Entire Home Renovations by Sweeten: Before & After | Sweeten.com

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!

—

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.

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

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.

—

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.

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.

—

The post A Sage Green Kitchen Remodel in Kips Bay 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.

—

The post My Sweeten Story: A Forever Home Takes Shape in Dallas appeared first on Sweeten.

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.

—

The post My Sweeten Story: A Condo Discovers Its New York Style appeared first on Sweeten.

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.

—

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.

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.

—

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.

My Sweeten Story: A Slow-Brewing Remodel Speeds Up in Queens

Carole Braden — Thu, 21 Oct 2021 13:01:45 +0000

A remodel in a Jackson Heights co-op delivers an open floor plan, kitchen peninsula, and spa bathroom

“After” photos by Kate Glicksberg for Sweeten

Homeowners: Dia, a personal trainer, and Alex, a technology executive posted their pre-war co-op remodel on Sweeten
Where: Jackson Heights in Queens, New York
Primary renovation: A full-scale remodel of a three-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment in a 1920s co-op building, including gut remodels of both kitchen and bath
Sweeten general contractor
Sweeten’s role: Sweeten matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering guidance, tools, and support—for free.

Written in partnership with homeowner Alex

Keeping their Jackson Heights remodel in view—for years

We purchased our co-op roughly three years before embarking on the renovation. Our goal was to totally revamp the apartment into open-plan spaces, while preserving its period features. Like many pre-war homes, it had a lot of small rooms. I think our result is proof that, even if there’s no perfect moment to remodel, intensive planning pays off.

Keeping historic details

The 1,400-square-foot unit is located in a 1921 historical-district co-op in Jackson Heights, Queens. The place hadn’t been touched since the 1970s and was in rough shape. But there were nice original details, like beautiful wood floors with inlaid borders and a period fireplace. It needed a significant overhaul.

Dia and I didn’t rush it. We’d rented in the neighborhood for a couple of years to make sure we liked the area—and we did. After finding the co-op, we wanted to take our time and put our stamp on it. We spent almost two years planning the remodel. By the time we were ready to proceed, Dia was pregnant with our daughter, Madeleine. We were eager to get the job done, and ready to pick up the pace.

In-depth research and planning

We posted our project on Sweeten. We made clear in our overview that we were ready to obtain our co-op board approvals, navigate the permitting, order materials, and get started. By then we’d spent a lot of time planning the layout, materials, and finishes. We had 40 pages of diagrams, renderings, and materials lists.

Five or six Sweeten contractors came for site visits and gave us estimates. Right away, one stood out. He had printed out our mammoth set of plans (which he jokingly referred to as “the bible”), came armed with excellent questions, spoke knowledgeably about what would and would not be possible given NYC building codes, and gave us a detailed and reasonable estimate. We knew immediately that we wanted to hire him.

A gut remodel with an extensive to-do list

Going in, we made sure the contractor understood that we had a specific vision, and that we were demanding. We planned to open the kitchen, living, and dining rooms, build a modern kitchen, renovate both bathrooms to spa standards, and add closet space. At the same time, we intended to keep original details, and even increase them by adding period chandeliers and other fixtures that would complement the co-op’s 1920s style.

Our renovation scope was specific. It included replacing and relocating the breaker box, and installing new switches and sockets. We wanted to remove several unnecessary walls, and rebuild two walls and two water-damaged window encasements. We requested new baseboards and crown moldings. In the kitchen, we planned to add a peninsula, a custom pantry, and a sideboard. We wanted to build closets in the bedrooms and entryway, as well as custom cabinets and radiator covers. We’d paint every room and refinish the floors.

Problem solving with the general contractor team

Several miracles occurred in the kitchen. When we removed a wall to make way for the new peninsula, it resulted in a break in the floor inlay, but the floor subcontractor recreated the multi-wood pattern so skillfully that you can’t tell what is original and what is new. Our appliance vendor’s repeated delivery delays caused a need for our countertops to be installed before the appliances. Our Sweeten contractor got them in when they arrived, despite incredible difficulty—installing our refrigerator even required removing the baseboard temporarily.

Our initial instincts about planning carefully were validated, but the process also taught us to always have a Plan B.

When our single-piece sideboard countertop was too big for the elevator, the guys carried them up five flights of stairs. And when the new electrical box occupied the former microwave place, the cabinetmaker came up with a built-in pantry, designed with an interior cutout to fit the oven.

In our bathroom, we had other inspired solutions. We wanted to move the toilet but a steel beam prevented placement in the new rough-in location. Our contractor proposed a wall-hung toilet that freed up space for it to stay in the original location and squeezed in a vanity, which wasn’t possible with the traditional commode. Thanks to supply-chain disruptions during Covid-19, we ended up sourcing bathroom tile other than that from our original wishlist—and the manufacturer offered no coordinating trim. Our general contractor found a trim that matched and drove more than 700 miles to collect every piece they could find.

Homeowners share their renovation advice

As first-time renovators, our biggest questions from the beginning were about how to manage the many subcontractors and aspects of the work happening simultaneously. But our Sweeten contractor pulled it all together. Our initial instincts about planning carefully were validated, but the process also taught us to always have a Plan B. We certainly learned the value of picking the right contractor—one who inspires confidence and keeps your best interests at heart.

