Adding colorful accents to your bathroom when you renovate is a good way to show your own style and personality. These colorful accents can be in the form of vanities, wall paint, and tile.  By selecting your favorite hue and incorporating it into your next bathroom remodel, you can effectively create any mood/vibe you like.

Here’s how some Sweeten renovators incorporated colorways outside of neutral making a trip to the bathroom a happy event.

Sweeten matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering guidance, tools, and support—for free.

Bold in blue bathrooms

Blue comes in all shades, making it a good color choice to accommodate many design styles. Sweeten renovators Katherine and Chris needed more space for their growing family. They found a promising two-bedroom in Park Slope, Brooklyn, that they could transform with the help of a Sweeten contractor. Their contractor overhauled the bathroom and the couple decided to add a splash of color with a dramatic blue vanity and storage closet.

For their 1,800-square-foot full apartment renovation, Dara and Mauricio posted their project scope to Sweeten and found a contractor to update their bathroom. “In terms of style, we tried to reach a middle ground between our preferences,” says Mauricio. “I chose a more eclectic style for the second bathroom: gray-and-blue patterned tiles on the floor and shower wall mixed with large white subway tiles.”

Peggy and her husband also found themselves in a similar situation in that they couldn’t put off a renovation any longer. Except for this couple, there wasn’t a new baby on the way: the bathroom was leaky and in bad need of repair. They wanted to stay true to the feel of their circa late-1800s brownstone, so Peggy selected classic design elements, including a blue vanity.

When Kate and Daniel redid their bathroom, they went spent a lot of time researching different styles online and on social media. They went with classic subway tile for the walls and hexagonal tile in a royal blue colorway for the floor.

Greens with envy

With so many different shades of green to choose from, it is no wonder so many renovators are finding it easy to pick the one that suits their style. Brooklyn residents Gus and Katherine (above) used a clever mix of tiles for their bathroom remodel, which includes a herringbone ceramic in Jadite for a statement wall.

Fellow Sweeten renovators Kavi and David also selected an unconventional tile for their bathroom renovation. They replaced a subdued floor with a cement Dandelion tile in Lawn/Milk. These hex tiles with watercolor edges and abstract white lines depict sunburst.

Allyson, an attorney who purchased a 1920s home in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, also used green to make a design statement in her bath. “I really wanted my bathroom to reflect my love of travel and combine vintage and mid-century modern elements,” says Allyson. Her Sweeten contractor installed shower tiles in a rich aqua green that features a windblown texture—the idea behind them was to make you feel like you’re surrounded by water.

Orange is the new black

These Brooklyn homeowners turned to a Sweeten contractor to remodel their apartment that hadn’t been updated since the 1980s. A black color scheme was chosen with a pop of color in the flooring tile. They installed black tile on the wall by the sink, and offset it with a geometric tile on the floor in burnt orange.

Liz and Kevin, residents of Los Angeles, were thrilled with finding a home in SoCal. The catch? The 1923 house had water damage that required the bathroom to be gutted. With the help of a Sweeten contractor, they were able to transform the space into a modern oasis. They took a chance and added a striking backsplash to the sink area. “The orange,” Liz said, “felt like a risk, but a little playful, like us.”

Back in black

Today, a lot of home design blogs are touting “blue is the new black” or “yellow is the new black.” But rest assured black is back—and here to stay. Look no further than Sweeten renovator Veronica’s bathroom remodel. She worked with a Sweeten contractor to update her entire bath after she found a leaky pipe in her Manhattan co-op. She was happy to get rid of the outdated beige tile and old jet tub and replace them with more chic options. By painting the walls black, it lends a modern aesthetic to the room. “The bathroom got very little light to begin with, so I decided to embrace the cave-like atmosphere and go dark,” Veronica says.

When Alicia and Ed got a new dog, Roxy, they realized they wanted a pet-friendly neighborhood. They found a 1,400-square-foot brownstone in Brooklyn but it needed to be renovated. The bathroom had broken tiles and much of the space was outdated and in need of repair. For the guest bathroom, the couple selected a black-and-white color palette. The result is a classic yet sleek aesthetic.

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Want to see more? Check out Sweeten’s before & after bathroom transformations.

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 How to Splash a Bath with Color appeared first on Sweeten.

This family’s 2-unit renovation was worth the wait

• Homeowners: Isis and Stephano moved into their pre-war home and posted their Brooklyn brownstone bathroom remodel with laundry on Sweeten
• Where: Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York
• Primary renovation: Expansion, reconfiguration, and renovation of the Brooklyn brownstone’s fourth-floor bathroom, which does double-duty as a laundry room
• With: Sweeten general contractor
• Homeowners’ quote: “[Sweeten] helped us gut-check our initial budget based on the market for our area.”

Written in partnership with homeowners Isis and Stephano. “After” photos by Kate Glicksberg for Sweeten.

Purchasing the right Brooklyn brownstone

Isis, a brand and experiential marketing specialist, and Stephano, a nurse anesthetist, closed on their brownstone home at the end of 2018. It was a fixer-upper, with four floors comprising of a 3-story apartment for the family and a garden-level rental unit. Renovating the bathroom topped their priority list at first, but had to be postponed. “We’d gutted it but weren’t able to immediately redo it,” Isis said, “because we had to prioritize repairs to the roof and work on the downstairs unit.” With two kids and a third on the way, they were not excited about putting off the bathroom—a job that included expanding it to accommodate their growing family and a new laundry space.

How much, and how long?

During the nearly two years that followed, the family muddled through. “We had everyone sharing one bathroom,” Stephano said—including, at times, Isis’s dad. When they finally had the time and resources to undertake the bathroom remodel, they posted it on Sweeten, and were quickly introduced to several qualified Brooklyn contractors.

“The biggest questions we had were how much and how long,” Isis recalled, explaining that they’d heard horror stories of inflamed budgets and endless timeline extensions. They also tried to ascertain how well each of the candidates could communicate. “We hoped to work with a team that could convey all key info that might affect the timeline,” Isis said, “so that we could collaborate on workarounds.”

Isis was relieved that Sweeten could smooth the process. “The company helped us gut-check our initial budget based on the market for our area,” she said. “They presented solid contractors for us to meet, and then checked in to make sure we felt pleased with our selection. I felt good about the consultant who supported us and the insights she shared.”

Measure twice, cut once

Once they had made their contractor choice, the process for the bathroom began—haltingly. Isis and Stephano had hired an independent designer, and brought the resulting plans to the table when discussing the project with their contractor. “The designer had measured, provided renderings, and even put us in touch with vendors,” Stephano said. They ordered many of the materials for the bathroom, included a barn door for the washer/dryer, a vanity, and stone for the two-sink top. Then—a hard stop. “Our contractor realized that many of the measurements didn’t jibe,” Stephano said.

