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“After” photos by Miao Jiaxin for Sweeten

• Who: Samantha and Jameson, seeking a kid-friendly apartment renovation, posted their project on Sweeten
• Where: Clinton Hill, Brooklyn, New York
• Primary renovation: A kid-friendly, gut apartment renovation of the 1,000-square-foot layout to become ideal for entertaining guests of all ages
• Sweeten general contractor
• Sweeten’s role: Sweeten matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering guidance, tools, and support—for free.

Written in partnership with Sweeten homeowner, Samantha

We bought what was essentially a flip and closed on it the month before our oldest daughter, now almost seven, arrived. We finished the buildout that became her bedroom the night before her birth. The apartment’s finishes weren’t our favorite, but we had our own place, and were a family. I’ve been a stay-at-home mom (with a creative-industry résumé); Jameson is a partner and the digital director at Athletics, a Brooklyn-based creative studio.

Outgrowing a home they love

After having our second daughter nearly four years ago, we knew the apartment needed to change. We loved its location in the Clinton Hill Co-Ops and our hope was to extend our time in this place and the neighborhood. Our growing daughters needed room more than ever, and we wanted to overhaul our kitchen and bathroom. It was time to make this home more liveable for our family.

We posted our project on Sweeten and began our search for a design-build firm. We wanted someone who could help make our space bright and modern, nodding to both Midcentury and California design. Time was tight—we were looking to renovate during our kids’ summer break and move back in before school resumed—and when we weren’t excited about any of the contractors we were initially matched with, Sweeten quickly presented more options, including some who’d worked in our co-ops. That sold us. 

The kitchen kicks off the apartment renovation

I’m a big cook, and it was top-of-the-list for me that our kitchen renovation was as functional as possible. Secondary, but non-negotiable: We wanted the whole apartment to be social, conducive to entertaining, and hanging out. We realized that opening the kitchen to the living room could help us achieve both goals, letting me see my family in the living room while I’m in the kitchen cooking.

The dining area, previously over by the window, flip-flopped with the living room sofa, to make the table easily reachable. We also added a breakfast counter within the cutout, letting me interact with the girls while they eat breakfast or do homework and unload about the day. 

The new kitchen is a pleasure to work in. We chose top-of-the-line appliances and built in the refrigerator, creating a giant cabinet above it. There was other storage, too, to house the accessories I’d collected. Wide, shallow drawers installed by our contractor in the cabinet kickplates give me an awesome place to store my serving pieces and cast-iron pans. Our color palette was basic with matte white and rift-oak cabinetry and black accents. 

This choice, and the whole process, taught me that I shouldn’t be afraid to ask for what I wanted.

Kid-friendly soundproofing for bedroom doors

Previously, our daughters’ shared bedroom had French doors opening to the living and dining room; they weren’t soundproof, so when the kids went to bed at 8pm, Jameson and I felt like we had to retire to our bedroom. With the new layout and the kitchen opening to the bedrooms, we installed a sound-blocking pocket door for the girls’ room. Now we can have company over or stay up late watching television or listening to music, never worrying we’ll wake them. 

Flooring idea: Terrazzo

Another high-quality splurge was on the eco-friendly terrazzo flooring for the kitchen. I’ve always loved the style as a component of Midcentury modernism. This choice, and the whole process, taught me that I shouldn’t be afraid to ask for what I wanted. We still came in under budget for both renovation and furniture.

A bath refresh in navy and brass

While we decided against a full reno of our bathroom, some improvements were made, adding style and storage without gutting it. The room was done in basic black and white, so when I found the navy blue and brass vanity cabinet, I thought it would add visual interest. The old, space-wasting pedestal sink was replaced with a smaller basin and the drawered unit. The black light fixture and shower-curtain rod match hardware in other rooms—we updated the doorknobs and fixtures throughout the place, and it made a huge visual impact.

Sweeten contractor completes punch list

My favorite part of the project was moving back in. Our new home is a joy! We had all of the art we’ve collected over the years professionally framed and hung. We achieved our objective of making our home feel worldly, warm, and timeless. After the project wrapped, our contractor even came back a few times to complete punch-list items and handle touch-ups. I love all of the finished elements. It makes me happy to come home, and we all love spending time here, comfortable, at ease, just hanging out in a place we truly love. 

Thank you for sharing your amazing (and kid-friendly) apartment renovation story, Samantha and Jameson!

Renovation materials

KITCHEN RESOURCES: Terrazzo Renata floor tiles in Brulle; Context 2×6 Matte White backsplash: Ann Sacks. Kitchen cabinets: Custom by contractor.  Countertops in Fresh Concrete: Caesarstone. Sink, #KHU101-21: Kraus. Align one-handle 7555BL faucet: Moen. Refrigerator, stove, and microwave/convection oven: Viking. Panel-front dishwasher:Bosch. Traditional Schoolhouse Shade in Black Stripe with Norfolk Base in Black light fixture: Schoolhouse. Perimeter pendants in Ochre: Blu Dot. Cabinet hardware: Top Knobs. Bar stools: Crate and Barrel. Counter-height stool in black: Delta. 

BATHROOM RESOURCES: Fowlkes 24” sink/vanity set by Modern Rustic Interiors: Wayfair. Dia single-handle bathroom faucet in Brushed Bronze: Symmons. Nel brass medicine cabinet/mirror: CB2. Lighting: Illuminate vintage handmade Midcentury cone-cover sconce: Amazon. 

LIVING AREA RESOURCES: Reserve Collection doorknobs in satin black/modern square trim: Baldwin. Otis light fixture: One Forty Three. Young House Love Bubble hallway sconce: Shades of Light. Shelving: Vitsoe.

KIDS’ BEDROOM RESOURCES: Co-Dempsey fan light fixtures in Fresh White: Hunter Fan. Square Passage pocket-door hardware in matte black: Kwikset. 

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Changing the layout of your New York co-op or condo? Here’s what you’ll need to know first.

ADUs or accessory dwelling units can transform into home offices, living space for family or as a rental, or a retreat.

Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project’s location, budget, scope, and style. Follow the blog, Sweeten Stories, for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you’re ready to renovate, start your renovation with Sweeten.

The post Soundproofing & An Open Kitchen Complete a Kid-Friendly Apartment Renovation appeared first on Sweeten.

Photos courtesy of Sweeten general contractor

• Who: Brooklyn homeowner Michele posted her COVID lockdown project on Sweeten  
• Where: Crown Heights, Brooklyn, New York
• Primary renovation: Overhauling a bathroom, and installing a new dishwasher that turns into a gutted kitchen
• Sweeten general contractor
• Sweeten’s role: Sweeten matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering guidance, tools, and support—for free.

Written in partnership with Sweeten homeowner Michele

Getting excited to renovate

I lead a digital product design team for a large San Francisco-based company. I’ve lived in this apartment for a little over a decade, and I had been meaning to renovate my bathroom since I moved in, but I always found a reason not to. The bath hadn’t had an upgrade since the building’s 1980s conversion to co-op! The pedestal sink wasn’t fully attached to the wall, the tub tiles were loosening, and the glass tile floor, which a previous owner had painted, was flaking.

My apartment is on the top floor of a 1910s five-story building, and it suffered damage during a co-op-sponsored roof renovation a couple of years back. When the building’s contractor completed the repairs, I got excited about renovating. My recently acquired work-from-home job gave me more incentive. I’d updated my home office to suit the remote role, but experiencing my out-of-date bathroom all day, every day, prompted me to get planning.

Finding inspiration from other renovators

I spent so much time on Sweeten, reading this blog, and looking at other people’s projects! It was a tremendous help seeing what other people had done. I had strong ideas about how I wanted to proceed, but I needed help turning them into particular products, finishes, and colors. Sweeten provided me with a range of contractors and design-build firms who gave me numerous options. I chose my Sweeten contractor because his ideas matched mine.

I’d done advance planning for the bathroom and had a clear idea of what I wanted: a floating vanity, a drop-in tub, oversized subway tile, and dramatic tile flooring. I was attracted to images of gray kitchens and bathrooms with boldly patterned floors. I envisioned something that was calm and streamlined, to make the space feel bigger and take advantage of the high ceiling. My apartment is modern and open. I wanted the bath and kitchen to feel integrated, rather than set apart from the rest of the space.

The contractors were great at explaining problems long-distance: I’ll never forget the crew piling on a conference call about my formerly crooked bathroom wall…

A new dishwasher becomes a full kitchen remodel

In the kitchen, my plan had been to simply install a new dishwasher. Then it was suggested that a pantry could be added in the then-unused space at the kitchen’s entrance. The original kitchen plan I had posted to Sweeten was of a smaller scope, but after meeting them, I asked the contractors to submit follow-up bids for a full kitchen remodel.

In the kitchen, I worked with my contractor to come up with a plan. I put together the light and dark gray cabinets with chrome handles and found a quartz countertop flecked with both colors. I picked the same flooring that the designer had used in their showroom.

Transforming the bathroom wasn’t so hard. I saw a tile floor I liked in the sale listing of another apartment in my building and tracked it down. Finding a bathtub that would fit the small space was a challenge, but we did. (The white tub looked yellow next to the tile, so we had it reglazed.) Because of pipes in the wall, we couldn’t create storage niches in the shower, so the team extended the interior windowsill with a white quartz surface material—a shampoo perch. The floating sink is mounted a bit higher than standard because I’m tall.

A timely business trip

The project’s biggest challenge was also something of a stroke of luck: My boss asked me to travel from New York to San Francisco, starting the day demolition began. I stayed for almost three weeks. While I was away, the Sweeten construction team kept me posted and sent pictures daily. The contractor was great at explaining problems long-distance: I’ll never forget the crew piling on a conference call about my formerly crooked bathroom wall while I waited outside an executive office at work!

Instead of hiring a project manager, I worked as my own. I had spreadsheets for how much had been spent versus budgeted. I tracked what had been ordered, shipped, and delivered. I’m not that organized, but I turned into a full-on spreadsheet ninja. It kept me from panicking.

Finishing the bathroom and kitchen renovation during COVID-19

By the time COVID-19 hit and the lockdown was ordered, we were 95 percent done. We had to wait for the lockdown to lift and for my building to let the crew return, clearly articulating when they would arrive, and wearing masks as required.

Eventually, we finished. After expanding my renovation’s scope, I spent significantly more than I originally intended to—close to $100,000 all told, but that includes fully updated plumbing and new floors in both rooms. 

I have enough storage space in the kitchen and bathroom that nothing falls out when I open a cabinet! I love cooking; I’ve got a lot of ingredients and equipment, and it’s so nice not to feel like I’m overstuffing every corner. Having a floor-to-ceiling pantry is a fantastic luxury in a smallish apartment! I’m also enjoying the dishwasher. I love the way the kitchen tile feels under my feet, and how the rooms are designed for me, with my interests and needs—even my career—in mind. That customization is the greatest luxury of the whole thing.