We couldn’t have asked for a more professional and dedicated team. At the start, he helped us gather the necessary co-op board sign-offs and connected us with an architect. He managed the permitting process seamlessly, despite NYC Department of Buildings changes during Covid-19. At every step, our general contractor went above and beyond to help us realize our vision.

I’m not sure anyone comes in under budget in a renovation. We didn’t, but we stayed roughly in line with our expectations. There was a payoff, in any case. Our beautiful result! Even having done the project six months after having our baby and during a pandemic, we feel peaceful. We are in love with our home.

Thanks for sharing your Jackson Heights co-op remodel story with us, Dia and Alex.

Renovation Materials

KITCHEN RESOURCES: Wall paint in Cascade White Eggshell, lower cabinet paint in Space Black, and top cabinet paint in Snow White: Benjamin Moore. Kitchen cabinets: Custom through contractor. Julian cabinet pull: Liberty Hardware. Countertops: LX Hausys. Ivy Hill Pacific White Shells Pearl Mosaic backsplash tile: The Home Depot. Signature Hardware Mitzy 36” farmhouse sink and Pfister Mystique kitchen faucet in polished chrome: Build.com. GE Energy Star french-door refrigerator: The Home Depot. Bosch 800 DLX Series dishwasher: Appliances Connection. Cafe CGY366P2MS1 36” freestanding all gas range: Appliances Connection. Hadley 12’’ flush mount ceiling light: Antique store purchase. American Lighting LED under-cabinet light: Amazon.

BATHROOM RESOURCES: Daltile bathroom floor tile and Marble Attache Lavish 12” x 24” wall tile: Build.com. Shelf brackets in Aged Brass: Rejuvenation. Delta robe shower hook in Brilliance Stainless: Build.com. Hansgrohe Raindance shower head in chrome, GROHE Chrome Rotaflex 59” hand shower hose, and Hansgrohe Raindance S 100 air 3-jet rain handheld showerhead: Wayfair. Grohe Grohtherm 2000 thermostatic valve in brushed nickel: Plumbers Stock. Kohler Artifacts 30” shower slidebar: Wayfair. Kohler Bancroft bathtub faucet in polished chrome: Ferguson. Shower glass doors: Custom through contractor. Sunroom bathroom sink: Signature Hardware. Paulmier 16” sink: Appliance Connection. Main bathroom sink- Scarabeo 9007 by Nameeks rectangular vessel sink: The Bath Outlet. Vanity: Custom through contractor. Vanity paint in Snow White: Benjamin Moore. Kohler Wellworth toilet: Wayfair. WAC lighting vector LED 4 light fixed rail: Lights Online. Minka George Kovacs 2-light vanity light in gold: Build.com. Greyleigh Weslaco beaded medicine cabinet: Wayfair.

LIVING ROOM RESOURCES: Minka Aire 54” fan: Wayfair.

—

The post My Sweeten Story: A Slow-Brewing Remodel Speeds Up in Queens appeared first on Sweeten.

A Bed-Stuy Remodel Allows a Landmark Home to Start Over

Kate Marsanico — Thu, 30 Sep 2021 13:44:03 +0000

This well-timed Bed-Stuy remodel preserves an inherited family home for years to come

“After” photos by Miao Jiaxin for Sweeten

Homeowners: A young couple posted their Bed-Stuy remodel on Sweeten to revitalize their townhouse
Where: Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, NY
Primary renovation: Outfit their 1,500-square-foot Bed-Stuy home with a new kitchen, bath, and open-concept living area
Sweeten general contractor
Sweeten’s role: Sweeten matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering guidance, tools, and support—for free.

Reimagining the Bed-Stuy home for family life

This Bedford-Stuyvesant home once belonged to the homeowner’s grandmother. The home came with fond memories of her childhood, so she happily inherited it. However, as the townhouse had been built in the early 20^th century, it needed a lot of work. She would remodel it to accommodate the needs of her own family. They planned for an open concept layout, with open sightlines to keep the family together while in different rooms. To modernize the spaces, they’d outfit their dream kitchen and bathroom with new, state-of-the-art appliances and finishes.

She turned to Sweeten to find a contractor she’d be comfortable with handling this important renovation. She posted her project and found the right contractor with experience in old-home remodels. They signed the contract and the work began!

Necessary behind-the-wall updates

First, fixing the systems behind the walls had to be done to support updated materials and appliances. The plumbing had corroded and was located in inefficient places. The electrical also needed to be upgraded. Their Sweeten contractor found improperly connected wires in the ceiling, which posed a fire hazard. The subfloor had to be ripped out, and the joists had to be reinforced to keep the kitchen floor from collapsing.

All this work made the kitchen functional and safe. The design aesthetic came next. The homeowner chose a contemporary combination of white cabinets along the kitchen perimeter, and gray base cabinets for the island. The owners selected quartz countertops for the work surface, due to their reasonable price point and durability. The island became the focal point of the room, which also featured deliberate pops of color, like the must-have bright red range. Other features, such as a gold-finish pot filler, pull-out storage cabinets, and a built-in wine rack, completed the look.

New layout and features

The rest of the Bed-Stuy home benefited from the remodel, too. Their contractor removed a wall between the kitchen and living area to open up the flow. They also installed new wood floors, along with all-new recessed lights, a closet, and a front door. Another addition: a new laundry room, which replaced an existing screened-in porch area. The contractor fully outfitted the laundry room—from reconstructing electrical, plumbing, and insulation to subflooring and venting.

