Kitchens rise to the level of “living area” thanks to multi-use design features

It’s been said many times: the kitchen is the heart of the home. It is kitchen islands and pantries, though, that keep it functioning and organized.

This truism is translating into larger, more involved kitchen renovations, according to the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s 2022 report. The annual report surveyed more than 700 designers, architects, contractors, and showroom managers for insight on what homeowners want in today’s kitchens. 

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

Bigger kitchens today

About 40 percent of those surveyed said kitchen renovation projects are increasing in size. The growth is significant with almost half of projects expanding a kitchen’s footprint by 25 to 49 percent. 

A similar percentage of projects increased kitchen size by a quarter or less. Only one percent of renovators shrunk the size of their kitchens. 

Kitchen islands on multi-duty

The use of the kitchen pantry and island continues to evolve. 

Islands are increasingly the center of kitchen layouts thanks to their multiple uses. Over 60 percent of homeowners use kitchen islands to eat meals. 

Similarly, the same amount of homeowners use islands for meal preparation. This allows for more counter space along with greater interaction between the cook and guests as food is prepared. 

The kitchen island has become another place for remote work and learning. Just under 60 percent of homeowners use islands for these purposes. If you’re ready to renovate, find the right contractor at Sweeten to see how a kitchen island can work in your space.

Pantries—more than food storage

Not only are small appliances often stored in pantries, but 67 percent of homeowners use the space to operate those appliances. As a result, this contains any mess and keeps the jumble of cords and power outlets out of sight.  

A similar percentage of kitchens utilize pantries as coffee centers. Like mini cafe counters, coffee appliances, utensils, and ingredients are within easy reach. A smaller number of homeowners use pantries to store cookware, operate microwaves, and for food prep. 

A note on 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 to renovate, start your renovation with Sweeten.

The post 2022 Kitchen Trends: Kitchen Islands and Pantries appeared first on Sweeten.

A bright open kitchen remodel and more natural light gave this family good reason to stay in their 16-year home

“After” photos by Joe Hernandez for Sweeten

• Homeowners: Griselle Salgado and family found their general contractor by posting their whole-home renovation on Sweeten
  
• Where: South Arlington, Texas
  
• Primary renovation: A grand opening of the main floor, including a kitchen remodel, surface upgrades, and lots of new windows, along with a master bath redo
  
• Sweeten general contractor
  
• Homeowner’s quote: “During the project, Sweeten kept in contact with us via email, offering personal assistance if we needed it. Thankfully, we managed all the project challenges, but it gave me peace of mind.”
• Sweeten’s role: Sweeten matches home renovators with vetted general contractors, offering input, support, and secure payments—for free.

Written in partnership with Sweeten homeowner Griselle

A forever home’s top priority: space and light

We called this renovation ‘from darkness to brightness,’ because that was the most striking change resulting from the project. The light that now comes into our home is incredible.

I bought this house with my daughter, Jaysa, in 2005. It was a new two-story, single-family home of 3,000 square feet, including a two-car garage. 

Our family of six has changed since then. All of the three children are now in their teens. I am retired; Jaysa works as an elementary school teacher and her husband, Carlos, is an electrician. We have two dogs, a Maltipoo and a Pug.

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We’ve long considered this house our forever home, but it was disappointingly dark. The design included no side windows; it had only two single living room windows and a double window in the kitchen. We changed a backyard door to a glass-panel model, but the home still lacked natural light. When guests came, everybody crowded into the kitchen’s breakfast area. A half-wall separated it from the living room. 

To renovate or move?

After so many years, we thought the time had come to move. But after looking around for new houses, we decided it would be money-wise to renovate. Our home had five bedrooms; we didn’t lack space. We needed a remodel that updated our living and working spaces, improved flow, and brought in more light.

After posting on Sweeten and looking at bids, we chose a contractor who submitted a detailed estimate. We reviewed it with him item by item to ensure we’d get what we wanted within our budget.

A house hunt turned up design ideas

What bothered us most was the kitchen, which was big with a lot of wasted space. There was a ten-foot stretch between the stove and sink! There was a peninsula, but it offered no seating. When you opened the refrigerator, the door hit a chair in the cramped breakfast area. 

Taking ideas from the new model homes we had visited, we envisioned an improved kitchen layout. The plan was to join the kitchen, dining area, and living room to create one great room. We wanted a big island and glass doors to bring in light.

Going all out on the kitchen island

In the kitchen, we spent a big portion of our budget on a 5 x 7-foot custom island big enough to seat all six of us. It includes a stainless-steel, 33-inch single sink with brushed-nickel hardware for a sleek look. The island is painted in a warm cream color that harmonizes perfectly with the quartz countertop.

To build it, our Sweeten contractor removed the original peninsula and an adjacent wall, installing a 24-foot steel beam, since the wall was weight-bearing. He surrounded the steel with planks to simulate a wood beam.

"But after looking around for new houses, we decided it would be money-wise to renovate. Our home had five bedrooms; we didn’t lack space."

Adding brightness in the details

The kitchen backsplash tiles weren’t particularly expensive, but we love the way they look. We installed a barn door to access the pantry and chose floor tiles that look like aged wood planks. 

We added a trio of pendant lights over the kitchen island and lots of dimmable recessed lights throughout the space. I had never realized how lighting sets the mood.

Choosing glass doors for the great room wasn’t easy. The four-panel doors we considered were too expensive, so we installed two sets of glass sliders instead, which saved several thousand dollars and still achieved the look we wanted. Now, when you enter the house, you can see directly into the backyard to the pool, and lots of light enters the main floor.

A spacious walk-in shower

The master bathroom needed remodeling and a contemporary, 2020s look for the space. The tiny shower and large, unused garden tub were removed. The shower stall was converted into linen storage, and the bathtub became a glass-enclosed shower.

In the master bath, we installed a 6-foot-wide glass shower door—another costly item that was worth the expense. It looks amazing. The bathroom tiles also contribute to the updated look. We installed a barn door at the master bathroom entry.

A reliable general contractor

Our contractor understood our vision from the beginning and brought material samples throughout the job for easy selection. He didn’t miss a cue concerning what we liked. The challenge with this project was the time it took—much longer than we expected. We were all living in the house, constrained on the second floor, without a kitchen and with one bathroom. We took a week’s vacation in the middle to release tensions and recharge.

During the project, Sweeten kept in contact with us via email, offering personal assistance if we needed it. Thankfully, we managed all the project challenges, but it gave me peace of mind.

This is not our first renovation, but it was at times stressful. Maintaining communication with the contractor was paramount. Future renovators: Never hesitate to ask questions or give suggestions to your contractor. Anything and everything is important to get the job done well.

Forever home on a reasonable budget

We were conscious of staying on budget, but ended up spending an extra couple thousand dollars more because we added work. We decided to remove the original popcorn ceiling and convert a closet into a wine closet. This renovation cost around $45,000. My son-in-law did the electrical work, saving us $5,000 in labor costs.

My favorite aspect of the renovation is that it made the kitchen the heart of our home. We’ve already had gatherings with family and friends, and people gravitated to both the kitchen island and the living room, while remaining a cohesive group. And of course, the light fills the ground floor all day long, making us feel so happy that we stayed here.

Thanks for sharing your renovation story with us, Griselle!

Renovation Material

KITCHEN RESOURCES: Valley Ridge porcelain wood-look floor tile and porcelain, marble-look backsplash tile: Floor and Decor. Kitchen island: Custom by contractor. Brushed-nickel cabinet hardware: Lowes. Quartz countertops: Floor and Decor. Kohler single-basin undermount sink and brushed-nickel faucet: Kohler. Pantry barn door: Seconds and Surplus. Samsung refrigerator: Appliances Connection. GE dishwasher, stove, and microwave: GE. Pendant lights: Amazon. Sliding glass doors: Lowes.

LIVING ROOM RESOURCES: Peaceful Blue and Solemn Silence paint: Behr.

BATHROOM RESOURCES: Festival white herringbone porcelain mosaic shower floor tile; Pianetto Tauleto Bianco polished porcelain shower wall tile; Montage Misty Fjord linear glass mosaic shower niche tile; and Valley Ridge porcelain wood-look floor tile: Floor and Decor. Barn door: Seconds and Surplus. Brushed-nickel shower fixtures: Lowes. Porcelain/wood sink and vanity: Seconds and Surplus. Mirror and brushed-nickel bar pulls: Lowes. Lighting: Home Depot.

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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 Forever Home Takes Shape in Dallas appeared first on Sweeten.

White kitchen islands anchor a cook space, and are dependable in function and style

Look no further for inspiration for your cook space than a white kitchen island. Large or small, it helps bring unity to the space and a sense of dimension. White can blend effortlessly into a similar color palette. Or, it can pop in the middle of a bold background.

Of course, it also offers an extra work surface and can hold a sink or appliance. Here, five Sweeten renovators who decided that a white island is just what their kitchen needed. 

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

The beauty of a waterfall

For Erin and Jonathan, their West Village apartment in Manhattan needed some work. They focused on the kitchen. It was functional but didn’t really match their style. Their Sweeten contractor also revamped the layout to make the best use of the space. 

At the top of their list was a white kitchen island. And not just any ordinary one. One that would make a statement. They selected a quartz with a marble-like design. The white color makes the space brighter and more modern. It is also proof that you don’t need a huge kitchen to have a kitchen island. 

