The post A Yellow Moroccan Tile Backsplash in a NYC Kitchen appeared first on Sweeten.

• Homeowners: Laura and Walter posted their Park Slope gut renovation project on Sweeten
• Where: Park Slope, Brooklyn, New York
• Primary renovation: A 700-square-foot co-op reveals built-in cabinets in each room including the living room, den, dining area, kitchen, 2 bedrooms, and bathroom
• Sweeten general contractor
• Homeowner’s quote: “My best tip for future renovators is to have all the fixtures with long lead times and finishes ordered before the work begins.”
• Sweeten’s role: Sweeten matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering advice, support, and secure deposits—for free

Written in partnership with Sweeten homeowner Walter. “After” photos by Kate Glicksberg for Sweeten.

Changing the entire floor plan

Our apartment, which was built in 1912, had almost all of the original details still intact. It was important for us to keep this character while adding a more usable kitchen and bathroom. The first objective was to get rid of the long hallway, which was tying up roughly 10% of the apartment. An added bonus: opening up the floor plan would bring more light in.

A new angle for the kitchen

Next, we wanted to expand the footprint of the kitchen. ­The existing layout was not working: it was impossible to open the oven door without running into the sink. It was also difficult for more than one person to be in the space at a time. Everyone wound up standing in the doorway to the kitchen. We posted our Park Slope apartment gut renovation on Sweeten and got to work with our contractor.

Above the foyer, we dropped the ceiling by 18” for built-in cabinets. The result is nearly 30 square feet of additional storage space.

First, the original kitchen and center bedroom were swapped. The apartment layout included a small angled section of wall in the center bedroom—now our kitchen. Enter our Sweeten contractor, who had this idea when he came to our apartment for the initial meeting. It was one of the primary reasons we decided to work with him. His instinct was to embrace this angle and open up the new kitchen more than the traditional 90-degree corner would allow. We lost a bit of floor space in our bedroom as a result, but the tradeoff was worth it.

We were able to include both a peninsula and a dining nook in the new spacious layout. A bookshelf fits at the end of the peninsula closest to the living room.

Custom built-in cabinets are key

Given that we wanted to squeeze five rooms and a bathroom out of our apartment, it was important that every room was laid out as efficiently as possible. The various built­-ins we added allowed us to accomplish just that.

The built-in cabinets around the dining nook and drawers under the seating bench hide a ton of additional storage. Coming from our narrow galley kitchen, we were really excited to have a space big enough for us and our friends to hang out and cook in.

Above the foyer, we dropped the ceiling by 18” for built-in cabinets. The result is nearly 30 square feet of additional storage space. Lowering the ceiling had the added benefit of the apartment drawing you in. It made the rest of the apartment feel spacious by comparison—a design trick inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright.

The den’s millwork could fit a full-size bed for the future. In our bedroom, the closets around the bed double as nightstands with­ the upper drawers on each side containing a hidden outlet.

Choosing materials

The footprint of our bathroom couldn’t be enlarged because of the location of the windows and the building plumbing. In order to maximize the space, we opted for a shorter tub to fit under the window, a wall-mounted toilet to free up floor space, and a wall-mounted faucet, which gives more counters space around the sink.

Our goal was to use natural materials as much as possible. The oak floors were a tribute to the original parquet floors (we tried to save them, but they were too thin for another sanding). We designed and cast our own concrete sink (in a small rented workshop in Industry City) to fit perfectly. The subway tiles in the kitchen and bathroom were handmade, as were the dining nook pendants—all adding subtle character and texture to the spaces. We opted for a marbled quartz countertop and think it will last much better than the real thing.

Renovation tip: Order materials early

A lot of unexpected situations arose: an old dumbwaiter shaft ran through our proposed kitchen, the floor joists needed replacing, and the gas pipe had to be re­run from the basement passing through three other apartments. In retrospect, none of these things should have been surprising in an old building. Our Sweeten contractor was with us every step of the way to modify our plans to deal with the unexpected.

My best tip for future renovators is to have all the fixtures with long lead times and finishes ordered before the work begins. Nothing pushes back a project deadline like waiting for materials or having all work stop because the tiles are still on the truck.

In the end, we were able to keep the things we loved most about our original apartment while making significant improvements to our home for now and in the future. There are so many things we can enjoy now. The kitchen has become the center of our apartment, with friends able to hang out in the dining nook or living room while still being part of the conversation.

The glass partition helps bring a ton of light into the apartment. The bathroom has gone from tight-for­-one to comfortable-­for­-two. We were very lucky to find a partner in our Sweeten contractor. After living in the completed apartment, we’ve yet to find anything we’d change.

Thanks for sharing your Park Slope gut renovation story with us, Laura and Walter!

Renovation Materials

KITCHEN RESOURCES: Cabinet hardware: Emtek. Paint color in Lucerne on cabinets: Benjamin Moore. Countertops: Silestone. Backsplash: Country Floors. Kohler faucet: Appliances Connection. Elkay sink: Appliances Connection. Sub-Zero refrigerator and stove: Appliances Connection. Miele dishwasher: Appliances Connection. Lighting: AspectLED.

KITCHEN/DINING NOOK RESOURCES: Pendant lights: Kaufmann Mercantile. Built-ins/cabinetry: Custom by Sweeten contractor.

BATHROOM RESOURCES: Carrara Venato bathroom floor tile: The Builder Depot. Bathroom wall tile: Country Floors. Moen Weymouth faucet: Appliances Connection. Toto toilet: Appliances Connection. Kohler Seaforth tub: Appliances Connection. Lighting: Pottery Barn. Paint color in Raccoon Fur: Benjamin Moore.

LIVING ROOM RESOURCES: Glass Partition: Serett. Paint colors: Benjamin Moore.

DEN RESOURCES: Built-­ins/cabinetry and wall paint color in Gray Owl: Benjamin Moore.

BEDROOM: Parisian pendant ceiling light: Restoration Hardware. Built-­ins/cabinets: Custom by Sweeten contractor.

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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 Park Slope Gut Renovation Moves the Kitchen, Bets on Built-Ins appeared first on Sweeten.