Rejuvenating the master bathroom

Like the kitchen, the master bathroom would become her dream bathroom. As a mom, it would be her sanctuary. A standalone tub would give her the chance to unwind. The construction crew faced a challenge: nestling the tub into a tight niche without damaging or touching the walls. But the crew completed the task handily, with the result being an inviting clawfoot oasis, flanked on one end by a custom vanity. In a nod to wainscoting, the team installed the bathroom tile halfway up the wall.

Working with the right contractor

For this nostalgic renovation, the homeowner saw and worked with her Sweeten contractor for months. Fortunately, she found the right partner who understood her vision. This partnership allowed them to communicate throughout the process and solve problems when issues arose. A solid working bond between the client and Sweeten contractor formed, so much so, when it looked like their renovation would not be done in time for Thanksgiving, their contractor invited them to celebrate with his family. Luckily, their new home is now ready to create brand new memories for years to come.

—

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

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

An Architect Turns a House into a Top-Notch Family Compound

Carole Braden — Thu, 09 Sep 2021 14:00:19 +0000

In this Westchester County home remodel, an architect-led design adds an addition, new interiors, and an outdoor oasis

Architect: Shana Sandberg of Revel Craft and Design came to Sweeten and posted the Westchester County home remodel
Where: Harrison, New York
Primary renovation: A 750-foot home expansion, gut renovations of the kitchen and bathrooms, plus a complete upgrade of the property’s outdoor spaces
Sweeten general contractor
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 Shana Sandberg, owner and principal designer of Revel Craft and Design. “After” photos by Nicki Chavoya for Sweeten.

A country vibe in the Westchester County suburbs

“This unbelievable property felt like it was in the country, rather than the suburbs,” Shana Sandberg of Revel Craft and Design said. The 1953 estate, comprising of 1.3 acres in Westchester County’s Harrison, NY, had a pastoral feel. When the current owners purchased the derelict foreclosure, the house was 5,900 square feet of interior space with seven bedrooms. But the home’s interior had no large meeting space—not a great room nor a dining hall. The existing hang-out spots were a small living room, a cramped kitchen, and a basement den.

The house’s owners, part of a large extended family that had long enjoyed summers together, had grown out of their previous five-bedroom home. Wanting to turn this new, bigger house into their happy place, they hired the Revel team. Shana’s firm found the property and helped guide the family through its purchase. The next challenge was to create and carry out their transformational Westchester County home remodel.

Gathering spots for the family

At the top of the To-Do list was to make a place, or places, for the family to gather. Shana posted the renovation on Sweeten and assisted the homeowners in hiring a contractor who would help bring her vision for the home and property to life.

Inside the house, Shana recalled, the existing dining room couldn’t accommodate her clients’ dining table. The kitchen was so poorly designed, it cut off the first floor’s flow. Finishes throughout the home were dated or in bad shape. The property’s outside spaces also had issues. “The outdoor space felt cut off from the land around it,” Shana said. She set out to transform this old home into the ultimate multi-generation compound. The house would have its very first whole-family gathering room along with an inviting chain of indoor and outdoor places and spaces.

“So much can and will go wrong. Knowing how to pivot can turn a bad circumstance into a great solution.”

An addition with an outside view

The property’s overhaul was truly a vision in motion. The new house was a dream with its seven sleeping rooms, each of which needed only light renovation, but its kitchen and bathrooms needed total redos. Creating common rooms would require additional square footage. “It was clear where a new family room would go,” Shana said, and how a 750-square-foot addition could make the house function better. She also wanted to enhance the owners’ connection with the property and natural surroundings. “It was easy to see,” Shana added, “decks and pools as the new gathering spaces.”

The vision for all areas was to engage with the outdoors. “The addition was planned so it did not disturb a huge, gorgeous oak tree,” Shana explained; the family room extension pushes into the backyard, and windows on three sides provide 180-degree views. The plan also added a screened-in porch and a deck.

A facelift for the house’s interior

Inside the house, the remodel changes were just as transformational. Terracotta tile floors were replaced with smooth, warm white-oak flooring. Carrara-looking porcelain tile was chosen to bring a timeless feel to the family’s bathrooms. “For the main-floor powder bathroom,” Shana said, “we’ve had some fun with a surprise moment of a wallcovering called Sumatra.”

Throughout the home, Shana put an emphasis on functionality and took every opportunity to incorporate storage. “We actually made the kitchen and an adjacent bathroom smaller,” she said, revising the layouts and carving out hidden storage, including a pantry, hall closet, and much-needed laundry room cabinetry. “In the new family room, we integrated a built-in bench to hide toys and blankets.”

Shana had eyes on everything down to the little details, playing many roles over the course of this renovation. “We were excited to wear most of the hats in this project, from planning to architecture, to interiors and landscape,” she said. The renovation touched more than 8,000 square feet. The final square footage totaled 8,176 square feet of interior space and 3,000 exterior square feet. Working with their Sweeten contractor, Revel completed it in a year.

Making the most of a rocky situation

For the main exterior space, the goal of communing with nature was similar. “We designed cascading decks,” Shana explained, describing “hoppable” platforms that are large, inviting steps into the landscape. Minimal steel cable railings guided walkers downward.

The project was complicated, and the team geared up for unexpected issues. “We hit a doozy when we found that the property is mostly built on ledge or rock. The grade was too high, causing termite issues and more,” Shana said. Much of the property required regrading and excavation for the pool involved weeks of chipping. “We were prepared for it budget-wise, but it delayed us,” she said.