Thank you, Michele, for sharing your bathroom and kitchen renovation tale with us!

Materials Guide

KITCHEN RESOURCES: Rodano Acero floor tiles: Porcelanosa. Kitchen cabinets: Hanssem. Cabinet hardware: Häfele. Countertops and backsplash in Frozen Terra: Caesarstone. Kohler sink: Kohler. Faucet: Grohe. Jennair refrigerator/dishwasher/stove: Jennair. Bosch 500 series dishwasher, 800 series range, and microwave: Bosch. Robert Sonneman ceiling light: Ylighting. Paint in White Dove: Benjamin Moore.

BATHROOM RESOURCES: Bathroom floor tile: Moroccan Mosaic & Tile House. White 8×16 polished ceramic wall tile; 6” polished white bull tile: TileBar. Pfister deckard hardware and shower fixtures: Pfister. Shower glass doors: Mirage Shower Doors Corp. Andrea tub series: MTI. Ambra sink/vanity: Wayfair. 48” medicine cabinet: Fresca. Toto Drake toilet: Toto. Aston ceiling lighting and Vega Minor light (above vanity mirror): Kuzco. Aura Bath and Spa paint in White: Benjamin Moore.

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Before you purchase tile, here’s how to measure your bathroom correctly for the right amount and type of tile.

Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project’s location, budget, scope, and style. Follow the blog, Sweeten Stories, for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you’re ready to renovate, start your renovation with Sweeten.

The post Renovating a Bathroom & Kitchen to Make Home a Happier Workplace appeared first on Sweeten.

“After” photos by Miao Jiaxin for Sweeten

• Homeowners: Sweeten homeowner Jen posted her updated kitchen renovation on Sweeten. 
• Where: Crown Heights, Brooklyn, New York
• Primary renovation: A complete modern update of their kitchen to create a warmer and more welcoming feel
• Sweeten general contractor
• Sweeten’s role: Sweeten matches home-renovation experts with vetted general contractors, offering input, support, and up to $50,000 in renovation financial protection—for free

Update a kitchen with low-grade materials

Jen rented in neighborhoods across Brooklyn for 10 years before she bought her first apartment in a 1937 Crown Heights co-op building. She fell in love with how open the space was—with the exception of the tight, closed-in kitchen. The kitchen was recently renovated, but with cheaper, run-of-the-mill materials that didn’t quite match Jen’s style.

“I’m a huge fan of the simple, Scandinavian vibe,” she said. (Think: neutral calming colors, simple design, and warm touches for that hygge life). Jen purchased the 950-square-foot apartment with the intention to renovate but decided to wait to get a better sense of how’d she use it.

Opening up the space

“I had a pretty clear vision of the aesthetics and giving myself that extra year solidified those design decisions. My sofa faces the kitchen, so I’d spend more hours than I’d like to admit looking at it and imagining what I’d do,” Jen said.

Though the kitchen had an opening to the living room, it still felt closed off to the rest of the apartment because its working surfaces were behind a wall. “A weird empty space in the left part of the kitchen was supposed to be an eat-in area, but I was never going to use it for that,” she said.

Adding a peninsula

The contractors removed a wall came down and replaced it with a peninsula to connect the kitchen and living room. Instead of building out full upper cabinets, Jen opted for open shelving for an airy feel. She also took advantage of the extra space on the left side of the kitchen to add more base cabinetry. “Though I heard my share of conflicting opinions about open shelving, I’m so glad I stuck to my guns,” she said.

The old flooring was replaced with wood to match the living area. An integrated dishwasher and counter-depth fridge were installed for that European vibe. Jen did wind up compromising on a built-in gas cooktop and wall oven due to electrical restrictions. However, she ultimately attained the Scandinavian-minimal look she was aiming for.

Finding tips and tricks for a renovation

With her Crown Heights kitchen renovation behind her, Jen offers a few words of wisdom. For one, start putting together a materials list before you even hire a contractor. Jen assembled a spreadsheet with everything from appliances to light fixtures to track items she loved, and see if they went on sale. (Tip: Jen browsed Sweeten reno posts and their detailed source lists to find items!)

She loved the transformation so much, choosing a favorite element was nearly impossible. “Is it cheating if I say the entire kitchen [is my favorite?] I’m still stunned by how transformed the space is with the wall gone.” She added, “Frankly, I never want to leave my apartment.”

Bonus: Jen recommends adding drawers to base cabinets for easier access to dishes. “I’m a shorty, so having all my dishes in drawers, instead of having to reach for them on my tippy toes, has been awesome,” she said.

Renovation materials

KITCHEN RESOURCES: Cabinet pulls, #1060-4055-P: Berenson. Countertops: Caesarstone. Paint in Chantilly Lace: Benjamin Moore. Blanco sink in Anthracite Granite: Blanco. Faucet, #4159-BL-DST: Delta Faucet. Lighting, #P3203-30: Progress Lighting. Dishwasher, stove, vent, cabinet fronts, open shelves: Ikea.

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When you post your project with Sweeten, we’ll help you level your bids—even with non-Sweeten contractors.

Refer your renovating friends to Sweeten and you’ll both receive a $250 Visa gift card when they sign a contract with a Sweeten general contractor.

Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project’s location, budget, and scope, helping until project completion. Follow the blog for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you’re ready to renovate, start your renovation on Sweeten

The post A Galley Kitchen Gets a Scandinavian Look appeared first on Sweeten.

The Little Fires Everywhere star turns a Los Angeles home and ADU remodel into a stylish living & working space

•  Homeowners: Jaime Ray Newman and partner Guy Nattiv posted their home and ADU remodel on Sweeten
• Where: Los Angeles, California
• Primary renovation: A repurposed structure creates a 350-foot living/office space, plus a space-opening update (and new master bath) on the main ranch house
• Sweeten general contractor
• Homeowner’s quote: “What I liked most about the [contractor] we hired was that he had style. His taste was always on point,” she said. “He was also very reasonable, and confident.”

Written in partnership with homeowner Jaime. “After” photos by Jessica Alexander. Styling: Madelyn Furlong.

Deciding to renovate during COVID

What do you do when a global pandemic hits in the middle of your home remodel—just as you’ve moved out of your house, with two babies under two years old in tow, to make way for the construction crew? Jaime Ray Newman washed her hands and pushed on.

“We were juggling a lot,” said the actor and producer, who had posted her project on Sweeten in 2019 for the dream redo of her 1936 ranch home. “We were expecting our second baby. It was now or never to blow open and redo the house.” The Sweeten post stated a desire to “convert our old 1930s two-car garage to ADU,” also known as an accessory dwelling unit, (also known as a working studio, guest apartment, or multitasking hybrid.)

Jaime also hoped to do a space-reclaiming opening of her family’s living space. She shares it with her life and business partner Guy Nattiv, a filmmaker (they co-founded New Native Pictures and won an Academy for “SKIN”), their daughters Alma and soon-to-be Mila, and their dog, Kiwi. The project had been on her To-Do list forever.

“We’d been wanting to convert our garage since day one,” Jaime said, “but had struggled with the permitting situation.” The area where they live in L.A. required single-family homes to have two-space covered parking. When the law changed, Jaime recalled, “We said, Let’s do this.” They decided to renovate the house at the same time. “We realized that with two kids, we’d want an open floor plan, and a real closet and primary bath for ourselves,” she said.

The home & garage renovation team takes shape

Jaime, whose work includes winning an Oscar as a producer, playing a recurring character Elizabeth Manwill in Hulu’s Little Fires Everywhere miniseries, as well as an essential district attorney role in Fox’s Deputy, had already gathered a reno dream team. “I bribed our dear friend Marcos Ferraez, a total visionary when it comes to imagining and reconfiguring a space, to come over and walk through the house,” she said. “We thought we needed to blow out the back of the house and add square footage, but we didn’t have the budget. I was stumped. Marcos completely reimagined our home within our current square footage.”

Everyone thought I was crazy to keep going. But we were in desperate need of an office…

The garage space was next. Jaime hired designer Haley Weidenbaum to conceive of the layout and was stunned by Haley’s ability to maximize every square inch of the available 350 square feet. Haley also had a vision for the main living space, designing the primary bedroom and bathroom. “Her talent and advice were invaluable,” Jaime said. From there she got on Sweeten and found her general contractor.

Keeping family together during COVID

Jaime was pretty clear on what she wanted. “I met with multiple contractors. What I liked most about the one we hired was that he had style. His taste was always on point,” she said. “He was also very reasonable, and confident.”

Like most of the world, the family had no idea of the uncertainty that lay ahead. For Jaime, in particular, early 2020 packed a punch. The COVID-19 threat loomed over the U.S. and then, she said, “my dad passed away in February.” Jaime wanted to support her mother and stay close by. It added up to difficult timing. “Everyone thought I was crazy to keep going,” she said. “But we were in desperate need of an office, and a separate space away from the kids so we could get work done,” Jaime said.

Two designers for a Los Angeles garage remodel

The project seemed to thrive on flux and change. “I realized at one point that much of our furniture no longer worked with the space, so we sold a lot of stuff on Facebook Marketplace to make room for new things,” she said. When Haley, who had started EVERHEM, a window-treatment company, got too busy and had to step away from the project, they brought in another designer.

“I have always had an Instagram crush on design consultant Madelynn Furlong,” Jaime said. “I asked if she’d be game to take us to the finish line and re-think the design of the house. Her aesthetic is unique and she finds the most interesting pieces.” Through Madelynn, Jaime discovered amazing companies like Muuto, Industry West, Lulu and Georgia, Constance Guisset, and Hudson Valley Lighting, among others. And the designer knew how to find one-of-a-kinds.

“Madelynn sent me a link to a giant, vintage burl wood dining table on Chairish for a terrific price, and said “BUY THIS NOW,” Jaime remembers. “It weighs 600 pounds. When it arrived, the household was blown away. This work of art will be passed down to my kids!”

Collaborating with two designers with very different feels was the most fun and satisfying part of the process, according to Jaime. Through them (and Pinterest), she found the original pieces and touches she wanted to make the space her own. Especially bath and kitchen design ideas. “I wanted something fun for our kitchen backsplash and I’m obsessed with Fireclay Tile, so that was easy! The bathroom floor needed to be non-slip, so we picked a slate from Clé Tile that we loved. I also fell head over heels for a hexagon tile from Popham Design.

What does renovating feel like?

Asked about a renovator’s most important virtue, Jaime chose patience. The process is long, she said, but your memory is short once you are settled in. “It’s kind of like after having your first baby!” the actor jokes. Confidence is also key, she said. These are massive decisions that you can’t turn back on, so hire a designer if you have doubts. And hire a contractor whose aesthetic you love.

