Modernizing a Classic Kitchen

Alan, Jen, and their dog Harry have been living in a 1 bedroom, 625 square foot apartment in Manhattan's Battery Park City. While they love city living, they're ready to buy a place of their own. They are leaving Manhattan's high real estate prices behind to look for a fixer-upper in Westchester County, where they both grew up. With a budget of $600,000, Alan likes mid-century homes, and is hoping to find something they can transform into his modern style. Jen, on the other hand, loves two-story tudors and colonials. Once they purchase a home, they waste no time getting to work. They've set aside $40,000 to tackle renovations, and they have plans to update nearly every room in the house. But it doesn't take long for problems to occur, from asbestos-laden pipes to lead paint that must be removed before any other work can occur. After over two months of ups and downs, they end up with a first home to be proud of.