Sweeten Renovations: Before & After Stories | Sweeten.com

Travel Inspires a Small Bathroom Remodel in Washington DC

Carole Braden — Fri, 20 Jan 2023 15:18:20 +0000

An interior designer’s bathroom cost $23,000, featuring a new shower and a special black and white floor tile

Homeowner: Interior designer Chelsea Albright posted her small bathroom remodel in Washington DC on Sweeten
Where: The Kalorama neighborhood
Primary renovation: Remodel the bath in a 550-square-foot unit, replacing the old tub with a modern, glass-enclosed shower
With: Sweeten general contractor in DC
Homeowner’s quote: “We were in a pinch regarding the timing of our renovation—every other contractor was busy during the timeframe when we needed the project to happen,” said Chelsea. “I felt confident in our choice thanks to Sweeten having already vetted this contractor.”
Our role: Sweeten matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering guidance, tools, and support—for free.

Written in partnership with homeowner Chelsea. “After” photos by Tyler Hooks for Laura Metzler Photography.

Bringing boutique style to a bathroom

Our condominium in the Historic Kalorama neighborhood is in an old hotel, built in the 1920s. There was a vision for this small bathroom remodel in Washington DC: to make it feel like a hotel bathroom. We love staying in boutique hotels and have been gathering inspiration from our travels for awhile. We wanted something that felt dimensional.

The fixtures and other features of the bathroom were worn down; it felt ready for an upgrade. A renovation by the previous owners had been poorly done—the tile was incomplete, the toilet was mounted improperly, the flooring wasn’t level and the fixture finishes didn’t match. We wanted it to feel luxurious and new.

I am the principal interior designer at Places Studio. I live with Corey, my spouse, and Milo, our child, in the 550-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bath unit. Since moving in, the bathroom was the one space we hadn’t yet renovated.

Finding the right contractor in the nick of time

I was excited to use Sweeten’s remodeling services for the first time after meeting the team at a trade show in New York. We were in a pinch regarding the timing of our renovation—every other contractor was busy during the timeframe when we needed the project to happen. After posting the project on Sweeten, I got connected with our contractor right away. We reviewed our quote through the platform and the G.C. was able to get us on the calendar quickly. I felt confident in our choice thanks to Sweeten having already vetted this general contractor in DC.

Plans for our small bathroom remodel in Washington DC

Our goal was to make the space feel bigger and more open by replacing the bathtub with a tile-and-glass shower. Hallelujah! I am just not a tub person. We otherwise planned to maintain the layout, but to change the current swing door to a pocket door to gain space. More than anything, we felt excited about getting rid of the shower curtain.

I had some contractor questions but, as a designer and an experienced renovator, I mostly wanted to be clear on how the construction team was going to work in and around the space, and how our personal items would be protected during construction. The biggest challenge for us would be having to move out during the project, and for the contractors, it would be just navigating a renovation in the small space.

"Our contractor was amazing and we worked well together to solve problems as they arose."

Nostalgic touch: patterned black-and-white shower tile

We got started choosing materials, which needed to arrive before construction started. The most notable pick was the concrete black-and-white tile for the floor, which has a sentimental association for us. When we got married, we stayed in an historic home in the heart of Panama City’s Casco Viejo. This pattern was on the floors and was something we’d wanted to use.

We decided on a white Zellige tile to line the shower walls, and we extended it out into the main space on the lower half of the wall so we would have tile behind our toilet and sink. It was a perfect opportunity to double it up as a sink backsplash, and we decided to do a wall-mounted sink faucet to call attention to it.

I remember that tile delivery arriving. We were literally hiding tile boxes in every nook and cranny around the apartment so they weren’t in the way. Installed, the tile brings back memories of our wedding for me. Once it was finished, it was so cool to see how it transformed the space. Sometimes a sample piece of tile just doesn’t do it justice.

A snafu leads to a perfect accent finish

Our contractor was amazing and we worked well together to solve problems as they arose. Being a designer, I was able to tap into my sources when we needed to get missing items quickly. When we made a mistake and needed to locate and buy the schluter—or edging—midway into the job, our Sweeten contractor and I worked together to find the dream finish—brass!—in stock. It was a miracle but we kept our schedule.

Throughout the bathroom, we mixed two metal finishes, that brass and matte black. The shower and sink faucet are in black and the light fixture, towel bars and our tile edge is in brass. While we love a modern style, the black and white tile is already bold—it needs a warm accent to add character and balance out the graphic tile. We went with a dark plum paint color to add depth to the mostly white tiled room.

Our cost to remodel a small bathroom in Washington DC

In the end, we did not stay within our bathroom renovation budget. The contractor’s renovation quote was for $13,000 and we ended up spending $17,000, due to a few unforeseen electrical items. We also spent about $6,000 in material costs outside of the contractor’s price, so the total was approximately $23,000, while we had budgeted $20,000.

Despite the extra expense, our contractor was transparent throughout the process, so we felt comfortable with our overall costs.

Designer tip: Pad the schedule

My biggest tip for other renovators is to budget an extra week or two into your job, because it’s hard to avoid shifts in your schedule. Even being extremely prepared, we had some problems that added a few days here and there throughout the project. Leaving a little buffer helps you guarantee the project will be finished well. Being adaptable when things change also goes a long way. And we love our new bathroom. It feels luxurious, clean, and spacious. Just like one at a cool hotel.

Thank you, Chelsea and Corey, for sharing your new bathroom with us!

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

Renovation Materials

8” square Zellige shower and wall tile and concrete black-and-white floor tile: Zia Tile
Matte black shower glass panels: Vigo
Pfister shower and sink fixtures: Appliances Connection
Hardware and Laney sconce lighting: Anthropologie
Phoenix white sink: Concretti Designs
Brayden Studio vanity: Wayfair
Matte black sink faucet: Signature Hardware
Toto toilet: Home Depot
Black mirror: Target
London Clay paint: Farrow & Ball

The post Travel Inspires a Small Bathroom Remodel in Washington DC appeared first on Sweeten.

A Country-style Kitchen With Rustic Modern Looks

Carole Braden — Fri, 06 Jan 2023 14:15:44 +0000

A renovation in Westchester County, NY reenergizes with black cabinet paint and a new mudroom

Homeowners: A family, after closing on their 1930 Colonial-style home, posted their project on Sweeten
Where: Westchester County, New York
Primary renovation: In addition to gut remodeling the kitchen, the owners wanted to transform a breakfast area into a mud- and laundry room
Sweeten Westchester general contractor
Homeowner quote: “We’d heard so many horror stories of half-finished projects and contractors who dropped off the face of the earth, but ours was responsive and took our concerns seriously.”
Our role: Sweeten matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering guidance, tools, and support—for free.

Written in partnership with homeowners Jennifer and Nick. “After” photos by Michael Hnatov Photography.

Surveying a new home purchase

Years of working in small apartment kitchens taught us that if you know what you’re doing, you can cook in any space. So we knew that our new kitchen’s 10’x12’ footprint was sufficient.

The kitchen wasn’t decrepit, but it had been built for another time. It was closed off from the dining room by a narrow swinging door. Its cabinets were cramped. And the stove was crammed into a corner—you could not fit four pots on it, despite its having that many burners.

The awkward layout also led to limited counter space. But we wanted to be able to roll out pie dough or chop vegetables without clearing things out of the way. It was the kind of situation we’d worked around in various apartments, but with 2,700 square feet, there was no reason to sacrifice in a house with plenty of space.

We are Jennifer and Nick, and we have two children under the age of 6. Our jobs are Manhattan-based and we’d lived in New York City apartments for 15 years, but as our kids grew, we needed space. Reluctantly, we decided to leave the city in pursuit of square footage.

A project plan materializes

Our budget allowed us to make a one-time large expenditure on renovations, so we looked for a fixer-upper that would have an affordable mortgage payment. We found it, eventually, in Westchester, and of course, it came with that closed-off, dated kitchen.

Even if the 12’x10’ size was workable, there was a flow problem. The home’s back door was in the center of the kitchen’s rear wall, so kids with dirty feet would tromp right through the main workspace. We envisioned not only reworking the kitchen, but moving the exterior egress to an adjacent eating area. It would make a great mud- and laundry room.

The contractor search begins

We posted our project on Sweeten, including the current floorplan and our proposed one. The plan was to gut-renovate the kitchen and replace cabinets and appliances. The gas range would be swapped out for an induction model and relocate across the room.

We explained in our request for bids that we wanted to wall-off the back door and install windows. Our scope would include new plumbing and electrical lines and a new wood floor in the kitchen. With Sweeten, we had the ability to access multiple general contractors in Westchester County, NY with one query, and that was invaluable.

Identifying a look we loved

When our GC was chosen, we got serious about an aesthetic. We loved the English country kitchen trend. We were aiming for a warm, sophisticated space with a focus on subtly feminine details that would look great in 20 years. The walls would be a soft neutral to keep the kitchen grounded in that old-fashioned country feeling.

"It was the kind of situation we’d worked around in various apartments, but with 2,700 square feet, there was no reason to sacrifice in a house with plenty of space."

Black cabinet paint inspired by art

Jen was inspired by a photo of the supermodel Carmen Dell’Orefice—her bone structure while dressed in black and a pair of statement earrings. We researched black pre-fab cabinets but also realized that dark uppers would take away from the airy feeling we wanted. Open shelving on top was a better decision, but that meant we needed to wring every last inch out of the lower storage. Custom cabinets would maximize all usable space where pre-fabs would not. Our Sweeten contractor’s cabinetmaker mocked up several plans to consider. At the end, we applied a black cabinet paint called Black Beauty.

The maple butcher block countertops were customized with an ogee edge for softness. We used an elongated hexagon tile for the backsplash that could be found at any tile shop but it was the dark grout that made it a feature that we loved.

Removing the back door freed up the wall, and we put a long stretch of counter space there. For the lower storage, we chose drawers over cabinets—we wanted to see our things, not have to stoop or reach for them. We inventoried and measured every kitchen item we had so everything had a place.

A tip in expanding a space

We didn’t want to fully demolish the wall between the kitchen and dining room because that would have gone against the style of the house. However, we did remove the tiny doorway and widened the pass-through so the two rooms can share light. People keep asking if we enlarged the room. The simple answer: it’s just the broadened sightline through the new doorway that makes it look huge.

With every change, we considered function. In the new utility room, we originally intended to have our laundry space out in the open, but our GC suggested hiding it behind doors. We designed the laundry closet with an area for storage and folding. The area looks so sleek now.

Living with a renovation

Living with kids and without a kitchen during the renovation was a feat. We sprang for an induction cook plate and a convection toaster oven and were able to maintain a fairly normal dinner routine. But, hauling dishes up and down stairs and washing them in the bathroom was miserable. Our kids got used to seeing workers around. Post-job, our two-year-old came downstairs one morning, threw her hands in the air and said, “Where’s the man?”

An English country kitchen comes alive

The most magical moment of the renovation was after the black cabinet paint was applied and the walls were painted beige with golden undertones. That was when the electrician put in the sconce light fixtures. Until that moment, none of us were sure how it would turn out. With the crew and the GC standing there with us, all at once, it became a room. The group got quiet. Then Jen said, “It looks mad good.” Everyone agreed!

Sincere contractor gratitude

Our Sweeten contractor told us from the beginning that he was available 24/7, and he meant it. We’d heard so many horror stories of half-finished projects and contractors who dropped off the face of the earth, but ours was responsive and took our concerns seriously. We received well-timed emails and phone check-ins from Sweeten, and felt supported in our project.