Ample space for entertaining

Being an avid entertainer, Ann needed a kitchen that could accommodate her social gatherings. Enlisting the help of architect Daniel Gomez, the dark and dated ’60s kitchen transformed into modern day.  

The faux-brick backsplash was removed and the layout opened up. That freed up room to add a spacious white kitchen island with seating. It was not just a statement piece, it was also functional. It provided added storage space for all of Ann’s culinary accessories. Plus, it’s home to a beverage cooler—an added perk of convenience.

Elongated for effect

Actress Danielle Brooks hired the designers AphroChic to help with the vision for her Brooklyn brownstone. It was her first home (she rented previously) and was excited for it to match her taste. Her vibe: glamourous with a nod to her cultural heritage. 

A long white kitchen island acts as the perfect neutral flanked by saturated color, pattern, and texture. On one end, the living room is outfitted with marigold silk curtains and an emerald green velvet sofa. At the other end of the island sits the dining table with gray velvet chairs in gold hardware.

Calacatta white island for the win

A small, enclosed nook that acted as a kitchen. A fridge that was technically outside of the cooking space. Outdated appliances. All were reasons that Amy and Nick decided to renovate. Their Sweeten contractor helped them open up the space with a white kitchen island with seating for four.

“We wanted the kitchen island to be a centerpiece of the room, and looked for a surface that was beautiful to fill the space,” says Amy. They found one. The waterfall counter is fabricated from white Calacatta gold marble. The couples’ favorite part is the pattern. “We just love the contrasting veins and its uniqueness,” admires Amy.

Encased in white

Sarah and Becky hired a contractor from Sweeten to update their condo’s kitchen. The space was great—it had a good amount of square footage. However, the appliances and cabinetry were outdated. Their contractor helped them reconfigure the space to include one of the wishlist items: a kitchen island.

The island is a sleek addition as an anchor or hub. The natural wood base is elegantly enclosed in a blizzard-white waterfall countertop that extends along the sides to the floor. The inspiration for this style of island came from a previous project. “I had redone my radiator covers and my windowsills with white slabs and I thought it would look nice to match that,” Sarah said.

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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 White Kitchen Islands: A Classic Workspace for Every Style appeared first on Sweeten.

The post A Bed-Stuy Remodel Allows a Landmark Home to Start Over appeared first on Sweeten.

(Above) Sweeten renovators and actor Jaime Ray Newman and Guy Nattiv’s LA home renovation

Changes and challenges: Home interior design in Los Angeles

Diversity is king when it comes to home interior design in Los Angeles. The city has a sense of history, with styles spanning Spanish Colonial to Mission Revival, Beaux-Arts to Art Deco, Hollywood Regency to streamline 1930s modern. The desire to preserve those design styles is strong, as is the need to make homes liveable for today. Homeowner priorities on what rooms and features are important have shifted nationwide. Fortunately, for LA contractors and designers, remodeling has not missed a beat.

“We didn’t really see much of a change,” said Sweeten LA general contractor Trevor. “It’s just a redirect.”

The challenge is more about materials shortages, delays, and rising costs. “The cost of lumber is affecting building,” said Trevor. Sheet plywood, for example, has jumped from $18 to around $50, he said. “People are asking for alternatives to lumber, like tin framing used in commercial.”

Here, we review the rising trends in home design and remodeling in Los Angeles (plus a few design favorites that are here to stay.)

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

A renewed focus on outdoor living

“A lot more people are fixing their exterior,” said Trevor. “People want to spend money on outdoor hardscapes, swimming pools. In LA, that’s where you spend 60 percent of your time.”

LA-based designer Jeanne Chung agreed. “It’s all about indoor-outdoor living,” she said. NanaWalls, which fold in and extend the indoor space out to patios, are very popular. “They double the square footage of eating and entertaining areas,” said Jeanne.

The bonus of adding windows, especially large ones to foster the indoor/outdoor connection is gaining more natural light.

Homeowners are also investing in outdoor rooms. Pools, water features, outdoor kitchens, firepits, and extensive seating and dining areas are high on wish lists. Materials are more organic, “definitely going back to nature.” Trevor is using a lot of textured cement, stamped, and honed finishes. “A salt finish really is big. With mid-century design, there’s a lot of tile work. We do ipe wood outdoors and a type of red hardwood that is slightly less hard than ipe, but about half the price.”

ADUs and additions for more square footage

One rising trend for home interior design in Los Angeles is remodeling ADUs (accessory dwelling units). “It’s generating the biggest buzz,” said Trevor. These detached structures, often garages, are repurposed as guest houses, rentals, or home offices.

Many of her clients are adding to the existing footprint. “They’re knocking out walls to create a little extra space, as in bathrooms, for example.”

(Above) Sweeten renovators Kirsty and David’s Mid-City/Miracle Mile home in LA

“You can build a second story,” said Sweeten contractor Trevor. “It’s contingent on the footprint of the existing structure. A lot are pushed outside of the setback, so they go high vertically. People are going for the max. It’s getting a lot of value on the price for square foot.” If you’re planning on expanding or remodeling a kitchen or bathroom (more on them below), look for a vetted general contractor that is licensed. A general contractor in LA with experience will guide you through the process.

Keeping kitchens fresh and updated

“It’s where you get the most bang for the buck,” said Trevor. The remodel here may happen more frequently than in other parts of the country. Apparently, design fatigue sets in earlier. He has returned to kitchens remodeled just two years before for a refresh. “It’s like changing wardrobes.”

LA kitchens tend to be large, mostly open plan, and gourmet with top-of-the-line professional appliances. But there’s not as much carving, ornate moldings, over-the-top use of stones. Instead, there’s more of a creative mix of materials. At the same time, the goal is more making it your own with custom looks—tile backsplashes, bold color ranges, and stove hoods.

(Above) A verde stone blend backsplash in a LA renovation by designer Jeanne Chung. Photos by Peter Christiansen Valli.

Top kitchen materials to watch

• Cabinets. Simple clean-lined styles are flat-panel and frameless. Hardware is modern, sculptural, or jewelry-like. Otherwise, there are hidden touch latches. Wood is finding competition in painted finishes, mostly in soothing livable shades.
• Island culture. Some islands are getting bigger, some are multi-level for different functions. Waterfall sides on islands are popular.
• Appliances. Pro-style ranges favor stylish brands like cooktops and ovens from Wolf, Monogram by GE, LaCornue, and Lacanche. The desire to cook healthy promotes features like special burners for woks, steam cooking. Some ranges even have an integrated sous vide. The slow cooking in a vacuum-sealed bag retains more nutrients, uses less oil, fat, and salt.
• Porcelain and quartz are gaining in popularity because of the similar looks to stone without the maintenance. Large slabs and large format tiles offer a seamless installation with no grout lines to break up the design. Matte finishes have overtaken shiny ones.

“Here in LA, my clients don’t want polished,” said Jeanne. “I am using concrete-looking porcelain slabs and cement tiles.” Jeanne seals her concrete to guard against staining because it’s pretty porous.

Finishes lead the way

• Color is taking a turn. Moody, dark colors—black, deep blues, and bottle greens—are ramping up, said Sweeten contractor Trevor. They pair well with burnished or brushed gold. “I do a lot of antiqued blue—like a muted denim—with brass pulls,” he said.
• Lighter woods seem to suit the lighter mood of interiors. That goes for cabinets as well as flooring. Wide plank wood floors are on trend—with an average of 7″—and in French oak whitewashed finishes, cappuccino, some with a hint of gray.
• Gold touch. LA homeowners are opting more for burnished and brushed gold finishes in cabinet hardware, faucets, and lighting. Some appliance manufacturers now include brass pulls as options. But mixing gold, especially with black matte, is very chic. Mixing metals adds interest to the design, especially in kitchens, where there is a lot of cabinetry.

The spa bath is redefined

Freestanding tubs provide a visual tour de force. Most often they are made of stone, porcelain, quartz, or resin, so the shape lends a sculptural note. Large curbless walk-in showers are distinguished with surface materials. Linear drains are trending because they are more aesthetically pleasing. Rain showers are favored, but you won’t find multiple showerheads due to water restrictions. Floors often are radiant heated.

(Above) Variations of brass finishes in this LA renovation by designer Jeanne Chung. Photos by Peter Christiansen Valli. 

The divide—choosing between tub and shower—is more about personal preferences. Many see the sculptural artistry of the tub as adding to the return-on-investment. Radiant heated is also a value-added. An alternative to slab stone walls is large format porcelain tile. These tiles, with a range in looks that mimic various stones, come in similar slab formats.

More than ever, the bath is considered an oasis. The overall style may be elegant, but again, the overall look is simplified, with cleaner, more modern lines.

Ensuite bedrooms are preferred to mega-size closets

Jeanne said her clients would rather have larger bedrooms with sitting areas than supersized closets. Still, walk-in closets are on remodeling wish lists.

Storage is key

Unseen compartments in drawers or cubbies in cabinetry and built-in benches corral stuff to keep spaces visually clean.

(Above) Sweeten renovators Amy and Kevin’s Westchester home in LA

Mudrooms are still going strong

Although some trend forecasters suggest the demise of these transitional spaces for hanging coats and dropping gear, Jeanne said not so in LA. “Especially with the pandemic,” she said, “There’s a desire for bigger mudrooms. It’s like a decontamination area—coming into the home, taking off all your grimy stuff.” Typical layouts include hanging storage behind doors, cubbies, and benches for putting on shoes or boots. Some incorporate pet stations.