 

Finding a creative way to fit them in, Stephano said, “took amazing Tetris skills” on the part of their contractor.

The original washer and dryer, left behind by the previous owners, wouldn’t fit in the space the designer had planned for it. The vanity size was also off, and the door from the recommended vendor was too heavy to be installed as intended. “It wasn’t the best experience,” Isis said. But the couple persisted, fueled by their vision: a  functional space for laundry, and a shower lit by the morning sun through a skylight. And their Sweeten contractor found solutions to each of the problems created by the ill-chosen designer. Stephano offered his own solution to the barn door problem: he’d use his skills to build his own custom design, and worked with the contractor to incorporate it.

Borrowing space to get a bigger bathroom

To accommodate the whole family, and the laundry area, they knocked down an adjacent wall and annexed a pair of closets. One closet was rebuilt to house the washer and dryer—a pair of 24-inch stacking units to replace the original ones that didn’t match the designer’s drawings. Finding a creative way to incorporate the units into the bathroom, Stephano said, “took amazing Tetris skills” on the part of their contractor. The enlarged space helped with other layout and storage challenges. “The shower is spacious! We added a custom cabinet that can hold all of our toiletry needs and were able to obtain a larger, double-sink vanity,” Isis said.

For finishes they chose a combination of black, white, and natural wood, with contrasting hex tiles and subway tiles. “Subway tile felt very NYC to us, so we led with that, but also liked hexagon tile for the floor,” Isis said. “In the shower, we opted for all black, which we totally love, and we’re happy with the custom walnut shelving, too.”

Their general contractor was a great fit

Both partners feel proud of starting their bathroom project and the final outcome. “We took what we’d learned from other projects,” Isis said, “and used that knowledge to work really well with our Sweeten contractor and his team.” Stephano appreciated that their contractor was always available, “and was invested in both getting the work done and making sure we were satisfied.”

“I love the design, and how functional it is for all of our needs, including storage,” Isis said. “Thanks to the skylight, the bathroom has great natural light. She added, “I love the custom door Stephano made for us!” Perfectly weighted, and smooth-rolling.

Thanks for sharing your Brooklyn brownstone bathroom story with us, Isis and Stephano!

Renovation Materials:

BATHROOM RESOURCES:

• Geometrics 2” hex matte white wall tile; Silhouette black polished 2”x10” shower wall tile; Geometrics 2” hex glazed black shower floor tile; Geometrics two-inch hex glazed black floor tile; and Quartz Jet Black saddles: Brooklyn Tile & Design
• Awaken and Purist X Handles shower fixtures and hardware, Adair toilet: Kohler
• Matte black rolling shower door: VIGO
• Custom-built double vanity cabinet with Urbania door panels in Mariposa: Tafisa
• Nicoli matte black faucet: Delta
• Carbon Loft Cornwall Metal Beveled Venetian wall mirror: Overstock
• Keenan two-light wall sconce: ALLMODERN
• Barn door: Custom hand-made by contractor
• SmartStandard Barn door hardware: Amazon
• 24” washer and dryer: Samsung  

Originally published on August 12, 2021

Updated on June 27, 2023

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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 to renovate, start your renovation with Sweeten.

The post New Bathroom and Laundry for a Brooklyn Brownstone appeared first on Sweeten.

The post 7 Takes On a Dreamy White Subway Tile Bathroom appeared first on Sweeten.

The post Remodeling with the Family in Mind appeared first on Sweeten.

The post White Subway Tiles: A Modern Kitchen Design Trend appeared first on Sweeten.

“After” photos by Kate Glicksberg for Sweeten

• Homeowners: Homeowner Angela posted her co-op bathroom renovation on Sweeten
  
• Where: Manhattan, New York City
• Primary renovation: Updating a dated co-op bathroom in a landmark building
  
• Sweeten general contractor
  
• Sweeten’s role: Sweeten matches home renovators with vetted general contractors, offering input, support, and up to $50,000 in renovation financial protection—for free.

Starting a renovation

Angela, an epidemiologist, moved to Manhattan from New Jersey and started renting. She loved the city so much, she decided to make it her home. She chose to live at The Manor, a 1928 landmark building in the East 40s, for its grand lobby and beautiful casement windows that overlook a neighborhood park and provide natural light. The only thing due for an update? The co-op’s outdated, flawed bathroom.

A designer brings ideas for an old bathroom

She lived in her apartment for several years, doing research and planning before embarking on a renovation. She discovered Sweeten around the same time she found an image of a similar bathroom done by interior designer Andrea Brodfuehrer. “Everything just came together,” Angela said, and she posted her project on Sweeten.

The bathroom wasn’t in great shape. It had broken tiles, visible pipes, and water shut-off valves near the sink, plus poorly placed ceramic fixtures; like a toilet paper holder installed on the tile wall that was uncomfortably close to the toilet. The outdated bathroom needed storage solutions that worked better than the existing storage areas (the floor, ledges, or open shelving behind the bathroom door.)

Though she knew what she wanted, Angela said, “I barely knew where to start. Seeing blog posts like the ones on Sweeten gave me some insight into the process and helped motivate me to take the plunge with the renovation.”

A glamorous, organized white bathroom

Once she was ready to get estimates and interview contractors, Angela said, “Sweeten client services were there for me, ensuring I found [the contractor] who was the right fit for my project. It helped make the process feel a bit less daunting.” Her Sweeten general contractor was in regular communication with Angela and her designer throughout the process and was responsive to questions, comments, and tweaks along the way.

Stylewise, Angela wanted to keep things simple and classic yet unique. She fell in love with a Kelly Wearstler floor tile that Andrea had shown her and admitted it was her favorite part of the bathroom. By contrast, since the floor tile was bold, she chose a white subway tile for the walls with light gray grout for balance.

Angela also included marble niches and shelves, including one next to the sink that mimicked one she had seen in one of Andrea’s previous designs. In the shower, she opted for a rain showerhead and a handheld; Andrea also suggested including a hook above the shower niche for yet another shower option.

Adding bathroom storage solutions

For more storage, a space between the shower and the wall that housed some pipes became tucked-away shelves, perfect for towels and toiletries and a hidden toilet paper holder.

At first, Angela thought that a designer wasn’t necessary for such a small bathroom with no layout change. But now, she would highly recommend it. Once she met Andrea, they clicked right away. “She had amazing ideas and helped pull things together in a way I couldn’t have myself,” Angela said.

Overall, the project went smoothly, but Angela was surprised at how difficult it was to see the bathroom reduced to rubble. “Once the general contractor put everything back together, though, that phase of the work seemed like a distant memory,” she recalled.

Finding the right general contractor

After initially meeting with a few contractors, Angela realized how important it was to nail down what she really wanted in order to ensure she got comparable estimates. It was essential to get a sense of a contractor’s personality and how well they would work together. “Our contractor made a great first impression when he braved an unusually busy day due to the Women’s March to come to see the bathroom and provide an estimate,” she said. “Renovating can be a relatively short but very intense process, so it’s important to find someone you can trust.”