On the northwest side of Brooklyn’s famous Prospect Park lies the family-friendly neighborhood Park Slope. The enclave offers the best of both worlds: commercial streets of boutiques, casual restaurants, and bars, plus quiet pockets of greenery, brownstones, and apartment buildings. Its inventory of older homes and popularity amongst young professionals and families has also made it one of Sweeten’s top renovating neighborhoods. See how renovators took on their spaces in the area.

When they were looking for a new apartment for their growing family, Katherine and Chris took their search to Park Slope. The neighborhood had excellent schools and proximity to his parents, a win-win. Finding the right three-bedroom apartment (at the right price) proved a little more challenging than the decision to focus their hunt there. Once they found a convertible two-bedroom, the family got to work with a Sweeten general contractor to gut their bathroom, move the kitchen, and create the third bedroom they had been wanting.

A 750-square-foot co-op in Park Slope seemed like just the right place for Katie and Marcus to settle in after nearly a decade of apartment hopping. They planned to renovate before moving in, with a focus on redoing the uneven floors and gutting the bathroom. Due to a lack of subflooring, the floors needed more work than expected, but the end result was well worth it.

Giulia left Manhattan’s Lower East Side to renovate a brownstone co-op apartment in Park Slope. Inspired by design tricks from her native Italy, she set out to create a colorful abode with plenty of style and storage to spare. From the above-sink dishrack in the kitchen to the window bench in the living room, Giulia embraced the best of classic brownstone architecture while creating a modern and liveable space.

After transforming the backyard and bathroom, this renovator was ready to take on the kitchen in her Park Slope apartment. Separated from the dining and living space with walls, she opted to make the kitchen part of an open concept arrangement. With a Sweeten contractor, they turned the more standard layout of older apartments into a space fit for entertaining, relaxing, and cooking.

Matt had been renting an alcove studio in Park Slope for two years before he decided to purchase his first home in the same neighborhood. He lived with the pink-tiled bathroom four years before deciding to renovate the 1950s space so 1) he could enjoy it more and 2) to invest in the apartment’s value. While he stuck to the floor plan, his Sweeten contractor did replace the bathtub for a new walk-in shower.

Like so many buildings and apartments across New York City, Laura and Walter’s co-op was nearing a century-old. They hit the real estate jackpot though in that many of the Park Slope home’s original details remained intact. To get a bigger kitchen and a floorplan more suited to their lifestyle, they swapped the location of the original kitchen and a bedroom. They ended up fitting five separate rooms in just 700 square feet.

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Here are the best of Sweeten projects in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn.

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

The post Best of Brooklyn: Renovating in Park Slope appeared first on Sweeten.

Modernize. Ditch a clunky layout. Add a kitchen island. And do it before the baby arrives. Those were Tara and Brian’s four main renovation goals after they bought a two-bedroom co-op (with a small office space) in Park Slope, Brooklyn. The prewar apartment was an upgrade in space and number of bedrooms from their previous rental as the couple prepared to start a family.

It’s a shallow pantry, but it is enormously useful.

However, it was outdated. Oak cabinets in the kitchen and patterned tiles in the bathroom, all from the ’90s, made the room feel old. A kitchen peninsula awkwardly dissected the eating area and living room. The fridge took up prime real estate, blocking light from the apartment’s rear. “The previous owners had lived there for eight years and hadn’t really updated it,” Tara said. They decided to post their project to Sweeten, a free service matching homeowners with vetted contractors, and chose a general contractor.

The couple decided to do most of the renovation before moving in so Tara, who was pregnant at the time, wouldn’t inhale any dust. Once the water was connected and the messy work complete, Brian and Tara took up residence while their contractor worked around them.

For Tara, adding that kitchen island was non-negotiable and it turned out to be one of the crowning glories of the renovation. Their contractor had a reclaimed wood supplier in Pennsylvania and the couple picked out a big slab of walnut. They went for a rustic look, leaving two sides with a live edge and enhanced the wood’s cherry red tone with a lacquer. “I remember when I was a kid, the kitchen island was the center of existence,” she said, adding that now when they have friends over, that still proves true.

Their contractor suggested a workaround for the refrigerator. The area already had three big clunky closets across from the main kitchen. Why not match those closets to the new cabinets in the kitchen and hide the fridge in there? It turned into a perfect solution that helped the flow of space between the living room, kitchen and the back of the apartment.

Hiding the fridge wasn’t the only incognito idea the Sweeten contractor had. The new kitchen layout had a few feet of wall space that wasn’t serving any purpose other than be covered in the white subway tiles Brian and Tara picked for their backsplash. The contractor saw the potential for a small pantry. When it’s shut, it looks like a tiled wall. But pop the magnetic doors open, and a 10-inch deep cabinet is revealed. “It’s a shallow pantry, but it is enormously useful,” said Tara. “Our friends think it is so cool.”

To create a sense of openness in the kitchen, Tara and Brian ditched the cabinets above the counter in favor of open shelving. Their contractor used the walnut from the new kitchen island to create the shelving. The red proved the perfect accent of color and texture to the couple’s color palette of black and white.

Sticking closely to that color scheme, Tara wanted a darker stain with a matte finish on the wood floors. Brian thought it needed more gloss. “We spent a lot of time figuring out what stain to use,” Tara said. “My husband eventually came around.”

The couple had different visions in other areas, too. Of everything in the renovation, making a decision on what bathroom faucets to install took the most time. Tara wanted something modern and functional. Brian had a strong view that it should have one handle instead of two. In the end, they found something “that we both didn’t hate,” Tara said.

She also felt strongly in favor of a glass partition rather than a shower curtain, “to make the space look bigger.” Brian pointed out the difficulties of maneuvering around a partial glass barrier when bathing their soon-to-arrive infant. To get on the same page on the glass, Tara volunteered to take the lead on baby bathing responsibilities. “At the moment she is still getting washed in the kitchen sink because it is so big,” she said.

If we thought creatively, we could make the most of all the space that would otherwise have gone unused.