There’s an uptick in requests for libraries

“It’s a very popular room right now,” said Sweeten contractor Trevor. “It’s only going to get more popular. I’ve had three customers recently tell me they want libraries—real traditional, with everything built in.”

Home offices are making a comeback

The Zoom fatigue is real, but so is the realization that the backdrop for those visual calls needs to step up. Jeanne recently had a request from a wife to make her husband’s office more fashionable—because of his frequent video calls.

Ongoing remodeling trends consistent in LA

• Going green and sustainability is much more in demand with a more conscious effort to utilize eco-friendly materials as well as those that save energy.
• Smart home. Automation adjusts to temperature, lighting, and security. Smart devices even monitor cooking.
• A few things to consider when remodeling in LA: seismic codes that require tall stem walls, slab on grade with thick foundations in order to guard against earthquake damage. Also, water restriction dictates the kinds of showers allowed.

Classic and traditional design emerges

For home interior design in Los Angeles, Trevor also said that there appears to be a return to more traditional design.

• “Mid-century modern has always been huge like ranch home designs,” he said. “But traditional design is coming back—I would call it a mix between mid-century, Dutch, and American traditional. Recently I’ve been seeing yellow and some of the 70s colors coming back.”
• Statement decorating is hot. It’s part of the remodel plan. It could be a feature wall, a painted mural, or wallcovering. It could be a pop of color in a professional range or a graphic patterned tile on a backsplash. Outdoors, it might be a pergola, water, or fire feature.
• There’s an appreciation for artisanal looks. Handmade tiles, handcrafted hardware lend personality to interiors. Some renovation inspiration comes from restaurant and hotel design.
• “Simplicity—we’re definitely going in that direction,” said Sweeten contractor Trevor. “Not so much baroque-style with lots of moldings. People are going functional. They want hip and stylish.” There’s a minimalist sensibility, but not in the spare extreme.
• California style—with a modern or rustic refined look—still is strong, with lighter bleached look woods and ceiling beams.

Your favorite designs and a successful renovation together make a dream home. When you’re ready to get started on your home remodel, work with Sweeten to renovate with the best contractors in LA.

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 to renovate, start your renovation with Sweeten.

The post Renovating Design Trends in Los Angeles appeared first on Sweeten.

The post How to Renovate a Kitchen for Entertaining appeared first on Sweeten.

Kitchens are tight spaces, so, it helps to thoroughly plan every square foot before starting a remodel. Kitchens also are complex spaces where many elements must meet code. Supply and drain pipes compete with wires, ducts, and cabinets. The kitchen is not the place for last-minute, informal planning. Where should you start when considering different kitchen layout ideas? 

Simply: homeowners should consider using the most common layouts found in kitchens. There are many benefits of starting with a tried-and-true layout in your kitchen: smooth traffic flow, and less wasted space. Additionally, kitchen functionalities—sink, stove, fridge, and dishwasher—will end up in sensible places. Ultimately, this saves money for routing plumbing and electrical work. Below you’ll find renovations by Sweeten homeowners with kitchen layout inspiration.

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

Island kitchen layout

(Above) Sweeten homeowners Anthony and Jeremiah’s kitchen island renovation

An island kitchen layout combines a kitchen island with other layouts. These may be an L-shaped, U-shaped, or one-wall kitchen layout. The kitchen island is separate from the main counter area.

Many kitchen islands are counters only, with no water or cooking action. If a service is added to the island, it’s usually a cooktop. Large island kitchens may have a cooktop and a second sink for prep work.

Kitchen islands may be used less frequently than the owner had originally imagined. So, it helps to add one of those services as a magnet. Or, some homeowners extend one end of the island for use as an eating bar.

PROS

• Additional counter space
  
• Less expensive (you can even use a mobile island)
  

CONS

• Difficult to bring water supply and drainage to an island
  
• Takes up a lot of space, so a large kitchen is required

U-shaped kitchen layout

(Above) Sweeten homeowner’s U-shaped kitchen remodel

A U-shaped kitchen layout expands the L-shaped layout by adding an extra wing. Instead of two counters, the U-shaped kitchen has three counters arranged like a U.

With the U-shaped kitchen, various functions can be better spaced out than with the L-shaped layout. So, the leg of the L-shape that has the fridge, sink, and dishwasher can be broken up. The U-shaped kitchen’s third leg might contain the fridge.

For a U-shaped kitchen, you’ll need to have enough floor space available, but not too much. If the space is too small, the kitchen is cramped. If it’s too large, it takes longer to walk from one area to another. The National Kitchen + Bath Association recommends that no leg of the work triangle be less than 4 feet or more than 9 feet.

PROS

• Utilizes the third wall
  
• Spreads out kitchen services
  

CONS

• Difficulty correctly sizing the kitchen
  
• Center must be kept free of obstacles
  

One-wall kitchen layout

(Above) Sweeten homeowners Tiffany and Chad’s single-wall kitchen

With the one-wall kitchen layout, all of the kitchen tasks are combined on a single counter against one wall.

Since they are all in a line, design is mainly a matter of deciding the order of the functionalities. Usually, the sink and dishwasher are next to each other to share the water supply and drain lines.

Of the 6 kitchen layout ideas, the U-shape works perfectly for smaller homes such as condos or apartments. However, you’ll want to keep the layout fairly short. This avoids too much movement from one end to the other end.

PROS

• Squeezes kitchen into tiny space
  
• Keeps plumbing and electrical in one area
  

CONS

• Too much walking if the layout is long
  
• Little counter space
  

Galley kitchen layout

(Above) Sweeten homeowners Sheilaja + Sergio’s renovation

Galley kitchens have two counters that run parallel to each other. The counters are divided by a single aisle. Galley kitchens’ namesake is the kitchen found on boats. True to the inspiration, the aisle is usually narrow.

With galley kitchens, often one leg is devoted to the stove or cooktop and counter space. The other leg is usually the home’s exterior wall and has the sink, dishwasher, and refrigerator.

Galley kitchens do a great job of confining the workflow to a tight space. Just make sure that the cabinet, fridge, dishwasher, and oven doors don’t conflict with each other.

PROS

• Tucks kitchen away, off to the side
  
• Short traffic pattern
  

CONS

• Poor layout for multiple people in the kitchen
  
• Doors may conflict or open into each other
  

Peninsula kitchen layout

(Above) Sweeten homeowners Dalal + Frans’ renovation

A peninsula kitchen layout is a U-shaped layout that has a counter extension. Located at either end of the U shape, the extension partially juts into the kitchen. The result is generally a G-shape.

This kitchen usually retains its activities in its U-shaped section. The extension then becomes a breakfast bar or eating counter. 

The outer part of the extension can take two or three chairs for eating. The inner (kitchen side) is less functional. Most of it becomes a blind-corner cabinet that’s difficult for storing items. One solution is to install a lazy-susan, swing-out, or pull-out in that corner.

PROS

• Utilizes the end of a run of cabinets
  
• Room for eating saves on the need for chairs and table
  

CONS

• Creates another blind-corner cabinet
  
• Short counter
  

No matter the size of your home, there’s a kitchen layout that’ll fit the space. Keep in mind the kitchen activities that are important to your lifestyle, plot the best layout and flow, and get ready for your dream cook space.

L-shaped kitchen layout

(Above) Sweeten homeowner Amanda’s renovation

An L-shaped kitchen layout has two counters laid at a 90-degree angle to each other. Often, one counter is longer than the other counter.

The L-shaped kitchen layout usually divides the kitchen activities across the two legs of the L-shape. One leg may have the refrigerator, sink, and dishwasher. The other leg may have the stove or cooktop, plus a majority of the counter space for prep work.

There are many reasons that an L-shaped kitchen layout is a good idea for your home. For one, L-shaped kitchens are flexible enough to fit in kitchens of different sizes. For another, this layout lends itself perfectly to the concept of the kitchen triangle. With this, the sink, stove, and fridge are arranged in a triangle for better workflow.

PROS

• Flexible, works for many kitchens
  
• Good use of the kitchen triangle
  

CONS

• Large kitchens can get too spread out
  
• Difficult to find space for counter eating

Start with the right kitchen layout ideas

Cooking in a space with the right floorplan can prove to be the result of a well-planned kitchen remodel. With workflows in mind, everything from preparing ingredients to cleaning up can be done in a more streamlined fashion. The “work triangle” reduces the number of steps needed to move between the appliances. By having the right design, you are on your way to an enjoyable cooking experience.

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

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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.

Frequently asked questions about kitchen layouts

How to design a kitchen layout?

Designing the right kitchen layout is dependent upon the homeowner and the home. When choosing a kitchen layout, the homeowner first has to recognize what space they are working with. They should also think about what they need in their kitchen, and what will be the most useful to them. Would it be best for the kitchen to have an open layout? Or, should it include an island or peninsula? The homeowner has to think of the pros and cons, but also what is actually possible. A small galley kitchen is not going to fit a big island, while a big L-shaped kitchen might look empty without one.

What is the best layout for a small kitchen?

A galley layout, one-wall layout, or peninsula layout work all well for small kitchens. A galley kitchen can be tucked away in tight spaces, and there is a short traffic pattern. Including a peninsula in the kitchen means that there does not have to be room for a table and chairs. Stools can be added to the peninsula in order to make a tabletop. A one-wall kitchen layout makes it so everything in the kitchen can be compact on one side, and may open up into a living area. 