“I’m so glad we lived in the house for years before renovating it, so we understood our needs and how best to accommodate them within our budget,” Jaime said. Especially now, during COVID, she says, “We are in pure bliss here. The house is unique, but warm and inviting, a family compound and a comfortable respite. I cannot wait until we can have guests over!”

Thank you for sharing your Los Angeles garage remodel & home with us, Jaime and Guy!

RENOVATION MATERIALS

LIVING AREA RESOURCES (Main house): Wood flooring and stain: Boden-Floor. Constance Guisset dining room pendant: Finnish Design Shop. Paint in Chantilly Lace: Benjamin Moore. Bedroom window treatments: Everhem.

KITCHEN RESOURCES (Main house): Wood floor tiles: Boden-Floor. Cabinets: MJ Cabinetry. Cabinet hardware: CB2. Countertops: Caesarstone. Backsplash: Fireclay Tile. Pendant lighting: Mitzi Hudson Valley Lighting. Sink/faucet: Delta. Kitchen window treatments: Everhem.

BATHROOM RESOURCES (Main house): Shower wall tile: Clé. Floor tile: Clé. Shower fixtures, sink, and hardware: Delta. Sconces: Schoolhouse. Sink vanity backsplash: Popham Design. Shower doors and vanity: Supplied by contractor.

OFFICE/APARTMENT RESOURCES: Paint in Chantilly Lace: Benjamin Moore. Matte-glazed cement flooring: Supplied by contractor. Skylight: Value Windows. New office closet and master bathroom: Space Camp Organizing.

OFFICE/APARTMENT KITCHEN RESOURCES: Cement floor and kitchen cabinets: Supplied by contractor. Radford Pines floating shelving: Etsy. Cabinet hardware: CB2. Countertops: Caesarstone. Sink / Faucet: Delta. Fridge/dishwasher/stove by GE: Wayfair. Light fixtures: Cedar and Moss.

OFFICE/APARTMENT BATHROOM RESOURCES: Shower fixtures: Delta. Sink, vanity, shower doors, hardware, tile: Supplied by the contractor. Vanity mirror/medicine cabinet: CB2. Light fixtures: Cedar and Moss. Penny shower wall tile: Clé.

Originally published on September 24, 2020

Updated on May 11, 2023

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Learn more about an ADU / Los Angeles garage remodel with Sweeten’s handy guide detailing costs, reasons they’re popular, and more.

Here’s how Rosaire transformed her Southampton garage into larger living room space and a pantry.

Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project’s location, budget, scope, and style. Follow the blog, Sweeten Stories, for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you’re ready to renovate, start your renovation with Sweeten.

The post A Ranch-Style Home and ADU Renovation in L.A. for Actress & Producer Jaime Ray Newman appeared first on Sweeten.

Photos courtesy of White Arrow

• Designing partners Keren and Thomas Richter of Brooklyn’s White Arrow posted their project on Sweeten on behalf of client Jared S.
• Where: South Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York
• Primary renovation: Top-to-bottom upgrades took the existing finishes in a grayed-out-modern, 668-square-foot studio from stark to a luxe-chic state of relaxed
• Notable: The remodel brought needed storage and stretch-out room to the narrow condo.
• Result: A home towering with sleek touches and rich tones, and offering space for everything
• Sweeten general contractor
• Sweeten’s role: Sweeten matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering guidance, tools, and support—for free..

It’s hard to say anything but yes to the job next door. “This project, right around the corner from our home and office, was the most convenient project we’ve done,” said Keren Richter, principal designer and founder, with husband and partner Thomas Richter, of White Arrow. But that wasn’t the only aspect of the condo, part of a historic 19th-century building conversion in South Williamsburg, that drew them to the remodel. The lofted duplex, with its 19-foot ceilings and armspan-width, was unique in its shipping-tube configuration. And then there was the owner. Jared had stayed all over and sought to bring an alluring boutique-hotel vibe to the place.

“I’d been bouncing around between cities for a while—Amsterdam, San Francisco, back to New York City,” Jared said. “I wanted a place to call home, that would really be a sanctuary. I spoke with the design team about the aesthetics of spaces I loved, like SoHo Farmhouse, the Bowery Hotel, the Maritime in Chelsea, Brooklyn’s Wythe Hotel, the Freehold, the Clover Club, and the Walter.” The White Arrow duo was reeled in.

“We agreed we wanted to give the home the trappings of a sophisticated urban hotel,” Keren said. “It needed to be great for entertaining, hosting guests, relaxing and working,” which Jared, a digital agency founder, had been doing from home for years. The apartment, despite its high ceilings, was extremely narrow, with a ground-floor kitchen and living room that pushed the boundaries of its small footprint.

“Our goal was to make the home feel spacious and accentuate the positive,” Keren said. The walls, she explained, were a “disjointed arrangement of extrusions and unflattering angles,” including an inset stretch of exposed antique brick and a boxed-in, underutilized loft-bedroom platform. “We streamlined everything, reconsidering odd bumps as opportunities for storage and display,” she added.

“Every square foot had to be well utilized,” Jared said. He wanted to add nooks and niches to put his things, and make the place truly feel like his own.

We streamlined everything, reconsidering odd bumps as opportunities for storage and display

The designers and their client also agreed that, instead of demolishing the place, they would elevate the existing finishes and fixtures. “We set out to minimize the rustic details the developer had selected during the conversion, and bring the home to a quiet level of cohesiveness with a new color palette,” Keren said.

Following White Arrow’s plan, their Sweeten general contractor streamlined the place’s odd juts and angles, and adding custom integrated display shelving in the kitchen as well as the home office-niche. Workers refinished the white-oak flooring with a more neutral, beige color tone and painted the dark exposed brick. “I knew I wanted lighter floors for a more Scandinavian aesthetic, but was wary of bleaching them,” Jared recalls. He trusted the team and has no regrets. Similarly, whitewashing the brick felt risky when the designers suggested it—but it “totally opened the room,” Jared said.

“Our client took some creative leaps,” Keren recalled. Repainting the gray kitchen cabinetry in a vivid green was a biggie. “The color is a total showstopper, and we are so glad he was game!” Keren remarked. Their Sweeten contractor retiled the kitchen backsplash with marble penny tile and changed all door hardware and plumbing fittings in the kitchen, as well as the two bathrooms, which got new grout and caulk, toilets, vanities, medicine cabinets, and fixtures.

Throughout the place, the contractors added new lighting locations and dimmer switches and swapped in new fixtures. “We added dramatic chandeliers and sconces that draw the eye up to take in the dramatic, high ceilings,” Keren said. “Living finishes” such as an unlacquered brass kitchen faucet, bring warmth and texture. A home-media specialist integrated a sound system and a wall-mounted TV.

It was with the furnishings that the designers really connected with the hotel aesthetic they strove for. “We chose distinctive, contemporary pieces in rich materials and jewel tones,” Keren said. Both Keren and Thomas were excited to shop and showcase an unusual mix of international designers, including Muller Van Severin, Gio Ponti, Atelier Areti, Harto, Maison Sarah Lavoine, Slash Objects, and Trnk. “We sought out furnishings that would do ‘double duty’ to maximize small spaces,” Keren said—sophisticated sofa beds, the secretary desk that Jared describes as “an ingenious space-saver.”

“Every piece,” Keren said, “is of the right proportion and scale,” including the king-size bed that Jared considered a must-have in the loft bedroom. The designers searched endlessly to find the furniture pieces that would allow every room to feel both luxurious and functional. To mellow the mood of the bedroom, Keren said, they added “a floor-to-ceiling, emerald-green velvet drapery to hide the formerly visible ensuite bath.”

The project had a fast turnaround, thanks to Sweeten’s vetting and follow-up during the project, Keren said. “The contractor was easy to work with and accommodating as the scope grew.”

As for the owner—Jared has been pleased to have his own digs to hunker down in during uncertain times. “The designs are super smart and well executed,” he says. “The living-room nook is discrete and conducive to relaxation. I am really happy.”

Thank you, Keren and Thomas of White Arrow, and Jared, for sharing the results of an inspired collaboration!

SHOPPING GUIDE

KITCHEN: Wood flooring and matte white-washed finish stain from Bona Traffic: Bona. Kitchen cabinets: Existing cabinets  refinished with oil paint in custom emerald green: Fine Paints of Europe. Cabinet hardware: House of Antique Hardware. Countertops: Caesarstone. Bianco Carrara 1” penny rounds backsplash: Builder Depot. Sink: Existing. Unlacquered brass faucet: Studio Ore.

LIVING ROOM: Aura paint in Cloud White: Benjamin Moore. Blue-velvet sofa: Clad Home. Leather chair: Trnk. Side table: Slash Objects. Ceiling light fixture: Atelier Areti. Coffee table: Sonder Living. Rug by The Rug Company: Farrow and Ball. Desk: HARTÔ. Borge Mogensen desk chair reissue: Fredericia. Sconce: Muller van Severin for Valeire Objects. Sound system: Sonos.

DINING AREA: Table: &Tradition. Borge Mogensen desk chair reissue: Fredericia.

BEDROOM: Vintage Harvey Probber Danish Mid-Century modern walnut headboard: 1stDibs. Lamp: Maison Sarah Lavoine. Dresser: Vintage. Sconces: Cedar & Moss. Nightstand: West Elm.

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ADUs or accessory dwelling units can transform into home offices, living space for family or as a rental, or a retreat.

Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project’s location, budget, scope, and style. Follow the blog, Sweeten Stories, for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you’re ready to renovate, start your renovation with Sweeten.

The post A Williamsburg Studio Goes Boutique Hotel-Chic appeared first on Sweeten.

Clever ideas for a Colonial home kitchen remodel and a newly-created bathroom

• Homeowners: Amanda, a former chef, and her partner Cory, a tech executive, posted their 1919 Colonial house renovation
• Where: Bronxville, New York
• Primary renovation: Remodeling the kitchen to make it larger and creating a new powder room
• Sweeten general contractor in Westchester County, NY
• Homeowner quote: “Sweeten helped us find a group of tried-and-true general contractors to vet. In the past, we’d tried a few [contractors] recommended by neighbors, but this time that didn’t work. And this project was too big an investment to just pick somebody out of a hat.”
• Sweeten’s role: Sweeten matches home renovators with vetted general contractors, offering input, support, and secure payments—for free.

Written in partnership with homeowner Amanda. “After” photos by Miao Jiaxin.

A charming (but not functional) Colonial house

We had been dividing our time between a farmhouse in Dutchess County and a walk-up apartment in Brooklyn. When our son was born, neither of these homes was quite suited to us. We decided to find a place in between with a shorter commute for my husband, more social opportunities for me, and easy access to the home.