The renovation hit a snag when their general contractor uncovered some serious water damage to the bathroom flooring. The couple had planned on keeping the original bathtub since they thought it was in pretty good shape. This new discovery meant they needed a new one. On the bright side, it gave Tara the chance to cross something off her “want” list: a bath with a tiled side.  “Our contractor was very upfront with what was needed and what the cost would be,” Tara said, of the mid-project pivot. “He gave us options of what to do about it.”

The walnut wood turned into the gift that kept giving. After completing the kitchen, their contractor used the remainder to create three small shelves in the bathroom. With some wood still unused, he carved up more shelves for the office.

The renovation took three months to complete. During the project, Brian and Tara communicated often with their Sweeten contractor via text message and in person. “He was so great because we would text with him and he would keep us up-to-date even on minor details,” Tara said.

The couple also learned the art of compromise during the process. “Brian had to remind me of what was practical even if I really wanted something,” Tara said. But at the same time, don’t be afraid to get creative, she advised. The secret pantry behind a tiled wall and walnut shelving in the bathroom are two examples of making inspired decisions on the go. “We realized if we thought creatively,” said Tara, “we could make the most of all the space that would otherwise have gone unused.”

Thank you, Tara, Brian, and baby Elenor, for sharing your wonderful apartment with us!

KITCHEN RESOURCES: Cabinets: Empire Cabinets. Cabinet hardware: Blueman Hardware. Countertops: Empire. Merola glossy subway tile backsplash, #1001484480: Home Depot. Refrigerator: Fisher & Paykel. Dishwasher: Appliances Connection. Stove: Appliances Connection. West Ninth Vintage Industrial 6-light kitchen island pendant, #WNVT1028: Wayfair.  Emerald-line wall paint in matte finished Decorators White: Sherwin Williams.

BATHROOM RESOURCES: Merola Tile Hexatile bathroom floor, #1000955197; Merola glossy subway wall tile, #1001484480: Home Depot. Hardware: Nameek. Juno black wall-mounted shower head and hose, #JS9944: Juno Showers. 32″ free-standing vanity with reinforced acrylic sink: Moreno. Toilet: Icera. Fixtures near mirrors: KhalimaLights.

LIVING ROOM RESOURCES: Reef branch chandelier: Dutton Brown.

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Here are the costs to renovate per square foot in New York City.

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 The Co-op That Walnut Built appeared first on Sweeten.

After nearly a decade of bouncing from one New York apartment to another, Katie, Marcus, and their pup, Squib, were ready to put down roots. They purchased a 750-square-foot Park Slope co-op knowing they would renovate right away and before moving in. They closed in April and had a move-in date of May 31; any renovation had to go quickly. But they were optimistic because the apartment was in great shape, and other than replacing the floors and updating the bathroom, there wasn’t anything major that needed doing–or so they thought. Floors, it turns out, can be a tricky challenge. They posted their project on Sweeten to find a vetted general contractor. Between their Sweeten contractor and Client Service’s help, Katie, Marcus, and Squib can now stand on stable ground.

Guest post by Sweeten homeowner Katie 

Before we did our final walk-through, we had only visited our apartment once at the open house. In our home search, we had developed a pretty thorough checklist of what to look for at every apartment we visited: “Were bathrooms properly ventilated?” “Did windows need replacing?” “Were the floors even?” In this apartment, which was probably built in the 1920s, the wood floors were uneven and noisy. We knew we’d have to replace them, and it would be easier to do so before moving in. Since we were going to be redoing the floors, we figured we might as well redo the bathroom as it’s hard to live without one in a one-bath apartment! It wasn’t in bad shape, it was just a bit out of date and not our style.

(Above) No changes made to the current floor plan.

Settling on an overall style was a bit of a challenge as Marcus likes deep, rich colors and lots of décor, and I tend to like bright, clean spaces with straight lines and pops of color or contrast. Right off the bat, we had to figure out our combined vision for the space so we wouldn’t argue over every little thing.

Other than that, our first big challenge came when the contractor began to rip up the floorboards. There was no subfloor. There was nothing but air between our old floorboards and the ceiling of the apartment below. No wonder it had been so noisy!

Since the building was old, there was the added challenge of trying to re-level an apartment where everything had been built or altered for a dramatically uneven floor. We weren’t able to get it completely level. There’s even a section of brick wall underneath part of our bedroom floor. From what? We’ll never really know. The floor is still noticeably uneven in parts, and we’ve had to get levelers for most of our furniture, but it’s much better than when we started.

We wanted a wood floor that would bring some warmth to our home and be durable for years of Squib running back and forth over it. We selected red oak because I love how it warms up the space, and plays off the exposed brick of the fireplace. Our contractor was helpful in guiding us to a good stain and style of baseboards. (There weren’t any baseboards originally, but we liked having something to transition from the wall to the floor.) We also did do a bit of soundproofing under the floors.

In the kitchen, we replaced the water-damaged wood floor with slate tile which we felt would be more durable. It’s not a large space, and we’ll probably update our kitchen at some point, so we kept the tile neutral.

The bathroom was our main project focus. We wanted something simple and crisp. It’s not a huge bathroom and we didn’t want to overwhelm the space. We chose a classic white subway tile for the walls and slate tile for the floor. While I love the look of a honeycomb floor tile, it’s too hard to keep clean and grime-free. To break up the subway tile, we added a little black edging under the chair rail. Thankfully our contractor had done something similar on a previous job so we were able to see an example of it before committing!

We also wanted to maximize storage in the bathroom. We kept a wall cabinet in its place and repainted it. Our contractor built a little nook in the shower, which we hadn’t even thought of, but ended up loving! The storage under the sink wasn’t useful because of the pipes. We compensated by including a large medicine cabinet.

One thing we didn’t anticipate was how hard it would be to find a sink without faucet holes. Since our faucet comes out of the wall, almost every sink without pre-made faucet holes had to be specially made. As a result, our sink didn’t arrive until after we moved in, and we had to settle for a vanity with drawers that weren’t compatible with our plumbing.