The post 6 Kitchen Layout Ideas, Fit for Homes of Any Size appeared first on Sweeten.

A family increases their home’s square footage with the help of their woman-owned general contractor

• Homeowners: California couple Kirsty and David posted their Los Angeles home addition on Sweeten
• Where: Mid-City / Miracle Mile area of Los Angeles, California
• Primary renovation: A full home remodeling revamp of 1,400 square feet, plus an expansion and new exterior
• Sweeten general contractor
• Homeowner’s quote: “Our team was a very diverse, all-female group of professionals which I loved: our woman-owned general contractor in Los Angeles was Filipino, the project manager was Japanese, and our architect was African-American.”
• Sweeten’s role: Sweeten matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering advice, support, and secure payments—for free.

Written in partnership with Sweeten homeowner Kirsty. “After” photos by Madeline Tolle for Sweeten. Stylist: Emily Bowser. 

Deciding to renovate for a forever home

David and I bought our home, a traditional English single-family home built in 1924, over 12 years ago. Over the years with our family growing, (our children, Nehemiah and Gertrude, and our dog, Boston), we knew we needed more space. We’ve been making updates room by room but realized we needed a home that would work for us long-term. 

Our location in Mid-City, close to Los Angeles’ Miracle Mile, is great. I am in advertising and David is in logistics—our jobs are both in L.A. We didn’t want to sell our house. We wanted to maximize it and create space so that we weren’t living on top of one another. Additionally, we wanted to modernize and open up the interior with smart home features. The minimalist aesthetic would complement the exterior architecture and allow us to be rid of the dated stucco.

A unique home renovation team

We’d posted our full home remodel on Sweeten, and found three Los Angeles contractors to bid. Sweeten offered us assistance in evaluating all of the GCs’ bids, and we chose our contractor.

Thanks to our construction team, we managed an entire remodel of our home in seven months. Interestingly, our team was a very diverse, all-female group of professionals which I loved: our woman-owned general contractor in Los Angeles was Filipino, the project manager was Japanese, and our architect, Susan Nwanpka Gillespie of Nwanpka Design was African-American. My husband is South African, and I’m Scottish, which completed the international connection.

The kitchen has a feeling of openness and relaxation, and we love the flowing wood element on the pitched ceiling.

A new interior and home addition in Los Angeles

In the beginning, it was easy to be overwhelmed by how big the project was. Our questions were mostly on the structural side—what could we do with an older home? Could we accomplish our vision? We wanted a Scandinavian-modern look that was contemporary with Mid-Century and industrial touches. When the architect, structural engineer, and general contractor all told us that it could be done, we found the confidence to greenlight the project.

The plan was to add square footage to the front and the back of the house. The family room, master bedroom, and master bath would all be enlarged. We opened up the ceiling in the open-concept kitchen which made the space seem much larger.

We would go all the way down to the house’s framing and exterior details. David and I chose 10-foot glass bi-fold doors to line the back and front of the house for indoor/outdoor living. We wanted unique windows and an incredible skylight in the kitchen. The specially-fitted wood interior doors are extra tall. Finally, the project was taking shape.

A wood aesthetic throughout

An open-plan kitchen featured prominently in our design. The custom 10-foot island, which has a three-inch honed-quartz countertop, is the centerpiece. We used matte gunmetal gray custom cabinets for the lower storage and natural wood for the upper cabinets and parts of the island. Inside the cupboards, we designed hidden cutlery and storage drawers, as well as vertical drawers, for clever European functionality. The kitchen has a feeling of openness and relaxation, and we love the flowing wood element on the pitched ceiling. For the floors, we went with hardwood in an oil finish and extended that choice throughout the home.

Another focus was on the bathrooms. We expanded the master bath and added a powder room. I love the statement wall and the tile in the master, and the brushed-nickel faucets. We used matte white quartz on the vanity and chose a simple floating toilet. The powder room received a compact sink and vanity for the small space. I wanted all eyes to be on the geometric wallpaper in the powder room. How could they not be?

We were so happy with the custom cabinetry in the kitchen and baths that we utilized it all around our home, creating hidden storage in the family room and a vanity in the master bedroom. We also installed custom rolling blinds on every window.

Our woman-owned general contractor in Los Angeles came through

Our renovation team understood our vision. They were organized, took detailed meeting notes so nothing slipped through the cracks, and kept the project on schedule. They also knew their stuff! The contractor confirmed that the fabrication and installation techniques of every worker were in line with the aesthetics of the übermodern home we wanted. This proved a critical element in our home’s finished look.

(Above) Master bedroom

We may have gone slightly over budget, but we gained enormous satisfaction. We built our dream home.

Thank you for sharing your home’s amazing transformation, Kirsty and David!

Renovation Materials

EXTERIOR RESOURCES: Statement white oak front entrance door: CBW Doors. 10-foot glass bi-fold doors with bronze frame: Fleetwood Windows and Doors. Aluminum frame windows in bronze: Milgard.

LIVING AREA RESOURCES: Oil finish wood flooring: Villagio Wood Floors. Blinds: The Shade Store.

KITCHEN RESOURCES: Virgo engineer wood flooring in Rustic Oak: Villagio Wood Floors. Italian white ceramic backsplash tile. Cabinets in white oak veneer panels and lacquered spraypainted panels in smoke gray: Custom. Honed quartz countertop. Sink/faucet: Kräus. Miele appliances: Appliances Connection. Ceiling paint in Whisper White on white ash wood paneling: Behr. 

MASTER BATHROOM RESOURCES: Smoke Gray with gray grout, 12″x24″ porcelain bathroom floor tile. White 24″x48″ porcelain bathroom wall tile. White ceramic bar pattern backsplash tile. Hardware and shower fixtures: Brizo. Kohler sink/vanity: Appliances Connection. Wall-hung toilet: Villeroy & Boch. Freestanding tub in matte white: ADM Bathroom. Statuary porcelain shower tile in matte: Roca Tile.

POWDER ROOM RESOURCES: Virgo engineer wood flooring in Rustic Oak: Villagio Wood Floors. Freestanding Alma Gill 40″ Cement Grey vanity with porcelain sink: Alma. Jason Wu faucet and hardware: Brizo. Wall-hung toilet: Villeroy & Boch. Drop It MODERN Labyrinth removable wallpaper: West Elm. 

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

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 Home Addition in Los Angeles is Now Fully Scandi-Modern appeared first on Sweeten.

•  Homeowners: Jaime Ray Newman and partner Guy Nattiv posted their home updates and Los Angeles garage 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.”
• Sweeten’s role: Sweeten matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering advice, support, and secure payments—for free.

Written in partnership with Sweeten homeowner Jaime. “After” photos by Jessica Alexander for Sweeten. 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.

(Above) Putting kitchen design ideas to work for a live/work space in the garage

“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 was 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.

(Above) Garage-turned-live/work space

“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 master 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 master bedroom and bathroom. “Her talent and advice were invaluable,” Jaime said. From there she got on Sweeten and found her general contractor.

(Above) Main ranch house

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.

(Above) Garage-turn-live/work space

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.

(Above) Main ranch home

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.

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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 Garage Renovation for Actress & Producer Jaime Ray Newman 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: Appliances Connection. 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: Appliances Connection. 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.

The post An L-Shaped Kitchen Checks Every Wish-List Box appeared first on Sweeten.

Click here to WATCH VIDEO

When Mitzie and Jenifer bought their two-bedroom apartment in DUMBO, they knew that a full home renovation was needed before moving in. A designer, Mitzie immediately started sketching out design plans and reached out to Sweeten to find a general contractor who could bring those plans to life. In the home renovation tips below, Mitzie shares the couples’ bedroom and kitchen renovation inspiration, and their experience working with their Sweeten general contractor to improve the lighting in their new apartment. 

Mitzie: (00:05)

Welcome to our home. My name is Mitzie Wong. I live here with my partner Jenifer Harmon, who is a media executive. I’m a painter, designer, and co-founder of Roar + Rabbit.

Mitzie: (00:35)

We wanted to make the apartment feel very casual, yet luxurious. We had a budget in mind, so we were really careful about choosing the materials. We wanted it to feel very inviting and relaxing.

Photos by Kate Glicksberg for Sweeten

Home Renovation Tip 1: A waterfall island brings living spaces together

Mitzie: (00:53)

When we saw the kitchen initially, it was very boxy. There were lots of angles, the cabinets were jutting out, the counters were short and narrow, so we wanted to make the place a lot more cohesive. We went for a bigger island, deeper with the cascading waterfall marble sides, so it would be a feature because it’s an open plan to the living room. And we unified everything by color. Being an open plan, it had to be a feature. We hid the freezer and the fridge behind the same colors as the cabinet to make it more unified.

We used the same hardware on the drawers and the doors to make it more cohesive, to give it a lighter and brighter space, and we obviously brought the counter forward to give it more a generous sense of space. Because everything was so new looking, I wanted to put in a handmade tile to just soften it up, to give it some texture and some depth.

Home Renovation Tip 2: Turn a plain wall into a colorful headboard

Mitzie: (01:58)

This is a fairly new building, it’s only 12 years old, so we wanted to give the apartment some character. As you’ll see, there’s a lot of build-outs and recesses and weird angles in each corner. I wanted to take the focal point away and make a feature wall. I used two-and-a-half-inch plywood beams and painted it to make an accent wall to give it layered depth. If you look slightly to the right, you’ll see the Manhattan bridge, and it’s a gray-blue, so that was part of the inspiration for the color. It’s a slightly off-color of the Manhattan bridge.