Intensive planning helped us avoid major snafus. We had collected inspiration photos and sample materials, and priced out and selected appliances. Many of our early decisions changed in small ways from the beginning to the end of the project. But when we had to pivot, we were never starting from scratch.

In the end, the cost of our renovation surprised us. It was not a budget project. But we invested in architectural changes that improved the functionality of the home, and we are so proud of our result.

Thank you, Jennifer and Nick, for sharing your home with us!

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

Renovation Materials

KITCHEN RESOURCES:

Lady Finger paint on walls; White Dove paint on trim; Black Beauty paint on cabinets: Benjamin Moore
Custom kitchen cabinets; custom white maple countertops; and white oak flooring: Sourced through contractor.
Backsplash tile: Floor & Decor
Sink and faucet: Kraus
Refrigerator: Appliances Connection
Dishwasher: Appliances Connection
Stove: Appliances Connection
Sconce lighting, cabinet hardware: Rejuvenation

The post A Country-style Kitchen With Rustic Modern Looks appeared first on Sweeten.

Natural Wood Throughout in an Amagansett Beach House

Carole Braden — Thu, 29 Dec 2022 15:03:13 +0000

Nature's colors and tranquil views turn this beach house into the ultimate chill space

Homeowners: An NYC couple posted their project to renovate a 2,000-square-foot Amagansett beach house on Sweeten
Where: Long Island, New York
Primary renovation: A complete redo of the kitchen and bathrooms, floor refinishing, and wall resurfacing and painting throughout
Sweeten general contractor in the Hamptons area
Sweeten’s role: Sweeten matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering guidance, tools, and support—for free.

“After” photos by Lena Yaremenko

Gathering the renovation team

When the homeowners of this wood-shingled house in the Hamptons began their renovation journey, their main goals were to update the kitchen and bathrooms, along with an overall aesthetic modernization, including some minor changes to the existing floor plan.

To start, they hired designers, Charlotte Sylvain and Shikhar Thakur of Studio Fauve in Brooklyn. The couple then hired a general contractor to turn their vision into reality, and “help maximize the impact of dollars spent,” their Sweeten post read.

Charlotte took charge of the interior design for the four-bedroom, two-bathroom Amagansett House, which had been purchased as a summer home. In addition to a more modern feel from room to room, they wanted to update the home’s color palette.

A minimal interior with natural materials would connect with the property the home sits on, which is wildly populated by maple, oak, beech, and sycamore trees. The designer’s goal was to create a neutral, light-filled space with a subtle beachy feel where the homeowners could watch the seasons change outside.

Natural wood kitchen cabinets, regionally sourced

To accomplish this, she looked to design wide, open spaces in the Amagansett beach house. Beginning in the living room, with its spacious layout and high ceilings, Charlotte used inspiration from the Hamptons’ oceanside.

White textures and blonde plank-wood detailing combined with soft, comfortable furniture in quiet colors. Designs were kept minimal; its warmth would come from different materials in natural tones. The designer chose and sourced the materials regionally when possible, and chose small furniture designers and builders.

The kitchen has an airy feel but is solid with its Douglas fir joinery and cabinetry, and matte-finish white countertops. A stain-proof quartz was a perfect work-surface choice to top the natural wood kitchen cabinets; the homeowners wanted a durable kitchen for entertaining.

The home needed to be a relaxing place, a weekend and summer-season escape from the owners’ primary residence in New York City. To this goal, Charlotte painted the natural-wood window framings white to make them disappear.

Installation of additional new windows as well as vertical columns of glass at the top and bottom of the enclosed staircase offer views-as-art glass framings throughout the house.

Waterproof bathroom materials

The centerpiece of the upstairs is in the master bathroom—a giant picture window that overlooks the house’s rear woods and flanks a giant soaking tub. Waterproof tadelakt plaster walls and teakwood planking allowed use of the same surfaces in the bathroom’s wet and dry areas.

The designer pulled more tadelakt plaster into the guest bathroom for the vanity, pairing it with handmade zellige tile. Accoya wood plays a key role in this bathroom as well.

Throughout the home, hints of black connect with the white canvas for a modern feel. Original oak floorboards received a color-corrective refinishing to lessen the honey tones. Additional teak and Accoya wood accents round out the natural wood hues in various interior spaces.

The biggest challenge of this renovation was working on it remotely. Despite this, Amagansett House was completed giving the homeowners the serenity they were looking for.

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

Renovation Materials

KITCHEN: Douglas fir cabinets: Reform. Flooring: Dinesen. Bertazzoni professional induction cooktop and electric oven in Bianco: Appliances Connection. Puccio 712 stool: Billiani.

MASTER BATHROOM: Natural large wicker ball lamp: HKliving. Vivid slimline fixtures: Phoenix Tapware. Wheat Fields flooring: Royal Oak Flooring.

LIVING AREAS: Vertigo suspension lamp: Constance Guisset. Mags soft sofa: HAY. Sand, natural, and black rug: Pampa Paloma.

The post Natural Wood Throughout in an Amagansett Beach House appeared first on Sweeten.

Black-and-White Kitchen Cabinets Have a Timeless Appeal in Brooklyn

Carole Braden — Wed, 07 Dec 2022 18:06:33 +0000

A well-deserved upgrade with black quartz countertops reveals a compact cookspace remodel under $35,000

Homeowners: These co-op owners posted their project on Sweeten
Where: Brooklyn, New York
Primary renovation: Rip-and-replace a black-and-white small kitchen in a 750-square-foot prewar apartment
Sweeten general contractor
Homeowner’s quote: “We had a truly positive experience working with our contractor.”
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. “After” photos by Kate Glicksberg for Sweeten.

A well-timed purchase with room to improve

I purchased the co-op in September 2020 when property prices were down. Nobody was talking about inflation just yet. So, it seemed like a good time to invest in New York.

We had been renting prior to buying the place. Eventually, I sold some stocks and used the money for the down payment. The prewar apartment is in a co-op building, built in 1938. It has six floors with many combined units. Ours measures 750 square feet. We wanted to update the apartment, modernizing it a bit and making it feel like our own.

The dealbreaker: no dishwasher!

Our renovation’s focus was on the apartment’s kitchen. It hadn’t been updated since 2003 and lacked a dishwasher—we needed one, and wanted to give the otherwise workable kitchen, which had been done in black and white, a facelift. So, I posted my project on Sweeten, asking for bids from local general contractors we met for a “simple update.”

As a first-time renovator, I had questions. “How long does a kitchen remodel take?” “How much would it cost?” Will my contractor rip me off?” “How do I deal with the co-op during the process?” But Sweeten helped answer them, and got me on the way to hiring a vetted renovation team.

"We saved a bit on the hardware by asking our contractor to rebuild the existing white open shelving units."

A bigger fridge changes the scope

From the beginning, we’d thought we would install a dishwasher and a new countertop and that would be it. We liked the existing black-and-white kitchen as it was. But the scope of the job changed quickly when we decided to upgrade from the skinny, column-style refrigerator that was there.

With help from our contractor, we did a redesign to make room for a fridge that was closer to standard size. Other than that, we left the kitchen layout pretty much as it had been.

Black-and-white kitchen cabinets simply elevate

I’d visited Ikea and made a cabinet selection, but a friend of ours who was working for Semihandmade, a company that makes high-quality doors to fit Ikea base cabinets, suggested we speak to them about our project. The company’s products were a worthy improvement and they had the colors we wanted. We went with a black-on-black vibe for the lower-cabinet surfaces, and white for the uppers.

We spent an evening evaluating handles and pulls up close with the cabinets to see what we liked best and bought $400 worth. However, we saved a bit on the hardware by asking our contractor to rebuild the existing white open shelving units.

Black quartz countertops set the tone

When it came time to choose the countertops, we looked at Corian, quartz, polished granite, and Dekton. The offerings include so many types and textures. We ultimately went with Jet Black quartz countertops, which coordinated the best with our matte-black doors.

The new, larger refrigerator was the right call, no question. The kitchen had come with a gas range that we liked, but we opted for a sleeker, black style at the last minute and we’re thankful that we did. We decided to buy a small microwave, too, and hide it behind a cupboard door. It’s only used to heat up coffee. Similarly, the new dishwasher adds cleanliness and convenience, while keeping the countertops less cluttered.

A solid renovation partner

We had a truly positive experience working with our Sweeten contractor. One of the last days of the project, I put together a PowerPoint presentation highlighting all of the things that needed to be completed. Our contractor and his crew were very receptive to this. Tell us you work in sales without telling us you work in sales!

Our black-and-white small kitchen came in on budget

I know that these kitchen projects can be really expensive, so I’m happy we were able to get the result we wanted, and a great-looking kitchen, at a cost that was reasonable and reachable. We made one mistake that cost us about a thousand dollars, but otherwise the project was without any major bumps, and we kept our total costs under $35K.

The new-and-improved black-and-white kitchen is our own now. It gave us the opportunity to collaborate and improve our living space—and allowed me to tour all of the tri-state Ikea locations in search of the missing cabinet parts. Truth is, there’s nothing “simple,” about a kitchen renovation. But no regrets here.

Thank you for sharing your new kitchen with us!

Renovation materials

Supermatte Shaker black cabinets and Supermatte Shaker uppers in white: Semihandmade
Black and white kitchen cabinets, sink, faucet, and lighting: IKEA
Quartz countertops in Jet Black: Caesarstone
Bertazzoni black gas range: Appliances Connection
Blomberg refrigerator: Appliances Connection
Bosch dishwasher: Appliances Connection
Hardware: Rejuvenation

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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 Black-and-White Kitchen Cabinets Have a Timeless Appeal in Brooklyn appeared first on Sweeten.

A Sage Green Kitchen Remodel in Kips Bay

Tisha Leung — Thu, 13 Oct 2022 18:45:04 +0000

A family decides on two-toned kitchen cabinets and whether wallpaper in the bathroom is a good idea

Homeowners: Allison, a project manager, and Tim, a professional in the solar industry, posted their project on Sweeten
Where: Kips Bay neighborhood in Manhattan, New York
Primary renovation: Kitchen and bathroom in their 1960s complex designed by architect I.M. Pei
Sweeten general contractor
Homeowner’s quote: “It would have taken us a ton of time vetting contractors on our own if we hadn’t used Sweeten. They made it easier to communicate with the ones who were actually interested in a project my size and provide competitive bids.”
Sweeten’s role: Sweeten matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering advice, support, and secure deposits—at no cost to the homeowner.

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

A renovation date on the calendar

We live in our 1,200-square-foot condo with my partner, Tim, myself, and our children, Vivienne and Nicholas. After putting any renovations on hold for a couple of years, we couldn’t wait any longer when our master shower started leaking on to our neighbors below. Luckily, this gave us the opportunity to also upgrade our kitchen.

There were many reasons to overhaul our master bathroom. The shower door leaked constantly and the tile had lost its integrity too. Style-wise, the decor was entirely dated with traditional light fixtures, beige tiles, and mustard color on the walls. In the kitchen, the existing layout completely closed it in as a galley. We saw that the space had much more potential. For example, its builder-grade cabinets were falling apart and ready to be replaced. We wanted to start over and focus on maximizing storage and establishing more functionality.