An outdoor family playground finally emerges

Shana extended a stone retaining wall by nearly 40 feet in making a surround for the new pool, and created a planting bed between the pool and the wall. “Now, from the decks as well as the family room, you look onto a wildflower garden that surprises with new blooms throughout spring, summer, and fall,” she explained. Instead of putting a traditional fence around the pool, the Revel team designed a bucolic log enclosure including almost transparent safety mesh.

Teamwork in action

From beginning to end, Shana “drove the concept of creating this feeling of being out in the country, with a palette and layout for both the interior and exteriors.” The Sweeten contractor, she said, was paramount to the project’s success. “The contractors truly felt like our partners,” she said, citing strong daily communication and accounting transparency. “They put us first.”

Sweeten supported the process. “They checked in during the project to make sure we were getting what we needed from our contractors, and on how the project was coming along,” Shana said.

The end result? An easy-access forever family home that feels far from the fray. And construction challenges that have completely faded into the woodwork thanks to good partner in her Sweeten general contractor. “Renovation combined with new construction is a game of planning, patience, and pivoting,” Shana says. “So much can and will go wrong. Knowing how to pivot can turn a bad circumstance into a great solution.” This family haven is living, breathing proof of it.

Thanks for sharing your Westchester County home remodel with us, Shana!

Renovation Materials

LIVING AREA RESOURCES: White Oak wood flooring: Supplied by general contractor. Paint in White Dove: Benjamin Moore. Minka-Aire 52″ Aluma oil-rubbed bronze ceiling fan #6N185: Lamps Plus.

HALLS AND CLOSETS RESOURCES: Glass Disc chandelier: West Elm. Hand-carved alabaster rectangular sconce: Restoration Hardware.

KITCHEN RESOURCES: White Oak wood flooring: Supplied by general contractor. Ivy Creek custom cabinets: Garth Kitchens. Soprano countertops: Caesarstone. Stipple Tile backsplash: Design and Direct Resource. Kohler farm sink and undermount: Appliances Connection. Samsung 28 cubic-foot 4-door Flex Refrigerator with FlexZone: Appliances Connection. Wolf gas cooktop: Appliances Connection. KitchenAid double ovens and warming drawer: Appliances Connection. Bosch dishwashers: Appliances Connection. Sculptural Glass linear mixed shade chandelier lighting: West Elm.

BATHROOM RESOURCES: Wall and floor tile: Design and Direct Resource. Moen commercial Collection 2.5 GPM single function shower system: Appliances Connection. Kohler Levity 74″ h x 59-5/8″ w sliding semi-frameless shower door: Appliances Connection. Custom-built vanity: Montford Workshop. Ceramic Undermount bathroom sink with overflow: Kraus. Toto Drake II elongated 1.28 GPF toilet with CeFiONtect and tornado flush technology: Appliances Connection. Versatile vanity light #BS18162 BZ: Shades of Light. 36-inch frameless medicine cabinet: Pegasus. Sumatra wallpaper: House of Hackney.

DECK AND POOL RESOURCES: Deck material from TimberTech Azek’s Vintage Collection in English Walnut: TimberTech.

—

The post An Architect Turns a House into a Top-Notch Family Compound appeared first on Sweeten.

My Sweeten Story: A Crown Heights Duo Takes on Their Smallest Spaces

Carole Braden — Thu, 02 Sep 2021 13:57:29 +0000

A dream shower and walk-in closet complete this Crown Heights closet and bathroom renovation

“After” photos by Miao Jiaxin for Sweeten

Homeowners: Kate + Max posted their bathroom and closet renovation on Sweeten
Where: Crown Heights in Brooklyn, New York
Primary renovation: A new bathroom layout and combining closets in a 610-square-foot apartment
Sweeten general 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 homeowners Kate + Max

Finding the right time to renovate

We’ve all walked into homes where two different sets of ideas are in play. This renovation was part of a quest for cohesion. We’d established an aesthetic when we’d updated the kitchen two years before, and we were now putting in a bathroom and closet we could love. The old set of ideas included a showerhead on the long side of the bathtub and pitch-dark storage spaces. We were not sad to see them go.

We are Kate, a creative director for a women’s wellness startup, Max, a data analyst at a tech firm, and Lenny, a female Pitbull/Rat Terrier mix. We live in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, in a 1926 co-op building. We’re first-time homeowners of a 610-square-foot one-bedroom apartment. We purchased in January 2016 as first-time buyers. We didn’t change the place until 2019 when we renovated the kitchen.

We planned to wait to continue renovating, but the combination of being home due to Covid-19 and having few opportunities to spend money meant that we wanted a nicer place and we accelerated our savings plan. We decided to go for it this year and renovate the bathroom and our closet as a single project.

Swapping out the tub for a shower

Remodeling the 35-square-foot bathroom was a style choice, but also one of function. In the existing room, neither the floor nor the walls were level. We hated that the shower head was in the middle of the wall on the tub’s long side. We wanted a modern stand-up shower with a glass door instead of the step-in tub and wraparound shower curtain. The closet redo made sense to tack on because of its proximity to the bathroom. We wanted to combine two small adjacent closets—one accessible from the bedroom, the other from the hallway—into a single large one. Neither closet had electrical wiring, so finding our things was a challenge. We knew we could net more storage if we merged them into one large closet.

This was easily the most challenging phase of the project, since we’d left Brooklyn on a road trip and were far away when the contractor discovered the problem. We didn’t need to worry.