When we first saw the house, we were charmed by the time-capsule of a kitchen—salmon Formica, dark-wood cabinets, and a dishwasher that predated the other elements. That said, we knew we would eventually update the kitchen. Having a lavatory on the ground floor and not having to run upstairs was also on the wishlist.

Their Colonial renovation adds heated floors

The existing kitchen had one radiator, which was buried in the back of a custom cabinet. It was a clever solution at the time, but ate up a lot of cabinet space and wasn’t heat-efficient. We decided to install a radiant floor heating system that we could run off of our existing hot-water heating system. A more formal, fully-functional island would offer storage, outlets, and a bigger counter area.

We wanted to create a better flow of traffic and light. The main entrance to the kitchen from the dining room was a narrow 28-inch-wide doorway. It made the kitchen feel isolated from the rest of the house. Bringing down the wall would not have respected the house’s character. Instead, the opening was widened and centered between the two rooms to bring more natural light into the north-facing kitchen. 

Balancing the kitchen structures

Some infrastructural elements dictated a lot of the design. One was that the major waste line for the three upstairs bathrooms lays along the kitchen’s exterior wall. It had been boxed out previously, and the existing cabinets had been customized around it. We didn’t want to relocate that line, so we decided to figure out how to incorporate it.

The second element was a sheetrock box beam of sorts. We didn’t know what was in it, but since it was asymmetrically placed and not detailed like the house’s other box beams, we assumed it was hiding something expensive to move. Our thought was, let’s give this weird beam and column matching mates to create symmetry.

Odd-ball elements

These design decisions hid the two odd-ball elements by making it look like they’d always been there. Bonus: We made that second column a sneaky little cabinet right between the sink/dishwasher and our espresso machine. It’s the perfect spot for drinking glasses and cups. We love it!

I wanted to bring the warmth and softness of natural wood into the kitchen, so I chose a darker wood for the cabinets that echoes our furniture. A built-in pantry was replaced with custom open shelving. The adjustable shelves look like they might have been there when the house was built. It enhances the room’s original feel and provides a display for our brown-drip dishware collection.

Turning closets into a powder room

There was no bathroom on the first floor. We combined two closets—approximately 4’ x 4’—and some square footage where we used to hang coats by the back door. The sacrifice was worth it for what would become the most frequented bathroom in the house. A pocket door with frosted glass saved space and allowed light to flow through. We installed Art Deco wallpaper, wainscoting, a picture rail, and paint in neutral tones.

Though manufacturers say that you can install wood flooring over radiant heat systems, it made me leery, and wood is not an efficient conductor of heat. I was certain I wanted tile, but one that wouldn’t appear cold or hard.

The right contractor for our Colonial house renovation

Sweeten helped us find a group of tried-and-true general contractors to vet. In the past, we’d tried a few recommended by neighbors, but this time that didn’t work. And this project was too big an investment to just pick somebody out of a hat. It was great to be able to talk through everything with a Sweeten professional and get a curated list. I doubt we’d have found our contractor on our own, and I’m so glad we did.

They were much more organized than contractors we’d worked with previously. Our contractor seemed to have experience and know-how beyond his years. When we ran into uncertainties, he was great at suggesting possible solutions. There was a structural issue discovered during demolition that required changes to the design layout. He was quick to help us with potential resolutions, down to providing revised elevations so we could visualize the new design. And he always discussed costs with us before we signed off. They also provided spreadsheets to help me keep track of all the elements I needed to order and have on-site.

The sacrifice was worth it for what would become the most frequented bathroom in the house.

Veteran renovators share advice

The biggest challenge with our renovation was waiting for it to be finished! Time moves slowly when you’re living on the second floor of your home, feeding a family from a makeshift kitchen in your bedroom. This was no fault of our contractors. Our city building department took three months to issue our permits.

If you can, live with your space for a while before renovating. You’ll end up with a much clearer picture of how to make your new space work best for you.

Also, always budget for 10-20% more than your original estimate, especially for kitchens and baths in old houses. This is our fourth renovation experience, and there has always been a major structural or plumbing issue (or both!) that have come up. It’s never pleasant, but if you plan for it, it’s way less painful.

Our new space makes us feel happy! We really love all of the new millwork in the home remodel, it feels so harmonious with the rest of our beautiful old Colonial home.

Thank you, Amanda and Cory, for sharing your Colonial home remodel story with us!

Renovation materials

KITCHEN RESOURCES: Textile 24″x24″ floor tile in Sand: Cancos Tile. Metro style (slab with full overlay) cabinets in oak with Prairie stain: Vista. Riverwood knobs and Edgecliff pulls in Matte Bronze finish: Schoolhouse Electric. Taj Royale countertop and backsplash in honed: Caesarstone. 32” single-bowl undermount Kraus sink: Signature Hardware. Single-hole pull-down faucet in oil rubbed bronze by Bocard: Signature Hardware. Bertazzoni fridge / Dishwasher / Stove: Bertazzoni. Oswego 9” pendant light in burnished antique: Rejuvenation. Lucia flush mounts in white: Cedar & Moss. Wildwood sconce in white: Cedar & Moss. Wall paint in Pale Oak; trim paint in Cloud White: Benjamin Moore.

POWDER ROOM RESOURCES: Textile Deco floor tile in Dark: Cancos Tile. Deco Paradiso wallpaper by Anaglypta: Wallpaper Direct. Ringo faucet in oil-rubbed bronze: Signature Hardware. Skime wall-mount sink and vanity: Magnus Home Products. Storjorm mirror: IKEA. Toto toilet: Toto. Sculptural Glass Pebble small flush-mount: West Elm. Towel hook: Sugar Tools. Wainscoting paint in Quietude; ceiling paint in Pale Oak: Benjamin Moore.

A note on fixture and appliance deliveries: If you’re on a tight timeline, Appliances Connection has over 50,000 items in stock and ready to ship nationally. If you’re in the NY/NJ metro area, in-stock items typically deliver within 2-3 days.

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Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project’s location, budget, scope, and style. Follow the blog, Sweeten Stories, for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you’re ready, work with Sweeten to renovate with the best contractors.

The post A 1919 Colonial House Finds Renewal in Soft Tones appeared first on Sweeten.

When Ryan, an editor, and Sophie, a paralegal, envisioned their renovation, they knew they needed to address the problems they inherited from the “quick and dirty reno” completed in 2009, the year Ryan bought the apartment. The advantage of waiting years to renovate? “It was abundantly clear how we utilized the kitchen,” says Ryan, adding “I had 10 years to save up because even a modest renovation like this one isn’t cheap in NYC!” In their 750-square foot, prewar one-bedroom on the Upper West Side, the partners agreed that the odd-shaped kitchen needed rearranging to take advantage of every square inch; and the bathroom required rescuing from a “South Florida Grandma aesthetic.”

To tackle the project, they posted on Sweeten, a free renovation platform that matches homeowners with licensed general contractors and tracks their projects, and chose their contractor. 

Guest blog post by Sweeten homeowner Ryan

Whoever designed the last renovation really did not think things through. In the kitchen, which is an odd trapezoidal space, the priority was maximizing both storage and counter space, and minimizing clutter. For instance, there was a 24-inch soffit between the top of the cabinets and the ceiling that was just empty space. So we knew we’d need cabinets extending to the ceiling.

The sink was on a diagonal resulting in a large dead space. And the refrigerator was a huge obstruction at the back of the room and the first thing you see when you enter the foyer. Its positioning made the kitchen seem smaller and it just needed to find a new spot. We weren’t sure if that was possible.

The bathroom was small and dark with very little natural light. The vanity was made of builder-grade particle board that had swollen with moisture, and the medicine cabinet protruded. We were intent on transforming the look and feel of the bathroom—even the toilet was pink! The living room got a refresh with repainted walls, a replastered ceiling, and new sconce lighting.

The contractor’s millworker was about twice the cost of Ikea and Cabinets.com, but still about $5,000 less than the cabinets in the next price tier.

For the kitchen, I commissioned a one-hour consult with an interior designer, Clare of One to One Studio, while still planning everything out. The designer suggested moving the refrigerator to the corner and relocating the doorway to accommodate the fit. That might seem obvious in retrospect, but to me, it was a revelation. 

We went with custom cabinets so everything would look integrated. The odd-shaped kitchen space came with difficult angles, pipes, and protrusions. We went to Ikea to experiment with a layout, but couldn’t get their premade boxes to fit in a satisfactory way. I also tried Cabinets.com, which had more options in terms of box sizes, but I worried the boxes wouldn’t be delivered in time.

The contractor’s millworker was about twice the cost of Ikea and Cabinets.com, but still about $5,000 less than the cabinets in the next price tier. He was able to build boxes that accommodated the kitchen’s unusual dimensions.

The kitchen floor tile came from the designer, during our consult. I asked her specifically what I should get since I was stumped by all the options. She recommended black slate tile: durable, attractive, and cheap. Her basic ethos was “make it look expensive without being expensive.” 

The backsplash, on the other hand, was a splurge. We always wanted scallop tiles. Initially, we envisioned a teal color but we realized it was just too loud. So we went with a scalloped tile in muted but varied gray tones. The countertop was another more expensive finish: Empira White featured veining we really liked that complemented the backsplash.

Sophie wanted slab cabinets without any pulls, and I agreed. By then, I was really suffering from decision fatigue and didn’t have the wherewithal to evaluate the merits of different cabinet hardware!

Sophie chose the kitchen to be clean and streamlined, whereas I wanted the bathroom to have quirkier touches. I put together a sort of mood board where we considered a bunch of looks like intricate marble mosaics, but marble stains and needs a lot of upkeep. Plus, our contractor recommended we get large-format tile, due to some peculiarities of the wall.

We ultimately chose 36”x36” glazed porcelain tile that looks like marble at about $4/square foot, which was pretty reasonable, especially since we tiled up to the ceiling. It also worked well on the floor given the bathroom’s size constraints.

The vanity was more of a splurge, but I justified it because I hadn’t seen other vanities quite like it. And it fit. A 25-inch vanity would have been too small, and a 30-inch vanity would have been crammed in. The Goldilocks vanity needed to be between 25 to 30 inches, but powder room vanities sit comfortably within that range. I just had to pay twice what I’d initially budgeted. 

The renovation itself mostly went off without a hitch, from getting board approval to designing it to seeing the project through to completion. Our contractor helped a lot with the paperwork. Between the management company and the board, there were A LOT of forms that I needed to put together. Luckily, the contractor had worked in the building before, which is one of the reasons I hired him. 

The contractor was really good at keeping me in the loop and letting me know what was happening and when. Managing and communicating expectations is a big part of a successful partnership. Have a plan before you hire a contractor, know what you want and why you want it, so you’ll have a better idea of where to compromise with your decisions and where not to.