Bathroom bonus: Extra storage

We were thrilled that our contractor was able to fit a full-sized closet in the bathroom alongside extra shelves for linens. The floors are marble and for the walls we chose subway tile for the timeless and sophisticated look we wanted. In fact, getting rid of all that ugly beige tile in one day was one of our favorite parts of the renovation. A bonus feature for us: a ledge for shaving and a shampoo niche!

The one hiccup we encountered was with our shower system delivery, which we had ordered with a special modern brass finish. It was backordered and ended up taking eight months to ship. As a result, the plumber had to return months later after the renovation was done to put in the final trim pieces.

Instagram inspired me to try a bold wallpaper to bring some color and interest to our windowless bathroom and neutral tile. I bought this floral pattern as a peel-and-stick since I wasn’t ready to commit to it. But after a few weeks, the wallpaper would peel away every time I took a shower. By this time, I totally loved the pattern so I invested in the traditional paste version. There’s been no problem with moisture since.

A kitchen in sage green is the new neutral

The design plan for the kitchen was to give it customized functionality and a mid-century modern aesthetic. We chose white Shaker cabinets for the uppers and a flat panel door in sage green for the lowers. Our Sweeten general contractor also created a special niche in the peninsula for a step stool to slide in and out. My son uses it to cook alongside me and I use it when I need to reach the highest shelves.

We were thrilled that our contractor was able to fit a full-sized closet in the bathroom alongside extra shelves for linens.

I was drawn to the hexagon shape for our cabinet pulls and made it a theme in the kitchen. A medium-sized hex tile on the floor has a nice natural finish. We just love its soft organic feel under bare feet. The pattern continues on the geometric pendants over the island.

All of the materials we chose were subtle enough to add another shape. So, we brought in a mini vertical stacked bond in marble tile for the backsplash. It felt like the right way to tie in the modern mid-century look. We kept the countertop a pure white quartz so it wouldn’t compete. The day the countertop arrived was a complete transformation for the kitchen.

Sweeten contractor with the right connections

Our Sweeten contractor saved the day when we had trouble finding a countertop vendor. Everyone we contacted had a backlog of work. Luckily, he brought in his own subcontractor, who came in the next day to measure and then the following day to install the material. It was a miracle.

Throughout the project, we worked well with our contractor. It would have taken us a ton of time vetting contractors on our own if we hadn’t used Sweeten. They made it easier to communicate with the ones who were actually interested in a project my size and provide competitive bids.

Now that we’ve gone through the renovation process, we advise being very specific about what you want in the contract. Don’t assume the contractor will understand exactly what you want. If you find an issue with the workmanship, show your contractor what the problem is right away. They’ll be happier to know about it before it’s too late to fix it. In the end, we spent about $45,000 on our project and we’re really proud that we live in such a beautiful space.

Thank you, Allison and Tim, for sharing your new spaces with us!

Renovation Materials

KITCHEN RESOURCES: Merola Tile porcelain floor tile in Palm Hex Grey: The Home Depot. Bodarp gray green kitchen cabinets: IKEA. Cabinet hardware: CB2. Countertops in pure white quartz: Sourced through contractor. Carrara Bianco marble 1×3 stacked brick mosaic backsplash tile: The Builder Depot. Sink: Kraus. Faucet: Delta.

BATHROOM RESOURCES: MSI Bianco Dolomite marble mosaic floor tile; Ivy Hill Tile Bianco Birmingham 3″ x 12″ ceramic subway shower wall tile: Wayfair. Rifle Paper Co “Garden Party” wallpaper in Rose Multi: York Wallcoverings. Kohler shower fixtures and toilet: Appliances Connection. Elan frameless shower door: Vigo. Ivy Hill Tile shower floor tile: The Home Depot. Sink/vanity: AllModern. Mirror and lighting: West Elm.

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The post A Sage Green Kitchen Remodel in Kips Bay appeared first on Sweeten.

My Sweeten Story: A Blue and White Kitchen with a Modern Farmhouse Look

Tisha Leung — Thu, 25 Aug 2022 13:22:49 +0000

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

Homeowners: Tiffany and Chad, both in pharmaceutical advertising, posted their kitchen remodel on Sweeten
Where: Park Slope, in Brooklyn, New York
Primary renovation: A new layout for a kitchen stretches along a single wall in an 895-square-foot condo
Sweeten general contractor
Homeowner quote: “We were able to bid [our project] out and compare estimates across multiple options. [Sweeten] made a tedious process seamless and easy.”
Sweeten’s role: Sweeten matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering advice, support, and secure payments—at no cost to the homeowner.

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

From a rental to home, sweet, home

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

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

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

Two-tone blue and white kitchen cabinets glow in Brooklyn

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

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

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

A hurdle with a happy solution

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

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

Our renovation team—supportive all the way

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

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

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

Renovation Materials

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

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The post My Sweeten Story: A Blue and White Kitchen with a Modern Farmhouse Look appeared first on Sweeten.

A Plywood Kitchen is Loaded With Personality

Tisha Leung — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 13:46:27 +0000

Plywood cabinets and handcrafted tile sets the artistic tone for a working kitchen

Homeowners: Anthony Espino, founder of digital marketing agency Miki, and Jeremiah Corley, a senior manager at Maude, posted their renovation on Sweeten
Where: Boerum Hill in Brooklyn, New York
Primary renovation: Revamping a 150-square-foot kitchen, ideal for baking and cooking, in a 720-square-foot condo
Sweeten general contractor
Homeowner’s quote: “Our Sweeten contractor was a huge help solving problems on the fly.”
Sweeten’s role: Sweeten matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering advice, support, and secure payments—at no cost to the homeowner.

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

Correcting some kitchen “wrongs”

Jeremiah and I bought our first home together one year ago in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn. We knew immediately the kitchen would be our first renovation project. The kitchen hadn’t had a true upgrade since the 1980s when the building was built and it was in serious need of some TLC.

Jeremiah and I both love cooking and baking. In fact, Jeremiah would consider it his favorite hobby. Before moving in, we had had a pretty great kitchen in our rental, so we had to bear it until we could renovate.

It wasn’t until we started the renovation that we uncovered the details of how things were connected in the kitchen—the previous owner had cut a lot of corners. Our washer was wired through tubes running inside the cabinets. We also discovered the floor tiles were set without any buffer on the subfloor, which caused them to crack.

Saving money with a design-forward plywood kitchen

Our plan was to incorporate as much working countertop and storage as possible. But to keep costs low, we’d have plumbing and electrical remain in place where we could. The plumbing for the washer and dryer did move slightly, however, and got plumbed into the wall so it was up to code. By stacking the units and moving the refrigerator, we gained a lot of new counter space.

Our second money saver was to opt for all IKEA cabinets. I desperately wanted oak fronts, which IKEA didn’t have. I searched everywhere and found a company that made them specifically for IKEA cabinets. We ended up going with their plywood cabinet doors with oak veneers for half the kitchen. On the opposite wall, we installed recycled Kungsbacka cabinet doors in black.

"To keep costs low, we’d keep plumbing and electrical in place where we could."

Our biggest splurges were the stone floor tiles and handcrafted tile made of clay for the backsplash. For the past two years, I’ve thrown my own pottery. It was going to be important to have the unique qualities and natural imperfections of handmade materials included in the kitchen.

A general contractor with solutions

We experienced massive delays due to the supply chain issues. All our orders for appliances and materials varied in delivery times. It ended up adding about 3-4 months of just wait time before we could start the renovation. Even with the extra time, our backsplash showed up the day before they were scheduled to be installed.

Luckily, our contractor had a warehouse and let us house everything with him at no extra cost. Living in Brooklyn, I have absolutely no idea how we would have managed this without them being able to hold things as they trickled in.

Our Sweeten contractor was a huge help in solving problems on the fly. The retractable vent hood was much more shallow than our extra deep upper cabinets. Our contractor came up with a quick fix by framing around it with leftover cabinet material. The vent was now completely hidden unless it was in use.

Five months to a dream kitchen

Before we began, one of our biggest questions was how long would the renovation take. It was Sweeten that put us in touch with all of the possible contractors. They really helped us to compare all of our bids so we could make an informed decision on who we wanted to hire.

Our project took about five months from planning to completion. In addition to material delays, we had an electrical issue within the island that needed to be resolved.

Our new kitchen is amazing for dinner parties! My family visited from Seattle and we had four or five people doing separate things in the kitchen, which would be unimaginable before.

Renovation Materials

KITCHEN RESOURCES: Plywood kitchen cabinets with oak fronts and hardware: Plykea. Black Kungsbacka cabinets: IKEA. Backsplash tile in M4 Canvas Sage: Heath Ceramics. Floor tiles: CIOT. Quartz countertops in Fresh Concrete: Caesarstone. Andrew Neyer Astro Globe mini pendant lighting: YLighting.

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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My Sweeten Story: An Office Kitchen Becomes a Busy Family Hub

Tisha Leung — Fri, 17 Jun 2022 15:15:17 +0000

Double the storage and a small layout change impact a galley space in Riverdale

(Above) A new office kitchen surrounded by extra storage

Homeowners: Sally, a children’s book editor, and Aaron, a UX designer, posted their project on Sweeten
Where: Bronx, New York
Primary renovation: Revamp a cookspace to include a kitchen desk in a prewar building
Sweeten general contractor
Homeowner’s quote: “Sweeten was valuable in providing the ability to look through different contractor profiles and viewing previous work. It was nice to know that everyone on the site had been vetted.“
Sweeten’s role: Sweeten matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering guidance, tools, and support—for free..

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

Updating a loved home

The lobby is what initially drew us to the 1939 building in Riverdale. We still love it. We purchased a 1,200-square-foot sponsor unit that had been a rental for many years. My husband, Aaron, and I live in the co-op with our children, ages 4 and 1.5 years old.

With both of us working from home, renovating our kitchen and building an office kitchen would have the most impact on our daily life. The kitchen and bathrooms were very basic in budget finishes, so we had always hoped to renovate.

Improvements in flow and function

There were half walls midway through the kitchen that created a little breakfast nook at the end of the room. However, I started using this space to work during COVID. The plan was to knock down those walls and have a more continuous flow. We wanted a kitchen desk large enough to seat two so that our kids could use it while my husband and I cook.

We’ve been eating at home a lot since COVID. Updating our appliances and creating more counter space would improve how we function in the kitchen.

Another huge issue was the electrical load. There weren’t enough outlets or enough circuits. For example, we couldn’t run our dishwasher at the same time as our toaster oven. We knew we needed to spend some money on serious electrical work.

An office kitchen benefits the whole family

The only layout change was moving our refrigerator away from the kitchen entrance. That simple shift made the whole room seem larger and gave us more counter space.

Our Sweeten contractors really helped us figure out the floorplan with the cabinets. Our kitchen had some wonky angles in the walls. They found solutions to make the whole design look more streamlined which incorporated an office kitchen. Our cabinets didn’t reach all the way to the wall near the entryway. The contractors suggested filling it in with open shelves and we love them. They make the space look so much homier.

"In the end, our kitchen cost between $45,000 – $50,000, including materials, appliances, and some small upgrades."

Cabinetry would be a big part of the budget since it would also be used to create the hutch around the kitchen desk. We used a brand from a big box store. Originally, we wanted to install IKEA but they were sold out for months.

To spruce up the cabinets, we added elegant hardware. A counter-depth refrigerator was a must-have. Our old fridge protruded out but it also didn’t have a lot of storage space; it was a lose-lose. The French-door style in counter-depth fixed both of those issues.

