Fix The Ick's; Kitchen Edition

Hello from Sacramento! I’m Nicole.

Hi, my name is Nicole, and I live in Sacramento, California. I’m building a community for all things home and decor in Sacramento, CA, and beyond!

Download our free guide: Jumpstart your own transformations with our kitchen-focused “Fix the Ick's” guide.

A New Chapter Begins

In October of 2024, I made one of the biggest and scariest decisions of my life: I got engaged! One month later, we began the daunting task of merging our lives, which meant moving my son, our three cats, and myself into what can only be described as a Tuscan gated community featuring some of the ugliest house colors I've ever seen. I want to point out that Rico did not mislead me; I knew exactly what I was getting into. In fact, our second date was a paint consultation for this very house that I call home today.

After we moved, I really missed our old home. It was full of personal touches and my style; everything was exactly where I wanted it. It was my dream home, but I knew if I wanted to grow up and get married, I had to move. There was no way I would marry someone I hadn’t lived with.

Turning this House into a Home

It was clear that Rico’s house needed a lot of work to make it home. It had sad single dad vibes all over it. So, I strategized like any good designer would: I created a plan, prioritized each room, and started tackling tasks one by one. The key, I found, was to focus on one space at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

The Kitchen Transformation

I’m not done with the kitchen, but this is what it used to look like:

Before...

And here’s everything that has been updated so far:

• Built In: We installed geometric wallpaper that adds personality and complements our style. Thanks to Rico for making this happen!

Before

All prepped and ready.

Rico saving the day

After, featuring Lola

• Rugs & Chairs: New rugs to catch crumbs and updated chairs that harmonize with our living room decor.

• Plants & Accessories: Added greenery and sentimental pieces to breathe life into the space and make it feel like ours.

• Cat Tree: We needed to make use of this large space, so I added a colorful fruit-themed cat tree!

• Wood Accent Wall: A Scandinavian-inspired accent wall that unfortunately took longer than expected but was well worth the effort.

And since my new, bigger, better, and weirder family is the only reason I do what I do, it’s been nice to be able to enjoy the centerpiece of the home: the kitchen.

Join Our Journey

Starting a home renovation can feel daunting, but it doesn’t have to be an all-at-once ordeal. In our “Fix the Ick's” series, I’ll take you through our room-by-room transformation, sharing the effective tips and tricks we’ve discovered along the way. Next up? The kitchen patio—freshly painted and ready for its makeover.

Get Involved:

• Download our free guide: Jumpstart your own transformations with our kitchen-focused “Fix the Ick's” guide.

• Share your story or leave a comment: Used our tips? Show off your improvements with the hashtag #fixtheicks and support local businesses by sharing your go-to resources.

Thank you for joining me on this adventure. Stay tuned for more insights and inspiration in transforming your space, one room at a time!