Renovation materials

Liaison by Kelly Wearstler Mosaics floor tile: Ann Sacks. Arctic White subway wall tile: Daltile. Hardware, towel bar, and hooks: Pottery Barn. Kohler Artifacts shower fixtures, rain shower head; and Bancroft sink/vanity and toilet: Kohler. Sconce lighting: Bellacor. Mirror: Restoration Hardware.

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Considering your own co-op bathroom renovation? See What to Know Before you Change the Layout in your NYC Co-op or Condo.

Read Sweeten’s guide, The Renovating Do’s and Don’ts About DIY,  if you’re thinking of trying DIY at home.

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 Co-op Bathroom Renovation Shines with Sleek Tile & Storage appeared first on Sweeten.

“After” photos by Pixy Interiors for Sweeten

Project: Transform a one-bedroom unit by splitting the master bath into two; adding a second bathroom and an extra bedroom. 

Before: When Jeanne and Philip found out they were having a baby, it was just the incentive they needed to renovate. Changing the layout of their 1,000-square-foot apartment would be more efficient for their growing family. They wanted more space to enjoy while raising their little one—without being on top of one another. Luckily, with the help of Sweeten, a free renovation platform that matches homeowners with licensed general contractors and tracks their projects, they posted their project and found a contractor who could help fulfill their vision of adding a second bathroom and bedroom by splitting up the master bath.

They discussed turning their one-bedroom into a two-bedroom and splitting their master bath into two with their contractor. Luckily, there was enough square footage to play with. The previous owner had taken a closet next to the master bathroom to make a large walk-in shower. The couple’s Sweeten contractor would use some of that space to make a guest bath and second bedroom.

After: The couple decided a design-build firm would be a good fit since maximizing their apartment’s limited space would be tricky. Plus, the contractor handled the architectural documents required by the co-op board and filed for city permits. The family’s main goal was to turn the guest bath into an ADA-compliant space. To do so, they had to add a step up due to underlying drains. Without it, the room would not be able to function in such a capacity. An ADA-compliant space follows a federal guideline to provide greater access to people with limited mobility.

SLIDESHOW:

SLIDESHOW:

“I asked the designer to come up with different looks, then mixed and matched,” Jeanne says. “We wanted to be a bit more forward and get funkier.”

Bonus: A new wall-hung toilet takes less floor space than a traditional toilet would.

Style finds: Toilet: Kohler. Vanity: Fresca. Sin/faucet: Grohe. Medicine cabinet: Robern. Toilet paper holder and a hand towel hook Ginger. Subway tile and herringbone mosaic: Nemo Tile. Flooring Daltile. Rain shower and hand-held system: Hansgrohe.

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Give new life to your kitchen. Here’s what you need to know on the renovation costs for a kitchen in NYC.

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 Adding a Second Bath for Convenience appeared first on Sweeten.

• Homeowners: Homeowners Rachel and Michael posted their bathroom renovation on Sweeten
  
• Where: Jackson Heights, Queens, New York
  
• Primary renovation: Updating the bathroom with more color and a more roomy feel
  
• Sweeten general contractor
• Sweeten’s role: Sweeten matches home renovators with vetted general contractors, offering input, support, and up to $50,000 in renovation financial protection—for free.

Bathroom need color

Owners Rachel and Michael didn’t want to go super modern with their bathroom update, so they went with a classic look that complemented their apartment’s prewar roots. The original space was dark and in an uninspiring neutral, the shower was cramped and confined by uneven walls, and old chipped tile throughout had clearly seen better days.  A remodel was in order. The couple posted their project on Sweeten, a free service matching renovators with vetted general contractors, and they chose their contractor.

Creating more space without changing the layout

Keeping the existing layout intact, Rachel and Michael made crucial updates, starting with tearing down the unnecessary wall framing of the shower—which added an extra nine inches to the height of the shower—and swapping the old glass door for a new one. With a bigger and brighter space to fill, a waterfall of penny tile in various shades of blue shines as a showpiece. The open and light-filled shower with its mosaic of tile is now Michael’s favorite part of the bathroom.

A contrast between colors

A dusky shade of blue paint dominates the upper half of the walls while balancing the crackle-finish white subway tile with the right amount of contrast. White hexagon floor tile adds another layer of pattern. The tub also experienced a major improvement: out went the old tub with a clunky, external drainage system, and in went the new with an integrated system, vintage-style wall-mount tub filler, and a tiled tub surround.

Same bathroom, bigger feel

After a month of going back and forth on deciding on the replacement, the couple switched out the boxy, builder-grade vanity for an open console design, making the space feel considerably larger. A mirrored medicine cabinet and triple-light fixture over the vanity—Rachel’s favorite details—complete the look. The result? A room once bathed in beige gets new energy. [For these homeowners, an open-console vanity was a must. Find out more about must-haves vs. nice-to-haves in this article from Domino.]

Bonus: Dust bunnies averted! Michael noted that his contractor did a spectacular job of keeping the bathroom clean, combating the huge amount of debris generated by the work.

Renovation materials

Wall color in Hale Navy from Benjamin Moore. 24″-wide console sink, Parlington tub fixtures from Signature Hardware. Medicine cabinet by Restoration Hardware. Archie Collection vanity light from Progress Lighting. Edenton tub by Mirabelle. Kohler rain/handheld shower heads and toilet by Kohler. Ceiling light by Rejuvenation.

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Sweeten’s founder + CEO, Jean Brownhill shares the ideal number of contractor bids you should get.

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

The post A Beige Bath Turns Blue Beauty appeared first on Sweeten.

Project: Fix water damage and give the main-floor bathroom a facelift in Valley Stream, Long Island

Before: The problem with the first-floor bathroom in Marilyn’s 1950s home was twofold. While undergoing a separate renovation in the basement, the family discovered water damage in the bathroom that needed to be fixed ASAP. The subfloor was rotting out from what they assumed was pre-existing damage prior to their ownership of the home, plus a slow leak. Marilyn, a veteran renovator and construction manager, also wanted to give the bathroom a cosmetic facelift to make it more cohesive with the rest of her house. “I felt like my house was really modern (and totally my taste), and that bathroom was an eyesore,” Marilyn said.

After: Eager to complete the renovation in time for Christmas dinner when plenty of guests would be in her home, Marilyn posted her project on Sweeten and was matched with this Sweeten general contractor early in December. They tackled the water damage first by reinforcing joists and demoing the rest of the space, removing the bathtub, toilet, vanity, and old tile flooring.

She had initially debated replacing the bathtub with a rain shower, but it was the only bathtub in the house (and one her kids loved to use). Instead, she set out to find a deep tub that would add to the luxury feel of the space. “I actually had to get this special ordered, because it’s really, really deep and wide,” Marilyn said.