Easy material upgrades

We went with a gray/black/white color scheme so our large collection of bright green kitchen accessories would pop against a neutral background. Our contractors recommended the gray vinyl plank flooring. It’s easier to care for than stained wood, and so far it’s been great.

Our countertops switched to quartz which is such a nice upgrade from the ugly Formica we had before.

How much our renovation cost

The biggest challenge was living at home during the renovation. With two young children, it was hard to get by without a kitchen. We stayed at my mom’s apartment over a few of the weekends, but weeknights were a struggle. Luckily, the contractors were friendly with the kids!

As first-time renovators, we knew absolutely nothing about the remodeling process. We have a strict co-op board, so our biggest questions and concerns were about going through the co-op approval process, making sure the project was completely on schedule, and not going over budget.

In the end, our kitchen cost between $45,000 – $50,000, including materials, appliances, and some small upgrades. A large chunk of the budget went toward upgrading our entire electrical panel to bring it up to code.

Working with our general contractor

Our Sweeten contractors were helpful and spent time explaining different options for flooring, counters, and other materials.

Sweeten was valuable in providing the ability to look through different contractor profiles and viewing previous work. It was nice to know that everyone on the site had been vetted.

It’s so hard to pick what’s our favorite part of the kitchen! We love the countertops, the open shelves, and the workspace. For cooking, the large sink and spray faucet has been a game-changer.

Renovation Materials

KITCHEN RESOURCES: Glacier Spring Ash waterproof rigid vinyl plank flooring: LL Flooring. Townsend Pearl Gray cabinets: All Wood Fast. KitchenAid 20-cubic feet french door counter-depth refrigerator: Appliances Connection. Bosch 500 series dishwasher: Appliances Connection. GE stove: Appliances Connection. Warwick cabinet hardware in Flat Black: Emtek. Quartz countertop and backsplash in Carrara Morro: MSI Surfaces. Undermount granite composite kitchen sink in Black Onyx: Kraus. Trinsic pull-down kitchen faucet in Matte Black: Delta. Paint in Decorator’s White: Benjamin Moore.

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The post My Sweeten Story: An Office Kitchen Becomes a Busy Family Hub appeared first on Sweeten.

A Sage Green Kitchen Has a Country Vibe

Tisha Leung — Tue, 10 May 2022 12:59:12 +0000

Keeping the same layout, a fresh slate of materials adds a personal touch

Homeowners: First-time homeowner Abby posted her project on Sweeten
Where: Crown Heights in Brooklyn, New York
Primary renovation: A newly-built condo gets a fresh sage green kitchen re-do
Sweeten general contractor
Homeowner’s quote: “I had also heard a lot of renovation horror stories about delays, misinformation, and cost overruns. Sweeten was a great resource in making me feel comfortable to undertake the project.”
Sweeten’s role: Sweeten matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering advice, support, and secure payments—at no cost to the homeowner.

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

Good timing for a renovation

I made my first home purchase during COVID in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. My condo is located in a building built in 2020 and is steps away from the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and the Brooklyn Museum. I was renting in the Flatbush area and my lease wasn’t ending immediately. So, it allowed me to do the renovation before I moved in.

Inspired by a country feel and green kitchens

Although it was new construction, the kitchen felt very dark to me and had a kind of ‘80s vibe. The backsplash had square tiles and dark grout; it reminded me of graph paper.

I also wasn’t a huge fan of the cabinets. Although I like color, I preferred a more airy green kitchen color instead of the existing darker cabinets. The kitchen design I wanted was a farmhouse feel, and choosing Shaker-style cabinets would get me there. The open layout of the existing kitchen worked well functionally, so the renovation would be surface only.

As a first-time renovator, I posted my project on Sweeten. They were a great resource for researching contractors, renovation cost guides, and budgets. Starting a conversation with contractors can definitely be intimidating if you haven’t done it before. I would have been pretty lost in terms of finding a reputable professional who I felt was trustworthy.

"We would schedule check-ins every few weeks where I could see the progress on-site, check out samples, and get any questions answered."

Spotlight on sage green kitchen cabinets

Our general contractor custom-made the cabinets. At first we were thinking of just ordering cabinets and painting them, but I think the end result came out really well. I had been thinking about green kitchen cabinets for a long time. Sage green kitchen cabinets have color but is a tone that isn’t overwhelming.

The fixtures would be black to complement the sink which I was planning to keep. I chose a clean white subway tile for the backsplash to maintain a calm and bright look. I think it came out beautifully.

We replaced the old floating shelves with walnut. These would be wall-hung and flushed to the wall, which were more streamlined than the previous ones. Luckily, the existing wood floor was a neutral tone, so no changes were needed for the flooring.

I wasn’t living in the space yet but the renovation went smoothly. I lucked out! The only hiccup was when the entire range hood had to be moved to replace the backsplash which was time-consuming.

The right contractor delivers a dream kitchen

Before the project started, I was mostly concerned with making sure the condo would be done before my lease was up. I had also heard a lot of horror stories about delays, misinformation, and cost overruns. Sweeten was a great renovation resource in making me feel comfortable undertaking the project.

My Sweeten contractor was great to work with. He was very communicative and patient with me as a first-time homeowner and renovator! We would schedule check-ins every few weeks where I could see the progress on-site, check out samples, and get any questions answered.

I love how bright, airy, and clean the new kitchen feels. I also really like the floating shelves. It’s a nice way to display my pottery and glassware that would usually be hidden in a cabinet somewhere.

Renovation Materials

KITCHEN RESOURCES: Kitchen cabinets: Custom millwork by general contractor. Black hardware: Wayfair. Cabinet paint in Saybrook Sage: Benjamin Moore. Flooring, countertops, sink/faucet, appliances, and lighting: Existing.

A note on fixtures 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 Sage Green Kitchen Has a Country Vibe appeared first on Sweeten.

My Sweeten Story: A Bathroom Remodel Lands the Right Materials

Stacey Freed — Wed, 13 Apr 2022 21:14:20 +0000

With guidance from their renovation team, Brooklyn homeowners unveil a dream bathroom

Homeowners: First-time homeowners Carly and Peter posted their bathroom remodel on Sweeten
Where: Cobble Hill, Brooklyn, New York
Primary renovation: Refresh an outdated bathroom
Sweeten general contractor
Homeowner’s quote: “[My contractor] answered all of my questions about the bathroom materials we were considering, how to take measurements, and what other things to consider. [He] guided me through the entire renovation.”
Sweeten’s role: Sweeten matches residential renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering know-how, support, and up to $50,000 in renovation financial protection—for free.

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

Begin with a small remodeling project

Our 1,000-square-foot co-op in a building constructed in about 1841 was our first purchased home, after renting for a decade in the West Village. After nearly two years of living in the home, we were ready.

But we wanted to start small with a bathroom since we had never been through a renovation before. Posting our project to Sweeten made it easy to begin because of their curated list of contractors to choose from.

Refresh and personalize

Our bathroom is large, with high ceilings and room for a lot of storage, including our stackable washer dryer, shelving, and closet space. For the most part, we just wanted to update all the fixtures and materials, improve lighting and personalize it to our needs. I was open to reimagining the storage areas if it fit within our budget, especially in the vanity area.

"My biggest challenge was keeping all my selections simple so as not to overwhelm our space."

Choosing bathroom materials

Originally, I had really ambitious design choices like using three types of Moroccan tile and wallpaper. However, since this was our first renovation, I felt we should keep it simple. First, I’m no designer, and second, we did this during Covid when getting materials was a real challenge.

I did a lot of shopping and sourcing ahead of time prior to contacting our contractor. Shopping online or a big box store was overwhelming and confusing for me. I also wanted to use quality materials that were a little higher end.

Our Sweeten contractor introduced me to a local plumbing supply store. The proprietor there had years of experience and knowledge; he helped me source everything except the tile. My contractor was able to coordinate all deliveries without me being there (such a relief!).

Keep choices manageable

The first thing I chose was the vanity. We wanted a unique piece that had a lot of storage space. I found something classic — but not basic. It had rose gold hardware, and I then matched my other fixtures with it. After that, I moved on to choosing a medicine cabinet with built-in LED that has clean, simple lines. For the tile, I went to a specific tile website with a curated collection, rather than the endless options available online or at a big box store.

My biggest challenge was keeping all my selections simple so as not to overwhelm our space.

A good renovation partner

Our Sweeten contractor also helped me visualize the space. The layout didn’t need to be changed, he said, it was already being used as efficiently as possible. The whole process went smoothly, and my contractor allayed my fears of what a “normal” budget was and what our responsibilities were as the homeowner.

He answered all of my questions about the bathroom materials we were considering, how to take measurements, and what other things to consider. My contractor guided me through the entire renovation.

We really love the clean design, and the new bathroom works exactly the way we want to use it.

Renovation Materials

BATHROOM RESOURCES: Marble Tech Bianco Gioia 12×24; polished porcelain tile: TileBar. Kohler Purist fixtures in gold; Kohler Veil toilet; Otto Home Goods Ashley 36″ white bathroom vanity; Blossom Pillar medicine cabinet: Carroll Gardens Plumbing Supply. Majestic chrome glass shower door: Glasscrafters.

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The post My Sweeten Story: A Bathroom Remodel Lands the Right Materials appeared first on Sweeten.

My Sweeten Story: A Kitchen Gets Social in Miami

Carole Braden — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 13:55:24 +0000

A kitchen pass-through finds its flow—and breakfast bar—in a historical home

“After” photos by Real Estate Captured for Sweeten

Homeowners: Andrew and Germàn, a Florida couple renovating their first house, posted their kitchen renovation on Sweeten
Where: Miami’s Upper Eastside neighborhood
Primary renovation: Focus on a kitchen pass-through in their 2,500 square-foot Mediterranean-style home
Sweeten general contractor
Homeowner quote: “For every challenge we faced, our Sweeten contractor found a straightforward solution.”
Sweeten’s role: Sweeten matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering guidance, tools, and support—for free.

Written in partnership with Sweeten homeowner Andrew

First home, high style

We are Andrew and Germàn, and we moved into our house in Miami just before the pandemic slowed everything. This is our first house, and we found a special one. Historically designated and built in an architectural style unique to Miami, it’s a combination of Mediterranean and Art Deco, referred to as Med-Deco.

Built in 1936 and located in the city’s Upper Eastside neighborhood, the 2,500 square-foot home is full of original elements, including beamed ceilings, wood and Cuban tile floors, arched doorways and alcoves, and interior French doors.

We felt the house was perfect, except for the kitchen, which was last remodeled in 2000. We knew we wanted to improve it but lived here for about a year before renovating.

An anti-social kitchen

The kitchen was closed off from the rest of the house. This was intentional to the original layout. The home has a kitchen entrance and was once a staff cottage at the property’s rear. The kitchen, formerly used by domestic employees, was hidden out of sight.

Things have changed. We are the staff now, and we spend time in the kitchen with our kids. Our goal was to open it up to the rest of the house. Since it was right behind a living room wall, it seemed like a simple plan.

Finding the right construction team

We didn’t have contractor recommendations from anyone we knew, and no word-of-mouth leads, so we selected one through Sweeten. After entering the project details in the inquiry form, I received three matches, and had quotes from those contractors within a week or two. Sweeten’s $50K of renovation insurance made me feel comfortable—I had protection in the event my chosen contractor was not as they seemed.