Home Renovation Tip 3: Streamline storage and lighting

Mitzie: (02:40)

We relied on our Sweeten contractor heavily on their expertise for lighting. They dropped the ceilings only two or three inches, and we were able to put in the recessed lighting in both the living room and the office, so we could maintain consistent lighting throughout the day and evening. When we were doing the initial renovation during the gutting stage, there was an additional six inches in the wall [of the master bathroom] that was revealed, so we were able to design together and build a bespoke cabinet.

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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 Video: 3 Home Remodeling Tips for a 2-Bedroom Apartment appeared first on Sweeten.

Sidle up and take a seat

Considered the most popular cabinets, kitchen islands and kitchen peninsulas are a beacon for every working cook space. Jockeying for square footage, countertops usually lose space to the sink, appliances, and small appliances. However, kitchen peninsulas and islands will do more than create an additional work surface and storage. They are an immediate focal point and you’d be hard-pressed not to immediately perch for coffee or for a chat. They also house amenities such as second sinks, cooktops, dishwashers, or wine coolers.

Sweeten matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering advice, support, and secure payments—for free. Here’s our summary of the benefits, costs, and logistics involved in choosing these popular features.

(Top photo) A black walnut-topped island seats three. (Above) Nydia’s peninsula in her 250-square-foot renovated Sweeten kitchen

Basics of the kitchen island and kitchen peninsula

• Kitchen islands are detached from the main section of counters and cabinets. Homeowners sometimes supplement this main section with mobile kitchen islands or carts. But true, cook-ready kitchen islands are permanently secured to the floor. Here, the kitchen island becomes a part of the kitchen itself—an enhancement that helps the home’s resale value. 
  
• Kitchen peninsulas offer storage and countertop room roughly similar in size to kitchen islands. They are secured to the floor for functionality and safety. One end is attached either to the wall or to existing counters and cabinets. 
• In most cases, the peninsula stylistically matches the main counters/cabinets. One popular layout is to attach the cabinet to the end of an L-shaped kitchen countertop. It becomes a U-shaped layout. 
  

Benefits of the kitchen island designs

• Flexible spacing: This type of cabinet should remain within basic spacing parameters. But within those parameters is a degree of flexibility that allows you to nudge the island to the spot that works best for you.
  

• Instant social space: If you host parties or dinners, or if you just want to draw family members closer, a kitchen island is a people magnet.
  

• Easy to mix styles: All cabinetry and counters typically match. But if you choose to incorporate a slightly different style, this is possible. The physical separation from the main area means that dissimilar cabinets and counters are less noticeable.
  

(From top to bottom) Mitzie and Jenifer’s waterfall island. Even two-seat kitchen island designs can hold a full-size oven. A marble overhang seats three in Sara and Mike’s ’30s Tudor home.

Benefits of the kitchen peninsula

• Continuous countertops: This type of cabinet typically connects with the main countertop. Quartz and solid surface countertop technicians employ seaming methods that erase the line between the two, effectively transforming them into a single surface.
  

• Better workflow: Continuous counters and cabinets tend to get more use than separate work centers.
  

• Easier to place utilities: Natural gas, electricity, water supply, and drainage lines are easier to connect, since one end abuts a wall or existing cabinets.
  

Which style works for your space?

Is increasing kitchen storage an overriding concern? If so, a kitchen island may be your best choice. A peninsula has a 90-degree cabinet angle creating a type of dead zone called a blind cabinet. While this space can be used, it is difficult to access. 

By contrast, kitchen island designs provide an unimpeded storage area under the countertops. If you think that you will want to eventually change or expand your kitchen, consider a kitchen island. It is easier to remove without affecting the main counter/cabinet section.

If you have a small kitchen or a medium-sized space, choose a peninsula that is more efficient with space. Also, if you think that the kitchen island’s detachment from the main area may deter use, then you should consider installing a kitchen peninsula.

(From top to bottom) Three kitchen peninsulas from Sweeten homeowners: Jessica and Jessie’s open concept; Kayla + Jesse’s small kitchen; Dawn and David’s multifunctional surface; and Melissa’s three-seater

Space requirements

The choice of a kitchen peninsula or kitchen island depends on the size and layout of the room. Adequate space between work centers must be maintained both for workflow and for safety. You must be able to open cabinet doors and dishwashers. You must also be able to freely access sinks and cooktops.

The industry group National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) recommends that you keep 42 inches of space between the edge of an island or peninsula and any other counters, work centers, appliances, or walls. Increase that width to 48 inches if you expect to have more than one cook regularly working in the kitchen.

Walkways that are not work aisles (pass-throughs behind an island, for instance) should be no less than 36 inches wide.

Whether for an island or a peninsula, think in terms of an imaginary “kitchen triangle” created by three points: sink, refrigerator, and stove or cooktop. The three legs of the triangle should total no more than 26 feet, with no leg measuring less than 4 feet or more than 9 feet.

Standard countertops rise 36 inches above floor level. If either the peninsula or island is intended to be a breakfast bar, that height may be raised to 42 inches (though it would then be used exclusively for eating, not for food preparation).

Electrical receptacles servicing all counter areas should be GFCI-protected (ground fault circuit interrupter).

(Above) Alex and Jennifer’s beach house kitchen island features a cooktop, wine fridge, and seating

Cost considerations

The cost of adding either cabinet type is highly variable. Since countertop materials tend to be expensive, Sweeten general contractor Claud said that homeowners need to think about whether they want either style to have enough countertop overhang to serve as an eating area.

Concerning costs, Claud says that where you live is as important as what you’re building. “A detached single-family home will be different from a condo or townhouse, where costs can skyrocket.” He noted that HOAs often require that remodel plans be drawn up by an architect, even in the case of adding either of these features.

Claud estimated that a 5-foot long, 36-inch high peninsula or island using semi-custom cabinets and quartz or solid surface countertops and with no amenities will cost $2,500 to $3,000. Amenities such as a sink or dishwasher add significantly. 

Which is more expensive: a kitchen island or kitchen peninsula?

They’re close, he said, with islands usually costing slightly less. Peninsulas often demand more patching and wall work than islands.

Design professionals rarely consider either an island or a peninsula to be inherently better than the other. Instead, it is a matter of your home, the available space within the kitchen, and your taste and desires. Either way, you’ll be gaining the kitchen’s most efficient workhorse in workspace and storage.

When you’re ready to get started on your kitchen or home remodel, discuss with your Sweeten general contractor which cabinetry works best in your space. 

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 to renovate, start your renovation on Sweeten.

Popular questions asked

The post What’s Better: Kitchen Peninsulas or Kitchen Islands? appeared first on Sweeten.

Project: A 1960s East Hampton kitchen renovation

Before: Ann was looking for a contractor for over two years to renovate the kitchen in her East Hampton, New York, home. She just couldn’t find the right fit—price-or-quality-wise. Her dark and dated kitchen, in a one-story house built in 1964, had a faux brick backsplash and the original cabinetry. It just wasn’t cutting it for Ann, a big entertainer, with lots of family members who love to come over and cook. However, after finding Sweeten and reading other renovation stories on the blog, she made a move and posted her kitchen renovation project. She matched with an East Hampton contractor who’d help turn the old-fashioned kitchen into host-worthy space.

After: Ann worked with her Sweeten general contractor and architect Daniel Gomes to reimagine the room. Daniel drew up the plans for an open kitchen, including removing the wall between the dining area and cook space and lifting the ceiling to a cathedral style (which was the contractor’s suggestion). Fortunately, those changes had a dramatic effect on the brightness and size of the room. 

The homeowner wanted a very timeless aesthetic. Flat-paneled white cabinets set the foundation for the classic look, complemented by white, taupe, and black granite countertops and gold cabinet hardware. Lighting above the island and the black-and-gold sink faucet echo the metallic hardware, tying it all together.

As a first-time renovator, Ann was happy to have Sweeten Client Services available throughout the project. “It was great to know somebody was there for you,” she shared. She also had a great time working with her contractor, who encouraged her to take time picking out the materials. Above all, he told her to not rush it—a renovation is not something that’s done every day. 

Patience was Ann’s main focus from the very start, since she waited to find a contractor she felt confident in. The homeowner suggests that future renovators do the same: shop around, speak with as many people as you can, and do research. This isn’t a process worth speeding through!

Ultimately, her fortitude paid off: “I just love having the open space, where everyone can sit and hang out together,” Ann said.

Bonus: The kitchen island is packed with storage, including a beverage cooler for wine, soda, and water.  [Find out more about other perks of kitchen islands from this Real Simple article.]

Thank you, Ann, for sharing your East Hampton kitchen renovation story with us! 

Style finds: Kitchen island pendants: Build.com. Kitchen cabinets: Appliances Connection. Gold-tone cabinet hardware and mosaic backsplash: Art3d. Granite countertops: MSI.

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This is how much it costs per square foot to renovate in the Hamptons.

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 ‘60s East Hampton Kitchen Reaches New Heights appeared first on Sweeten.