Marilyn spent an entire day at the tile store, searching for the perfect ones for the wall, floor, and shower. “I fell in love with the white subway tile, but I went with a gray grout,” she said. Along the shower and bath wall, she opted for a gray gradient tile, and then a pop of color in the storage niche with a turquoise that ties in with the wall color. The modern vanity boasts lots of storage for the smaller space, thanks to the large drawers.

Given her expertise and knowledge of the industry, Marilyn was very hands-on throughout the renovation and worked directly with her Sweeten contractor on finding, picking, and negotiating prices on materials. One of the biggest and only challenges they ran into was accommodating the oversized bathtub. “It’s almost like jutting out past the wall a little bit, but he was able to get a nice little silver trim just so everything looks kind of consistent. We had to shimmy things to make it straight,” she said.

The results were totally worth it and the project was completed just in time. “I absolutely love it. I get lots and lots of compliments from everyone who comes to my home, and it’s always really nice,” Marilyn said.

Bonus: Marilyn’s daughters are in love with the giant new bathtub. She said, “Both of my girls get in this big tub, and it’s like a little swimming pool for them!” she said.

Style finds: Bathtub, 21″ deep: Maax. Hague 3-light vanity light, Maxted modern wall shelf, robe hook, toilet ring, and Kohler medicine cabinet, K-2967-BR1: Wayfair. Wall paint in Wave Top M450-3: Behr.

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See how Jen and Luke tackled their leaky bathroom in Harlem.

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 Hotel-Worthy Bathroom in Long Island appeared first on Sweeten.

When it comes to tiling your bathroom, there’s no right or wrong approach. Whether you’re looking to go more classic or mix it up with an unexpected pattern, these stunning spaces show how to pull off your vision.

Tickled Pink


(Image Credit: Equipe)

Large-format Subway 

(Image Credit: Domino)

Marbled Marvel


(Image Credit: Bright Design Lab)

Vertical Thinking

(Image Credit: Inside Out Australia)

Geometric Glam


(Image Credit: House and Garden UK)

Green Groove

(Image Credit: Bo Bedre)

Pattern Play


(Image Credit: Quadro Style)

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Sweeten is a free service that matches renovators with vetted general contractors, helping until project completion. See how these Sweeten homeowners updated their bathroom with classic herringbone tile.

Sign up to receive our newsletter and follow the blog for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you’re ready, start your renovation on Sweeten.

The post 7 Unique Bathroom Tile Designs appeared first on Sweeten.

Often on the wish-list, islands are the perfect kitchen workhorse but don’t need to look so hard-working. The waterfall style gives this piece of furniture a finishing touch. From wood to concrete, here are seven ideas to pore over.

Hidden Storage

(Image Credit: Remodelista)

Marble Veining

(Image Credit: House and Garden UK)

Mineral-inspired

(Image Credit: Julia Robbs)

Warm Wood

(Image Credit: My Domaine)

Multi-tiered

(Image Credit: Desire to Inspire)

Live-edge

(Image Credit: Dwell)

Cool Concrete

(Image Credit: Yatzer)

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Sweeten is a free service matching renovators with vetted general contractors. See how Lia and Chris added a marble waterfall island to make their Williamsburg condo feel more like home. 

Sign up to receive our newsletter and follow the blog for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you’re ready, start your renovation on Sweeten.

The post 7 Sleek Waterfall Islands appeared first on Sweeten.

Lawyer-turn-entrepreneur Cassandre Davilmar, along with her business partner, Isiah Michael, saw something missing in her neighborhood: a place for healthy-minded people to gather for camaraderie and movie nights. She turned to Sweeten, a free service matching business owners with vetted general contractors, to find a general contractor who would work with her and her interior designer. From greenery and bright colors to wicker light fixtures, they created a casual outdoor backyard indoors—an “oasis” between two major subway lines on bustling Utica Avenue. Specialties of the house: The Lakou Delight smoothie, Haitian patties, and PB&G (Haitian peanut butter and ginger jam) sweet crepe.

PROJECT: Lakou Café opens its first location in the Weeksville neighborhood (also part of Crown Heights)

LOCATION: 195 Utica Avenue, Brooklyn, New York

RENOVATION TEAM: Sweeten general contractor and interior designer Elisa Shankle of Simplexity Designs

INTERVIEW WITH: Owner Cassandre Davilmar

(Above) The café hosts community events, such as game and movie nights. (Check out the pull-down screen on the ceiling!)

Sweeten: What is your company and where did the idea come from?

Cassandre: Our company is Lakou Café. I’ve been living in Weeksville, which is a community in Crown Heights that’s actually the first free black community. I noticed there were a lot of people interested in their health with local gyms and parks for exercising, but there wasn’t a good variety of healthy food options. I also felt there weren’t many community spaces in the area. I wanted to create a space where somebody can get something light to eat and at the same time get to know the people in their community.

Sweeten: How did you move from the legal profession to become an entrepreneur?

Cassandre: I’ve always had an interest in business, but from childhood, I had a desire to be a lawyer because I wanted to help advance my community. While in law school, I developed my narrative that would lead me to entrepreneurship. I chose a career in corporate law working on private equity transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and leveraged buyouts. This gave me a deeper look at how CEOs and upper-level management evaluate strategic business decisions. I also got a deeper understanding of business modeling and financial projections.

Check out Cassandre’s video below:

With these tools in my back pocket, I was armed to tackle my next goal of entrepreneurship. I find it rewarding to imagine something, build it, and work on it until it succeeds (a constant challenge!). Also, it’s amazing to provide value to customers and to help employees find gainful employment. It may not be for everyone, but it’s definitely for me. In my specific case, my neighborhood needed a beautiful place for fellowship and I’m glad I’m able to provide an oasis for them.

Sweeten: How does the new space design represent your brand?

Cassandre: My family is from Haiti, and Lakou is a Haitian word that means backyard or courtyard. It’s a place where the community hangs out, where religious ceremonies take place, where herbs are grown, where people play, or just chill. I thought that was a fitting name for the space that I wanted to create.

We really wanted to be on the Utica strip, because it’s between two main train lines, where there are tons of people who walk by every day, but unfortunately, we couldn’t find an actual backyard space. So we brought the outdoors inside with lots of plants and tables that look like tree trunks. We wanted a contemporary feel and added a cool twist like wicker lighting instead of wicker chairs. Bright colors like green or natural stone remind you of the outside. I think we did a good job making it feel a little bit like an escape.

Sweeten: Did your Sweeten contractor help you with any part of the design?

