Man, those “surprise” finds are the stuff that keeps it interesting, right? I always tell folks—yeah, sometimes you uncover a mess, but every now and then you score something way cooler than what you’d get from a catalog. That old tile probably tells more stories than any new backsplash ever could.
That old tile probably tells more stories than any new backsplash ever could.
Totally agree—sometimes those “surprise” finds end up being the highlight of the whole project. I once demoed a kitchen and found original hardwood under layers of vinyl. Instead of tossing it, I refinished and sealed it with eco-friendly products. It wasn’t perfect, but the character was unbeatable. Sure, it took more elbow grease than just laying down new floors, but it felt good to keep something with history. Not every old thing is worth saving, but when you can, it’s pretty satisfying.
Honestly, I get the appeal of shiny new everything, but there’s something about uncovering old materials that just feels right. My last flip, I found a brick chimney behind drywall—kept it exposed. Adds way more value than generic tile, in my opinion. Sometimes the “imperfections” are what sell the place.
- Exposed brick always gets people talking—totally agree it’s got more character than most new finishes.
- On a recent project, we found original hardwood under layers of vinyl. Kept it, flaws and all. Buyers loved the story behind it.
- Not every “imperfection” works, but when it feels authentic to the space, it usually pays off.
- Sometimes I wonder if we overthink “perfect” kitchens... a little history goes a long way.
Funny how “perfect” kitchens usually end up looking like a showroom, but nobody actually wants to live in one. I’ve seen folks rip out all the old quirks just to put in something trendy, and then a year later, they miss the character. Exposed brick is a classic example—people will pay extra for it, but then cover it up with drywall if they think it looks “messy.” Makes you wonder who we’re designing for sometimes.
I’ve uncovered old tile mosaics under layers of laminate, and yeah, they’re chipped and uneven, but man, the stories those floors could tell. Not every imperfection works, though—sometimes water damage or weird patch jobs just look sloppy. There’s a fine line between “charm” and “needs work,” and honestly, it’s not always clear where that line is until you see the finished space.
Do you think buyers are getting more open to these kinds of authentic details lately? Or is it still all about quartz counters and shaker cabinets?