Project: Highlight a skyline view with an open, modern kitchen

Before: Jennifer and Joe’s Edgewater, New Jersey, apartment looks out on the Manhattan skyline, Statue of Liberty, and George Washington Bridge. The couple and their dog have lived in the two-bedroom, two-bath condo for ten years and been slowly renovating room by room. When it came time to reimagine their kitchen, they knew an open concept was the only way to go. “We entertain so much and wanted a nice flow for people to congregate and socialize. We wanted clean lines, plus no obstructions or walls to block the view,” Jennifer shared. The soon-to-be renovators posted their project to Sweeten and were matched with a general contractor.

After: With one partial wall separating the living area and kitchen, Jennifer had her heart set on creating a seamless, or wall-less, space. Upon inspection, the couple learned the entire wall couldn’t fully come down because it was loadbearing. Instead, their contractor left a little under three feet of the wall remaining—a perfect spot for the refrigerator.

In place of the knocked-down wall came a marble waterfall island with a deep black base and white veins. The rest of the kitchen’s palette picks up from the marble, juxtaposing the two colors. Glossy black drawers are on one side of the island, while all-white upper and lower cabinetry, plus a white quartz countertop make up the rest of the cooking space. Since the whole concept revolved around clean lines, the renovators chose sleek, linear hardware for their cabinets and installed the microwave drawer underneath the counter to keep the surface clear. Not one detail was spared, from the under cabinet lighting to the textured backsplash.

This level of attention was consistent throughout the project. Their contractors kept them involved in the process from start to finish. “Nothing was done without a full explanation or our understanding,” she said. “They made recommendations that were incredibly helpful and rather than feeling as though our arm was being twisted they helped us to make better decisions with their guidance.”

Communication is one of the most crucial parts of any project, which Jennifer and Joe can definitely attest to. Sweeten Client Services “constantly checked in and inquired as to our level of satisfaction. They asked us what stages of our project timeline we were in and it felt nice knowing that they were providing an open line of communication with us,” Jennifer shared. The couple has been through multiple renovations, so knew to brace themselves for problems, but fortunately didn’t encounter them.

“We walk in and with all the extra light, open air, clean lines, and high gloss finishes, and I feel as though I’m in a Soho penthouse and there’s a concierge downstairs that will gladly bring us a plate charcuterie for our enormous new counter.,” she said.“We feel like we are out when we stay in. It is just the best.”

Bonus: Jennifer’s tip for future renovators? “Sign contracts that give you a firm start date, end date, and budget they will commit to. Our contractors were absolutely exceptional in each of these areas. A contract that you can all live with and by is essential.”

Style finds: Flooring and backsplash: Porcelanosa. Bright white quartz countertops and Eternal Marquina island: Silestone. Sink and faucet: Appliances Connection. Refrigerator, stove, and dishwasher: Appliances Connection. Lighting: Lutron. Barstools: Wayfair.

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Find how much it costs to renovate per square foot in New Jersey.

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 Marble and City Views Steal the Show In This Kitchen Remodel appeared first on Sweeten.

Project: A renovation in Media, PA to open up a dated kitchen

Before: Gina, a product director, and Dan, who works in account and finance, moved into his childhood home in Media, Pennsylvania, after relocating for a new job and learning they were going to start a family (their son Jack is now 2 years old). Dan’s parents were planning to retire and head south, so the couple rented their 1950s traditional brick, split-level home for a few years. It gave them time to think about the work they’d complete if they decided to make it their own. When they did buy it, the first-time homeowners had a renovation vision underway for the old-fashioned kitchen. The layout wasn’t ideal for entertaining or cooking, and they wanted to increase the square footage, too. “We wanted a bright, open kitchen that was traditional but with clean, modern touches,” Gina shared. The duo posted their Media kitchen renovation project to Sweeten and were matched with a general contractor.

After: The renovators decided to combine the formal dining room and existing kitchen to build one long cook space with plenty of surface space and seating. “One major must-have was creating a large island with a butcher block countertop. Instead of having a traditional table and chairs, we wanted to have stools all around the table where people could casually gather,” Gina said. Plus, they still have a separate dining area on the lower level of the home in what was once a living room.

To take advantage of their much larger kitchen, the renovators decided against installing upper cabinetry. Ceiling-height cabinets surrounding the two-door refrigerator and island drawers offer more than enough storage.

The first-time renovators’ biggest worry was finding a reliable contractor. Sweeten matched Gina and Dan with a general contractor they felt comfortable with and worked hand-in-hand with them to first come up with a plan and then execute it. As a former project manager, Gina especially appreciated the contractor’s detailed timelines that laid out when each renovation step would occur. “They set up times for each task and ended up wrapping things up earlier than expected. They took whatever extra time they had and tried to get other things done based on the project, which really helped keep everything on track,” she shared.

Renovating the kitchen with a one-year-old in tow also meant the family needed plenty of notice about noisier or more disruptive work, which their project manager always delivered. “Having a dedicated project manager who was as skilled as he was, made us a bit sad when the project was over and we knew we wouldn’t see him anymore—I actually cried and hugged him our last day. I think it’s very rare anyone ever has that reaction to a kitchen renovation,” Gina said.

Bonus: Their contractor also replaced a window over the kitchen sink to match the other white framed ones.

Tell Sweeten about your project and get matched with licensed, vetted general contractors in the Philadelphia area!

Style finds: Martha Stewart Living cabinets: The Home Depot. Cabinet hardware: Lowe’s. Granite countertops: Stone Masters Inc. Granite composite sink: Appliances Connection. Refrigerator, dishwasher, and stove: Appliances Connection. Pendant lighting: Generation Brands.        

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Want to see Sweeten’s handiwork in Philadelphia? See a full gut renovation of a Bella Vista rowhouse damaged by a massive fire

Curious how much to budget for a renovation? This is how much it costs to renovate in Philadelphia, PA.

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 Philadelphia Suburban Kitchen Made for Family Gatherings appeared first on Sweeten.

In the summer of 2017, Brooke and Paul closed on a 1924 Mediterranean-style home in Pelham, New York. The couple, already living in town, was drawn to the location of the house, perched on a picturesque hillside cul-de-sac in a neighborhood full of young families like their own. The property was designed by architect Guy Mariner, who arrived in Pelham in the early 20th century, making his mark on the suburb’s historic residential homes and landmarked structures. Their “new” old home featured exposed oak beams, beautiful archways, and a barrel-tiled roof—not to mention original faience tiles and leaded-glass windows. The space was almost perfect for them, their kids—Charlotte, Francie, and Teddy—and their two black Labs, Hattie and Reed. There were a few changes that needed to be made to accommodate their busy daily routine.

Their previous home had an expansive, open kitchen with a large island that encouraged casual family gatherings, and it was the go-to spot for baking, art and crafts, and Play-Doh sculptures. In this new house, the kitchen was closed off from the dining room and had lower ceilings. The cabinetry was warped, and the island was “too small for our family of five to gather around,” Brooke explains. The design choices in the kitchen did not match the rest of the house, and the duo wished for an aesthetic befitting the historic architecture of the home while addressing the practical and busy lifestyle of an active family. “We wanted to create a kitchen that would be functional for everyone to be in without feeling crowded,” she said. Additionally, the master bath needed a major facelift: a pedestal sink provided no storage and the ancient tub had to go. The pair posted their project to Sweeten, a free service that connects homeowners with vetted contractors. They were quickly matched with this Sweeten contractor, who they asked to design and install the kitchen, along with a new vanity in the master bath.

Brooke and Paul embarked on the renovation process without having first lived in the home, which presented some challenges. They weren’t sure how they would use the space, but they did know that they wanted adequate storage, a more open kitchen/dining area, and a large island. Their Sweeten contractor took this information and came up with a solution that incorporated their wishlist. First, they took down the wall separating the dining room and the kitchen and added a large island in its place. “It was also very important to me to have an island that curved out so that when we gathered around to eat, we weren’t in a straight line,” says Brooke.

Given the age of the house, the ceiling in the kitchen was quite low and not level. They would have lost two inches if they attempted to level the entire surface. The solution: their contractor carefully integrated the cabinets within the out-of-level areas and cut the moldings in a certain way to give the appearance of an even ceiling. Brooke tells us, “I struggled with designing a kitchen that I hadn’t lived in before, but our Sweeten contractor was great to work with; he blended my suggestions into his designs and I’m thrilled with how it turned out.”

The couple also chose to install a microwave drawer (a favorite), an extra-large fridge, and two refrigerator drawers just for beverages. Brooke reports that she loves her blue patterned tile backsplash, a splurge that really embraces the Mediterranean architecture of the home. She went with marble for the countertops; after examining other options, she couldn’t find a substitute that would give the feel she was looking for. A soft gray paint complemented the white cabinetry and blue island. The configuration of the new kitchen, which not only combined the dining room but also opened up the existing butler’s pantry, created a better flow and an easier space for the family to congregate. A custom L-shaped dining bench, topped with cheerful blue and yellow pillows, was the final touch to a warm, happy space.

In the master bath, their Sweeten contractor was tasked with creating a vanity that could hold a laundry hamper as well as toiletries and other daily necessities. He worked with the small footprint, since moving the plumbing fixtures would have meant going over budget. In the end, however, Brooke and Paul took about a foot from an adjacent bedroom to fashion a slightly larger space. The new vanity is topped with marble and utilizes all the space available. A walk-in shower with pebbled tile floors replaced the old tub, and a bold custom blue paint was the final touch for a fresh new space.

