SHEPARD RENOVATION BY THE NUMBERS

Bottom line: The home's dramatic transformation cost $86,000, which included new plumbing, roof, siding, mechanical systems and cosmetic and structural improvements. The Shepards hired roofing, carpet, gas company and plumbing pros, but did the rest of the work themselves.

$10,000 kitchen: The solarium was converted into a spacious cost-effective kitchen that features white carrara marble salvaged from a public library. Jennifer sanded and painted stock cabinets from a big-box store and Chuck hired teenagers from their church to help install them. He also built the center island.

On the cheap: Craigslist was the Shepards' favorite resource for appliances, bathtubs, sinks, doors and other materials. That's where they found the living room's massive iron chandelier for $25. "The seller said it was from a gentleman's club," Jennifer said. They also scored a vintage-look vanity for $80.

Jennifer also found deals at Ikea's "As Is" section. She bought four crystal light fixtures that were marked down because of a few missing crystals. One is suspended over the kitchen center island.