Creating a whole new bathroom layout

We started in the bathroom. We rearranged the whole bathroom, so this was not a simple “rip and replace.” Moving the shower to the back wall meant relocating the toilet and reconfiguring the plumbing proved necessary. Our biggest questions were about the unknowns. In a nutshell, here’s what we learned: You can’t prepare for what’s behind a wall or under the floor. You carry out the demolition and hope to get lucky.

We’d decided we wanted white subway tile with a dark gray grout on the walls. The floor tiles had a distressed texture in dark gray. The vanity’s light wood finish matches our kitchen cabinets, and it offers tons of storage even though it’s only a 24-inch unit. The toilet search was more challenging than expected since we had specific size requirements, but eventually, we found one we liked.

The contractor handles the discovery under the subfloor

We’d heard plenty of nightmares about people moving plumbing in New York City bathrooms and hoped our fate might be different, but it wasn’t. Having completed most of the demolition, the contractors lifted the floor tile. Beneath the visible layer, they discovered two additional layers of tile. Once the subfloor was exposed, it was clear it had been compromised, both by years of trapped moisture and the weight of those three tile layers.

The co-op’s engineer brought onsite recommended pouring a new concrete slab, which added expense and impacted our schedule. This was easily the most challenging phase of the project since we’d left Brooklyn on a road trip and were far away when the contractor discovered the problem. We didn’t need to worry. Our contractor worked with the building’s engineer to pour the new slab to the required specifications.

Smooth communication with their contractor

Our Sweeten contractors provided us with updates via an online project-management tool that helped with communication throughout the job. The team used the tool to share photo and video updates. It helped to keep everyone in sync and organized. That platform really streamlined the conversation regarding every aspect of the job. The bathroom came together exactly as we’d hoped. We’re thrilled with the new storage, including an inset bottle nook in the shower. And the rain showerhead combined with our building’s incredible water pressure makes for an immersive experience every morning.

Combining closets for a larger one

The expanded bedroom closet came next. The contractors removed the wall separating the two smaller closets in order to merge them; we kept the door on the bedroom side. I love being able to see things in the closet, thanks to the increased space, and the addition of wiring let us install good lighting. For the shelving, we took a hybrid approach, buying all of the parts separately. The white shelves are typical closet shelves, but the racks are meant for garage storage. We can finally find our clothes!

This closet hack would also mean addressing the hallway with trim and paint. On that side, the contractors closed the door opening and painted the wall, where we later created a gallery wall for art and photos. The previous door trim was missing chunks of wood (likely from people moving big objects in/out of rooms and banging into the door frame.) It had also been painted a million times and was generally an eyesore. We knew replacing the door and window trim would go a long way towards refreshing the space. The red light fixture provides a nice pop of color.

Their Sweeten contractors: the right renovation partners

This was a much larger project than we thought we’d be taking on this year, but it worked out beautifully. Our Sweeten contractors were transparent about billing, supplying us with perfectly itemized invoices. They were terrific problem solvers, with elegant design sense and ideas that enhanced our final results. We love our new apartment!

Thank you, Max and Kate, for sharing your bathroom and closet renovation with us!

Materials Guide

BATHROOM RESOURCES: Bond Tile “Palermo” gray ceramic floor tile; Elite Tile “Crown Heights” ceramic subway wall tile; DreamLine “Encore” shower door with ClearMax Technology; Latitude Run “Ranjeet” 3-tier display wall shelves; Wrought Studio Strobel surface-mount medicine cabinet: Walmart. Modern brass wall-mount shower set in matte black finish, #J020862-US-12IN-THSV-SB: Homary. Marina 24” Natural Oak Vanity: Eviva. Vega vanity light: Lightology. Toilet: Woodbridge.

CLOSET RESOURCES: Shelving: The Container Store. Rebrilliant “Kintzel” heavy-duty racks: Wayfair.

HALLWAY RESOURCES: Paint in White Opulence OC-69 in matte finish: Benjamin Moore. Light fixture: Light Stock Store.

—

The post My Sweeten Story: A Crown Heights Duo Takes on Their Smallest Spaces appeared first on Sweeten.

My Sweeten Story: A Cozy Loft in a Converted School Building

Carole Braden — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 14:53:55 +0000

When embarking on his Brooklyn loft remodel, this interior designer stayed flexible

“After” photos by Miao Jiaxin for Sweeten

Homeowners: Sue and Alex posted their loft remodel on Sweeten
Where: Cobble Hill, Brooklyn, New York
Primary renovation: A full-unit Brooklyn loft remodel aiming to add storage and functionality while preserving the apartment’s “80s loft” aesthetic
Sweeten general contractor
Sweeten’s role: Sweeten matches renovating homeowners with vetted general contractors, offering guidance, tools, and support—for free.

Written in partnership with Sweeten homeowner Alex

Elevating the best aspects of home

We have been living in this apartment in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn, since 2015. It was the first place we lived together, and it felt like a real 1980s loft, which Sue and I liked a lot. The previous owner was crafty—he’d installed his own kitchen cabinets, and the spirit of the place was very DIY. Sue works in Fin-tech and I am in interior design. We didn’t do much work when we first moved in, thinking it made sense to let the apartment evolve.