Now that the renovation is complete, Brooke shares one of her major lessons learned: Paint colors never look the way you expect them to. “I had eight swatches of gray and greige paint on the [kitchen] walls for weeks and finally decided on Wickham Gray from Benjamin Moore. The day the contractor was painting the kitchen, I was working from home. I came downstairs to see a neighbor, and she immediately said, ‘I didn’t know you were going green in the kitchen.’ So we turned around and went with Gray Owl [another Benjamin Moore paint] instead.”

Marrying an old house with modern life also meant taking time to figure out how the family wanted to live and use the space. “We haven’t been in our home for six months yet, so there’s still movement in how and where I store things as we get settled,” explains Brooke. During the demolition, they discovered a time capsule buried by previous owners containing a newspaper clipping dating from the first day of the Iraq War, as well as some information about the family and neighbors. And now, their own house history begins.

Thanks to Brooke and Paul for sharing your renovation story!

KITCHEN RESOURCES: Flooring: Custom hardwood. Custom kitchen cabinets: Crystal Cabinets. Weathered Nickel cabinet hardware: Stone Mill Hardware. White Shadow marble countertops: Rye Marble. Duquesa backsplash: Walker Zanger. Sink: Appliances Connection. Smart Touch faucet: Brizo. Refrigerator: Appliances Connection. Dishwasher: Appliances Connection. Stove: Appliances Connection. Lighting: Ballard Designs. Gray Owl paint: Benjamin Moore.

BATHROOM RESOURCES: Custom vanity by the general contractor. Carrara marble vanity top: Rye Marble. Alcott Hill lighting: Wayfair. Medicine cabinet: Pottery Barn. Custom paint: Benjamin Moore.

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Renovating an older house can be a rewarding challenge. These Sweeten homeowners remodeled homes that went untouched for decades.

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 1920s Westchester Home Gets a Modern Makeover appeared first on Sweeten.

Tara, a former teacher-turned-homemaker, and Ryan, a software developer, had always loved the 1800s cast-iron buildings in the SoHo district of NYC. When the couple, who now have a 19-month-old son, had a chance a few years ago to buy into the neighborhood, they jumped at it. Despite the architectural details within their newly purchased loft, the space was outdated and a partial wall was used to create the only bedroom in the home. Here’s the story of how Tara and Ryan posted their project on Sweeten and worked with their contractor to renovate their 1,200-square-foot co-op apartment.

Tara, a former teacher-turned-homemaker, and Ryan, a software developer, had always loved the 1800s cast-iron buildings in the SoHo district of NYC. When the couple, who now have a 19-month-old son, had a chance a few years ago to buy into the neighborhood, they jumped at it. Despite the architectural details within their newly purchased loft, the space was outdated and a partial wall was used to create the only bedroom in the home. Here’s the story of how Tara and Ryan posted their project on Sweeten and worked with their contractor to renovate their 1,200-square-foot co-op apartment.

Guest blog post by Tara and Ryan

In 2012, we had the opportunity to buy a loft in a former silk importer warehouse and fell in love with the possibilities. The space showcased several classic neighborhood features, such as cast-iron Corinthian columns, 13-foot tin ceilings, oversized windows, and exposed brick walls. However, it also needed a lot of work. The kitchen and bathroom were dated. The bamboo flooring was uneven. There was no storage and the only bedroom had a divider instead of a full wall. We lived in the space for a few years while we considered our options. Then we got pregnant with our son, Wyatt, so we decided to act fast to make room for our new family addition.

Our renovation vision was to embrace the original loft aesthetic with an industrial-meets-modern design. We wanted to re-expose the brick along the entire length of the living room wall. It was a similar case in the master bedroom, where we wanted to add an accent wall. The columns and original tin ceiling would be left untouched; we loved their rustic, industrial character. That raw look would contrast with the clean, modern, and white gloss cabinetry in the kitchen and living room built-ins that we wanted. The brands we chose were based on quality, modern aesthetic, and resale value.

We were unsure of what to expect when the brick in the living room would be exposed. In addition to finding a few more steam, electrical, and drain pipes than expected, we also uncovered a square archway (the brick wall was a firewall running down the center beam of the building and the arch was a former large doorway from its time as a warehouse). During the co-op conversion, these archways were covered by standard framing and wallboard to separate the apartments. However, the feature was aesthetically unpleasing. We solved the problem by covering the drywall and turning it into a “feature wall” with reclaimed barn siding. Finally, we showcased the wall with down-lit recessed lighting—an idea we got from a movie. To keep the décor minimalistic, we made maximum use of our new storage. The built-ins along much of the living room wall are compartmentalized for baby toys, books, media, and our vinyl collection. On the opposite wall sits a desk for paperwork and musical inspiration; Ryan has played the guitar since he was 13 and hopes his son, Wyatt, inherits his passion.

For the kitchen, we essentially kept the same layout. We had looked at several floor plan options that would have potentially altered the kitchen/bathroom layout and location. After exploring those options, we realized moving those “wet” spaces over our downstairs neighbor’s “dry” living room would drastically increase the cost and complexity of our project. We did push the kitchen island out (toward the dining area) about a foot. That improved the ergonomics of the kitchen, particularly when navigating an inconveniently located cast-iron column. We replaced the cabinets, which gave us the flexibility to tweak the functionality, such as replacing the range on the former island with an induction cooktop. That left room in the island for three rows of deep drawers, which was a much better use of space for storing pans, utensils, and cookware than cabinets. We also found room to add an 18” wine fridge in the island.

The wall and speed oven combination moved to the back wall, formerly dead counter space for a microwave and toaster oven. We did consider whether the column would interfere with the kitchen flow, especially with ovens on the other side. But it ended up working out fine. The high-traffic area (sink, refrigerator, cooktop) is together on one side of the column. The sink, dishwasher, and refrigerator were replaced but stayed in exactly the same locations, requiring minimal plumbing. Even though we added appliances, we gained storage space just by reconfiguring and making better use of the space we had.

The existing washer-dryer combo unit had been in a column directly facing the kitchen island, a terrible location for laundry for traffic flow—and hygiene. The water heater was directly above the washer-dryer, making the whole section difficult to move. The simple solution was to rotate the units 180 degrees, so that laundry door was accessed next to the bathroom, which made more sense. The water heater was left as is.

Before: The bedroom sits behind a partial wall.

A big priority was to formally close off the master bedroom. Working with a 100-year-old former warehouse came with some challenges. One was a column near the bedroom. Although it is beautiful, it just happened to get in the way of every floor plan. Working with our architect, we had to be creative in positioning the bedroom walls in a way to maximize their floor space while working around the columns. Using pocket doors helped solved the problem since the column would have left no room for standard hinge doors. Storage was a priority throughout the loft. The master closet is a wall-sized, reach-in, modular custom closet.

For the baby’s room, we took some space from the living room to add the second bedroom. Carving out the space was a challenge when constrained by the column, windows, door placement, and not taking too much square footage out of the master. In the end, we were just barely able to segment an 8-foot x 10-foot room.

The bathroom had a clean, modern makeover with oversized floor-to-ceiling marble tiles. The floor plan stayed the same, but we were able to make substantial improvements with a few minor design adjustments. Once we demo’d, we found that the half-height wet wall behind the pedestal vanity was overbuilt and could be moved inward. This reclaimed a few inches of space needed for the new floating vanity. We also framed out a LED-lit, recessed shelf above this wet wall, giving the area more purpose. The medicine cabinet was set inside the wall, saving some airspace. These little adjustments made the wall feel a few inches deeper and between the shelf, floating vanity, and medicine cabinet, it provided a lot more storage. Above the bathroom’s dropped ceiling, and with a lot of maneuvering, we made space for the blower of the new ducted central air system.

As is common in New York City, our apartment was heated with building-controlled steam heat. Our unit got a disproportionate share of that heat. In frustration, we removed the steam radiator altogether while adding a heating and cooling central air system. We also replaced the worn-down bamboo tiles with new white oak hardwood floors throughout the rest of the apartment, which we painted a designer white. It keeps the whole space feeling open and bright.

Sweeten was great in helping us realize our vision. They understood our scope of work and did a great job at pairing us with excellent contractor options. Then, they walked us through the contractor selection process, helping us make an apples-to-apples comparison of the bids. The Sweeten contractor we ultimately chose to work with turned out to be an excellent pick. They became true partners in our process.

One tip we want to pass on to future renovators is, if possible, rent a place close by so you can check in a few times a week. We did and were able to do weekly (sometimes multiple times per week) walk-throughs with our contractor. That gave us time to plan, troubleshoot, and exchange creative ideas. They also used software to track all aspects of the project, including timelines, material selections, work pictures—all of which was tremendously helpful and well organized, allowing us to complete our project within the planned four months. Sadly, a friend’s renovation that is similar to ours and started at the same time is still going.

The most exciting part of this process is seeing our vision come to life. And getting storage because babies come with so much stuff!

Thank you, Tara and Ryan, for sharing your wonderful apartment with us!

KITCHEN RESOURCES: Design No. 2 cabinets: Miralis. Integrated refrigerator, #IT-30CIID: Appliances Connection. 24″ speed oven with trim kit, H6200BM; 30″ convection wall oven, #H6280BP; dishwasher, #G4970US; and induction cooktop, #KM6370: Appliances Connection. Trinsic faucet: Delta. Stainless under-mount sink: Just Manufacturing. Cabinetry/media unit: custom flat panel cabinetry by Miralis, designed by Sweeten contractor. 8″ hardware pulls, #BP55279G10: Amerock. Quartz countertop and backsplash in Pure White: Caesarstone. Wainscott bar stools: CB2. Glass Jug pendant lighting (kitchen island): ABC Home & Carpet. Essence Linear pendant overhead lighting: Lumens. Foyer bench: The Line NYC. 24″ compact washer/dryer: Appliances Connection.