We are in the process of having a friend modify it so we can actually utilize that space. Here’s a tip: vanities are unbelievably expensive and you can really only use the Ikea vanities with Ikea sinks, or it will take a lot of modification to make it work. Listen to your husband when he tells you that.

But live and learn. This was our first ever renovation. In the span of seven weeks, we closed on our apartment, renovated, moved, and started working 14-hour days. We also got married in the middle of all this! It was so hard to source things in a timely manner and, instead of having fun looking at lighting or tile or paint colors, we just wanted everything done so we could stop making choices.

The high-speed ride led to fun miscommunications like me accidentally telling the painters to paint both bedrooms deep teal because I actually forgot that we had two bedrooms and told them to “paint the bedroom teal.” Looks like we have a painting project ahead of us.

Our contractor was somehow able to complete the majority of the work in our accelerated time frame even after laying a new subfloor for the whole apartment. He was very communicative and offered great tips and guidance on what would look better or last longer in the space. He was clear about what was happening at every step of the process.

The people at the Sweeten office, too, checked in with us throughout the process to ensure that everything was going smoothly. The Sweeten blog was helpful for finding design inspiration and sources when the full scope of products available on the internet proved overwhelming. The Sweeten cost guides helped us create a budget.

We realized afterward that it would be great to have two budgets, an “on paper this is what we want to spend” budget and a “we cannot afford to go over this number” budget. That way you can assess what will be worth the money and what you can scale back on if something comes up. Start sourcing things early, if possible. It’s better to get the thing you want early and move it around your living room for a few weeks then to not get what you want because it won’t arrive in time.

We were excited to finally have our own space to make our own! I grew up on the campus of a boarding school so I had never been able to paint my walls before, let alone really personalize a space. We love our apartment so much and are so happy with everything. The bathroom turned out perfectly and the floors are much more beautiful and practical than the original ones we started with.

Like every homeowner, we have many more projects that we will eventually want to do, but I’m happy we started with just the flooring and the bathroom so we didn’t bite off more than we could handle with our first apartment purchase.

Thank you, Katie, Marcus, and Squib, for sharing your home, sweet, home with us!

LIVING ROOM RESOURCES: Wood flooring: sourced by general contractor. Paint in Chantilly Lace, #OC-65: Benjamin Moore.

BATHROOM RESOURCES: Floor tile: Express Brooklyn Tile. White subway wall tile: Provided by contractor. Hardware: Original fixtures. Shower fixtures: Appliances Connection. Sink: Nameeks. Vanity: Ikea. Medicine cabinet, toilet: Lowe’s. Lighting: Schoolhouse.  Paint in Winter Solstice, #1605: Benjamin Moore.

KITCHEN RESOURCES: Floor tile: Express Brooklyn Tile.

BEDROOM RESOURCES: Paint in Sky Space, #5001-6B: Valspar.

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Another first-time renovator remodels her co-op in Park Slope, Brooklyn.

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 Couple Gets Floored in Park Slope appeared first on Sweeten.

Giulia renovated her one-bedroom apartment in a 1920s brownstone co-op in Park Slope soon after she purchased it, and before she moved out of her Lower East Side rental. She developed the design herself for the 500-square-foot home and posted her project on Sweeten to find a general contractor. The space desperately needed updating and some major space planning. While Giulia, who is from Italy, was able to bring in lots of color, European style, and ideas from her home country, maximizing storage was her main goal. Here’s how she did it.

Guest blog post by homeowner Giulia in Park Slope

My vision for the space was a large and happy living room, a functional kitchen, and a comfortable bathroom. The whole apartment really needed a lot of updating; the appliances and fixtures were very old in the kitchen and bathroom, and there was so little storage space. I really like mid-century style and lots of color on a white background. The place had big, “old” character in its window and door moldings, fireplace, and wood floor. To find a good balance, I added clean, modern elements like the hexagonal tiles and almost-invisible closet doors.

Given my occupation in researching energy savings in the home and my interest in sustainable buildings, I included a few items that could be considered environmentally green:

• Low-flow plumbing fixtures in the bathroom and kitchen; the toilet is a 0.8 gpf, the lowest flow rate available on the market
• Zero VOC paints for walls and moldings (Natura by Benjamin Moore)
• Low VOC adhesives and sealants throughout
• LED-compatible lighting fixtures and LED bulbs throughout

Since storage was a priority, I looked for spaces where I could incorporate cabinetry. Right away, I saw the living room bay windows scream, “Window bench!” I might have seen this kind of design element in a movie when I was growing up. I never thought I would have one for myself; I was so excited. The bay was also a good spot for a big, round dinner table.

I split the bench into three parts, like petals, with tops that easily opened. The size of the interiors was perfect for big-volume items. On the ends of the window seat, I included two small cubbies to show decorative objects, small plants, and books.

The original kitchen had a lot of unused space: just a tiny stove and a few cabinets, and the uppers didn’t even go to the ceiling. The materials—linoleum flooring, cheap tiles, and low-quality cabinets and countertop—weren’t in good condition.

We removed a small soffit to maximize the area. For the upper area, I wanted a mix of open shelves and cabinets. Too many closed cabinets would suffocate the space. Plus, the open shelves “solved” the corner issue and helped avoid weird, L-shaped upper cabinets. I love the contrast of the blue and white oak. I had the same colors in my bedroom in Rome when I was a kid and I think it just reminded me of home. I included two wooden cubbies above the fridge and the hood to break the continuity of the blue and make the design more dynamic. The backsplash is a subway tile in an inverted concave design to add more movement to the space.

Above the sink is a drying rack shelf, a trick I stole from my home country. Wet dishes drip off directly into the sink, avoiding puddles of standing water on the counter. Also, I don’t need to use any of my limited counter space to dry my dishes. For the lower cabinets, I maximized the space and the corners with “hinged” foldout doors which would allow me to have access to the full space underneath the sink.

I designed a tall closet as part of the kitchen storage for my broom, vacuum, and cleaning supplies. I found it funny as the last thing anyone would want to think about when moving into a new place is, “Where do I put this tall broom?”