During the renovation, my downstairs neighbor was particularly helpful. She winters in Florida, and let us stay in her apartment, meaning we didn’t have to find a place to crash. I work from home most days, so I could stay in the building and check out the renovation throughout the day to make sure we were adhering to the plan. Also, I didn’t have to find a place to board my cat, Titus.

Besides the clean look, I love how our new kitchen is all integrated. From a functionality standpoint, I’m very pleased with its usability. It easily accommodates two people working at the same time, has tons of storage space and counter space, yet still seems open.

Thank you, Sophie and Ryan, for sharing your journey with us!

WATCH VIDEO:

KITCHEN RESOURCES: Cabinetry: Custom by general contractor. Cabinet hardware: Amerock. Countertops in Empira White: Caesarstone. Backsplash in Ogee Drop: Fireclay Tile. Sink: Kraus. Faucet: Moen. Refrigerator: Bosch. Stove: Bertazzoni. Microwave: Whirlpool. Flooring in Montauk Black Slate: MSI. 

LIVING ROOM RESOURCES: Paint in Sweet Spring: Benjamin Moore. Light sconces: Restoration Hardware. 

BATHROOM RESOURCES: Wall, floor, and shower tile in Antico Ivory: MSI. Vanity and sink: Restoration Hardware. Faucet, shower fixtures, and medicine cabinet: Kohler. Light fixture: Shades of Light. Toilet: Toto. 

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Sweeten founder and CEO weighs in on what to know before renovating a brownstone.

Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project’s location, budget, scope, and style. Follow the blog, Sweeten Stories, for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you’re ready to renovate, start your renovation on Sweeten.

The post An Odd-shaped Kitchen Leads a Co-op Refresh appeared first on Sweeten.

When avid entertainers embark on an apartment renovation, it’s sure to lead to greatness in the kitchen. That was the case in this 1940s Brooklyn co-op that Jessica, a brand strategist from London, and Jesse, a filmmaker and content producer from Queens, bought together soon after getting married. The couple planned to renovate the 1,000-square-foot, two-bedroom home, with their primary focus on increasing the functionality of the cooking space and storage in other rooms. They posted the project on Sweeten, a free service matching homeowners with vetted general contractors, and chose their contractor. Later, they hired the principals of Blumenthal Architecture and Interiors to lend their expertise. See how Jessica and Jesse created a dream home for themselves and their dog, Kevin.  

Guest blog post by Sweeten homeowner Jessica

Our story begins when we started looking for a home, and specifically a kitchen, we could love. We were living happily in Brooklyn in a one-bedroom rental, but after we got married, investing in an apartment for the long-term was our goal. We noticed that well-renovated places coming on the market were triggering bidding wars and started thinking about buying an apartment to redo. Being big foodies, we got excited to build a beautiful kitchen to cook in.

We came across a cluster of buildings called the Clinton Hill Co-ops and were attracted by the generous square footage of the apartments, which were built in the mid-20th century. When a two-bedroom needing updates became available, we snapped it up. 

We’d hired our Sweeten contractor, along with our team from Blumenthal Architecture and Interiors. We planned to open up the kitchen to the living room and add a peninsula where we could prepare food or just hang out. Plumbing would be relocated for a better cooking layout. However, a partition surrounding the existing refrigerator closed off the kitchen, disrupting flow. 

The solution: Demo the partition and move the fridge, thereby creating space for a six-foot peninsula. It was designed with full-length drawers for pans and dinnerware, built-in shelves at the end of the peninsula for cookbooks, and toe-level kick-drawers, which let us utilize every inch. It also has a wine fridge! We went for under-cabinet lighting and pull-out components: a pantry, spice rack, and garbage bin. 

It’s no joke when your general contractor says everything must be in stock when purchased.

WATCH: Video with more ideas on creating an efficient kitchen

Stef Steen, a color specialist based in the UK, helped us make minimalist palettes with touches of strong color for soul. Our cabinets are custom, the uppers in white and lowers in dark royal blue. People say not to mix shaker and flat-front cabinets, but we liked the flat style for the drawers, where protruding pulls can be annoying. We’re not disappointed. We settled on brushed brass cabinet hardware—after ordering three different styles. One of our favorite aspects of the kitchen is a graphic tile with dark grouting for the backsplash. 

Stef made a booklet with Pantone numbers for matching paint, tile, and accessories. We pulled our kitchen colors to other rooms, adding accents in green and yellow. 

Even though we hadn’t lived in the apartment yet, we thought hard about how we’d use every space. Their contractor took some square footage from the kitchen to widen the hallway making room for a long built-in bookshelf. For storage in both bedrooms, separate closets were merged together as a single built-in with full-height doors and shelving.

To reach optimal electrical aspirations, layouts and furniture placement were carefully planned for overhead lighting installations in the bedrooms and living rooms. Phone chargers were also built into kitchen drawers and outlets were tucked away for electric toothbrushes and hairdryers in the bathroom.

We rolled with the geometrics, doing graphic tile in the bathroom, too, and pairing it with less expensive, easier-to-clean porcelain. (It’s no joke when your general contractor says everything must be in stock when purchased. After we were promised timely shipping on the bathroom wall tiles by a retailer, the day came and they weren’t there; I spent a stressful morning trying to find something similar.) The tile contrasts nicely with the simple brass fixtures and wood vanity. 

With the expertise of our construction and design teams, our goals came together in a vibrant space. Our contractor met with us weekly—or more—to check on progress and we felt supported knowing we could turn to Sweeten if something went wrong. Jesse and I asked our contractor to copy us both on communications, which worked for us. 

Seeing our space transform and our vision come to life was so thrilling. We love our kitchen and take such pleasure in cooking and entertaining in it. 

Thank you, Jessica and Jesse, for sharing your new home with us!

LIVING SPACE RESOURCES: Paint in Pelican Grey: Benjamin Moore. Rugs: Nordic Knots. Sofa: Joybird. Window shades: The Shade Store.

KITCHEN RESOURCES: Frosty Carrina countertop: Caesarstone. Vertice backsplash tile: Ann Sacks. Cabinets: Custom by contractor. Cabinet paint in Kensington Blue and Super White: Benjamin Moore. Cabinet hardware, pendant lighting (over dining table): Schoolhouse. Dishwasher, stove, and hood: Miele. Refrigerator: Liebherr. Wine refrigerator: Wine Enthusiast. Sink: Signature Hardware. Faucet: Grohe. Pendant lights (over island): West Elm. 

BATHROOM RESOURCES: Floor, wall, and shower tile: Cancos. Casa Mila graphic shower wall tile: Ann Sacks. Vanity hardware: Schoolhouse. Shelves: Rejuvenation. Shower fixtures, toilet, and vanity mirror: Kohler. Vanity: Custom by contractor. Sconce: Cedar & Moss. 

MASTER BEDROOM RESOURCES: Sconces: Rejuvenation. Closet system: California Closets. Paint in Alaskan Husky: Benjamin Moore. Window shades: The Shade Store.

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The contractor you choose needs to have the right credentials. Read why they should be licensed here.

Sweeten founder and CEO weighs in on what to know before renovating a brownstone.

Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project’s location, budget, scope, and style. Follow the blog, Sweeten Stories, for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you’re ready to renovate, start your renovation on Sweeten.

The post When Foodies Renovate, the Home Welcomes appeared first on Sweeten.

• Homeowners: Aftering buying a apartment Roxana and Gabriel posted their kitchen renovation on Sweeten.
• Where: Long Island, Queens, New York
• Primary renovation: Updating and expanding the kitchen to fit a most minimalist aesthetic
• Sweeten general contractor
• Sweeten’s role: Sweeten matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering guidance, tools, and support—for free.

A style fix

Roxana and Gabriel’s Long Island City, Queens, loft boasts 15-foot ceilings and loads of natural light. The apartment’s kitchen, however, didn’t suit the couple’s Scandinavian, minimalist style. It lacked counter space, the sink was smaller than standard, and the to-be renovators just weren’t vibing with the finishes. They wanted integrated appliances with all clean lines and everything stowed away in cabinets or drawers. The rest of their home has walnut and matte finishes throughout, so they knew they wanted a similar aesthetic in the cooking space, too. The couple, a creative director and software engineer, who also has a three-year-old son, posted their project to Sweeten and were matched with a general contractor.

New cabinetry

Armed with a clear perspective, the couple got to work with their contractor to reimagine their kitchen. Gabriel used the Ikea kitchen planner tool to lay out the space, exploring its customization offerings to suit their needs. The cabinetry is all Ikea but modified to cover the appliances.

The wall cabinet containing the range hood is shorter and wider than the surrounding units but is still covered by the same door size. The refrigerator, which moved from the main kitchen area into what was formerly a coat closet proved to be one of the biggest challenges. They had to find the right size to not only fit into the existing space, but also align with Ikea panels. “The fridge hunt was probably the single largest use of our time. Ask my wife about chasing our son through AJ Madison,” Gabriel said. Their contractor ended up cutting a 36 inch Ikea panel into three pieces to integrate the refrigerator with the walnut cabinets. They also fit in a cabinet right next to it. All of the drawers and wall cabinets are equipped with LED lighting, adding to the custom feel.

Patience from their general contractor

The sleek aesthetic carried throughout their material choices, from the matte black faucet, lack of cabinet hardware, and a single slab counter and backsplash without any seams. “Our contractor was very patient with all my crazy ideas and helped me make them actually work,” Roxana said. “He helped brainstorm a lot of the Ikea ‘hacking’ and was very patient with us,” she continued.

A modern finish

Sweeten Client Services helped from the get-go to find a general contractor who would be on board for such a custom project, setting the stage for a successful renovation.

As for their new kitchen? “It feels modern, calm, and welcoming. It fits our needs and it feels like home,” the couple shared.

Bonus: Gabriel used an app called Sketch Up to mock up the kitchen and ensure everything would fit with the existing plumbing fixtures.

Renovation materials

Sektion kitchen cabinets; Voxtorp walnut effect pieces; Omlopp LED light strip in drawers; Irsta LED countertop light: Ikea. London Gray, #5000 backsplash and countertops: Caesarstone. Houzz Miseno sink, #MGR2217: Houzz. Delta Faucet Trinsic single-handle faucet in matte black: Amazon.com. Reno Appliance Sub Zero refrigerator, #IT-36CI-RH: Reno Appliance. Miele Dishwasher, #G 6885 SCVi K2O AM: Appliance Connection.

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This kitchen is a mix of Ikea base cabinets and custom cabinet fronts.

Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project’s location, budget, and scope, helping until project completion. Follow the blog, Sweeten Stories, for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you’re ready to renovate, start your renovation on Sweeten.

The post Ikea Brings It Home for a Long Island City Loft appeared first on Sweeten.