The apartment comprises approximately 900 square feet. It had many vantage points, which our cat, who recently passed, really enjoyed. The neighborhood seems to have a lot of building conversions—a church here, a school there, made into residential apartments. Our building belongs to the latter group, and was converted more than 30 years ago. Visitors are often amazed at how wide the hallways are. That sort of space is not something you often encounter in NYC.

Honing in on the shared lifestyle

Looking to build on the apartment’s openness, we made a few changes early on. One was removing a spiral staircase and replacing it with an industrial-use stair; it remains in the same location in the current iteration. Another was taking out an idiosyncratic shelving system that the previous owner had installed. We are both utilitarian, and that aspect of our personalities influences our aesthetic.

We also like this word that the Dutch have, Gezellig, which translates to something like coziness. It’s not a style, per se, but achieving it was a driving force for our renovation. We didn’t want an overly designed space, but rather one that felt considered.

Practical launch pad to renovate

We planned our renovation to coincide with the water boiler warranty expiration. Each unit has its own boiler, and you always hear about these things failing shortly after their warranty goes. We figured we would try to avoid becoming a statistic. The apartment was also in desperate need of an electrical panel upgrade. We wanted to add an in-unit washer and dryer and a shower to our powder room. In addition, the apartment lacked, and desperately needed, built-in storage.

We posted our project, and Sweeten was a great help in providing a list of relevant contractors. Since I work in this field, I did not utilize other services the company provides. I wanted to complete the renovation within an allotted time frame, and keep within a firm budget. Our Sweeten contractors were great to work with; we had a few conversations before the renovation, and they were very accommodating.

In the end, we were able to salvage the work and it turned out nicely. It felt serendipitous.

Design tricks-of-the-trade

It is always exciting to see a project on paper come to life, but it is especially interesting when you have an experimental client—in this case, ha!, ourselves. Our contractor convinced me that we should open up the entry foyer, which I wasn’t sure of. But in the end I think sacrificing the extra storage was worth it to expand the passageway. We also separated the passthrough between the dining and living space with an oversized barn door, which disappears when retracted.

We employed other tricks as well. Take the painting and color scheme, for example. We applied a World War I ship-camouflage technique known as Dazzle—which was a way of masking the volume and shape of military ships using geometric patterns—to try to make walls and objects more or less vanish into the space. We used black behind the TV to have it blend into the space. It is also a nod to the blackboard that would have hung on the wall in this former classroom.

We stayed with a pretty strict material palette just because it is easier to manage and is also a fun challenge to stretch the limit of the material. For example, the black countertop and black backsplash is actually a paper-based product that is extremely durable. I also used it as treads for the stairs.

Being flexible during the process

No matter how simple you aim to keep it, in any construction project, there will be challenges to overcome. We moved out of the apartment during the renovation, but I went to the job site every other day to make sure we were moving forward. During one visit, I noticed that the contracting team had framed one of the walls in the wrong location. Instead of losing time having the contractor demolish the framing and restart, however, I decided to redesign that portion of the space. I did it overnight. In the end, we were able to salvage the work and it turned out nicely. It felt serendipitous.

Paying attention to and working within the process always helps, and given my work, I am familiar with the arc a job follows. Our favorite part of the renovation was the end.

Working from home for the past year, we were able to enjoy the apartment’s ample flow of sunlight throughout the day. It is great to have a space that works so well and feels not just in sync with the building we live in, but with our entire lifestyle.

Thanks for sharing your Brooklyn loft remodel with us, Sue and Alex!

Materials Guide

LIVING AREA RESOURCES: Paint in Simply White and Black Forest Green: Benjamin Moore. Industrial staircase: Grainger.

KITCHEN RESOURCES: Paint in Simply White: Benjamin Moore. Kitchen cabinets and hardware: Ikea . Countertops and backsplash (white material from Krion; black material from Richlite; Elkay sink and AXOR faucet: Porcelanosa. Refrigerator: Appliances Connection. Dishwasher and stove: Appliances Connection.

BATHROOM RESOURCES: Porcelain wall & floor tile; Vanity and sink: Porcelanosa. Shower fixtures and hardware: Hansgrohe. Toilet: American Standard.

—

The post My Sweeten Story: A Cozy Loft in a Converted School Building appeared first on Sweeten.

Remodeling with the Family in Mind

Kate Marsanico — Thu, 29 Jul 2021 19:17:08 +0000

Whether done in houses or co-ops, kitchen renovations for families make life easier

“After” photos by Kate Glicksberg for Sweeten

When you have young children, you realize quickly what does and doesn’t work about the space you’re in. Common issues are a lack of storage or insufficient dining space. Perhaps you need a better flow between rooms. Or, it might be all of the above.

Here, three Sweeten renovations show how parents transformed kitchens and bathrooms into spaces that work for their families—adding functionality and, of course, beautiful form to their homes.

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

Borrowed Space Makes the Difference for a Brooklyn Kitchen

“After” photos by Kate Glicksberg for Sweeten

An inhospitable kitchen

Betsy, a teacher, and Zach, an executive at a retail company, live in a two-bedroom, two-bath duplex garden apartment in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. The couple now has Amina, age 2, and two dogs, Tristen and Archie. Their duplex in a 19th-century brownstone was in decent shape but didn’t quite match their design aesthetic.

They held off on renovating for a few years, but once Amina was born, they decided to take the plunge and finally renovate to have their home suit their ever-changing needs. They wanted to make the most of their 1,200-square-foot main floor. “We bought knowing we would ultimately like to renovate, but the apartment was pretty updated; it just wasn’t our aesthetic,” said Betsy. “We had been living in the space for nearly three years, and the kitchen was especially difficult.” The refrigerator was apartment-sized and the peninsula-shaped design meant that only one person could be in the space at a time.