This was our first experience with home renovation. The questions I had were, How much will it cost? and How long will it take? Our contractor was obviously experienced at kitchen remodels, and told me what I needed to know. We planned to live in the house, kitchenless, during the project, which motivated our contractor to finish as fast as possible.

"We settled on keeping the room size the same. But if we couldn’t move walls, we could break through one."

Key design idea: kitchen pass-through

Working with our designer, Nancy Beckham, we agreed on what we needed to do to increase the kitchen’s functionality. The existing room’s footprint was small, and the layout comprised of an obtrusive peninsula bar. If someone opened the refrigerator door, it closed off the kitchen’s entryway. No one could walk by!

Expansion of the kitchen was an early thought, but we realized it would require demolishing key architectural features. We settled on keeping the room size the same. But if we couldn’t move walls, we could break through one. We would create space and flow by opening the kitchen to the living room, creating a pass-through breakfast bar.

By eliminating the kitchen peninsula, we could make the most of the small space kitchen. This was a gut renovation, down to the studs and subfloor. The centerpiece was the kitchen passthrough, which reoriented the whole room.

We wanted a wide opening, and our contractors were able to create an eight-foot bar, perfect for our needs. Building the pass-through wasn’t easy, but it totally changed the house, connecting not only the rooms but our family throughout each day, and allowing light and conversation to move from room to room.

Family-friendly materials

For the kitchen finishes, we chose materials for durability and timeless appearance. A super-contemporary look, we felt, would be contrary to the style of the house. With Nancy’s help, we picked Shaker-style cabinets in a rich, dark shade of blue. I wanted marble countertops, but with two small kids and a dog, they weren’t practical. The quartz countertop material we chose resists anything we throw at it.

When it came to flooring, I really wanted that trendy herringbone hardwood I’d seen on Pinterest, but it wasn’t reasonable given our drip and spill numbers. The large-format tiles we went with were challenging to lay, but have almost no grout lines. They look great. We mop the smooth floor daily.

A splurgeworthy stove

The centerpiece of the room is an Italian-style range from Hallman. Before placing the order, I’d only seen the stove online—I didn’t know anyone who owned one. It’s a fraction of the price of a La Cornue, which we considered, but still gorgeous and functional.

A snafu-free job

The renovation process was close to issue-free. With every challenge we faced—and we encountered complications running utility lines, as well as cracks forming in the floor tiles during installation—the contractor found a straightforward solution. The process was smooth, and we never needed Sweeten’s intervention or insurance.

Lots to revel in

Our kitchen remodel cost more than we’d planned, but was worth it. What do we love most? It’s hard to pick! The sconce lighting fixtures are a perfect blend of modern and traditional vibes. The cabinetry is stocked with custom pull-outs, which I love. Appliance garages on both sides of the sink hide our gadgetry, keeping the countertops clear.

But overall, the Hallman range has to be my absolute favorite thing about our new kitchen. The built-in center griddle gets super hot for pancakes and grilled cheese sandwiches and is large enough to make six of either at once. This isn’t just a beautiful home, after all. It’s a family home.

Thank you, Andrew and Germàn, for sharing your stunning kitchen!

Renovation materials

KITCHEN RESOURCES:

Moher 48” x 48” Ash porcelain floor tile: Casa Cielo Tile & Mosaic. Chelsea Plain Brick Mashiro backsplash tile: Marble Systems. Custom kitchen cabinets: NCI Wood Designs. Cabinet paint in Evening Sky; walls in Decorator’s White: Benjamin Moore. Honey bronze Nouveau pulls: Top Knobs. Absolute Blanc quartz countertops: Compac. Blanco sink: Appliances Connection. Matte black faucet: Hansgrohe. Inca Lux hood insert: Appliances Connection. Drywall hood surround designed by contractor. Café refrigerator: Appliances Connection. Miele dishwasher: Appliances Connection. 36” Dual Fuel Range: Hallman. Rejuvenation sconce and pendant lighting: Williams Sonoma. Bar stools: West Elm.

A note on appliance deliveries: If you’re on a tight timeline, Appliances Connection has over 10,000 items in stock and ready to ship nationally. If you’re in NY/NJ, in-stock items can be delivered within 2 days.

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The post My Sweeten Story: A Kitchen Gets Social in Miami appeared first on Sweeten.

My Sweeten Story: Ceiling Beams Frame a Childhood Home in NYC

Stacey Freed — Thu, 10 Mar 2022 21:49:46 +0000

A duplex with a black-and-white palette surrounded by pop art

“After” photos by Kate Glicksberg for Sweeten

Homeowners: Billie Kanfer, a graphic designer/artist posted her duplex apartment on Sweeten
Where: Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood in Manhattan, New York
Primary renovation: Remodel the ground floor of a 1,100-square-foot duplex, including exposing covered ceiling beams
Sweeten general contractor
Homeowner’s quote: “My contractor offered design input and helped me evaluate the pros and cons of the vision I had for the space. They were also efficient, fun, friendly, and very communicative.”
Sweeten’s role: Sweeten matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering guidance, tools, and support—for free..

Written in partnership with Sweeten homeowner Billie Kanfer

Designing a home for the future

This is actually my childhood home, where I’ve been living for nearly 26 years. My mom passed away three years ago, but about two years after she passed, I decided to renovate. The apartment needed a face lift for me to feel comfortable and happy living and growing here for years to come.

I basically wanted to modernize and clean up the space—make it young, fresh, and sleek for myself and my dog Sammi. I wanted a more open floor plan and knew there was room enough to do that.

While the main space was pretty open to begin with, the kitchen felt closed off with a very high bar/counter. Also, there was almost no counter space to work on which I needed to cook large meals. The kitchen needed to be part of the living room so the space would feel inclusive. Therefore, the plans included leveling the bar into an island with seating and updating the flooring.

We found more brick behind a wall that used to have a window. A built-in coat closet and shelving straddled between the kitchen and living room. It connects the two spaces nicely.

Ceiling beams: Uncovering an architectural gem

The walls already had exposed brick so the space had great texture. But I also knew there were metal beams above that were covered by a drop ceiling and arched soffits. Exposing the black ceiling beams to level out the ceiling allowed for a more loft-y feel. As a result, the space felt larger and brighter.

My advice now that the renovation is complete is to have conversations with your contractors. They’re there to help.

Simple as black and white

I wanted to keep everything light. I went with white kitchen cabinets, and I love matte black accents (like the black-painted exposed ceiling beams). The combination would be perfect for the kitchen. We installed a light wood floor so that the sun could bounce off it.

My Sweeten contractor worked with a design company, which made picking materials very simple. I went to their studio, put materials next to one another to create a cohesive template.

Present during the construction

My contractor, who I found through Sweeten, was great. The crew arrived every day on time. They also offered design input and helped me evaluate the pros and cons of the vision I had for the space. My renovation team was efficient, fun, friendly, and very communicative.

It was my first time doing something like this, and I lived at home during the remodel, which I found to be the biggest challenge. But ultimately that was helpful.

It’s important to be present during most of the big changes. My advice now that the renovation is complete is to have conversations with your contractors. They’re there to help. Take notes about your existing space. Your contractors should know if you want to keep certain things like a pantry or a coat closet or if you want to alter them to fit your current lifestyle.

Watching the magic

The most magical and exciting part was watching everything come to life in front of my eyes. Now that it’s all done, I love everything about my space; it’s exactly how I envisioned it.

Renovation Materials

KITCHEN RESOURCES:

Whirlpool refrigerator: Appliances Connection

Frigidaire dishwasher/stove: Appliances Connection

Cabinets, hardware, countertops, backsplash: D2 Design & Works

Silver Lake Kitchen and Bath sink, Interbath faucet: Wayfair

Bar stools: West Elm

White Oak flooring: Timbertop

BEDROOM RESOURCES:

Paint: Benjamin Moore

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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: Ceiling Beams Frame a Childhood Home in NYC appeared first on Sweeten.

My Sweeten Story: A Forever Home Takes Shape in Dallas

Carole Braden — Tue, 22 Feb 2022 14:50:16 +0000

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.

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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My Sweeten Story: A Condo Discovers Its New York Style

Lori Hilliard — Mon, 14 Feb 2022 17:24:07 +0000

A built-in bar, new kitchen, and exposed brick give a vanilla box a redo

“After” photos by Kate Glicksberg for Sweeten

Homeowners: First-time homeowners Dan and Emily posted their home renovation project on Sweeten
Where: Nolita neighborhood in Manhattan, New York
Primary renovation: Create a new built-in bar, repurposed closets, and an urban vibe for a 704-square-foot condo
Sweeten general contractor
Homeowner’s quote: “We were impressed with the quality of the contractors but think everyone should work with our Sweeten contractor.”
Sweeten’s role: Sweeten matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering guidance, tools, and support—for free..

Written in partnership with Sweeten homeowner Dan

My girlfriend and I purchased our condo knowing it would need renovating. We’d been renting just a block north in NoHo, but in February, the market conditions were ideal for investing in a home. The condo we chose was the perfect unit, although the kitchen and bath needed some upgrades. The style was too vanilla for us.

Seeking a New York state of mind

The kitchen and bathroom were usable but they lacked any charm. Everything felt colorless; actually it was all cream-colored. The kitchen was a blank canvas of off-white and peeling cabinets, as was the bathroom. We needed to inject personality and a cool New York feel to our home.

Deep, rich tones captured the contemporary feel we were after. Shades of gray and textural details uplifted the condo with a sophisticated touch.

One of the surprising elements of the apartment was the abundant closet space. The walk-in closet in the bedroom gave us more than enough square footage for our clothes. So, we chose to repurpose two storage cabinets in the dining room and transform them into a home bar.

A built-in bar and kitchen connect

Knocking out the closets completely changed the space. The dining area features a built-in bar with a wine cooler as well as open shelving. My mom sketched out a plan for the bar that our Sweeten contractor interpreted beautifully. We now have a wonderful spot for entertaining or relaxing that we really enjoy.

My mom sketched out a plan for the bar area that our Sweeten contractor interpreted beautifully.

The kitchen, updated with sleek cabinets and new hardware, now ties in with the dining space. The wood-tone cabinets and black hardware added the much-needed color. We love the glass tile backsplash, which is stylish and easy to care for. All of the new appliances have clean lines and bring the kitchen into the present.

Also, we discovered old, brick walls behind the sheetrock. Why cover those up?! We wanted to expose them for the character it would bring to the space. The rough texture and warm color was the New York City iconic touch we were after. We got lucky that the original walls were under the sheetrock. The architectural interest became a focal point in the living room.

A spa-like bathroom

The bathroom was updated with features like clear glass doors to eliminate the need for a shower curtain. This would visually open the space. The dark charcoal shower tiles and matte black finishes made a spa-like bathroom. The rainfall showerhead felt luxurious.

Recommending their contractor

Our Sweeten contractor was incredible—always going above and beyond. When the butcher block counter for the bar wasn’t the perfect color, she immediately came up with plans to re-stain it. When the cabinets were delayed (up to a year!), she sourced a vendor who sold only to general contractors. We had them installed in a week.

