Tiffany and Chad's two-tone blue and white kitchen cabinets are home—thanks to their contractor

• Homeowners: Tiffany and Chad, both in pharmaceutical advertising, posted their kitchen remodel on Sweeten
• Where: Park Slope, in Brooklyn, New York
• Primary renovation: A new layout for a kitchen stretches along a single wall in an 895-square-foot condo
• With: Sweeten general contractor
• Homeowner quote: “We were able to bid [our project] out and compare estimates that fit what we budgeted for the project. [Sweeten] made a tedious process seamless and easy.”

Written in partnership with homeowner Tiffany. “After” photos by Kate Glicksberg.

From a rental to home, sweet, home

Chad and I love Brooklyn, particularly Park Slope. When our relationship became serious and each of us knew we’d be together for the long haul, we purchased our one-bedroom condo. Interest rates were super low due to the pandemic, so it was a good time to buy. (We just got married in this apartment earlier this year!) We share our home with our two pups, Freddie and Georgie Weasley. 

Prior to moving in, the space had been rented to many tenants since 2006. As a result, the kitchen and bathroom felt grimy. I am a super clean freak and just wanted to design something we loved for our first home together.

The original kitchen was tucked in the corner. The new kitchen would open up to the living space but also elongate it across one wall. Chad and I like different styles so we chose to mix them—traditional/country with a Brooklyn/industrial accent. It has a ton of personality.

Two-tone blue and white kitchen cabinets glow in Brooklyn

In an effort to save money, we decided to be the project managers for our own renovation. When putting our renovation team together, we found our designer, cabinet supplier, and Sweeten general contractor each separately—and we were the go-betweens for each one. 

"Our contractor helped us source new cabinets and the results were amazing."

We needed a simple rip-and-replace for our kitchen. Only a small portion of the wall was removed. We chose dual-color blue and white cabinets to break up the monotone and give the space some character. They really pop, especially against the herringbone backsplash. The floating shelves are reclaimed for that country and industrial touch. The wood pieces are unfinished so it has that raw look we were looking for.  

A hurdle with a happy solution

Hands down, our biggest challenge involved the purchase of our kitchen cabinets. We spent $10,000 on cabinets based on the beautiful showroom pieces we saw in person. After four months, the delivery arrived with the cabinets in terrible shape that were unrepairable. Paint and pieces of wood were breaking off. The materials felt much lighter than what we saw in the showroom.

Our Sweeten contractor advised us not to move forward with installing them. He predicted the cabinets would need to be replaced between six months to a year. His team helped us source new cabinets and the results were amazing.

Our renovation team—supportive all the way

As first-time renovators, we didn’t know what the first steps were or what was required for a kitchen renovation. Our contractor and his wife were the absolute best. They proved to be professional and trustworthy. Furthermore, they were super committed to doing the best work and making their clients happy. They left the space very clean; the post-construction cleanup wasn’t as intense as I had expected it to be. 

We found our Park Slope contractor through Sweeten. We were able to bid this out and compare estimates that fit what we budgeted for the project. They made a tedious process seamless and easy. Another integral part of the team was our designer, Keith Spears, who guided us step by step. He helped to create drawings, choose materials, and identify where to purchase the product.

We love absolutely everything about our new kitchen. It lights up the entire apartment. The quartz countertop and black and gold accents are my favorites but the farmhouse sink is a showstopper. We also feel lucky to have ample countertop space; a luxury living in NYC. The decision to revamp our space was the right one. Our first apartment feels so much more like home.

Renovation Materials

KITCHEN RESOURCES:

• Kitchen cabinets: Sourced through contractor.
• Kitchen designer: Keith Spears.
• Fonce Collection cabinet hardware in matte black and satin brass: Schaub. 
• Ceramic white subway backsplash tile: Floor & Décor. 
• Lordear white farmhouse sink, 30″x20″x10″: Wayfair. 
• Delta Trinsic faucet in matte black: Amazon.
• Undercabinet lighting: Flexfire LEDs.