Seeing your home’s main supporting beam replaced by a massive steel plank elevates you in the home-renovation hierarchy—and that’s exactly how Jerry and Janet honed their reno chops. In this blog post, we visit the couple in the second phase of the project. To recap: They’d purchased a historic brownstone with “good bones” on a quiet street in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. They were aware that the circa 1910 building was in need of a total interior gutting and posted their project on Sweeten, a free service matching renovators with vetted contractors.

What they didn’t expect to learn was that the wooden beam that had brought essential stability to their brownstone for 100-plus years suffered from rot. They’d hired both a Sweeten architect and a Sweeten general contractor to drive the overhaul. Once the couple had installed the integral metal beam running through their long-sought brownstone, they were initiated. Moving walls, installing a kitchen, and replacing splintered floorboards were achievable tasks. They were pros.

After completing the renovation’s core work, which also included bringing the four-family building’s heating, electrical, and plumbing systems up to date, Jerry and Janet jumped into renovating the building’s first two residential units. Click to see phase one of their renovation. Now they were ready to begin the overhaul of the building’s ground-floor unit, a garden apartment with good rental prospects with the same Sweeten architect and contractor.

We kept and restored moldings, and employed skilled woodworkers to make new lookalike moldings and panels where they were missing.

Janet, the president of the New York School of Design, and Jerry, a doctor, had embarked on the townhouse renovation with some serious objectives in mind. They would have, once finished, three units to rent as well as their own top-floor studio pied-a-terre, which they planned to use as a second home. A key goal was to preserve the building’s prewar details while streamlining and modernizing the interior spaces. They also wanted to create bigger, brighter apartments and therefore planned to convert the building’s traditional two-bedroom configurations to one-bedroom layouts. The project also included opening up the kitchens and enlarging the bathrooms. All applied to the ground-floor garden apartment.

The plans called for essentially gutting the whole ground floor, as they had with the others. “We wanted to keep as many of the old architectural elements as possible,” Jerry said. “To that end, we kept and restored moldings, and employed skilled woodworkers to make new lookalike moldings and panels where they were missing.”

The initial plan for the fireplace was to remove it—although the mirrors were original and in good shape, it’s doors were damaged and the pillars didn’t suit their aesthetic. Their architect suggested they “repaint it and open it up to the brick in the bottom area, “Jerry said. “We really like how it turned out.”

They also preserved as much original wood flooring as possible which were stained and discolored, including the inlaid mahogany borders. “We were surprised when both our Sweeten architect and contractor said that the living room floors were salvageable,” he said. The width of the boards was no longer made but “the contractor went out of his way to find a warehouse with a supply of vintage floorboards to fill in gaps and match to the existing flooring,” Jerry said. 

(Above) Previously a closet, now the kitchen, with the original bathroom behind the closet. Original built-in cabinets seen on left.

Janet had input on the entire project, from layouts to surfaces. In this apartment, she and the architects decided to move things around, shifting the kitchen forward and the bath back. By reshuffling the spaces and putting the kitchen adjacent to the living room, they were able to create a kitchen island that floats on the edge of the living space. The quartz-topped island has counter seating, making it great for quick breakfasts and weekend gatherings; it incorporates an under-counter sink and is lit by a pair of modern pendant fixtures. The shiny stainless-steel hood and dishwasher are from IKEA, as is the gray cabinetry. “We really like the geometric tiles we chose for the kitchen backsplash,” Jerry said.  They add unique character and dimension to what is now a highly visible wall.

Putting the kitchen here opened up what had formerly been a hallway, lined with inset wall cabinets. The doors of these units had been painted a bright chartreuse green—not the couple’s color, but there was a character to them that they wanted to preserve. The contractor stripped the paint, resurfaced, and repainted the doors to look almost new. “We are very happy with the restoration of the cabinets,” Jerry said. “It’s a great feature for the apartment—it adds so much storage space.”

Janet loves how the original doors, now bright white, add a historic touch and some concealed storage to the wall facing the kitchen. The contractor installed new shelving and additional drawers, too, to increase the cupboards’ sleek functionality.

Going for a more open layout really worked in other ways, too, with their old-new aesthetic. The revamped kitchen’s modern appliances are a great contrast to the fantastic old fireplace that is the living room’s most notable feature. They kept it, had the contractor replace the broken display door and window with a very close match, and repainted its mirrored mantel.

The kitchen’s relocation also did wonders for the bedroom, which is at the apartment’s rear. Having opened up the space, they expanded it further by eliminating the rear portion of the apartment’s narrow floor-through hallway and a tiny water closet next to the garden door. When all those walls came down, they had a large, sunny bedroom, flooded with light but completely private. There was room as well to build a large, sliding-door closet with built-in shelving.

(Above) Formerly the hallway and kitchen, now the bedroom

The bathroom is next to the bedroom, and it is a bit modern, a bit old-school. The fixtures and hardware, including the faucet and an open train-rack shelf, nod to the traditional. The couple stuck with the elongated shower tile they had chosen for the other rental units—like subway tiles, but stretched—and went with a large rain shower head to add modern luxury to the large stand-up shower. The hexagonal floor tiles are repeats from upstairs as well.

From the front door to back, the apartment came together beautifully, and Janet and Jerry have their Sweeten team to thank. Jerry recalls that the general contractor, who managed the timeline and the subcontractors from one phase into the next, did an excellent job communicating and keeping the project on schedule. “We found the company honest and responsible for the quality of all work,” he said. “At one point, when we felt like some of the workmanship was sub-par—some newly installed tiles in the bathroom were cracked—the contractor acknowledged our complaint and worked to fix the issue.”

Sweeten also matched them with an architect. Prior to tapping the service, they were about to hire an architect they found on a chat forum only to discover the architect had a less than stellar reputation.

Jerry said that the fact that this has so far been such a smooth project is almost unbelievable, given that on closing day he’d had no idea where to start looking for a good, honest contractor. “Without Sweeten, I would have randomly chosen a company I found on my own,” he confesses—and may or may not have had success.

They had the peace of mind of having the service “be the middleman,” he said. “With Sweeten, the contractors are more accountable. Suddenly, my experience and satisfaction matter much more which is great.”

Now, with the end nearly in sight, they feel successful indeed. The apartment is gorgeous, livable, and comfortable. “Soon it will be rented out to a lucky tenant,” Jerry said, “and we’ll move to the top floor.” Check back to see how Janet and Jerry make the upstairs apartment their own.

Thank you for sharing, Janet and Jerry, and we look forward to the next phase!

KITCHEN AND LIVING AREA RESOURCES: Wood flooring: Original oak hardwood mixed with replacement planks. Cabinetry, hardware, dishwasher, and sink: IKEA. Refrigerator: Bosch. Range: Whirlpool. Lighting: Schoolhouse. Tex backsplash: Mutina. Faucet: Delta Faucet. Wall paint in Balboa Mist, #OC-27CK and Classic GrayCK, #OC-23CK: Benjamin Moore. Quartz countertops in Pure White, #1141:Caesarstone. 

BATHROOM RESOURCES: Hexagon Floors and Metro wall tile in white high gloss: Nemo Tile. Sink and toilet: Duravit. Faucet and shower fixtures: Kohler. Lugarno Trank Rack wall racks: Restoration Hardware. Lighting: Schoolhouse. Heartland medicine cabinet, #HEOC1724: FOREMOST. Knobs: IKEA. Wall paint in Intense White, #OC-51: Benjamin Moore.

OTHER RESOURCES: Doorknobs: Omnia.

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Find out what you should know about purchasing a townhouse and planning for a renovation.

Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project’s location, budget, scope, and style. Follow the blog, Sweeten Stories, for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you’re ready to renovate, start your renovation on Sweeten.

The post A Brooklyn Brownstone Rental Nears Move-In Day appeared first on Sweeten.

• Homeowners: Sally and Ross posted their project on Sweeten for a white kitchen renovation with character
• Where: Jackson Heights, Queens in NYC
• Primary renovation: Open up a galley kitchen to make it more functional and integrated with the rest of the home
• With: Sweeten general contractor
• Homeowner’s quote: “[Our contractor] was able to explain differences in his proposal and showed where his bid foresaw issues the others hadn’t.”

Written in partnership with homeowner Sally. “After” photos by Pixy Interiors.

Sally, a writer, editor, and digital media executive, and Ross, a certified financial planner, bought their two-bedroom apartment in Jackson Heights, Queens in a 1946 Art Deco building. Sally had already been through three renovations in other homes. She typically looked for spaces in fixer-upper condition (and at an “unrenovated” price) versus buying a recently remodeled home that was not her style. ”I know that I can invest in my renovation, get the look and functionality that I want, build equity in my home—and be satisfied with the aesthetic because it’s my design,” she shared.

An inconvenient kitchen

The 1,100-square-foot home was definitely in need of a renovation. Luckily, it had good bones: hardwood floors, thick plaster walls, and high-coved ceilings.

They decided to wait to renovate and see if they should keep the existing galley footprint. It became clear that as a two-cook household, Sally and Ross needed more open space, as they could never fit in the kitchen simultaneously. When the dishwasher was open, it blocked the fridge. Plus, the storage situation wasn’t working. Case in point? To find small appliances in the lower cabinets, Sally had to get on her hands and knees with a flashlight, pulling everything out and back in again.

High marks for contractor communication

After five years of envisioning the kitchen transformation, Sally posted her project to Sweeten, received matches to Queens contracting firms, and interviewed candidates. The Sweeten general contractor she chose “stood out as the best communicator” and really understood the aesthetic she was looking to achieve. “He was able to explain differences in his proposal and showed where his bid foresaw issues the others hadn’t. These were things that were going to come up, and we were going to have to pay for; he was just calling them out ahead of time. I appreciated that,” Sally shared.

As the kitchen plans took shape, she had two design plans: one with the kitchen totally open to the living area, and, Plan B, a galley style with a partial wall. During a walkthrough with her contractor and building manager, they discovered water supply, disposal, and gas lines that couldn’t be moved without disrupting service to the building. That meant Plan B, which (spoiler alert!) Sally ended up loving.

The vision without the price tag

Sally wanted all-paneled and integrated appliances that felt more like furniture. “I found myself gravitating toward kitchens that banked all the tall pantries with the fridges to one side, like Poggenpohl. Henrybuilt has a sleekness I coveted, with its signature absence of wall cabinets and a ubiquitous shelf running along the tops of the slab stone backsplashes. I fell in love with the shaker cabinetry of Plain English, their wonderfully functional sink islands, and use of slab marble,” she said.

“If I’d had any challenges with my contractor, which I didn’t, I knew [Sweeten was] there to advise and help me out.”

The marble backsplash, which Sally referred to as “the star of the show,” consists of two consecutive slabs. A fabricator book-matched them to create the dramatic arc just above the center of the cooktop.