Renovation Materials

KITCHEN RESOURCES: MSI Hillside Gray matte flooring and porcelain wall tile, Palisandro mini brick polished marble mesh-mounted mosaic tile, Hampton Bay Designer Series Edgeley driftwood wall cabinets, and Viatera Soprano quartz countertop: LG Hausys. Slim square matte black kitchen cabinet pulls: Ravinte. Elkay matte black single-handle kitchen faucet with pull-down sprayer: Appliances Connection. Vigo stainless steel Edison Signature Plus undermount kitchen sink: Appliances Connection. Black Samsung stainless steel Smart Linear Wash dishwasher, Black Samsung stainless steel Smart Slide-in gas range with air fry, Black Samsung stainless steel sensor cooking over-the-range microwave, Black Samsung stainless steel side-by-side refrigerator: Appliances Connection. MS Kitchen & Bath 29 bottle stainless steel Dual Zone wine refrigerator (Part number: AWR-290DB): Wayfair.

BATHROOM RESOURCES: American Villa glazed Cityscape Gray porcelain cement floor, wall tile, and border tile, Style Selection glazed Galvano Charcoal porcelain granite stone floor and wall tile, and Woodbridge LOWESTOFT frameless Sliding Black Shower Door with Tempered Glass: Lowes. LuckIn modern bathroom hardware set: Amazon. Vigo matte black Davidson bathroom faucet and matte black Kingsley two-spray shower panel system: Appliances Connection. Bryant wall-mounted bathroom vanity set: Wayfair. Alfi Brand recessed medicine cabinet with LED light: Alfi Brand. Kohler white Santa Rosa one-piece compact single flush toilet: Appliances Connection.

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A 1930s Green Kitchen Brightens Up in the Bronx

Lori Hilliard — Thu, 10 Feb 2022 14:14:49 +0000

A light-filled kitchen and laundry room revive a historic Tudor-style home

“After” photos by Kate Glicksberg for Sweeten

Homeowners: Hannah, a special education teacher, and Henry, a finance professional, posted their project on Sweeten
Where: Fieldston neighborhood in the Bronx, New York
Primary renovation: More storage and better layout for the kitchen and laundry room in their 1,313-square-foot house
Sweeten general contractor
Homeowner quote: “There are a million contractors to choose from in the New York area, so we felt very overwhelmed.”
Sweeten’s role: Sweeten matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering valuable advice, support, and secure payments—for free.

Written in partnership with Sweeten homeowner Hannah

More square footage in a house

In September of 2020, we bought our home at the height of the Covid pandemic. While it wasn’t the best time to invest in a home for most people, it was the ideal time for us. We were expecting our daughter, Franny, and needed more space than our one-bedroom Manhattan apartment could provide. It took us nine months to find the right house for us—a 1930s Tudor-style home—but once we saw it, we would update the kitchen and laundry into the present while keeping the original charm.

We loved the sunny windows in our home’s kitchen, but the layout wasn’t practical. The refrigerator blocked a corner closet, wasting storage space we desperately needed. We needed to maximize storage and efficiency with additions like upper cabinets. We wanted to keep the large windows and would design around them for a light, airy space.

The laundry room was also an issue. It needed some stylistic changes. The old vinyl flooring looked a bit like a giraffe hide! We posted our project and hired our Sweeten contractor.

A green kitchen finds its charm on a budget

Since the home’s overall style is traditional, some original features would stay, like a gorgeous, built-in hutch.

With buying a new house and a baby on the way, we were very cost-conscious but still wanted to achieve this look. To save money, we kept some existing elements, like the floors and the light fixture.

We were very excited about the green cabinets! The color turned out just as we had imagined it. We kept the upper cabinets white to avoid closing the space in visually. We chose gold pulls and knobs that look beautiful against the soft green. White added a touch of shine, including the granite countertops. The refrigerator was relocated to reclaim the storage, adding shelving and space for appliances like the microwave.

Our contractor worked with us to maximize the storage every step of the way. Thoughtful touches like a pull-out spice rack and a small shelf above the backsplash gave us attractive storage options and added character to the space.

Modern flair in the laundry room

We went modern in the laundry room with oversized, hexagonal floor tile and light wood cabinets with matte black pulls. A floating vanity was wall-mounted to visually enlarge the floor space. The laundry room functioned better by relocating the toilet and sink and switching to a stacked washer/dryer combination. Our contractor suggested a larger, shallow sink ideal for baby baths, which we love.

"[W]e were very cost-conscious but still wanted to achieve this look. To save money, we kept some existing elements, like the floors and the light fixture."

Renovating through the pandemic

Our Sweeten contractor helped us think through the design and get the most use out of the space. They were very responsive to our needs throughout. I was pregnant during the renovation, and we requested that they leave our sink and stove in until the last moment so that we could continue to cook and maintain some of our routines.

Attempting a renovation during the Covid-19 pandemic was challenging. We faced delivery delays, and the work took a little longer because the crew adhered to strict safety protocols which we were grateful for. They were professional and courteous throughout the process of renovating during an incredibly stressful time.

When a house becomes a home

This was our first time renovating a house. We had an idea of what we wanted, but we didn’t know where to start or how much a project like ours would cost. There are a million contractors to choose from in the New York area, so we felt very overwhelmed. Sweeten narrowed it down for us and made it so much easier to get the project started. We trusted the contractors that Sweeten recommended and that if anything were to go wrong, we could count on Sweeten to help sort it out.

The renovation completely changed the feel and function of our house. It is much more than our house; it feels like ‘home’ now. The kitchen turned out exactly how we pictured it.

I love that our new kitchen compliments our backyard. The huge windows allow us to enjoy our garden all the time and make it such a peaceful, happy space.

Thank you, Hannah and Henry, for sharing your light-filled kitchen!

Renovation Materials

KITCHEN RESOURCES: Cabinets with custom fronts: Ikea. Peale Green cabinet paint: Benjamin Moore. Pantry cabinets: Ikea. Satin brass cabinet hardware: Sumner Street Hardware. Granite countertops: Altium Cabinets. Cabinets: Ikea. Natural stain white oak Baltic plywood cabinet doors: Custom by contractor. GE refrigerator: Appliances Connection. Bosch dishwasher: Appliances Connection. LG stove: Appliances Connection. Winflo 30-inch hood range: Wislyn. White Dove wall paint: Sherwin Williams.

LAUNDRY RESOURCES: Langston floor tile: Ivy Hill Tile. Bosch washer and dryer: Appliances Connection. Modern matte black hardware: Goldenwarm. White vessel sink: Dyconn.

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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 1930s Green Kitchen Brightens Up in the Bronx appeared first on Sweeten.

A Mid-Century Modern Living Room in Manhattan

Carol Wang — Thu, 06 Jan 2022 14:20:33 +0000

A mid-century modern living room remodel in Central Park South adds a desk niche, fireplace, and a Carrara focal point

Homeowners: Geoffrey, an architect, and Alicia, who works in operations at a FinTech startup, posted their modern living room remodel on Sweeten
Where: Central Park South in New York, NY
Primary renovation: An updated living room creates custom zones with millwork and additional walls in their one-bedroom apartment
Sweeten general contractor
Homeowner’s quote: “Sweeten was an invaluable resource in helping us find an initial list of contractors. I had access to reviews and see their work, all in one place. It was also great to know that they had my back if something went awry.”
Sweeten’s role: Sweeten matches home renovators with vetted general contractors, offering advice, support, and up to $50,000 in renovation financial protection—for free

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

An opportunity to invest in Central Park South

During the pandemic, we saw a lot of people giving up on New York, and thought it was the perfect time to double down. We drew a box around the southern half of Central Park and started searching. A lot of units had recently been taken off the market but we reached out to realtors to see if the sellers were still interested in making a move. We found our home in an ideal building and location, and made an offer.

Our 1,000-square-foot apartment is in an iconic mid-century building on Central Park South, which we felt offered us the best of all worlds. The Upper East and Upper West sides were easy to get to, and we love being able to spend our weekends alternating between the two.

A love of pre-war layouts

In the past, we’d always lived in pre-war buildings with architectural character and well-defined floor plans. You don’t get a lot of that in modern buildings like the mid-century one we landed in, so we created our own. We posted our project on Sweeten, and hired our general contractor.

We wouldn’t be adding molding, chair rail, or opening up the kitchen, which are so popular these days. Instead, our plan was to define the layout in discrete ways that would create separate zones—a proper entry foyer, a generous space for dining, and a desk niche.

Our apartment’s original living room was 13 feet across and more than 30 feet long, so we had plenty of space to work with. Our goal was to create a more intimate and purposeful space that could be used for entertaining as well as a dedicated workspace for those work-from-home days.

Creating niches in a modern living room remodel

Like most New Yorkers, this was all about maximizing the available square footage. We had an opportunity to divide the extra-large living space for different purposes. By adding a small wall near the entrance to the apartment, we created a foyer on one side and an office area on the other.

In the living room, the focal point was a 14-foot wall with custom-designed millwork crafted from European white oak and marble. The single slab of Carrara marble houses an electric fireplace and a recessed TV.

“[M]ake sure that you’re aligning your own expectations with the kind of money that you want to spend. You can’t expect million-dollar work on a thousand-dollar budget.”

During the winter, the apartment could feel a bit dreary (our courtyard views prevent us from getting a ton of natural light). Installing a fireplace would turn up the cozy-dial, and we designed the entire living space around that idea. We couldn’t do a real fireplace and weren’t interested in dealing with the hassle of gels or fuel logs. We chose a beautiful electric fireplace that was the most convincing artificial unit we could find.

The white oak used throughout the renovation featured strong horizontal lines echoing the building’s iconic mid-century exterior. The material also helped brighten up the space. Bump-outs of the walls near the window created a defined dining area.

Marble slab realities

The single biggest issue during the renovation was with the large slab of Carrara marble that would clad the front of our fireplace and media wall. It was 7 feet tall and about 5 feet wide, and we insisted that it have mitered corners. We had no idea what an ordeal it would be—the mitered corners were fragile, and a slab that size was very unwieldy. Maneuvering it through the parking garage and up the freight elevator was a half-day exercise that culminated in hours of positioning, tweaking, and polishing. We were scared the entire time that this 500-pound piece of marble would break and we’d have to start all over!

Align your budget and your expectations

Sweeten was an invaluable resource in helping us find an initial list of contractors. I had access to reviews and see their work, all in one place. It was also great to know that they had my back if something went awry.

My advice to renovators? Really dig into the contractors you’re interviewing. Make sure that you’re 100% sure that they can do the kind of work that you want, and make sure that you’re aligning your own expectations with the kind of money that you want to spend. You can’t expect million-dollar work on a thousand-dollar budget.

In terms of our budget, we did pretty well and came within 1% of the projected cost. It was about $35,000 including the fireplace. Overall, we couldn’t be happier. The space is doing everything we wanted it to, and we’re excited to cozy up in front of the “fire” this winter.

Thank you, Geoffrey and Alicia, for sharing your living room with us!

Renovation Materials

LIVING ROOM: Custom millwork and Carrara marble: Sourced by general contractor. Ignite XL 50” electric fireplace: Dimplex. George Nelson large Bubble Pendant light fixture: Herman Miller.

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My Sweeten Story: A Fixer-Upper Remodel of a Chicago Condo

Carole Braden — Thu, 30 Dec 2021 14:17:12 +0000

Remodeling in a Chicago greystone building, a couple remakes an apartment entrance and two bathrooms

“After” photos by John Laning for Sweeten

Homeowners: A professor and an accountant post their Chicago condo remodel on Sweeten
Where: Chicago’s Lakeview East neighborhood
Primary renovation: A relocation of the condo’s front door, plus rip-and-replace remodels of two dated bathrooms
Sweeten general contractor
Homeowner quote: “We’ve renovated before, and we know: The wrong contractor can add unnecessary stress, delays, and cost. The right contractor can make the process relatively painless.”
Sweeten’s role: Sweeten matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering guidance, tools, and support—for free.