Originally published on August 25, 2022

Updated on June 21, 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 My Sweeten Story: A Blue and White Kitchen with a Modern Farmhouse Look appeared first on Sweeten.

The post A Kitchen Remodel in Maryland for a Growing Family Unit appeared first on Sweeten.

“After” photos by Miao Jiaxin for Sweeten

• Homeowners: A couple posted their suburban kitchen renovation on Sweeten
• Where: Montclair, New Jersey
• Primary renovation: Kitchen update
• Notable: Gaining square footage with a better layout
• Result: Room for an island and connection to the dining room
• Sweeten general contractor
• Sweeten’s role: Sweeten matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering guidance, tools, and support—for free..

Guest blog post by Sweeten homeowner

Leaving urban life in Brooklyn for New Jersey

My wife and I both grew up in apartments in New York City. When we were planning to start a family, we divided our living room inside a one-bedroom apartment in Brooklyn. We created another bedroom believing it would give us enough space. It was tight but manageable. However, when our daughter turned four years old, we were less than thrilled with our school district and we knew it was time to move.

My buddy, who lives in Montclair, New Jersey, suggested that we visit his town, and we fell in love with the area and the houses. We found the school we wanted our child to attend and searched for a home nearby. The market was crazy competitive. We lost six bids before we finally found a home in the neighborhood we wanted.

Reviewing inefficiencies at home

We bought the house, a two-level residence on a wide quiet street, knowing it needed work. We closed in June and didn’t plan on moving in till late August, so we had a little over two months to renovate. The kitchen was in bad shape. It was small and felt claustrophobic with cabinets looming over on all sides.

There was only about eight feet of usable counter space and about 20 square feet of space to move around. The stove looked like it came out of a movie from the 1940s. The floor tiles, which were cracked and loose, were what my neighbor called, “McDonalds” tiles—the ugly red terracotta tiles that are in some older McDonalds restaurants.

The house is almost a hundred years old. I’m guessing that most of the fixtures were original and that nothing was maintained. The plumbing was a mess—all the valves were corroded. At some point, the electrical box was changed, but no permit was pulled and the box was not up to code. We wanted to start renovations with the kitchen.

Trouble with contractors

We had the names of a few contractors who were recommended by our realtor. Some never called me back and three actually came by to see the house. One of the three never made a single measurement but quoted us $28,000 with no details. When I asked, he said it includes everything except counters, cabinets, and fixtures. I kept having to ask questions to try to nail down what exactly he was going to do.

Yet another contractor made measurements and told me he couldn’t start until November or sometime before Christmas. He still wouldn’t provide me with an estimate but kept asking when I was available to go shopping for cabinets with him. Speaking with my new neighbors, they told me it’s difficult to book any contractor in Montclair you don’t already have a relationship with.

One wall had an old butler’s pantry, and by removing it, we gained a whopping 18 square feet.

By August, we were pretty desperate. We spoke with an architect friend, and she recommended using Sweeten. She drew us a rough drawing of what we wanted, and we posted the job. Fortunately, we immediately received serious responses from contractors from outside of Montclair. After receiving several estimates, we found the Sweeten contractor we wanted to hire.

Finding hidden spaces at home

Work started in September. We were able to expand the kitchen by tearing down two walls. One wall had an old butler’s pantry, and by removing it, we gained a whopping 18 square feet. It was enough space to add an island counter, which gave us an abundance of counter space to do our cooking. There was an unused cellar entryway that we removed and made into a walk-in pantry. The wall between the dining room and kitchen was removed to create a bigger space and an open kitchen design.

Our Sweeten contractor was terrific throughout the whole process, acting as both contractor and design consultant. Being a really old house, there were some unanticipated structural issues during demolition, but he was able to deal with it all. He added a header beam and support columns to support the ceiling. Our contractor also helped us move some pipes and changed all the old corroded water valves. All of the existing DIY electrical wirings were all cleaned up.