Since the bathroom and the kitchen are next to each other, I pictured their floors similar but not identical. I chose the same material and shape—hexagonal cement tiles—but different colors. In the kitchen, I wanted a more neutral color given the strong character of the blue cabinets, so I went for a light gray. In the bathroom, I got a bit more creative, picking a “3D-look” pattern, with yellow, white and gray.

The bathroom had space issues as well: A small tub took up much of the room, preventing me from having a nice, big sink. The pink fixtures had a kind of pretty, “vintage” look, but they needed to be modernized and replaced with something new and more functional.

I don’t love bathtubs, especially if they are small and tight; I would rather have a big and comfortable shower, instead! So I designed a rectangular shower, which would be shorter than the tub—leaving more space for the sink—but still bigger than a traditional shower stall.

A shower door would have eaten up space, so I opted for a rectangular opening and no door. To keep the water inside the glass walls, I chose a “rain-effect” showerhead. (The rod next to the showerhead is a bracket that holds the glass wall in place.)

My original idea for the floor was to have an “infinite shower” with a sloped floor and no threshold. This wasn’t going to work, so I had to include the white flexible rubber threshold glued to the floor tiles to keep the water in. (Not the best in terms of looks, but it works!) I attached a hand-held bidet to the toilet—another “European” detail of mine. I also repurposed a mini desk from West Elm as a sink vanity.

(Above) Floor plan of bedroom and closet

Another storage puzzle was my bedroom closet, the one and only closet in the apartment. It was small and sat next to the bedroom door. That wall was also the only spot where I could put some type of dresser or wardrobe to store my clothes. I decided to close up the closet side in the bedroom and have it open from its short-side located in the hallway instead. I installed a telescopic rod that can be pulled straight out for clothes to be hung on it. For additional storage, there are shelves above the closet and a deep drawer below, where I keep bags.

I left the original wood flooring in the living room and bedroom. I had it laminated and stained with a gray finish to maintain the color and avoid any gold and red shades. We did a lot of testing before finding the perfect balance of gray and wood.

The countertop and shelves in the kitchen and the tops of the bay window bench are all made of white oak. I really like this finish and the way it contrasts with the white of the walls. Also, it’s a pretty resistant material, good for these kinds of applications.

Designing my apartment was fun and exciting but challenging. I had to learn how to make decisions very quickly every day. The six months of renovating were some of the most difficult months of my life; I’m pretty happy it’s over! My friends have been a huge help throughout the entire process; I’m very lucky I have them. Sweeten, too, was helpful as I was wrapping everything up.

I learned so much throughout the process:

• Be prepared for much more time than is estimated
• When possible, choose simple design ideas
• Do the work all at once—don’t split the job into pieces
• Clarify details with the contractor prior to starting the job
• Understand what’s included in your budget and what’s a change order

In the end, I’m so happy living in my newly renovated space, and my friends all like it, too.

Thank you, Giulia. We hope you love your new first home!

KITCHEN RESOURCES: Cabinets: Custom. Cabinet paint in Classic Blue: Behr. Fireclay farmhouse apron double sink from the Cape Collection, #T-FCFS33-DBL: Nantucket Sinks. Gas range, #NX58H5600SS: Appliances Connection. Range hood: #COS-5U30: Cosmo. Faucet, #D224158: Appliances Connection. Hardware: Etsy.

BATHROOM RESOURCES: Retro-fit 160 shower system, #26123000: Grohe. Vox Rectangle sink, #K-2660-1: Appliances Connection. Parma faucet, #D224158: Appliances Connection. Mango wood industrial storage mini desk as vanity and light fixture: West Elm. 24″ Bastian Teak medicine cabinet: Signature Hardware.

LIVING SPACE: Natura paint: Benjamin Moore. Ceiling light fixture: West Elm.

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Laura and Walter’s Park Slope renovation is full of clever built-ins and storage solutions.

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 Touch of Italy for a New Home appeared first on Sweeten.

Project: Create a more functional kitchen in Brooklyn

Before: The Park Slope, Brooklyn, homeowner bought her apartment in 2008 knowing it had good bones, great outdoor space (a total score in NYC!), and loads of untapped potential. She’d already renovated the backyard and bathroom before deciding to take on the kitchen, which didn’t have an ideal flow for cooking or entertaining. A wall dividing the kitchen from the living and dining room contained a coat closet taking up valuable space. Armed with ideas on how to make it more practical for storage and cooking,  she posted her project on Sweeten. “I had seen the blog, before-and-after pictures, and write-ups, and thought, ‘this is exactly what I need,’” she said.

After: She was matched with this general contractor who created 2D and 3D sketches to help her envision the space. They knocked down the walls between the kitchen, dining room, and living room, in addition to removing an overhang (made only of drywall) that made the kitchen feel smaller. All appliances stayed in place except for the refrigerator, which moved to the wall opposite the stove. On her wish list was a place to store cookbooks, a mixer, a ladder, and coats (since the closet was now gone). Her Sweeten contractor doubled the storage with a new peninsula, plus a wall of cabinets surrounding the refrigerator. “My contractor listened to all of my ideas and my wish list, which grew on a daily basis, and incorporated it all into her design seamlessly,” she said.

Renderings of the kitchen renovation

The homeowner and contractor worked together to choose finishes. “When it came to picking a kitchen sink faucet, I went down the rabbit hole of researching it on my own, going to showrooms, and looking at different faucets, I realized the original one my contractor recommended was actually the best of them all.” she admitted. The navy-and-white cabinets, paired with gold hardware, gave the kitchen a classic and contemporary touch.

Bonus: After learning the hardwood floors were red oak, the homeowner’s contractor refinished them in a warm, light tone, removing the yellow hue.

Style finds: Cabinets: Custom. Bar-series cabinet hardware: Lew’s. Calacatta Venota quartz countertops: New York Stone. Bevel 3×6 subway tile backsplash: Tilebar. Urbanedge sink, #003680: Home Refinements. Poetto pull-down faucet: California Faucets. Refrigerator: Fisher & Paykel. Stove: Appliances Connection. Satellite 4” pendant lighting: Schoolhouse. Lower cabinet paint color in Old Navy and lower cabinet paint in Super White: Benjamin Moore. Chandelier: West Elm.