Written in partnership with the homeowners

Landing a historic fixer-upper in Chicago

Our apartment, which we bought in 2019, is in a historic greystone building in Chicago’s Lakeview East neighborhood. A three-bedroom fixer-upper, we chose it knowing we could renovate it to our exact specifications. The unit had, curiously, two front doors, neither of which was in a logical location, and we wanted to find a solution to that problem. We needed to renovate the two bathrooms, which had been largely untouched for decades. And finally, we wanted to redo the living-room fireplace façade as a finishing touch to our renovation.

The apartment is a full-floor unit in a three-flat building; it’s around 1,575 square feet and has a 160-square-foot rear deck. We have two French bulldogs and wanted the condominium for its generous size, but we also appreciated its historic status and original character. We’d noticed that historic properties often had their period aspects stripped out. We wanted to bring modern updates to the space, maintain its vintage features, and incorporate mid-century touches into our design.

We’d recently completed a challenging remodel of the condominium’s kitchen, and felt we needed a new contractor to tackle the next phase. We posted our project on Sweeten, fielded responses, and soon found a contractor we believed was well-matched to the job.

Solving an odd problem: two front doors

Moving our home’s entrance door was perhaps the change that required the most thought. Originally, the apartment had two front doors! One went into the living room, and the other opened into the smallest of our three bedrooms, which we think was the housekeeper’s room at some point. Door No. 1 limited the wall space in our relaxing and entertaining room. Door No. 2 made that tiny bedroom even smaller and less functional.

Initially, we’d decided to make the door to the small bedroom our primary front door, converting that room to a foyer. We’d tear out the door leading to the living room and drywall over it. This approach would have required only a slight expansion of the width of that door opening to the bedroom, and replacing trim in a couple of spots. But in the end, we decided the quick fix wasn’t the best option.

Remodeling a new apartment entry

After discussing it with our Sweeten contractor, we decided on a plan to create yet a third door. We would close off the two original entry doors and move the apartment’s front door to a new location in the dining room. These changes would give us full walls in both rooms. Closing Door No. 1 ultimately allowed for a friendlier, more functional furniture arrangement in the living room. Eliminating Door No. 2 created space for us to install a large storage system comprising a Murphy bed and a desk in the former housekeeper’s room. Two absolute wins.

Now our apartment needed an entirely new entry. For the new opening, we chose a modern front door that contrasts with the vintage character of the dining and living rooms within. We’re particularly happy about the contrast between “new and old” as you enter our home.

Two black-and-white bathroom upgrades

Next, we moved on to updating the two small bathrooms. We wanted to update the plumbing, tiling, and fixtures, plus add exhaust fans to both baths. We planned to source and provide all fixtures, including a bathtub, faucets, lighting, fans, and more. To stay on budget, we asked our contractor to provide only the rough materials and labor.

We’ve renovated before, and we know: The wrong contractor can add unnecessary stress, delays, and cost. The right contractor can make the process relatively painless.

Aiming for a clean aesthetic consistent with our just-completed kitchen, we chose to tile every wall surface from floor to ceiling with white subway tile. We’re pleased with the way this brings attention to our 10-foot ceilings! We chose similarly timeless black marble hex tile for the floors, hoping it would conceal dirt, hair, and other buildup between regular cleanings. Finally, we indulged our love of mid-century furniture, integrating matching bathroom vanities of that era’s style.

Achieving a sleek subway tile fireplace

The last idea we wanted to implement was in the living room, where we’d decided to add decorative subway tile around the original fireplace. When we purchased the apartment, the walls around the firebox were drywalled; we wanted to reclaim the fireplace’s role as a focal point for the living space. We chose a glossy white subway tile for the new fireplace façade to brighten the space.

The key to finding the right general contractor in Chicago

Everything went remarkably smooth with the string of projects. Our Sweeten contractor was professional and provided clear advice on issues big and small, including the placement of fixtures, the color of the grout, and more. We leaned heavily on our contractor’s expertise. We experienced no real challenges—this was in contrast to our experience during other phases of our broader renovation, with different contractors. We’ve renovated before, and we know: The wrong contractor can add unnecessary stress, delays, and cost. The right contractor can make the process relatively painless.

We found Sweeten’s detailed contractor reviews helpful, and credit those in part for our successful hire. We appreciated the additional insurance—and assurance—Sweeten provided. The right resources helped us to mostly stay on budget, too. We had no major cost overruns. A few of our fixtures arrived damaged, but we were able to quickly source replacements and stay on schedule.

The end result has made us very happy. We’re satisfied with our design choices, and the way our contractor’s work and craftsmanship aligned with our vision. It’s all about finding the right partner for the project.

Thanks to the homeowners for sharing your Lakeview, Chicago condo remodel story with us.

Renovation Materials

DINING AND LIVING ROOM RESOURCES: Fireplace Tile: The Home Depot.

BATHROOM RESOURCES: Restore 3 in. x 6 in. bright white ceramic subway wall tile: Daltile. Nero Marquina 2″ black honed marble mosaic hexagon floor tile: The Builder Depot. Small dual flush one-piece toilet with soft closing seat and 12” rough-in: Horow. Nicoli 1.2 GPM single hole bathroom faucet with pop-up drain assembly and matte black one-handle bathtub and shower faucet with valve: Delta. Encore chrome 44-48” x 76” semi-frameless bypass shower door: DreamL ine. Franca 24” single-sink vanity: Pottery Barn. PL series 15-1/4″ mirrored single-door cabinet: Robern. Mena two-light globed wall sconce with 6” globes: Illuminate Vintage.

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The post My Sweeten Story: A Fixer-Upper Remodel of a Chicago Condo appeared first on Sweeten.

A Retro Pink Bathroom Takes a Modern Turn

Carole Braden — Thu, 16 Dec 2021 14:56:58 +0000

A small-spaced bathroom remodel in Philadelphia maximizes every inch to fit a deep soaking tub

Homeowners: Kait and Patrick posted their project on Sweeten as first-time homeowners
Where: Philadelphia’s Point Breeze/Newbold neighborhood, Pennsylvania
Primary renovation: A full-scale rip-and-replace of the small outdated bathroom original to their 1920 home
Sweeten general contractor
Sweeten’s role: Sweeten matches home renovators with vetted general contractors, offering advice, support, and up to $50,000 in financial protection—for free

Written in partnership with homeowner Kait. “After” photos by Kristina Kroot.

Living with a yesteryear Philadelphia bathroom

Tiny pink south Philly row home bathroom needs a complete renovation, our Sweeten project post read. We attached photos, featuring not only the Pepto-toned tiles, but teal-colored rugs and seashell wallpaper. They’d been photographed three years earlier, but little had changed—proof that the project was way overdue. The bathroom hadn’t been renovated since the home was built in 1920.

We’re Kait and Patrick, former renters who jumped to buy a fixer-upper as we watched housing prices tick up in our ideal Philadelphia neighborhoods. When we purchased our 1,400-square-foot row house in the southern Point Breeze/Newbold area a few years ago, we completed renovations including laying new floors, adding central air, skim-coating and painting the walls, and installing a new kitchen. But we didn’t have the budget to renovate the old bathroom.

Learning from past renovations

As anyone can see, the bathroom was ugly. The floor tile didn’t coordinate with the walls. Everything was old and stained; no amount of cleaning made it look presentable. But it was our only bathroom (unless you count the creepy basement toilet and slop sink). When the time came to remodel it, our immediate priorities were practical: finding a contractor who could complete the project in a reasonable amount of time and without sacrificing the quality of materials or workmanship.

Then there was the goal: To create something that would feel like a sanctuary. With that vision in mind, we put a lot of effort into interviewing contractors who responded to our Sweeten project posting and hired our general contractor. In our last renovation, honestly, we had terrible experiences. Like with the contractor who demolished our kitchen so prematurely that we lived without a kitchen for eight months. We were determined to prevent another debacle like that.

The bathroom was chaotic and we lived with it for a long time, but the chance to improve it came sooner than expected. After twice canceling our wedding due to Covid, we eloped and put the money saved towards the bathroom project. Our families and friends were generous with wedding gifts, further helping us fund the job.

After twice canceling our wedding due to Covid, we eloped and put the money saved towards the bathroom project.

The small-spaced bathroom stays small

From the first planning phases, we knew we would have no layout changes. We didn’t want to expand into any of the bedrooms, so we agreed that the bathroom would remain really small. We set out to use every inch.

Making the bathroom functional—versus crammed—meant we had to be intentional with the size of everything. The original bathtub was designed for shorter people, so finding one that could fit my 6’3” husband was a must, and we eventually did. We chose a trim toilet and a vanity that is narrow, but offers storage. We opted for a barn door-style glass shower enclosure to let the light flow through and open up the space.

Choosing neutral with a pop

We also achieved a visual openness with color, or lack of it. We used a lot of bold hues in the rest of our house; we wanted this to be a departure from that, so we went with gray and white. But with this neutral tile choice, we started to worry that the bathroom would be boring—even if it did feel bigger, and calmer. We added the gold fixtures to give it a luxe feel. The pink paint is a sort of homage to the old bathroom.

The right renovation team

Throughout the project, our Sweeten contractor gave honest recommendations and feedback. He was straightforward about what tile and fixtures would work best and be most durable. We received a lot of check-ins from Sweeten as the project progressed; it was helpful to know we had extra support if we needed it.

We love the result. The super deep soaking tub is amazing and was absolutely worth the money. I love that, unlike with the previous bathroom, I’m not aggravated by the decor when I walk in. Long overdue indeed. We’re so happy we made the most of nearly two tough years and turned this bathroom into a peaceful haven we both love.

Thanks for sharing your bathroom remodel in Philadelphia with us, Kait and Patrick!

Renovation Materials

BATHROOM RESOURCES: Paint in Breathless: Sherwin Williams. Viviano Thassos polished marble floor tile: Floor & Decor. Auteur Diagonals Pattern One, 9×9 porcelain wall tile in Ash: TileBar. Four-piece brushed gold bathroom hardware set: Wayfair. Align shower fixtures, Align 1.2 GPM widespread bathroom faucet: Moen. Tub: Sourced by general contractor. Elan brushed gold adjustable frameless sliding tub door: Vigo. Walnut and white Render bathroom vanity: Modway. Toilet: Sourced by general contractor. Seamless medicine cabinet: West Elm.

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My Sweeten Story: A Loft-like Garage in LA Brightens Up

Carole Braden — Thu, 14 Jul 2022 13:57:33 +0000

This garage remodel in Los Angeles increased the home’s square footage by nearly 40 percent

Homeowners: Saima and Tom, two UCLA administrators, found their general contractor by posting their garage remodel in Los Angeles on Sweeten
Where: LA County in Inglewood, California
Primary renovation: A freestanding two-car garage converts to live-work square footage with storage and an electric car charging outlet
Homeowner’s quote: “Our contractor was so good that we didn’t need Sweeten’s support too much. But it was nice to know that Sweeten was there if we needed them. It was like knowing you have an insurance policy in case of problems; you hope to never use it, but it gives you peace of mind knowing it’s there.”
Sweeten’s role: Sweeten matches home renovators with vetted general contractors, offering input, support, and secure payments—for free.

Written in partnership with homeowner Saima. “After” photos by Luminous Vision for Sweeten.