We love our new kitchen. Opening up the space between the kitchen and the dining room, made the tiny space feel really big and flowing. In fact, I was able to take advantage of all that counter space to do a ton of baking with my daughter over the holidays. We couldn’t be happier with the result, and can’t wait for our next project.

Thank you for sharing your new New Jersey home with us! We love how your suburban kitchen renovation turned out. 

SHOPPING GUIDE

Carrara Morro quartz countertop, redwood porcelain floor tile in natural glaze: MSI. Cabinets: Forevermark. Ducted under cabinet range hood: Hauslane. Five-burner gas cooktop: Cosmo Appliances. Artec Pro pull-down kitchen faucet, Kore Workstation: Kraus. Profile combination microwave wall oven: GE. Refrigerator: Samsung. Dishwasher: Whirlpool.

The post A Suburban Kitchen Renovation in NJ Puts Pockets of Space to Use 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.

One thing’s for sure: Blue kitchens and cabinets are no longer just a trend—they’re a new classic. Thanks to the endless shade options, the color can work for every renovator’s cook space, no matter their style. Ahead, check out these eight spaces, renovated by Sweeten general contractors, that prove blue is here to stay.

A splash of blue patterned wallpaper for a Brooklyn kitchen

A run-of-the-mill kitchen was not in the books for Mollie. She wanted a kitchen with lots of personality, bold color, and print—and that’s exactly what she got. Whimsical wallpaper with pops of orange and a blue backdrop plays off the azure lower cabinets and picks up the warmth of the gold hardware.

A new layout (and new hue) revitalize a cramped kitchen 

Subtle gray-blue cabinets are right on par with the traditional-meets-modern style of Nydia and Jonathan’s kitchen. They paired the cabinets with a mix of metals, from the brushed gold bar stools to the stainless appliances, giving the otherwise classic cook space a contemporary edge.

Blue and glass to provide contrast

Blue is Tracey’s favorite color, so she and her husband Brian decided on blue kitchen cabinets in their Westchester home. After looking at fan decks to find the perfect shade, they expected they’d have to go custom. Luckily, the cabinets they chose were available in a stock color close to the swatch, so they saved on time and money.

Blue cabinet bottoms make a bright base

Laura and Walter’s home is full of original details, especially in the kitchen area. They opted for blue cabinets that demand attention, while still letting the architectural elements shine. Another trick to pulling off a bold shade of blue like theirs? Sticking to mostly lower cabinets and leaving the white walls exposed so the color isn’t overpowering.

Cool blue-gray hit the mark in a blue Brooklyn kitchen

When it finally came time to renovate her kitchen and living area (after five years of dreaming and planning), Lauren had to have one notable detail. “I’ve always loved blue cabinets and knew that I wanted to do darker kitchen cabinets with a lighter floor and a white countertop,” she said. She chose an understated gray-blue shade for the custom cabinets that complemented the rest of the home’s decor.

A blue kitchen inspired by a childhood home in Italy

There’s no shortage of color in Giulia’s apartment. “I love the contrast of the blue and white oak. I had the same colors in my bedroom in Rome when I was a kid and I think it just reminded me of home,” she said. To let the cabinets take center stage, she left the rest of the space in neutral and natural colors.

A pastel-like touch of blue in Clinton Hill

A baby blue kitchen? Yes, please! Courtney and Jim chose an almost-pastel shade of blue for their lower cabinets. It pops against the patterned floor and white upper cabinets, without overwhelming the tight space. Note to renovators: if your kitchen is smaller, opt for lighter cabinets to make it feel less enclosed.

Shaker-style navy blue cabinets feel cool yet classic

“From the first time we saw the space, I envisioned a transitional-style kitchen with navy blue cabinets,” Tina shared about her apartment. The architect chose classic shaker-style cabinets in Newburyport Blue, pairing them with white countertops and a subway tile backsplash.

Feeling inspired by these blue kitchens? Post your renovation project to get matched with a Sweeten contractor! 

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Tips and ideas for renovating a kitchen for entertaining.

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 Eight Kitchens That Prove Blue Is the New White appeared first on Sweeten.