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See how Laura and Walter renovated their kitchen in Park Slope.

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.

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Project: Freshen up a worn-out bathroom in Park Slope, Brooklyn

Before: After renting an alcove studio in Park Slope for about two years, Matt, a software engineer, purchased his first home in July 2013. The 360-square-foot apartment in a neighboring co-op, built in 1950, would also become the future home of a cat named Josie, adopted in the months following the renovation. Four years passed while Matt lived in the space and saved up some money to update the outdated and decrepit bathroom. “Random pieces of tile were missing, my old sink was missing one of its support legs, and parts of the ceiling showed weakening,” he explained. “I wanted a complete renovation not only to feel better about the space, but also as an investment.”

Because this was my first renovation, I was a complete novice to the process. I’m grateful for Sweeten because they gave me the confidence I needed to get started.

After: Not knowing where to begin the project, Matt found Sweeten and was matched with his contractor. He imagined a clean and refreshing space, one with an inoffensive style that wouldn’t deter a future buyer or sublet tenant. “I love subway tile, so selecting that for the walls was an easy decision,” said Matt. Large-format charcoal gray square floor tile completes the simple backdrop for the space. A floating wood vanity injects a modern sensibility. For additional storage, a matching wooden cabinet sits in a recessed spot on the wall opposite the vanity. And to make sure the cabinet didn’t protrude too far out, its depth was halved.

Although Matt intended to install a new bathtub, a tricky plumbing situation would have affected nearby apartments, so the installation was a no-go. Instead, the existing tub was transformed into a spacious walk-in shower, complete with corner shelves, a sliding glass door, and subtly patterned floor tile. “Despite the scope change, I couldn’t be happier with the result,” he reports. “The shower is huge!”

The biggest challenge? Living through the renovation. “For about seven weeks, my bed became my apartment. It’s where I slept, ate, read, and watched Netflix.” And while his bathroom was out of commission, Matt took advantage of the full bathroom in the building’s basement, which was newly renovated. “Each day I waddled down there with flip-flops and a shower caddy,” he said. “I felt like I was back in college using the dorm’s community bathrooms.”

Challenges aside, Matt worked with Sweeten every step of the way, from project posting to completion. “Sweeten’s client services team was engaged throughout the project and made sure I had everything I needed,” he explained. “They were really specific in their communication; during the bidding process I was asked how one contractor compared to another, and other questions that helped guide my decision-making.” Heading into the project, he states, “Because this was my first renovation, I was a complete novice to the process. I’m grateful for Sweeten because they gave me the confidence I needed to get started.”

Bonus: Matt’s advice for future first-time renovators: “Do your best to limit options for each decision, using your theme as guidance. It’s far easier to select the color of stone shower shelves from three colors instead of 10.” He also found his contractor’s input incredibly valuable, “My contractor’s best contribution was providing thoughtful, targeted material and fixture options,” which he said saved him from decision fatigue.

Style finds: Sink vanity: Fairmont Designs. Aquia toilet: Appliances Connection. Trinsic shower fixtures and hardware: Trinsic. Mirror and medicine cabinet: Appliances Connection. Storage cabinet: IKEA. Lighting: Quoizel.

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With its rainfall shower head and sleek glass enclosure, Mary Ann and Frank’s guest bath proves that size needn’t be an issue when it comes to creating a dreamy walk-in shower.

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.

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Heather and Doug’s 1980s South Slope condo was in need of an update, but given the family’s eventual plans to move, they kept putting off a renovation. When DIY fixes (also known as “tape”) were no longer enough, it became clear that finally renovating for future resale was the way to go. The end result? A sunny, modern kitchen & bath renovation that the family knows will bring resale value—and that they get to enjoy in the present. Read on for Heather’s take on major changes in two key spaces.  

Guest post by Heather, South Park Slope homeowner

My husband, Doug, and I moved into our small condo in South Park Slope shortly after our daughter was born six years ago. The building had been abandoned in the 1970s and then turned into eight small condo units in the 1980s. We love the community, the location, and many things about our space, but the kitchen and bathroom had clearly not been updated since the original condo conversion. With our son, Elijah, and daughter, Alice, now sharing a bedroom, we knew that we would eventually need one more room, so we didn’t see any reason to renovate. But then the cupboards and the appliances began to give out.

I work at a book publishing company and telecommute, so I spend a lot of time working at the kitchen table and dreamed about ripping out our old kitchen cupboards. After one too many times reapplying duct tape to the fridge shelves and silverware drawer, we decided to take the plunge and renovate.

I loved reading the Sweeten renovation blogs and seeing the amazing transformation of other people’s homes. We had some recommendations for contractors from friends, but weren’t sure about the fit. So we posted our project on Sweeten and started to talk to contractors. What led us to choose a Sweeten general contractor was his experience in renovating for resale. We were able to see some units that he was renovating in progress, and he had great suggestions for things to focus on for a possible sale in the future (like a dual showerhead, which is really great for families with kids).

We decided on a classic, mostly white approach for the kitchen. Our plan was to add color with paint only, which would be easier for the next owners to change. With no edits to the layout or plumbing, we focused on choosing the materials that would make the most sense. We decided on Shaker-style cupboards from Home Depot and classic white subway tile for the kitchen backsplash from Nemo tile. Our counters are Caesarstone (from Appia Marble), the fridge is Samsung (from Home Depot), and the range is a Viking (from AJ Madison).

One of the best changes was a little one: Previously, the stove was directly next to the sink. We added space between the sink and stove—having a place to rest a pot or put dirty plates out of view from people in the living room is very nice.

In the bathroom, we continued with the same subway tile from the kitchen for the walls, but veered from the “classic” plan on the floor tile. I loved the blue tile from Nemo and the idea of having a bright color in a classic herringbone pattern. No one was sure about this when we opened the box of tiles, but it is now our (and Lem’s) favorite part of the bathroom renovation.