So Betsy and Zach posted their project on Sweeten to find a general contractor who could help with all of their design challenges and in addition fix the poor lighting in the main living area.

Mixing old with modern elements

To make more room and utilize the space more efficiently, their Sweeten contractor reduced the size of the hall bathroom to add a bit more space to the tiny kitchen. The floors were converted from a dated yellow to a beautiful hardwood. They added a mix of traditional elements (classic hardwood floors) with a modern aesthetic (flat-panel cabinets). Multiple sources of lighting like a chandelier were installed over the main table as well as high hats to keep the open space bright and airy.

“Our Sweeten contractor was great in every small decision, from the pull-out storage options for utensils to hiding the unsightly microwave in a garage cabinet to making the fridge seamlessly blend into the cabinetry—a big feat considering we now have a 36” french door refrigerator,” said Betsy.

When asked about her advice for renovators, Betsy had this to say: “Be smart about your budget. We went with a quote that was comfortably below our bottom line, and this gave us the flexibility to spend more in certain areas and save in others without constantly being stressed about going over.”

Renovation Materials

KITCHEN RESOURCES: Cabinetry: Custom by contractor. Cabinet hardware: Restoration Hardware. Sink and faucet: Kraus. Refrigerator, dishwasher, and stove: Appliances Connection. 36” Biofresh french door, 900 series: Liebherr. Majestic range and hood: Ilve. LED lighting and overhead lighting: Custom by contractor. Lighting (in dining room): Wayfair. Paint: Benjamin Moore.

BATHROOM RESOURCES: Floor and wall tile: Daltile. Shower fixtures and hardware: Brizo. Glass shower doors: custom. Sink and vanity: Houzz. Mirror: Appliances Connection. Wall-mounted toilet with Gerberit tank system: Appliances Connection. Lighting: Wayfair.

LIVING ROOM RESOURCES: Paint in Chantilly Lace: Benjamin Moore.

A New Jersey Kitchen Enters the 21st century

“After” photos by Curious Lens for Sweeten

Seeking space to grow

When Paul, a collegiate swim coach, and Margaret, a pediatric nurse practitioner, bought their 1,700-square-foot, two-bedroom condo, they knew they wanted to renovate it right away. “We had been living in the Heights neighborhood of Jersey City, but wanted more space for a growing family,” said Paul. “North Bergen’s mix of affordability, family-friendly amenities, and proximity to work appealed to us.” However, to make the house family-friendly, they turned to Sweeten.

Paul and Margaret posted their project on Sweeten and hired a general contractor to renovate their kitchen. “Sweeten was helpful in showing us qualified contractors in our area,” said Paul. “Being New Jersey residents, we valued Sweeten’s referral model.”

They wanted a contractor who could take their kitchen into the 21st century, updating their old laminate-and-tile kitchen into a more modern space. They wished for additional counter space as well as storage—common must-haves for a young family.

A new layout brings high impact results

The couple worked with the firm to give their space a clean, contemporary feel without having to do a major overhaul. They didn’t remove or move any walls but they were able to reconfigure the existing layout to work better for their family. They extended the countertop and added cabinetry for additional storage. Plus, they included a nod to New York by way of a simple subway tile backsplash.

“Our contractor was helpful in keeping the project moving despite material delays and the start of the pandemic,” said Paul. These first-time renovators could not be happier with their now user-friendly new kitchen.

Renovation Materials

KITCHEN RESOURCES: Cabinets: Fabuwood. Quartz countertops and subway tile backsplash: MSI. Sink and faucet: Kraus. Fridge, dishwasher, and stove: Appliances Connection.

A Family-friendly Flow in a New Jersey Colonial

“After” photos by Virtual360 for Sweeten

Reduce clutter, expand livable space

A 1925 side-hall colonial was in need of a remodel for homeowners Jennifer and Sauyee. They made plans to live in the 1,740-square-foot home in Lyndhurst, New Jersey, for a few years before embarking on a renovation. With two small children, they wanted to make sure when they did decide to renovate that they could pinpoint exactly what was needed to make their busy lives more convenient and comfortable.

The layout lacked usable counter space and had way too many countertop appliances to be functional. Plus, the flow from the kitchen to the rest of the house needed to be reconsidered to make it more family-friendly. They also desperately wanted more usable space and a lighter, brighter vibe.

They posted their project on Sweeten to find a reliable general contractor in their area. Jennifer and Sauyee were matched with a Sweeten contractor and the work began.

Remodeling for family home cooking

The finished product is a more modern, usable space—one that reflects the couple’s personality and everyday needs. The pantry unit is perfect for the kids’ snacks as well as additional storage for their kitchen essentials. And even though it is not as obvious as some of the other aesthetic details, the homeowners are equally appreciative of the properly vented range hood. As a family of four, cooking is very important and any cook knows a bad vent hood can be a real nuisance. So, it was an upgrade they really wanted. They chose gray Shaker cabinets, light quartz countertops, and redid the hardwood floors throughout to make a cohesive design statement.

In addition, they decided to also remodel the bathroom since the kitchen was getting a facelift. They went with a gray color palette: light, marble-style tile for the floor and shower wall, with an accent dark, geometric shower floor. But their favorite part? The heated floors—appreciated by the kids and adults alike.