Cassandre: We wanted a really long floating bench that’s probably about 20 feet. Our contractor was concerned that the weight of it might be a bit much, but we didn’t want a block bench. The wall that it was on originally didn’t have the brick exposed yet; we got rid of some it above the bench but not below. It kind of formed a little shelf underneath it so that we could place a bench on top and it would appear to be floating. It was great that he came up with the idea to help us get the aesthetic we wanted and still be able to support a lot of bodies and weight.

Sweeten: How was your experience working with Sweeten?

Cassandre: I originally stumbled on Sweeten when I was just looking for contractors online. The contractor process is a bit more difficult mainly because a lot of people don’t want to refer contractors to you because they might have had a bad experience. Or some people feel even though a contractor had been good with them, they may not be good with me.

Sweeten’s Client Services reached out to us after I filled out their form online. They explained the process to me, asked more about what we were trying to do, and what our budget was. They found five or six contractors they thought would be a good fit for us to reach out to. It also felt a bit like a safety net. If a contractor wasn’t responsive, I could reach out to Sweeten.

We had a lot of delays because of the signing of the lease, but Sweeten checked in on us every now and then to see where we were with that. When we finally did begin the bidding process, Sweeten offered for us to send them all the bids to compare the information. In retrospect, I probably would have utilized that more.

The most valuable thing about the service is it seems like the contractors really appreciate being a part of the Sweeten network and they don’t want to jeopardize that in any way. So their goal is to make me as happy as they can. I didn’t have a strong fear that if the project was done and things weren’t perfect—which they’re never going to be completely perfect—that I’d never hear from this contractor again. That’s probably the biggest pro in my experience with Sweeten.

Stop by Lakou Café for a smoothie, one of their community gatherings, or just a bit of “outdoor” time.

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Thinking of opening your own eatery? Check out our guide on the cost breakdown to open a restaurant.

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 Good Food Meets Good Company in Crown Heights appeared first on Sweeten.

Ah, the peninsula kitchen: an indispensable and stylish kitchen surface

Access your space

For small kitchens, an island can take up a lot of square footage. Peninsula kitchens, on the other hand, shift to one end attaching to a wall or a set of cabinets. Even narrow ones can fit as few as two barstools. Some are used just as surfaces, while others hold storage or appliances, such as a cooktop or wine cooler.

The peninsula kitchen is more space-efficient than an island. Therefore, it’s an optimal solution for a small- or medium-sized kitchen. Allow for 42 inches between the edge of the peninsula to the next countertop or wall. In contrast, an island will need adequate free space on either end to move around. Discuss with your Sweeten contractor how a peninsula can make your kitchen work smarter for you. Here are some ideas for your own renovation. 

Sweeten matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering advice, support, and secure deposits—for free.

Peninsula kitchen at its simplest

(Image Credit: Ebom)

Multiple countertop materials

(Image Credit: Kavitharia)

Loads of working countertop space

(Image Credit: Sunset)

A slender profile for a functional kitchen

(Image Credit: Kouch)

A peninsula throws a curve

(Image Credit: Mel)

A peninsula kitchen with group seating

(Image Credit: Domino)

Multi-tier peninsula bar

(Image Credit: Kitchen Tune-up)

Waterfall countertop

(Above) Sweeten homeowner’s kitchen remodel

Perfect spot for a cooktop

(Above) Sweeten homeowners Dia and Alex’s kitchen remodel

In a kitchen, the two most common actions are seeking counter space to lay something down or to work on. The other is to perch whether it’s to talk to the home cook or to find a quick seat for morning coffee. The kitchen peninsula fits the bill.

When you’re ready to get started on your kitchen or home remodel, work with Sweeten to renovate with the best contractors.

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.

Ready to get matched with contractors for your kitchen renovation?

What is a peninsula in a kitchen?

A peninsula is an immovable floorstanding cabinet structure with one end attached to a wall or to existing countertops and cabinets. Adding one usually turns a kitchen into a U-shaped space. It adds more work surface and storage as well as a place to install a second sink, an undercounter appliance, cooktop, or microwave.

How to build a kitchen peninsula

A peninsula is more efficient with square footage which works well in small and medium-sized kitchens. A peninsula typically attaches to the main countertop and lower cabinet for a continuous worktop center. This creates a 90-degree cabinet angle often referred to as a blind cabinet which can be difficult to access. Some countertops feature an overhang, which provides bar-like seating.

How wide should a kitchen peninsula be?

In a kitchen, it’s recommended to have 42 inches of space between the edge of a peninsula and any other counters, work centers, or walls. Walkways, like passthroughs, (not work aisles) should be no less than 36 inches wide.

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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 to renovate, start your renovation with Sweeten.

The post 9 Polished Peninsula Kitchens appeared first on Sweeten.

Who wants to schlep laundry up and down five flights of stairs? That’s what motivated Lynn, Craig, and their pooch Pistol to renovate their first home, a 1,200-square-foot Prospect Heights co-op. But not so fast. First, they couldn’t find a contractor willing to take on the job of remodeling two tiny bathrooms. Then they couldn’t get one on board for a washer-and-dryer install. They eventually turned to Sweeten, where they posted their project and were matched with a vetted general contractor not only willing, but excited, to take on the job. All this while the clock was ticking on their move-in date.

Guest post by Sweeten homeowners Lynn and Craig

After living in rentals forever—from 300-square-foot studios to windowless apartments— we were ready to buy something of our own. When Lynn co-founded her business—Dome, a multidisciplinary design studio—in 2014, we casually began to look for a place where she could work from home.

For two years, we visited open houses to learn about the Brooklyn housing market. Many of the homes felt oddly chopped up, hastily constructed, overpriced, or were projects too intimidating for us to tackle for our first home purchase. We wanted a space that felt open and bright, where we wouldn’t hit the walls within a year, and that was in a welcoming neighborhood.

When we found this two-bedroom, 1.5 bath co-op in a circa 1930s Prospect Heights building close to express subways, our friends, Prospect Park’s off-leash area, and saw it had lots of space and light, we immediately put in a bid. We thought we had a chance, given it was a steep fifth-floor walk-up—a deterrent for many buyers in a competitive market. We ended up losing the bid, only to have the owner come back to us weeks later offering us the home after the first deal fell through. Our move-in date was two months later, in mid-September.

We started out just wanting a laundry hook-up in the half-bath. We’d spent years hauling bags to coin laundromats and felt a washer-and-dryer were non-negotiable. But once we started thinking things through, our small project ballooned. We soon realized that both bathrooms needed to be gutted. The full bath had no storage and was on a 10-inch platform to accommodate mid-century plumbing. The half-bath was previously used as a cat’s bathroom, accompanied by a pet door—and a significant odor.

Our Sweeten project post, titled “Make These Bathrooms My Favorite Rooms” captured our optimism to transform these small, dismal rooms into a smarter space for our lifestyle and aesthetic taste. So, we chose our Sweeten contractor. We didn’t expand either footprint, but were strategic about how each element would really be used, cleaned, and look next to each other.