An old Los Angeles garage finds new use

We’d been living in our house for about three years when we started the garage remodel. The home, built in 1936 and located in Inglewood, a suburb of Los Angeles, is a bungalow-style cottage. The most recent appraisal said it comprised 690 square feet; the unattached garage added an additional 260 square feet of “unofficial” usable space. In a house this small, you can’t afford to take a single square foot for granted.

My partner, Tom, and I both work in research administration at the University of California at Los Angeles; I recently completed a certificate for interior design and am in the midst of changing careers. We knew we could benefit from a secondary live-work area. We realized the garage could be it, and that transforming the space could be a rewarding project.

Hiring a general contractor with Sweeten

Knowing we would renovate the garage, we’d agreed it would have to be phase two. We made the first round of renovations out of sheer necessity after buying the house with a long list of structural and systemic issues. The experience of trying to line up dependable contractors had been stressful—even getting quotes. We’d hired the one contractor we could pin down. It was that experience that prompted us to work with Sweeten this time around.

We renovated the garage when we did because we planned to sell the house. But working from home during Covid made us realize that room to spread out would benefit us while we still lived there. We posted our project and waited to see which contractors were interested in taking on a garage remodel in Los Angeles.

Inspecting the garage’s structure

The job wouldn’t be easy. We needed to solve the garage’s long-standing structural issues. The building was more than 80 years old; the roof had begun to sag and we were unsure of the extent of the damage. Perhaps the job would involve replacing the ceiling’s support beams and installing a new door. Or it might require an entire rebuild. We needed someone to inspect the structure and advise us of what was needed.

Luckily, that wasn’t as difficult as we anticipated. The Sweeten contractor we chose determined that the original beams had been too narrow, and spaced too far apart, to fully support the garage’s ceiling. He also informed us that the two existing single-car garage doors were rotting away and termite-ridden. Our biggest question was, “Do we have enough money” to fix the problems? Turned out the answer was yes, and then some!

Creating a new living/working space in the garage

We had several goals beyond shoring up the garage. First, we wanted to replace the existing two one-car garage doors with a fully automated two-car door. Second, we needed to install a new outlet for plugging in our electric car charger. Finally, we sought to create a space that would be more than a storage area—as comfortable as our living room, but (because local building codes required it) still functional as a garage. No layout changes would be necessary.

We decided to give the space the look of a loft. We envisioned exposed wood beams lining the ceilings, crisp white walls, and a lot of natural light. In keeping with that aesthetic, we used a lot of the existing materials, including the wood ceiling beams (they are the actual structural supports that already existed with some additional wood reinforcing them) and the original concrete slab floor (we filled in cracks with a special cement caulk and painted it gray).

The walls looked so smooth for a dwelling built in 1936, that has been flexing and shifting with every earthquake for the last 80 years.

Custom doors for a small space

One big challenge was the garage door. We have discovered that with a small house comes the joy of everything being undersized and therefore not standard. Doors and windows had needed customization, and the garage door was no different—it was narrower than the norm. In addition, we discovered that the garage floor sloped, necessitating a custom panel on the bottom of the door that sloped side-to-side with the floor, ensuring a weatherproof seal. The panel, though surprisingly expensive, has been worth it.

The walls offered no straight lines, either, but our drywall installer was a true artist. The walls looked so smooth for a dwelling built in 1936, that has been flexing and shifting with every earthquake for the last 80 years. There wasn’t a single straight, vertical wall, and some bowed or curved. The cabinets provided a good deal of storage and brought a domestic air to what might otherwise just feel like a garage. The countertop is an unfinished pine board and is, like the ceiling, a little rustic.

The right contractor for a garage remodel in Los Angeles

Our Sweeten contractor had a clear communication style and was immensely helpful throughout the process. We could always count on him to respond promptly when we sent him a text or email. More often than not he’d call us back to talk via phone, which I appreciated. He kept us informed of when the subcontractors were going to be working and who specifically would be at our house. And best of all, he stayed on budget.

Our contractor was so good that we didn’t need Sweeten’s support too much. But it was nice to know that Sweeten was there if we needed them. It was like knowing you have an insurance policy in case of problems; you hope to never use it, but it gives you peace of mind knowing it’s there.

The space in our new garage feels generous and comfortable, and the light inside is beautiful throughout the day because of all the windows. The built-in cabinets are attractive (the black pulls provide a nice contrast to the white and wood surfaces in the room) and also bring a ton of much-needed storage. Even though the garage is now a living space, we also needed to make sure there were attractive places to store things.

Thanks for sharing your new garage renovation story with us, Saima and Tom!

Renovation Materials

GARAGE RESOURCES: Garage doors: Garage Doors and Gates 4 Less. Windows: HD Supply. Paint in Chantilly Lace: Benjamin Moore. Sektion base cabinets with Haggeby doors; Nydala pulls in black; paper lantern with light kit light fixture: Ikea. Pine countertop: The Home Depot. Concrete/masonry sealer floor paint in Cape Cod Gray: Permaguard.

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.

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The post My Sweeten Story: A Loft-like Garage in LA Brightens Up appeared first on Sweeten.

My Sweeten Story: A Home Remodel in Atlanta Caps a Thoughtful Refresh

Carole Braden — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 14:26:44 +0000

A mid-century remodel in Buckhead gains a better layout, a kitchen bay window, and curb appeal

“After” photos by Joanne Kent for Sweeten

Homeowners: Jenna and Hagan posted their project on Sweeten for a 3,000-square-foot mid-century home remodel
Location: Chastain Park in Buckhead, Atlanta, Georgia
Primary renovation: A reenvisioning of the floorplan as well as a new master suite, kitchen, bathrooms, and windows
Sweeten general contractor
Homeowner’s quote: “Our contractor was transparent on costs, and his efforts resulted in a pleasing final product.”
Sweeten’s role: Sweeten matches home renovators with vetted general contractors, offering advice, backup, and secure payments—for free.

Written in partnership with homeowners Jenna and Hagan

A ranch-style Georgia home with appeal

We bought this 1958 home in Atlanta’s Buckhead section with plans to renovate right away. Nothing was wrong, per se, but we knew we wanted to remodel. The plan was to improve the layout and exterior façade and update the kitchen and bathrooms. A big project would also turn the primary bedroom into a true master suite.

We are Jenna and Hagan, now parents to two daughters: Clay, 2, and Sloan, 7 months. Henry, our dog, lives here, too. When we found the house, we were still expecting our second child and I was working from home due to the pandemic. More space and some rooms to relax in were all we could think about.

A mid-century remodel focused on good bones with potential

Our ranch-style home, in the Chastain Park neighborhood, comprises 3,000 square feet. It has a backyard with mature trees, and the house benefits from pretty views and lots of natural light. The interior was traditionally styled, and we liked it. We felt, however, that we could make it work better for our family, and set out to do that. We posted our project on Sweeten and the team quickly sourced four quality contractors for us to consider. We soon found a general contractor who inspired our confidence.

We brought floorplans to our meetings, as layout changes were the most challenging part of the project. Our house had a lot of storage space that we saw a potential to put to better use. These would include the bedroom areas as well as more useful spaces for the kitchen area.

In the den, our contractor removed a large built-in shelf that had started to separate from the wall. We also painted this room and stained the floor dark brown.

“The contractor replaced the windows top to bottom to improve insulation. We could see early signs of rotting wood in the old windows.”

A new bay window brightens the kitchen

The plan for the kitchen included putting in a bay window in the existing breakfast nook and installing Dolomite marble countertops. We ordered a new kitchen sink and added a subway tile backsplash. We kept the existing cabinets, switching out the knobs for a fast refresh. To increase function in this section of the house, we turned to old closets. Opening up the boxed-in space of the four lining the back hallway made space for a butler’s pantry with a second fridge. We also built a laundry room in this area in a follow-up to the larger renovation.

Transforming closets for a master suite

In the back of the house, closets (again) and one of the offices gave their square footage to enlarge our master suite and another bedroom. For the master suite, we imagined a large, open bedroom area looking out into the backyard. We would also add a walk-in closet, a big bathroom, and a powder room. The remap worked brilliantly. An existing door was repurposed as a sliding barn door and leads to our master walk-in closet. The contractor built a secret door at its back that lets us quickly get to the kids’ bedrooms during the night. It has come in handy!

Three bathrooms with new tile

Bathroom renovations came next. We did them economically—as in almost simultaneously. Each bath got new tile, though we retained usable fixtures and hardware where we could. At one point, we had three bathrooms torn up. The one in use had a shower only, and our two-year-old was terrified of showers! We were pleased when the child’s bathroom, replete with new tub and penny tile floor, was finished—not to mention the other three. Our beautiful master bath, with a freestanding fluted bathtub, a glass-walled shower, and double sinks got the full marble treatment. The color palette was a mix of gray and white, including sleek large-sheet floor tiles.

Whole-house improvements for curb appeal

Much of the house had hardwood flooring in need of refinishing. From the bedrooms to the living room, den, foyer, and kitchen, the contractors sanded and stained them. In another global redo, the contractor replaced the windows top to bottom to improve insulation. We could see early signs of rotting wood in the old windows. The new kitchen bay window looks great from the inside and enhances the home’s curb appeal. The house would also get a new coat of exterior paint.

A Sweeten general contractor to count on

Through it all, our Sweeten contractor was reliable and competent. He was diligent with the permitting process, a delay-ridden challenge during Covid. (Key takeaway: Be 100 percent sure you need a permit and factor it into your timeline!) Our contractor was transparent on costs, and his efforts resulted in a pleasing final product.

It’s been a feat, but finally, we feel settled. Jenna and I waited so long for our master suite—it feels magical to have our own space. The girls, and Henry the dog, are happy. We are home.

Thanks for sharing your Atlanta remodel story with us, Jenna and Hagan!

Resource Materials

LIVING SPACE RESOURCES: Swiss Coffee and Edgecomb Gray paint: Benjamin Moore. Black walnut wood floor stain: DuraSeal.

MASTER BATHROOM RESOURCES: Bathroom and shower floor and wall tile in Carrara marble: Floor & Decor. Bathroom mirror: Wayfair. Element quartz bathroom countertop: Hawthorne. Cooper shower system with rainfall and hand shower in chrome: Signature Hardware. Clear glass door with chrome Victorian-style handle: Echols. White ceramic rectangular undermount sink: Mazi. Sink fixtures: Appliances Connection. Custom vanity with maplewood front and soft-close hardware: Kitchen and Bath Design Group. One-light Fremont nickel sconces: Savory House. Tub and fixtures: Build.com. Barn door and hardware: Original door repurposed.

CHILD’S BATHROOM RESOURCES: Element quartz bathroom countertop: Hawthorne. Bright White Ice 3″ x 6″ Festival subway ceramic tile (in shower): Floor & Decor. Brilliant White glossy Satori Hudson porcelain penny round mosaic tile, 12″ x 12″: Lowe’s. White ceramic rectangular undermount sink: Mazi. One-piece Santa Rosa comfort height elongated 1.6 GPF toilet: Appliances Connection. Light sconce: Ballard Designs.

KITCHEN RESOURCES: Bellevue Bridge kitchen faucet with brass sprayer and polished chrome lever handles: Signature Hardware. Dolomite “Shadow Storm” kitchen countertops: Top Tops. Subway backsplash tile: Lowe’s. Dining table pendant light: Lowe’s.

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

The post My Sweeten Story: A Home Remodel in Atlanta Caps a Thoughtful Refresh appeared first on Sweeten.