Let’s say you want to buy a fixer-upper. Something with an outdated kitchen, popcorn ceilings, musty carpet, whatever. You’re cool with it. You know what fixer-uppers are made of and you can handle it.
But how low is that bar? How far would a fixer-upper have to go to scare you off? What if it was a former meth house? Yeah, that would do it for me. Scene of a heinous crime? No thanks. Neighborhood kids think it’s haunted? Nope. You can’t renovate a ghost.
What if it was formerly occupied by a herd of feral cats? That’s what Better After reader Missy and her husband got themselves into when they bought this home which she describes as ‘absolutely disgusting.’ I believe her! She says there were at least twelve cats living here. Twelve cats. TWELVE CATS. *shudder*
But they evicted the cats and did most all of the work themselves to create this beautiful open-concept kitchen. It doesn’t even look like the same space! Did I mention she was pregnant the entire time? Super woman. I would still be crying in a corner about the cats.






19 Comments
Erin @ The Impatient Gardener
February 26, 2014 at 10:23 AMMissy is a brave lady. Missy is also a lady with a beautiful kitchen. Way to go, Missy!
Kris
February 26, 2014 at 10:34 AMOMG, this is AMAZING!!!!!!! This has been turned from a catbox into a DREAM kitchen! Did they paint the existing cabinets? If so how did they find matching cabinets to add to the right side? I’m inspired to tackle my outdated, popcorn ceiling musty cabinet kitchen after seeing this.
Suzan
February 26, 2014 at 10:37 AMWOW – gorgeous !!!
Lady ID
February 26, 2014 at 11:15 AMGreat makeover. I like animals and all but I’m really wondering if the place smelled seriously of kitty litter.
MacGIRLver, Faye Libler
February 26, 2014 at 11:18 AMBeautiful! What an amazing makeover.
Rebecca
February 26, 2014 at 12:02 PMoh WOW
Hil
February 26, 2014 at 12:42 PMWow, what a change! I love the diamond backsplash behind the stove. …is it weird that my first thought was “I hope the cats are ok”?
Stephanie @ Sandpaper and Glue
February 26, 2014 at 1:24 PMwow for everything! but I always drool when a double oven is involved..
Jane
February 26, 2014 at 2:43 PMAbsolutely stunning! I love the tile backsplash and the bright open space. What a great gathering place for friends and family.
MUMZY
February 26, 2014 at 3:32 PMHOLY COW!!! That is beautiful!!!!
kayla
February 26, 2014 at 5:26 PMbest makeover I’ve ever seen on here…. and that’s saying A LOT!!!
Sylvia
February 26, 2014 at 6:45 PMBeautiful job. But, my first thoughts also were about the cats. I hope she was able to get a rescue group that works will feral cats to catch/spay/neuter and release.
Mindy
February 26, 2014 at 9:49 PMI WANT THAT KITCHEN!!
Dawn
February 26, 2014 at 10:28 PMBeautiful kitchen but I also am concerned about the fate of the cats.
Amanda {NoDakNest}
February 27, 2014 at 10:09 AMSHUT UP! That’s not even the same house! That is absolutely gorgeous. I thought painting our cabinets totally changed our kitchen but this…this is UH-MAY-ZING!
Lakitia A.
February 27, 2014 at 2:09 PMOh wow. I would have ran at the thought of 12 cats. I don’t like them…HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE with them.
Ashley@Biggerthanthethreeofus
February 28, 2014 at 1:30 PMLOVE THIS! I’m just a bit jealous right now.
Kim
March 3, 2014 at 1:09 PMOMG I love how you did the kitchen… the back splash and the floors are to die for.
Kate Lynch
September 24, 2016 at 9:27 AMWe are in the middle of a remodel that looks exactly like this! Can you send me the dimensions for your island?