Given our short time frame, we ended up having to make many decisions quickly. But this made some of our choices less overwhelming. Instead of having 2,000 tubs to choose from, we would look at what was in stock (only 800!). While we spent quite a bit of time at big box stores and online, we also became acquainted with a few very helpful local places in our neighborhood that we will certainly go to again. I would encourage others doing a renovation to try to get a schedule of when cupboards, appliances, etc. will be needed (if not dates, then at what point in the process) because once you are into the project, there is very little time to make decisions.

Since our apartment was too small to live in with a renovation underway, we planned to move out for five weeks over the summer to accommodate the work. Everything went fairly smoothly, and Lem made sure that the apartment was ready for us to move back into on schedule. Given how small and close-knit our building is, I was very concerned about the renovation being disruptive for our neighbors. Lem took great care to cover the floor and other parts of the apartment so the noise wasn’t too much for our downstairs neighbors, and so that dust didn’t invade other parts of our apartment. All of the workers were respectful of our space, the building, and our neighbors, which meant a lot to us.

There were a few add-on items that we chose not to do because we didn’t want to spend more money. One was having all of the outlets changed to new, stainless steel ones with USB ports. I plan to do this myself but wonder when that is going to happen. It probably would have been worth it to go ahead. The other was to have our floors redone. It seemed like too much to manage at the time, but now that the kitchen and bath look so nice, I notice how other parts of the apartment look.

We LOVE our renovated space. The kitchen not only looks better, but it is infinitely easier to use and we have more storage space. It is amazing to have a real size fridge. The bathroom is also much more functional and looks bright and clean (even when it is not totally). Our old appliances in both the kitchen and the bathroom were energy intensive, and it was important to me to get an energy-efficient fridge and a low-flow toilet. They are little things in the bigger picture, but make me feel a little bit better about our environmental footprint.

Kitchen selects >> cabinets: Home Depot / counters: Caesarstone in Raven via Appia Marble & Granite / backsplash tile: Nemo Tile / refrigerator: Appliances Connection / range: Viking via AJ Madison / Kraus sink, #KHU100-30: Kraus  

Bathroom selects >> tile: Nemo Tile / tub: Mauicast / toilet, #M2420: Glacier Bay / sink: Appliances Connection / faucet: Appliances Connection / showerhead: Riobel

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Get even more resale tips from Sweeten’s guide: Renovation for Resale Tips That’ll Boost Your Home’s Value

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

The post All Eyes on Resale for this Kitchen and Bath Renovation appeared first on Sweeten.

-Anishka Clarke tS member & co-owner of Ishka Designs

The owner of this bright, 750sqft 1-bed in Park Slope works for one of the top 3 consulting firms in the US which means she works long hours and weekends, and travels a ridiculous amount for work — then, when she gets a break, she’s back out the door, traveling for leisure. Though she spends so much of her time away from home, she still finds time to “live” in each room and entertain regularly. When she first purchased her apartment a couple years ago, however, its vibe wasn’t right for her lifestyle, and she contacted tS member Ishka Designs, co-owned by Anishka Clarke & Niya Bascom, to help make it her own. The Ishka team transformed the dark, cramped apartment into a relaxing oasis where this homeowner can unwind after her usual busy day or weeklong work trip, and likewise, its sophisticated, urban character makes it a perfect place to entertain high-level clients & colleagues.

Before the renovation — the apartment was painted in various colors from room to room which made the spaces feel disjointed, and in general, many of the existing finishes weren’t aligned with the homeowner’s tastes. The furniture around the home was also clunky and needed updating.

The renovated bedroom is bright and tranquil. Anishka & Niya chose to use a soft white paint, BM Grey Mist, throughout the apartment’s walls to amplify natural daylight and continuity between spaces. The bed was designed custom by Ishka Designs; we love how they’ve created the illusion that it’s actually floating in the space, without any legs or structure.

Rather than using more traditional nightstands, the designers chose acrylic nesting tables from CB2 which add to the weightlessness of the space.

For the new bathroom design, they created a relaxing, Zen-like spa atmosphere, using subtle textures, a neutral color  palette, and clean lines.  The vanity is a custom unit made of walnut with marine-grade sealant; it was built by our friends at Nick Knacks Creative Interiors who were the contractors for the bathroom.

The design team also created a custom media unit for the living room. The unit was designed not only to fit the space and character of the new home, but to perform specific functions for the client and keep the decor uncluttered. They also incorporated the room’s non-functional chimney as an extension of the media unit. It took a little convincing to get the homeowner onboard with painting the exposed brick, but it was definitely worthwhile, as the result really helps brighten the space and fits much better with the decor’s clean and pure aesthetic. The designers purchased the Portica coffee table and Loring sofa from Room & Board.

Anishka & Niya sourced all of the artwork in the space from local, Brooklyn artists. The painting featured here in the dining space is by artist Jamal Ince; the vibrant piece makes a great compliment to the dining chairs by Robert Allen. The dining table is by  Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams.

Flowers and houseplants are the perfect accessories for the nature-inspired interior.

This thoughtful interior puts us right at ease, it’s truly sublime. Awesome work and many thanks to Ishka Designs!

Special thanks also to Niya Bascom, Photographer & Executive Director of Ishka Designs, for sharing these beautiful photos.

Does your space need a new vibe? Post your project to theSweeten!

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“It’s an amazing feeling to walk into our apartment and feel like it’s our ‘home’ — and we owe much of that to Peter and his team.”

–Marie Clare K., Homeowner

When Park Slopers Marie Clare & Peter purchased their first home together early this year, the couple, along with their daughter Tessa, knew the space would need some improvements in order to make it the perfect retreat for their active lifestyle. Marie Clare, a copywriter for Bobbi Brown, and Peter, who works for Mayor Bloomberg, planned to modernize the 2 bedroom home, focusing on the living space & bathroom. With a great sense of style and a clear, modern vision, they posted their project ideas to Sweeten, a free service matching renovators with vetted general contractors, and chose a Sweeten general contractor for the renovation. Firm owner Peter Ramirez impressed the new homeowners by completing the project in only 3 weeks to meet their March 30th move-in — and the results are as charming as little Tessa!