NURSERY RESOURCES: Paint in November Skies, #2128-50: Benjamin Moore. Embroidered Star Burlap pendant light: Restoration Baby & Child. Rug: Pottery Barn.

LIVING ROOM RESOURCES: Flooring: 5” Select White Oak, natural color, sealed with a satin finish (no stain). Couch: Room & Board. Highline Industrial chairs in Indigo: ABC Home & Carpet. Dara 8′ x 10′ rug: Restoration Hardware. Tufted round leather storage ottoman: RHTeen. Built-in cabinets: Miralis. Chaise: Design Within Reach. Halifax door levers: Kwikset. Pocket door hardware and locks, #PD006056PRIV: Appliances Connection.

DINING ROOM RESOURCES: Table, chairs, bench, and bar: Restoration Hardware. Dining chandelier: Timothy Oulton.

MASTER BEDROOM RESOURCES: Lure chandelier in Lure Polished Nickel: Crate & Barrel. Custom modular TCS: The Container Store.

MASTER BATHROOM RESOURCES: Shower fixtures, hardware, and Fleetwood robe hook: Restoration Hardware. Starck tub: Appliances Connection. White 12″ x 24” wall tiles and 4″ x 12″ Carrara marble floor tile: Roca. Durastyle DualFlush toilet: Appliances Connection. Verdera medicine cabinet, #K-99010: Appliances Connection.

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An uptown carriage house that was converted into a loft gets the industrial-meets-modern makeover in Meg and Brett’s renovation.

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 Loft in a Former Silk Warehouse Gets a Redo appeared first on Sweeten.

The homeowners bought their 1940s, two-bedroom co-op—their first as a couple—in Brooklyn a year before they set off on their renovation journey. It had lovely natural light from generous windows and the elevation made for spectacular views of the city, but with a dark, dreary decor and inefficient layout, it wasn’t putting its best foot forward. Although 1,100 square feet is a decent amount of space by NYC standards, the apartment didn’t feel very open, in part due to a cabinet area and wall separating the kitchen from the living room. The small bathroom, with dull tiles that clashed with baby blue walls, also needed a makeover.

Throughout that year of feeling out the space, the couple began to dream of the possibilities. They paid special attention to how others in their building had renovated their apartments. Pinterest, Instagram, and the Sweeten blog also provided endless inspiration. When they were ready to jump into the project, they posted on Sweeten, a free service connecting homeowners with vetted general contractors, and landed on a contractor who was able to counsel them through their many options, eventually identifying what mattered most to them in a home. Ultimately, they wanted an open space conducive to both cooking and hanging out in, with extra storage for books.

Both of them grew up with a kitchen island and saw it as a design element that people always gravitate toward. “The island makes cooking together more fun. There’s more space for meal prep and now we can admire the city skyline view while we pull dinner together,” she says. Not to be bound by convention, the homeowners decided to separate the range and the oven. The range—replaced by a cooktop—remained in the same place, but an electric oven moved to the island. The new layout created a work triangle of range, sink, and island for a better workflow. The toe kick space-saver idea was inspired by Martha Stewart. “As with most things, it turns out Martha was right!” said the homeowner.

The couple, who both work in the art world, harnessed their creativity for the project. When they spotted the deep green shade of color on a tile website, they were hooked. Once the backsplash tile was paired with Ikea’s butcher block and simple white cabinets, the whole look came together. “The watercolor tile catches the light beautifully and actually feels like it changes color depending on the time of day,” says the homeowner. The open shelves played a big role: they held cooking essentials, making cooking easier; unloading the dishwasher was more convenient; bowls in bright colors and plants were displayed adding to the pop of hue; and what better way to show off the green tile?

Another bonus was creating drawers under the cooktop to conveniently store pots and pans. Their previous cabinets were shallow at 11.5″, causing the chipping of many plates when shutting the doors. Deep cabinets were a must.

The bathroom was a typical size: small but functional, with a shower/bath combo. There was a debate over whether the tub should stay. Thinking back to previous apartments and realizing neither had ever used the bath was the deciding factor—the tub was out. They used subway tile in a pattern to give the walls some texture. Dramatic gold hardware quickly became a favorite design choice. Their former bathrooms had always had chrome or silver features, but their bold choice of gold paid off.

To keep up with an ever-growing collection of books, the couple lined their hallway with built-in bookshelves based on an idea they saw on the Sweeten blog that their own contractor had done. This triggered sacrifices elsewhere; specifically, it meant widening the hallway by about ten inches, which had to come off of the kitchen square footage. The advantage was the hallway also extended past the fridge, giving back a bit more shelf and counter space. With open shelving for the books, the couple installed lights on the top shelf, which more than compensate for the lost light in the hallway from extending the kitchen wall.

The couple was in constant contact with their Sweeten contractor throughout the project, talking several times a week and stopping by often to see the progress. It was a little nerve-racking to be spending so much money on something that wasn’t always 100 percent guaranteed to work, like the green backsplash tiles or the gold features in the bathroom. Other final touches, such as “getting the vent hood in exactly the right spot” and positioning the towel hangers correctly, were stressful. Their patient contractor, however, coached them through the process and deadlines and if something went awry, helped to get the project back on track. They were very happy with how the renovation turned out.

One last piece of advice from the homeowners: “Measure all your cookware, and then use those measurements to design your kitchen cabinets. It made us feel a little OCD to do this, but it really paid off.”

KITCHEN RESOURCES: Kitchen cabinets: Custom-made by their contractor. Cabinet hardware: Schoolhouse. Countertops: Ikea. Backsplash: Artistic Tile. Domsjo sink: Ikea. Faucet: Rubinet. Summit refrigerator: Home Depot. Bosch 500 dishwasher. Bosch 500 electric wall oven: AJ Madison. Verona 24″ gas cooktop: Amazon. Broan vent hood: Home Depot. Lighting over island: Wayfair. Lighting under cabinet: Home Depot. Caden lighting overhead: Restoration Hardware.

BATHROOM RESOURCES: Floor tiles: Artistic Tile. Wall tile: Home Depot. Purist hardware and shower fixtures: Appliances Connection. Vanity mirror: Wayfair. Kraus vessel sink: Build.com. Vanity: Ikea. Vanity door fronts: Semihandmade. Toto toilet: Wayfair. Lighting: Cedar & Moss. Shelves and towel hooks: Schoolhouse. Mirror: CB2.

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A work triangle improves the flow in any size space, including this food editor’s smart galley kitchen.

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 Work Triangle Sets off a Renovation appeared first on Sweeten.

Project: Renovate a kitchen to blend into shared space

Before: When Ainsley and Simon moved into their two-bed, two-bath co-op in Park Slope two years ago, they already knew a kitchen renovation was on the horizon. The dark, almost menacing cabinets that touched the high ceilings made the wrong type of statement. The kitchen island also seemed disproportionately large for the space, doing a half job of making the kitchen and living room seem like two spaces. “It was hard to be in the kitchen and be a part of what was happening in the living room,” said Ainsley. “We wanted it to be more of an open, single space.” Their building, circa 1892, also had some beautiful details, like the wooden trim around the windows, but dark wood features in the existing kitchen drowned everything out.

You don’t look at it and think it is a fridge at all.

After: The couple posted their project and used Sweeten, a free service that connects renovators with construction professionals, to hire a general contractor. After securing an architect, the couple was able to hand a set of drawings to their Sweeten contractor which made for a smooth transition process. Straight off the bat, their architect came up with the idea to hide the fridge inside a column that was originally thought to be structural, thus immovable. “You don’t look at it and think it is a fridge at all,” said Ainsley. All you see is a handle and a wall. Open shelving on the living room side of the kitchen island was swapped out for cabinets to create a cleaner look. The height of the island was also dialed down to lessen the divide with the living room. The couple went with a light blue-gray to brighten up the kitchen and now the wood details “pop” as they frame the outdoor views. “Lots of grays and lots of blues,” said Ainsley. ”We went back and forth for awhile.” The renovation process went smoothly. Almost, anyway. A delayed material delivery caused a setback, but their Sweeten contractor worked hard to get back on schedule.

Bonus: While the renovation was in progress, Simon and Ainsley stayed in the apartment. They took the opportunity to have a local culinary adventure most nights. “We went to every single restaurant in the neighborhood that we hadn’t been to,” she said.

Style finds: Cabinet paint in Light Blue: Farrow & Ball. Hardware: Rejuvenation. Countertops: ABC Stone. Backsplash: Galleria Stone and Tile. Sink and Faucet: Appliances Connection. Fridge, dishwasher, microwave, and stove: Appliances Connection. Paint on walls and refrigerator in Purbeck Stone: Farrow & Ball. Lighting: Rejuvenation. Wallpaper, “Shale” in Pool: Astek.

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Increasing the number of cabinets in your kitchen is one way to boost storage, but what about adding a pantry? From pull-out drawers to a room of its own, this kitchen feature will keep you organized.

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 Overpowering Kitchen Learns to Lighten Up appeared first on Sweeten.