Overall, we replaced four bathroom and closet doors made of tired, hollow-core faux wood with solid-slab, single-panel Shaker doors. The dark wood floors in the rest of the apartment ground the space and the white walls reflect light. The high-contrast gave us a great foundation for our furniture, textiles, and plants.

We also saw a great opportunity to demo the dining room and envisioned a “great room” with flow between the kitchen, dining, and living rooms where we could host gatherings. After living in claustrophobic rentals, we wanted the first impression to be of openness and light.

Lynn’s background in exhibit design allowed us to renovate without an architect. We measured each wall’s dimension and built a model of the home in SketchUp. We could quickly see how to scale any fixtures or make changes. And, the model helped us discuss in more detail with contractors, such as rear-outlet toilets, fixture finishes, grout types, and bath fan sone ratings (for loudness).

The dining room walls were not load-bearing, and there are always surprises when you start opening up floors and walls. When our Sweeten contractor demo’d the dining room walls, he found charred beams in the ceiling from a long-ago fire. We had no idea there had been damage. He reinforced the ceiling with new wood to ensure structural stability.

In the full bathroom, which is 35 square feet, we weren’t sure if we’d be able to drop it down 10 inches. Before we had even hired our contractor, he took out his chisel and broke a peephole into the floor to see what was possible. He gave us confidence that we could make it work, ultimately dropping the entire bathroom, keeping the bathtub at the elevated height, and building out a wall for our new sink and cabinet fixtures.

We included so many details in this bathroom that make all the difference on a day-to-day basis, including a lighted medicine cabinet with outlets inside to allow us to charge our toothbrushes out-of-sight, thereby removing clutter; the near-silent bathroom fan serves as the main light and is hidden without a vent cover; and a wall-hung sink and cabinet allows for more storage and easier cleaning underneath.

As for the half-bath—only 24 square feet—several contractors, who initially inspected the job advised us to forego the washer-and-dryer altogether, saying it was impossible, or that we had to tap into our toilet line and disrupt the apartment below. Our Sweeten contractor’s plumbing team found a simpler solution by tapping into the small sink’s line. We got a compact, ventless Bosch washer-and-dryer to accommodate the water line, electrical load, and tight space in the bath. Remodeling this room has been a life-changer.

The other issue in this space was the overwhelming odor of cat urine. We tried every odor-reducing spray and paint on the market, and used black lights to expose urination spots, but in the end, we had our contractor gut the walls and floor down to the slab to remove the contaminated wood. Every visit during the renovation had our contractor sniffing in corners, trying to find new origins of contamination. Thankfully, it does not smell like cat pee anymore. We also replaced the dated fixtures in that bath with the smallest toilet and sink we could find.

Overall, everything went pretty smoothly. Our biggest challenge, really, had been finding a contractor. But Sweeten gave us three leads, and our contractor came to the first meeting as if he already had the job, giving realistic explanations for what it would take to accomplish the work. During the renovation, he rarely said no or told us a change wasn’t possible. As we added to our original scope, he was incredibly flexible and adjusted his timeline and the work to hit our mid-September move-in date. He gave us recommendations when we didn’t know what to buy, explained to us what was needed, and helped us quickly to complete the work.

Sweeten helped us, too, by getting us to clarify our scope and put a realistic budget into our initial post. We learned that even though our timeline was compressed, renovating a home is practically a second job if you undertake it on your own with just a contractor. We now understand why people hire architects. For those with less design experience or who are strapped for time, it would be helpful to work with a professional who can do the groundwork for you.

Another piece of advice is if you can do a major renovation before moving in, bite the bullet and get it done. Don’t put off with cleaning the dust later on. We plan to continue renovating in phases, but wanted to get the most disruptive work completed before moving in.

Having gone through four rentals in six years, we always struggled to feel at home. Our new space is beautiful and feels like something we can make our own. We enjoy inviting others into it as often as possible.

Thank you, Lynn and Craig, we hope you love your new home!

BATHROOM RESOURCES: Nero 8″ hex floor tile: Marca Corona. Rittenhouse Square wall tile: Daltile. Hex towel bar and toilet paper holder: CB2. H2Okinetic In2ition shower faucet: Delta. Tub and shower drain cover: Moen. Godmorgon/Odensvik sink and cabinet: IKEA. Trinsic faucet: Delta. Barrington rear-outlet toilet: Kohler. Recessed fan with light, 744 Series: Broan. Verdera vanity mirror: Kohler. Paint color in Coventry Gray: Benjamin Moore. Contemporary II shelf: Alno Inc.

HALF BATH RESOURCES: Marca Corona Terro Nero 8″ hex floor tiles: Tiles Direct. Naiture mini porcelain wall-mount bathroom sink: Amazon. Dalskär faucet: IKEA. Sublime toilet: Swiss Madison. Washer-and-dryer, 300 Series: Bosch. Mirror: Honey Can Do. Paint color in Excalibur Gray: Benjamin Moore.

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Architects Terri and Brett used a Sweeten contractor to help them create a colorful co-op in Prospect Heights.

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 Desperately Seeking a Laundry Room appeared first on Sweeten.

If you’re looking to tile a kitchen backsplash or a bathroom wall, you can’t go wrong with the classic subway tile and its recognizable pattern.

(Image Credit: Greta Hollar,/span>)

But what if you were to move those subway tile around like pieces of a puzzle? Suddenly that same subway tile shape takes on new dynamics. Here are seven ways to rethink this classic shape but with a fresh kick.

Basketweave

(Image credit: Caitlin Wilson)

Running Bond

(Image Credit: Apartment Therapy)

Straight Herringbone

(Image Credit: A Beautiful Mess)

Color

(Image Credit: Inside Out)

Stack Bond (horizontal)

(Image Credit: Bon Appétit)

Stack Bond (vertical)

(Image Credit: A Beautiful Mess)

Traditional Herringbone

(Image Credit: Home Bunch)

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Sweeten is a free service that matches renovators with vetted general contractors, helping until project completion. Check out the subway tile Meredith chose for her bathroom renovation and read her story.

Sign up to receive our newsletter and follow the blog for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you’re ready, start your renovation on Sweeten.

The post 7 Fresh Takes on Subway Tile appeared first on Sweeten.

Two decades ago, native New Yorkers Margery and Jim Fields worked in Manhattan and lived just outside the city. In 1996, the family relocated to Philadelphia when Jim was transferred for a job. The couple always had a special place in their hearts for New York, and when their kids grew up, they decided it was the right time to return.

When they began their search for an NYC home, they wanted something a bit unique. They looked at many listings, but it was the view from their apartment at the Clinton Hill Co-ops (a Brooklyn complex near and dear to us here at Sweeten, after renovating so many homes there!) that sold them on the one-bedroom place they ended up purchasing. They loved the sweeping view of Manhattan—the island that drew them back to the five boroughs.