Before: Woodwork detailing throughout the home made the spaces feel dark and outdated — and those yellow walls weren’t helping either! The homeowners wanted to create a brighter and more open space, starting with the removal of a large archway that separated the living and dining spaces.

Removing the fretworked threshold and adding a fresh coat of BM super white on the walls & trim worked wonders to create a brighter, more open space that remains true to the home’s traditional character. Marie Clare & Peter are long-time subscribers to shelter blogs & magazines — and their enthusiasm shows through their curated material selections and collection of furniture, lighting & decorative accessories. We love the ceiling fixtures they chose for the dining and living spaces: a white/wood Turning Pendant by West Elm and an Artemis Fan by Minka Aire.

Marie Clare’s favorite furniture pieces are the Bo Concept ottoman/bed — a take-home from Apartment Therapy — and the Klein blue armchair from Thrive. She says that the double-wide chair is perfect for taking in the beautiful view of the treetops outside her living room windows. At the far left we can see a new radiator cover that was built by NYC Pros to match the home’s traditional aesthetic.

The fireplace also looks great after a creative update — NYC Pros stripped & painted the woodwork, removing 2 wooden columns that supported the mantle, and refaced the tile surface with classic Ruscello mosaic tiles in Fosso Piccolo from Nemo Tile.

“Peter Ramirez of NYC Pros delivered on every single one of his promises. He showed up when he said he would; he stuck to our budget (even suggesting areas where we could cut costs); and most importantly, he was always reachable and quick to respond to any questions or concerns we had throughout the renovation process.”

Before: The hallway also seemed dark and cramped as an effect of the abundant wood trim, and a louvered folding door to the master bedroom made this space look more like a closet.

Marie Clare & Peter had NYC Pros whitewash the hallway as they had to the living space; they also installed new doors and a bright new Capiz shell pendant from West Elm.

“[The NYC Pros] team was incredibly professional and they worked double-time to make sure that our apartment would be ready for our move in date; they finished work on a Friday and we moved in the next morning!”

Before: The bathroom was also dark and outdated; the new homeowners liked the layout, but wanted to gut and modernize the fixtures & finishes.

The new bathroom is a huge improvement! We love the super soft accent of  BM sea foam as a compliment to the classic black & white scheme. The floor was done with Embarcadero tiles in Market, and Metro subway tiles in Ultra White are used in the shower; both are by Nemo Tile.

The homeowners found a unique, modern console sink from Duravit’s Happy D series at Grand Central Showroom on Bond St., and a medicine cabinet from Restoration Hardware’s Pharmacy collection tops off the new bathroom beautifully.

We’re so impressed with the improvements — great work by Sweeten member Peter Ramirez of NYC Pros; and many thanks to Marie Clare, Peter & Tessa for letting us share their new home!

Inspired to renovate? Post your project to Sweeten!

The post Park Slope Home Renovation appeared first on Sweeten.

What was your bedroom like when you were 8 years old? It was probably pretty great — a place where your imagination could run wild, and that’s good enough for most 8-year-olds — but Jake’s new bedroom in Park Slope knocks most others right out of the water! Jake shared a room with his older brother until the family recently decided it was time the boys each had a space of their own. A small office in their home had the potential for a great 3rd bedroom, but because of its unusual floor plan & limited area, Jake’s parents Ben & Gail opted to hire a designer to maximize space & functionality. The family brought in a Sweeten member who created an awesome new room where Jake can sleep, study, relax, play, and even host sleepovers.

Here’s what the space looked like as an office, before being converted into Jake’s new bedroom.

Almost all the construction was accomplished in only one week, but a customized bed unit was built off site which took a little longer, and the project finally concluded after 10 weeks.

We LOVE the new bedroom! Elizabeth designed using Jake’s own favorite colors, combining custom furnishings with some retail purchases. The designer’s favorite additions are the FLOR carpet tiles and a ladder that leads to this charming wall decal (–and to another universe!). Paint colors are Benjamin Moore baby fawn on the walls and peacock blue for the ceiling.

The room features a nice, big desk where Jake can study by himself or with a friend. The grey pouf seats & bench-topper (previous photo) are custom designed, and the bench topper actually unfolds to double as a mattress for a sleepover guest.

And here’s where Jake sleeps! His murphy bed unit from Resource Furniture saves a ton of floor space and adds much-needed storage. The new bedroom is perfect for a growing 8-year-old — we hope Jake loves it as much as we do!

Many thanks to our friends at Mercer Interior and to Jake & his family for sharing their renovation.

Photos by Emily Gilbert

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For those who love to cook and entertain, an outdated kitchen can pose some annoying setbacks. Brooklyn couple Erin & Mark made do for 2 years in their Park Slope 1-bed before deciding to give their kitchen’s laminate surfaces and retro appliances a full upgrade. After having worked with a Sweeten member on a previous bathroom update, they knew he’d be perfect to tackle their kitchen project too. Erin, a film distributor, and Mark, an editor/journalist (who just launched a cool soccer magazine), couldn’t be happier with the result! So, we stopped in to check out the couple’s new, more functional kitchen.

Here’s what Mark & Erin were working with for those first 2 years…

The laminate surfaces muster up some serious nostalgia –but not in a good way! It was definitely time to bring in the team at NKCI.

After 3.5 weeks of construction, voila! The new kitchen features white quartzite countertops and ceiling-high storage. The updated space is so much brighter and more efficient.

The cabinetry had originally arrived on site unfinished and was painted white by Nick & his team. NKCI then built a custom unit to integrate the washer/dryer and refrigerator seamlessly into the white cabinets.

Nick’s team installed under-cabinet as well as over-cabinet lighting, and they also integrated a speaker system into the cabinetry (you can see one of the speakers up on the shelf in the corner of the room).

Another of Nick’s personal touches, are the glass-faced cabinets which are illuminated from within by strips of small LEDs.

We’d agree that it’s a major improvement –many thanks to Erin & Mark for sharing their new space!

Ready for a new kitchen? Post your project to Sweeten, a free service matching renovators with vetted general contractors.

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