✨ Kitchen Transformation at Chipman Inn: A Labor of Love ✨

✨ Kitchen Transformation at Chipman Inn: A Labor of Love ✨

As the year winds down, we’ve been reflecting on all the progress at Chipman Inn. While there’s plenty to celebrate, the transformation of the kitchen is a story all on its own.

It’s not a Pinterest-perfect kitchen, and it might not win any Instagram awards, but it’s up to health and fire code—something we’re incredibly proud of. This space is finally functional, safe, and ready to serve as the heart of our historic inn.

The Kitchen We Inherited

When we purchased the house, the kitchen was unforgettable (and not in a good way). In fact, it was the reason most prospective buyers passed on the property. Even our inspector refused to evaluate it, describing it as “too messy to inspect.”

Here’s a glimpse of what we were up against:

• 🍴 Piles of trash and expired food: Every corner was stuffed with years of waste—we even found a can of beans that expired in 2014! (Fun fact: Did you know beans can expire?) Cleaning it out took multiple junk removal trips and lots of elbow grease.
• 🔥 Layers of grease: Decades of grime coated the walls, floors, and even under the old gas range. Without a working ventilation system or regular maintenance, the buildup was so bad we had to shovel it out before deep cleaning.
• 🥶 The “walk-in refrigerator”: This wasn’t insulated—just an asbestos-lined closet that was as unsafe as it was inefficient. We replaced it with modern refrigerators that are far more practical (and safe).
• 🌬️ Non-functional ventilation hood: Held together with duct tape, it made the fire suppression system useless. Now, both systems are fully operational and up to code.
• ✨ Counters and cabinets: The plywood counters and rusty cabinets were beyond saving, but we repurposed metal racks where we could and upgraded to durable stainless steel surfaces.

A Team Effort

This transformation wouldn’t have been possible without some amazing help:

• Curtis Miles (Dad): For helping us overhaul the space in under a week when guests were arriving.
• Albert: For tearing out cabinets and tackling drywall work.
• Anthony Reider: For rewiring the space and upgrading the electrical system.
• Impact Fire and NEVTEC: For ensuring our fire suppression and ventilation systems are safe and up to code.
• My mom: For clearing out endless expired food and trash.
• JR and Sons: For hauling away piles of junk and helping us breathe a little easier.
• Svetlana: For her beautiful painting and stenciling that added a touch of old-world charm to the new kitchen.
• Chris Guilbeau: For wrestling the old stove out of its spot and tackling those grease-covered floors when I had reached my limit.

A Special Thanks

To our amazing guests: thank you for your patience while we had to close the kitchen for renovations. You stuck with us when all we had to work with was a toaster oven and electric griddle. Your understanding made this transformation possible, and we’re so grateful for your support.

The Before, During, and After Video

Here’s a video showing the transformation (at least the parts I remembered to capture on camera). It’s incredible to see how far this space has come:

Looking Forward

This remodel has been a labor of love (and a fair amount of sweat), but seeing how far this space has come is incredibly rewarding. The kitchen may not be fancy, but it’s functional, safe, and ready to serve as a cornerstone of Chipman Inn for years to come.

Thank you for being part of this adventure with us. Here’s to many delicious meals and memorable moments ahead!