The apartment itself was a different story. It hadn’t been updated in 40 years and had been chopped up with too many walls. Despite this, they decided that the incredible views were worth the trade-off of having to renovate. After a remodeling of their Philadelphia kitchen several years ago, they had a good idea of a wishlist for their next project. They wisely decided to live in the space for six months before starting the design process to get a feel for how they would use it—and to understand the light’s effect in the apartment at various times of the day. They heard about Sweeten, a free service matching homeowners with vetted general contractors, from their neighbors, and it kept coming up in conversation. They posted their project and chose this Sweeten contractor, who had previously done several projects in the Clinton Hill Co-ops.

Once discussions got underway, they made some decisions with the help of their Sweeten contractor; prior work in the building meant he knew what was behind the walls and what to anticipate, so was able to guide Margery and Jim on what actions would need to come next in the process. He knew the bathroom ceiling was a drop ceiling and would be able to install the spotlighting they wanted. Their contractor was also familiar with the building’s wiring and informed them it would not support an induction cooktop.

The couple’s design vision was an industrial-yet-modern aesthetic. They wanted to take down the walls boxing in the kitchen and allow as much light into the space as possible. The full scope included a new kitchen and bath as well.

Initially, Margery and Jim planned to convert the dining nook beside the kitchen into a second bedroom but ultimately decided on a flex-space solution made possible by sliding doors. When they didn’t need the second bedroom, the doors could remain open to take full advantage of the two large windows in the nook. The contractor created a custom solution by fusing two estate-sale-find French doors that Margery and Jim had found to make a sliding pocket door. The renovated nook is now a seating area that can be closed off from the living room to create a guest sleeping area that feels like a “studio within the apartment,” explained Margery. It is also a cozy spot for guests to perch when the pair entertain and are preparing food in the kitchen. (Given that Jim has seven brothers who are all married, they definitely need the seating for guests!)

For the kitchen revamp, Jim and Margery decided on dark gray cabinets paired with a light quartz countertop and glass subway tile. The contractor suggested a full-length pantry next to the refrigerator on the wall separating the kitchen from the living room, providing unexpected bonus storage. On the other side of the fridge, open shelving is built onto a mirrored backsplash for maximum light reflection into the kitchen. Corner shelving was added, with a Lazy Susan to maximize under-counter space leaving enough room for a full-size dishwasher.

The couple intended to add a kitchen island at first. But when they saw how open the space felt without it, they chose to leave it as is. Similarly, the original design called for stainless steel shelving to be added to the back wall above the sink but decided to leave it open for an airier feel overhead.

In the bathroom, Margery and Jim were able to make use of another estate sale find—the black large-format tiles, which cost a dollar a piece. They paired those tiles with an unusual bronze penny tile Margery had once seen and admired in a restaurant. A cast-iron tub was swapped out for a vinyl one that allowed the contractor to bring the wall tile around the front to tie the space together. Modern Brizo fixtures helped to finish the clean, streamlined look.

Now that their project is complete, Margery and Jim have a few words of wisdom for would-be renovators. They stress the importance of selecting the right contractor—one with whom you can have a good “communication cadence,” said Margery. “We would text or talk to our contractor multiple times a week, or multiple times a day as things came up. That ability to instantly communicate would keep things from being delayed or misinterpreted.” They love the openness of the new layout, “while keeping some separation between the kitchen and main living space,” said Jim. “We’re glad we didn’t take out the bar/pantry wall.” Check out their Behind-The-Reno video below:

Welcome home, Margery and Jim, and thank you for sharing your lovely Clinton Hill apartment with us!

KITCHEN RESOURCES: Cali Bamboo Fossilized 5″ Antique Java hardwood flooring, #7003001000: Lowe’s. Kitchen cabinets: Custom by Sweeten contractor. Cabinet in Deep Space paint color, #2125-20: Benjamin Moore. Pewter cabinet pulls and lighting: Home Depot. Carrick matte quartz: Cambria. Stainless steel sink: Franke. Touch2O technology faucet: Delta. Refrigerator/dishwasher/stove: Blomberg.

BATH RESOURCES: Bronze hex floor tile: BelTile. Brizo towel bars, faucet, and shower fixtures: Décor Planet. Floating vanity: Fresca. Toilet: Toto. Double-mirrored medicine cabinet: Fresca. Lighting: Elan.

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Mario and Joe renovated their Clinton Hill co-op, updating the kitchen to create a larger and brighter space.

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 An NYC Homecoming Prompts a Renovation appeared first on Sweeten.

“After” photos by Kate Glicksberg for Sweeten

Before: Give a Gramercy bathroom a much-needed facelift for storage, style

Dated tile (“the bathroom looked like a 1980s Mafia movie!”) and no storage (“with a pedestal sink and no drawers or shelving, we didn’t even have room to store extra toilet paper”) drove homeowners Jessica and Kevin to finally renovate their bathroom. She’d been living in the 750-square-foot, one-bedroom co-op overlooking Pete’s Tavern, the oldest tavern in NYC, for seven years. Renovating the bathroom had been on her remodeling bucket list since day one.

Slideshow:

After getting married, they used wedding money to fund their renovation, enthusiastic to update the aesthetics by losing the “burnt-red marble, gold hardware, and wall-to-wall mirrors” and adding storage solutions. Jessica posted her project to Sweeten and chose her Sweeten contractor.

Sweeten matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering guidance, tools, and support—for free..

After: A dramatic change resulted when white modern tile replaced the “heinous red marble tile” Jessica still has nightmares about. Their bathroom, which was trapped in an ‘80s vibe, became a calming, minimal space aligned with the couple’s style. The white and pale gray palette lent the former bathroom new life with a spa feel.

The couple replaced the “clunky” bathtub with a modern shower with two heads and switched to chrome fixtures. Next, they tackled their storage woes. A console sink with open shelving for towels gave an airy illusion and contributed to the room feeling more spacious.

While designing their new bath space, Jessica was mindful of potential future buyers. She said, “When I bought the apartment, I found it very frustrating there were so many permanent fixtures, including a built-in glass shelf over the toilet, wall-to-wall mirrors, and tile covering most of the walls.” To give the next homeowners the room to express their own personal touch, she kept the walls painted instead of tiled, installed a mirror that could easily be replaced over the vanity table, and hung two simple towel hooks.

Slideshow:

Jessica offered this sage advice, ”If you are purchasing your own materials for the renovation, have it arrive before the start date.” This will help avoid waiting for products to arrive and delaying the project.

Now Jessica calls her new bathroom a happy place and is appreciative of her well-matched contractor. “As with any NYC renovation, you tend to get a lot of complaints about uncontrollable things like dust and loud noise which comes with the territory of living in an apartment building. My Sweeten contractor handled everything like a pro and had much more patience for people than I ever could have exhibited,” she said. “He was extremely flexible and true to his word with regards to price and timing of the project.”