To achieve the kitchen design on budget, they designed the kitchen using the IKEA planner tool and sent a PDF of the design to a cabinet manufacturer who outfitted the IKEA cabinet boxes with all custom doors. Opting for stock bases saved the couple $25,000.

The overall flow improved greatly, thanks to the separate wall ovens and cooktop. Plus, with the refrigerator outside of the main cooking area, it’s easy for guests to grab drinks. The refrigerator is also flanked by tall pantries and cabinets that hold cleaning supplies. Similarly, a narrow unit stores brooms and mops, and all of the base cabinets have deep drawers with organizers. There’s also a unit of freezer drawers, ideal for Sally who batch cooks on the weekends.

Researching contractors with Sweeten

Sally had a strong perspective and sense of what she wanted for her kitchen renovation, and she found a contractor who brought her vision to life. “The number one thing I did right was to hire the right contractor,” she said. Before she chose her contractor, Sweeten shared advice with her on how to compare contractors, which she used to great effect. “During the job, they reached out several times to see how it was going. If I’d had any challenges with my contractor, which I didn’t, I knew they were there to advise and help me out.”

Tips from a veteran renovator

Now, a four-time renovator, Sally has a lot of advice to share with fellow renovators. “You’re going to be making so many choices it will make your head spin. Resist the urge to choose the trendiest or fanciest option at every single decision point. You want one thing, like a marble backsplash, to stand out as the focal point, then maybe a few smaller things, like brass cabinet hardware that picks up the brass in the faucets or in the light fixtures. Let the rest of your choices be the plain backdrop that lets these few gems shine,” she said.

All-in-all, the renovation finished without a hitch. Sally and Ross love their kitchen. “It is extremely gratifying to have a design in your head and see it become a reality. This kitchen is everything that I dreamed it could be. Ross and I cook meals together, clean up together, and everything we need is at our fingertips. And at the reveal party for our floor neighbors, the open kitchen made entertaining so easy and enjoyable.”

Thank you, Sally and Ross, for sharing your renovation with us!

Renovation Materials

• Flooring: Contractor restored and integrated new planks where needed.
• Sektion cabinet boxes, Variera internal organizers, and Nutid integrated wall microwave: IKEA
• Solid maple doors: Scherr’s
• Cabinet paint in Extra White, SW #7006: Sherwin Williams
• White edge cabinet pulls, #9898: Richelieu
• Integrated refrigerator, HC #2080: Liebherr
• Masterpiece gas cooktop, #SGSX365FS: Thermador
• Pull-out range hood, #CRIS36SS600: Faber
• Riverby 27” sink: Kohler
• Trinsic kitchen faucet: Delta
• Continental water filtration faucet, #KS8198CTL: Kingston Brass
• 30” electric wall oven, #VEBIEM301SS: Verona
• Undercounter freezer drawers, #SCFF532D: Summit Appliance
• Quartz countertops in Pure White, #1141: Caesarstone
• Italian Poannazzo marble backsplash: BAS Stone NYC
• Backsplash fabricator: ABF Marble
• Wall paint in Blackened, #2011: Farrow and Ball
• Boldmfg brass picture shelf; LongMadeCo cylinder drop spot mid-century minimal wall light: Etsy

Originally published on April 10, 2019

Updated on July 19, 2023

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Looking for more white kitchen ideas? Check out this Scandinavian-inspired cook space.

Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project’s location, budget, and scope, helping until project completion. Follow the blog, Sweeten Stories, for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you’re ready to renovate, start your renovation on Sweeten.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

The post An Experienced Renovator Takes on Her Integrated Kitchen Remodel with Sweeten appeared first on Sweeten.

Project: Create a cohesive and minimalist kitchen

Before: After moving from an apartment in Kensington, Brooklyn, to a brownstone in Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Brooklyn, Christina and Aaron were ready to renovate their “new” kitchen. Located in a 2,600-square-foot brownstone originally built in 1901, the cook space was definitely showing its age. The multi-color cabinets and floors were falling apart and the appliances were also outdated. Aaron, a director of child programming, and Christina, a registered nurse, wanted a clean and contemporary kitchen better suited for their family of three (including their son Maverick). The couple posted their project to Sweeten and were matched with a general contractor.

After: Before getting started on the demolition and build, they worked with a close friend and interior architect, Gabrielle Gilbert, who was involved in the early planning and design stages of the process and brought their vision to paper. “When it came time to explain our vision to the contractor, we were able to show those plans, which made everything extremely clear,” Aaron said.

The couple chose ceiling-high custom cabinets, with the bottom units painted in a rich navy and the uppers in white. Aside from the refrigerator and cabinets above, they left one wall open to include a small table and two chairs next to a big window. Just outside the kitchen and right off their separate dining room, they converted part of the hallway into an extra pantry area. The floating shelves match the ones used in the far end of the kitchen built from reclaimed wood from Big Reuse.

Throughout the project, their Sweeten contractor ensured they had frequent meetings and progress updates. From the beginning, he provided a detailed plan outlining the timeline, a list of needed materials, and recommended businesses and suppliers. Sweeten Client Services also checked in on the project status and contractor performance to ensure the couple was happy with the progress.

“The biggest challenges we faced with this project were the unexpected discoveries that would often add on to the workload and adjust the timeline of the project, such as the discovery that the floor needed to be re-leveled before tiling,” Aaron said. The electrical also needed to be updated to power the new appliances and the ceiling height had to be adjusted due to pre-existing damage. If you’re renovating an older home, Aaron strongly advises leaving plenty of room wiggle room in your budget because during demolition, issues that weren’t noticeable before can come to the surface.

Through it all, the trio couldn’t be happier with their kitchen. “The new space feels amazing, the whole vibe of the house has changed and we love to spend time in the kitchen together as a family,” Aaron said.

Bonus: Cooking has become so much easier and enjoyable thanks to their new counter space and the bigger stove.

Style finds: Cabinets: Custom. Bottom cabinet paint in Old Navy; upper cabinet paint in Misty Gray; walls in Simply White: Benjamin Moore. Cabinet hardware in Champagne: Amerock. Quartz countertops in White Attica: Caesarstone. Farmhouse sink: LaToscana. Faucet in black with matte finish: Pfister. Refrigerator and dishwasher: Samsung. Stove and microwave: Beko. Circular pendant light: Vonn. Floating shelves made from reclaimed wood: Big Reuse. Patika 2 ivory natural stone floor tile and white subway tile: Galactic Tile.

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Bellamy and Zak renovated their brownstone in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn.

Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project’s location, budget, and scope, helping until project completion. Follow the blog, Sweeten Stories, for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you’re ready to renovate, start your renovation on Sweeten.

The post A Bright Brownstone Kitchen appeared first on Sweeten.

This Central Park West renovation story started out as an emergency: A Manhattan couple, who owned their home since the 1970s, received a call from their resident building manager while they were on vacation during the summer of 2016. Their white-glove apartment was submerged under several inches of water—the result of a leak in an apartment several floors above.

At first, it didn’t look alarming: the homeowners thought that it would only entail a simple clean-up and repair. However, the problem worsened during the initial remediation period. Dehumidifiers were brought in to dry out the water damage, but the walls, ceilings, and floors harbored such high levels of moisture that black mold developed in the summer heat. After three long rounds of mold remediation, the apartment was finally cleared for renovation at the end of 2016.

To add to the complications, the homeowners had to endure negotiations with insurance companies, as well as lengthy permit applications and a challenging approval process with their board, the Landmarks Preservation Commission, and the Department of Buildings.  In September 2017, they began the actual renovation in their Classic 7 home (a 7-room floor plan popular before the ’40s).

When the time finally came for the renovation work to begin, the couple posted their project and worked closely with their Sweeten contractor, who was recommended by Jean Brownhill, the founder and CEO of Sweeten, who happened to be a friend of a friend. Jean visited and saw the damage, plus what remained of an impressive art collection—amassed over a lifetime of travels, including Picassos and ancient sculptures. The scope of work was to include not only the kitchen, where the leak began, but also other parts of the apartment, including the adjacent hallway pantry, laundry room, guest room and bath, and the formal dining room. Eventually, the homeowners decided to convert their now-grown son’s bedroom into a study, and their daughter’s former room into a lounge/exercise space.

They sent us three contractors to interview, which was a huge relief. I’m doing this for the first time, and I was totally out of my comfort zone.

Their Sweeten contractor gutted all of the floors, walls, and ceilings and then began the work of restoration. The couple was interested in restoring what was previously there while bringing a freshness and openness to space by choosing new materials and finishes. The kitchen, which had sported a stainless steel backsplash, outdated cabinets, and inadequate lighting, was given a makeover that included custom gray cabinets paired with white quartz countertops and a unique amazonite backsplash. The homeowner explained, “We visited the stone yard with the contractor and marked the piece out. We wanted it bookended and to come together in an inverted V over the sink.” This was done over both the sink in the walk-through pantry as well as the main kitchen space.

New pendants were added to light up the breakfast table, where the duo generally eats all their meals unless they are entertaining a larger group. “If we want to have more people over, we use the dining room, but otherwise we eat in the kitchen,” the homeowner said. Both the oval-shaped table and radiator cover were designed by the homeowners which their contractors commissioned to have made. Useful storage solutions were added including a dedicated spice drawer and a movable cart outfitted with a cutting board that can be moved wherever needed.

Additionally, the refrigerator was relocated from the hallway pantry area to the main kitchen space, which made it much easier to access, and a smaller, secondary refrigerator was added instead. “I’m a big condiments person, so we made sure to add room for them,” the homeowner said.

In the formal dining room, the space was restored to its original condition to serve as a backdrop for the homeowners’ artwork, records, organ, and harpsichord. The couple’s art collection is diverse and eclectic, gathered from all over the world and dating from early BC through the 21st century. It includes works on paper and canvas; bronze and wood sculpture, ceramics and ceremonial objects. The hope was that the renovation would open up sufficient space and light to showcase these many objects of beauty and turned out to be one of the most gratifying aspects of the renovation.

The guest room—originally designed as servant’s quarters—was completely transformed with new hardwood floors, a wall-mounted sink, built-in closets, and an adjacent bathroom.

The guest bath, which had housed an oddly-positioned and unusable bathtub, is now a small but luxurious space, with slate-colored Porcelanosa tile on the floor and a marble-like Porcelanosa on the shower walls.

On the other side of the guest bath is a multi-purpose room that houses the washer/dryer closet as well as the homeowners’ books.

In the portion of the renovation not spurred by necessity, a bedroom was converted into a study for relaxing and watching TV with a leather sofa that opens to accommodate visiting family. The homeowner designed a custom built-in wall unit that mixed open shelving and cabinets and worked with their Sweeten contractor to bring it to life.

