut it! It'll be a fun challenge to start from scratch at that budget. Best wishes, post pictures.
My rental kitchen is way uglier. I wish it had that nice back-splash.
Looks like not so big problem as I grew up in 80's,before that,It has 3 times or more space than my apartment in Tokyo!
I don't think this is so much "ugly" as it is plain. Change the carpet, maybe flooring, ADD SOME COLOR, and change the furniture and it will be nicer. No need to move walls, add some "architectural" something or other or whatever. Just texture and color needed. And yes, that sofa needs to go!
I love the dining room chairs! This place has a lot of potential.
I agree with Anatanohatsukoi and Pemberley and others. I would just paint it, clean it within an inch of it's life, hang some Merimekko-type draperies, put a slipcover on the sofa and some new bedclothes and get a carpet cleaner in there and, by golly, I'd live there.
Woops, I would need a new sofa. Or maybe just 4 recliners with textured upholstery. I say if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Kitchen doesn't look broke to me and easy to clean with those smooth cabinets.
I had that dinette set! I bought it on Craigslist for practically nothing and painted it white and recovered the cushions! I sold it for twice as much when I moved into a studio.