Bonus: Jessica doubled their storage by adding a two-drawer unit under the existing vanity table as well as a cabinet, creating a “personal heaven” she uses every morning to get ready for work.

Thanks for sharing your fantastic bathroom and vanity renovation with Sweeten, Jessica and Kevin!

Ready to start your own home renovation project?

Style finds: CoreLux Driftwood Hickory engineered vinyl plank flooring: Lumber Liquidators. Shower floor tile: Jeff Lewis. Shower wall tile: Jeffrey Court. Shower doors: Dreamline. Hardware and shower fixtures: Danze. 24″ Hammonton Console sink/vanity set: Wayfair. Toilet: Toto. Medicine cabinet: Kohler. Vanity table mirror and storage cabinetry: Pottery Barn.

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Keep your materials budget in check. Here’s how to accurately measure for the amount of tile you will need.

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 Bathroom Goes from Clunky to Classy appeared first on Sweeten.

Project: Update an inefficient bathroom in Queens

Before: Kate and her husband, Daniel, had lived in their two-bedroom co-op in Jackson Heights, Queens, for four years. Redoing the bathroom and kitchen were always on the table, but since Daniel is a food writer who needed to experiment with recipes, he went to Sweeten for the kitchen renovation first. “We didn’t have the funds to do them both at the same time,” explained Daniel. Fast forward a few years and a baby on the way “really forced our hand with the bathroom renovation,” he said. “We are either doing it now or never.”

Adding a bathtub was just the immediate necessity. There was also an issue with the water temperature; the shower would either freeze or scald you. The radiator was installed on a wall above head height, which Daniel thought was odd. (“Doesn’t hot air rise?”  he asked.) The bathroom looked like it had been revamped in the ’70s with plenty of drab beige tiles decorated with floral prints. The couple wanted to bring the lagging aesthetic in-line with the prewar design of the building.

After: One of the most important aspects of the renovation was the timeline. They came back to Sweeten, a free service that connects homeowners with vetted contractors, and found their general contractor. “We have this baby coming. Please, please don’t let there be construction going on when we have a baby,” Daniel recalled saying. Their Sweeten contractor understood the tight timeframe and kept the project moving, finishing a month before baby Adrian arrived.

The radiator dilemma was a key feature that Kate and Daniel’s Sweeten contractor helped to resolve. At one point, there was a complicated plan to rerun the steam pipe so the radiator could be installed on the floor. However, the contractor guided them toward removing the radiator altogether. The risky decision was a winner, with the rest of the apartment generating enough heat to keep the bathroom warm.

Fixing the water temperature issue was another unknown. The problem could have been in the wall of the bathroom or elsewhere in the building. Thankfully, it turned out to be inside the wall. “Our water temperature control is so beautiful, I feel like I am in a hotel,” said Daniel.

As for the aesthetic, the couple spent a lot of time on Pinterest. They went with classic subway tile for the walls and hexagonal tile in a royal blue colorway for the floor. Salvaged redwood planks along the bathtub added some warmth. The gold fixtures were an effort to mimic the brass found throughout the rest of the apartment.

Bonus: While on a trip to Puebla, Mexico, a few years ago, the couple bought a box of hand-painted tiles with no real purpose in mind. When Kate and Daniel’s Sweeten contractor proposed a nook in the shower for soap, they were able to incorporate some of the tiles into the design.

Style finds: Floor tile: American Restoration Tile. Wall tile: Daltile. Shower fixtures and toilet: Kohler. Charlottesville 42″ vanity in light gray: Fairmont Designs. Salvaged wood planks: Sawkill Lumber. Mirror: Restoration Hardware. Brass towel bars and train rack: Rejuvenation. Lighting and coat hooks: Schoolhouse Electric.

Check out Kate and Daniel’s Sweeten kitchen renovation!

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A bright blue waterfall of penny tile sets the tone in Rachel and Michael’s prewar, Jackson Heights bath.

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 Return for a Royal Blue Bath appeared first on Sweeten.

Project: Redesign the first-floor bath in Riverhead, NY

Before: Brooklyn couple Nate and Michelle bought their 2,010-square-foot-house in Riverhead, NY, as a rural getaway. The home was perfect in many ways, but the bathrooms left a lot to be desired. After building an ensuite bath for the upstairs guest bedroom with Sweeten, the couple’s attention turned to the downstairs bath. The plan was to design a bathroom that fit with the farmhouse style of the home while having its own, distinct personality. Nate posted the project on Sweeten and was matched with this general contractor.

While the upstairs bath was being built above the one below, the rooms were not perfectly aligned…the contractor had to figure out the best way to run pipes.

After: First thing to go? The outdated pink floor. Inspired by a photo online of a bathroom with blue walls and a white pedestal sink, Nate and Michelle made it their color scheme. To make it their own, they chose a vanity with plenty of storage and added brass fixtures and hardware for tonal contrast. The combo of moody blue, warm brass, and bright white subway tile makes the space feel fresh and modern.

During the renovation, one bathroom was being built above the other, and the rooms were not perfectly aligned. The contractor had to figure out the best way to run pipes from the downstairs space to the new bathroom upstairs. “The solution was to create a tray ceiling [in the downstairs bath] so the pipes could be concealed around the perimeter of the wall,” Nate said. “Even though the pipes are only along one wall, the tray ceiling makes it look like a nice design decision rather than an extra shape on one side built to hide something.”

His advice for future renovators? “Make sure you have all the pieces before starting. That includes the tile, fixtures, vanities, toilets, and even the little things like towel hooks and toilet paper holders. That way, your project isn’t held up while waiting for some piece to come in.” A smart suggestion for keeping the project on time and running smoothly.

Bonus: Nate modified a set of store-bought shelves to better suit the space. “The brass shelf is from CB2. It actually comes as a set of three in different sizes designed to hang together,” he said. “We only wanted one, but the whole set was cheaper than most of the other single brass shelves we found, so we got it anyway. Maybe we’ll find a spot for the other two.”

Style finds: Napoli 4” x 8” subway tile (shower walls) and Re-Use in Sand Matte floor tile (including shower floor): Forever Floors & Design Center. Fixtures, hardware, 20th C. Filament Bare Bulb sconces, sink, and Pharmacy Powder vanity: Restoration Hardware. Santa Rosa Kohler toilet: Home Depot. Brass shelf: CB2. Gentleman’s Gray paint: Benjamin Moore.

Thank you, Michelle and Nate, for sharing your moody bathroom with us!

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Looking to create a unique bath, Erin and Brian took an antique basin table and transformed it into a sink pedestal.

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 Moody Bath for a Getaway Home appeared first on Sweeten.

The post A Couple’s Farmhouse Bathroom Remodel in the Country appeared first on Sweeten.