In what had been their now-grown daughter’s bedroom, the homeowners envisioned a serene and comforting space for lounging as well as exercise. The walls were painted lavender, inspired by an acrylic and paper painting that had been done by a friend. This was a theme throughout their home: “We wanted to give the artwork room to breathe, and to be the inspiration for the color palette in each room.” 

Concurrently, they also decided to replace all of their landmarked windows. This alone took 3-4 weeks, and the Sweeten contractor had to make sure to protect the built-ins and previous renovation work. He also topped all of the windowsills with Caesarstone.

The homeowners are so happy to be back in their apartment, after pushing through over two years of negotiations, paperwork, and red tape—not to mention mold, dust, and debris in every corner of their home. ”You come to realize, what one person thinks is a good job is not what another person might consider a good job,” the homeowner said. “Sweeten was so supportive. They called periodically when we were getting very disheartened. They sent us three contractors to interview, which was a huge relief. I’m doing this for the first time, and I was totally out of my comfort zone. We had no idea how to pick people—so Sweeten was incredibly helpful.”

They report that even though they felt like giving up on many occasions, they persevered. What seems like courage is really having “no choice”. This was their home. We were happy to hear that the best part of the whole situation was their Sweeten contractor, who delivered what he promised and more.

Thank you for sharing the reveal of your Central Park West renovation! 

KITCHEN/PANTRY RESOURCES: Calacata Silver floor and wall tile: Porcelanosa. Kitchen cabinets: custom. Cabinet paint in Colonial Revival Gray, #SW 2832: Sherwin Williams. Countertops in Misty Carrera, #4141: Caesarstone. Quartzite Corteccia Azerobact Leather quartz backsplash: EGM Corp. Sink: Elkay. Bridge faucet: Rohl. Radiator covers: custom. Stove: Viking. Dishwasher: Miele. Refrigerator: Sub-Zero. Wine fridge, #SWC530LBIST: Summit. Hardware: Simon’s Hardware.

GUEST ROOM RESOURCES. Sink: MTI. Paint in Glacier Lake, #867: Benjamin Moore.

GUEST BATH RESOURCES. Deep Grey Nature floor tile, Calacata Silver wall tile: Porcelanosa. Fixtures from Spa Shower and Country Bath collections: Rohl. Toilet: Toto.

LAUNDRY ROOM RESOURCES: Paint in Hawthorne Yellow, #HC-4: Benjamin Moore. Washer, #WAT28402UC, dryer, #WTG86402UC: Bosch.

DINING ROOM RESOURCES. Paint in Hancock Green, #HC-117: Benjamin Moore. Chandelier: Olde Good Things.

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A leak led to a luxe remodel of a West Village bathroom.

Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project’s location, budget, and scope, helping until project completion. Follow the blog, Sweeten Stories, for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you’re ready to renovate, start your renovation on Sweeten.

The post A Central Park West Co-op Starts Anew appeared first on Sweeten.

Project: Make a kitchen better suited for entertaining and cooking

Before: Rob, a musician, purchased an apartment on the top floor of a Harlem brownstone six years ago. Shoko, a writer, moved into the Harlem abode two years ago, and the couple has lived together ever since. Their 900-square-foot apartment dates back to the late 19th century, though the interiors were updated in the early 2000s. Overall, they were happy with how the home looked (except the kitchen). “The kitchen’s orange-y cabinetry, shiny black appliances, and brown countertop stuck out. Rob travels a lot for work, and every time we’d FaceTime, he’d see the cabinets in the background and say, ‘Okay, that’s it. Let’s really do it this time.’ Finally, we just decided to take the leap,” Shoko shared.

After: The couple posted their project to Sweeten and were matched with a general contractor. Aside from the overall appearance changes, the couple also wanted to improve the flow and function—more storage was a must. “We decided to redo the kitchen mainly because as we get older, we find ourselves spending more and more time at home. We love to eat out, but we also love to cook and have friends over,” Shoko shared.

They worked with their general contractor and a web-based design company specializing in IKEA kitchens, Inspired Kitchen Design, to bring their vision of a minimal, but warm space to their kitchen. The cabinet bases the couple chose were outfitted with custom cabinet doors from Semihandmade (a recommendation from designer Keren Richter whose work Shoko has written about and that’s been featured on Sweeten Stories). “I loved their aesthetic, and as soon as I saw their Supermatte clay slab, I was sold on that color-wise,” she said. The open shelving and brass drawer pulls are also from Semihandmade.

Previously, the kitchen didn’t take advantage of the ceiling height. The renovators decided to extend the upper cabinetry as close to it as possible. The extra space has now left them wondering if they should get more appliances, like a stand mixer. “That’s something I never dreamed I’d say as a New Yorker in a (relatively) small space,” Shoko shared. Their other design decisions, from the lighting to the countertops, were all part of creating a cohesive, simple look. Together, their finishes and materials feel warm, inviting, and clean.

The couple worked very closely with their general contractor to bring IKD’s design to fruition. “The contractor’s role was incredibly important from the outset—and it grew in importance as the project progressed,” Shoko said. He focused on understanding the full intention of the design, providing recommendations and workarounds (when needed) at every stage. “Not only did he and his team install the entire project, but they were a much-needed set of extra eyes with an experienced concern for aesthetics and functionality. We feel so lucky to have found them, and couldn’t recommend them highly enough,” she continued.

Overall, getting started on the project proved to be the biggest challenge. The renovation process itself only revealed a few minor issues: the walls weren’t straight and required hidden adjustments to make the measurements work out; and some delivering delays. Regardless, they stayed on time—and budget.

As first-time renovators, the inevitable questions came up about what they could do in their price range, the best materials to work with, and how they could ensure they weren’t forgetting anything important. Their general contractor provided assurance (and answers) the whole way through.

“We are so happy with our kitchen. It’s exactly what we wanted. It makes our entire apartment feel brighter and bigger, and it’s a total pleasure to cook, eat, and host there. We feel even more at home than we did before,” Shoko said.

Bonus: Shoko’s favorite element of the new kitchen? It’s a tie between then open shelving and countertops. “ I love ceramics, so it’s fun to have a space to display our favorite things. We were also very excited about our new countertop. That bright white Caesarstone is a breath of fresh air,” she said.

Style finds: Bamboo kitchen floor: original. Upper cabinet fronts in Supermatte White Slab; lower cabinet fronts, drawer fronts, and toe kick in Supermatte Clay Slab; cabinet knobs in Natural Brass and open shelving in Oak: Semihandmade. Countertop and backsplash in Blizzard, #2141: Caesarstone. Stainless steel sink, #MNO162318SR: Miseno. Grohe Concetto single-handle faucet in Super Steel: Amazon. Whirlpool dishwasher, WDTA50SAHZL; Beko stove, #PRGR34550SS; Whirlpool fridge, #WRB119WFBM: P.C. Richard & Son. Whirpool undercabinet range hood, #WVU37UC0FS: Home Depot. Grain white pendant lights: Muuto. Wall paint in Simply White: Benjamin Moore. Barstools: Thrift store purchase by homeowners. Butcher block: Installed pre-renovation.

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Melissa’s kitchen is anything but the classic white cook space.

Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project’s location, budget, and scope, helping until project completion. Follow the blog, Sweeten Stories, for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you’re ready to renovate, start your renovation on Sweeten.

The post Finding Home in a Sunny Cook Space appeared first on Sweeten.

The post A Scandi-Style Kitchen with Mid-Century & Italian Cues in Brooklyn appeared first on Sweeten.

The post My Sweeten Story: Creating Space and a Sense of Calm appeared first on Sweeten.

The post My Sweeten Story: A Proper Dining Room Emerges for Entertaining appeared first on Sweeten.

Project: Increase storage and counter space in a Queens, NY, kitchen

Before: Ed, a buyer for a retail department of a major New York City museum, purchased a sponsor apartment with his late wife, Kate, in Jackson Heights, Queens, nearly 16 years ago. (A sponsor unit is a unit or an apartment owned by the original owner or corporation responsible for turning a building from a rental into a co-op.) The kitchen was made up of cheap materials they knew someday they’d want to replace to fit their taste.

“We were pretty enamored by the bungalow/Arts and Crafts/Mission style, given that our building was built around the end of the ‘bungalow boom’ and the neighborhood shared a similar, working middle-class ethos,” Ed said. Otherwise, storage and the lack of counter space were a big issue for them. They came to Sweeten, posted their project, and were matched with a general contractor.

After: The kitchen came together, capturing the essence of Arts and Crafts style: warm, cherry wood cabinets paired with an earthy green-blue backsplash and natural gray quartz countertops. They moved the fridge to another wall, but otherwise, the layout remained the same. A radiator on the west wall presented a minor design challenge; their contractor suggested working around it by leaving a space open beneath the countertop.

Most of the project went off without a hitch and any issues that popped up were solved quickly (or planned ahead for). When the contractor went to pick up the quartz slab for their counter, he discovered it had been damaged in the warehouse. To keep the renovation on schedule, he texted Ed photos of other, similar options he found. “What we picked actually ended up looking better,” Ed said.

The renovators hoped when they removed the vinyl flooring, the wood underneath would be in good enough shape to keep. It turned out the adhesive used to affix the subfloor ruined the fir floors. Their contractor had thought ahead though, and had a flooring supplier save oak planking just in case. Since they had such a great experience and their contractor handled every issue that popped up, Ed shared he didn’t feel the need to contact Sweeten’s Client Services.”It speaks very highly of Sweeten’s contractor assessments that nothing came up that need your intervention,” he pointed out.

Lessons Ed learned post-renovation?

1.) Have a cleaning crew lined up.
2.) If you’re renovating your kitchen, make sure you have alternative places to have your meals in mind. 3.) Make sure your contractor has multiple suppliers he/she works with. Luckily, theirs did, but that might not always be the case.

While Kate and Ed worked on the plans for their kitchen together, she passed away before she could see it come to fruition. “The kitchen is almost entirely Kate’s conception,” Ed said. “It really feels like I’m living in her vision—it’s really comforting.”

Bonus: A custom drawer has exactly enough room to hold Ed’s Celestial Seasons tea tins.

Style finds: Cabinets: Custom by Sweeten contractor. Quartz countertops, 603 Coastal Gray: Caesarstone. Liberty cocoa bronze round knobs and pulls: Home Depot. Refrigerator, #BFBF2715SS: Beko. Dishwasher, #DW80M2020: Samsung. Stove, #JB250GFSA: GE.

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Take a look at this Long Island City kitchen overhaul.

Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project’s location, budget, and scope, helping until project completion. Follow the blog for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you’re ready to renovate, start your renovation on Sweeten.

The post An Arts and Crafts Kitchen Built With Love appeared first on Sweeten.