Renovation Materials

KITCHEN RESOURCES: Melvern Heron Grey kitchen cabinets: Hampton Bay Glacier Bay 27-inch, single bowl kitchen sink/faucet: The Home Depot. Fridge/dishwasher/stove: Appliances Connection. Lighting: Halo/Cooper. Paint: Valspar.

BATHROOM RESOURCES: Arabescato gold matte floor and wall tile: True Porcelain Company. Carbon Matter shower floor tile: Satori. Shower fixtures: Appliances Connection. Sink, vanity, and toilet: Appliances Connection. Halo lighting: Cooper. Vanity mirror and medicine cabinet: Hampton Bay. Fan: Panasonic.

—

ADUs or accessory dwelling units can transform into home offices, living space for family or as a rental, or a retreat.

Want more renovation stories? Check out these entire home remodels.

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

Our Bronx Rowhouse Remade as a Live/Work Home

Carole Braden — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 14:17:49 +0000

This pre-war Bronx remodel gives a work-downstairs space for its artist owner

“After” photos by Kate Glicksberg for Sweeten

Homeowners: Steve and Lewis posted their gut renovation project on Sweeten.
Where: South Bronx, New York
Primary renovation: A whole-house remodel in the Bronx to create an in-home art studio and a feeling of “warm minimalism”
Sweeten general contractor and architect, Shannon Reid of Reid Wilson Architects
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 homeowners Steve and Lewis

Setting goals for a new home

We bought this house with dreams of a live/work space that would reflect our style and offer plenty of room for our art collection. Steve is a painter, so having his studio at home was a life-long dream. We also wanted a place where our friends and large extended family could come together.

We are Steve DeFrank and Lewis Holman. Steve teaches at the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan. Lewis is self-employed as a tax accountant. We sold our loft condo in Williamsburg after living in it for nearly 15 years to purchase a small townhouse in the South Bronx.

From a two-family to a single-family rowhouse

The engineer’s report on our 1882 rowhouse in Mott Haven, the Bronx, looked good, but we still wanted a gut renovation. The structure has three stories comprising roughly 1,500 square feet. The home had been divided into two apartments and had eight rooms on two of the floors. We wanted to renovate and convert to a live/work single-family home.

We listed our project on Sweeten and began our search for design-build services. Sweeten’s introduction to our contractor and architect was a valuable service. As first-time renovators, our biggest questions before starting the project were about cost. In addition to an in-home studio, we wanted to open up every floor of the building, giving us fewer walls and more windows. We understood that altering the building in this way would be an investment.

The plan we made with the architect was for the ground floor to be Steve’s studio and a water closet—a bathroom with the sink outside. The middle floor would be the living and dining rooms, plus a kitchen and a half bath. On the top floor would be our bedroom and a home office/guest bedroom, a full bath, and a laundry closet.

We did a true gut renovation—nothing was in good enough shape to retain. Our Sweeten contractors demolished down to the bricks and joists, all of which had to be replaced or sistered; this was necessary to allow removal of the central beam, which had to be done to open up the ground- and middle-floor spaces.

Radiant heat and functional stairs

Throughout the home, we aimed for low-maintenance, design-worthy materials to evoke an aesthetic of warm minimalism. We wanted expansive wall space for hanging artwork. The ground-level studio interior is an open workspace with recessed LED lighting, a lot of artist’s storage, and radiant-heat flooring—which we installed on all levels. To bring as much light as possible to the studio, we opened the rear wall with an 8’ x 9’ three-panel glass sliding door.

We decided to remove the original front stoop and relocate the house’s entrance to the ground floor, which created some challenges. Our architect Shannon envisioned—and our Sweeten contractor produced—a storage unit that divides the entry area from the studio space. We had hoped to save the original interior staircase and railing, but our Sweeten contractor showed us options that made more sense.

Ultimately, we closed the stairs from the ground floor to the first to create more wall space in the studio; we chose a vivid pink hue for the risers, which brightens the whole entrance. On the parlor and top floors, we went with a wood stair-rail that looks simultaneously classic and modern. In the end, we were very happy that we took our contractor’s advice.

Connecting all of the floors

The kitchen cabinets are custom millwork, the front panels are painted a green that evokes the palest verdigris. Our island, which has an angled front, is an homage to artist Donald Judd. We rented nearby during renovations and observed this living area coming together. Visiting the site at least twice a week, we loved seeing the gradual progress, sometimes glacial and sometimes lightning quick.

We understood that altering the building in this way would be an investment.

A dining-area drawer and shelving system provides storage and connects these rooms to the top floor, where the main bedroom and home office also employ coordinating storage units. We had fun with tile in the upstairs full bath, where we mixed matte and glossy tile in a range of sizes and colors, including chartreuse, dark green, and gray-green.

A building exterior refresh

The elimination of the parlor-floor entrance led to an anomaly on the front of the house, with regards to the living-room windows. The window occupying the old door frame is much larger than the window next to it. The architect’s solution—a modular window design, made up of a series of smaller frames, one of which mirrors the smaller window to create a visual connection.

Steve and Lewis’ renovation advice

Throughout the job, we enjoyed a collaborative exchange with the architect and contractor. As first-time (and last!) renovators, we’d embarked on possibly the most stressful project of our lives. Luckily, we had chosen our team carefully. Our contractor and crew kept a sense of humor during a long, arduous process.

Our advice to other homeowners ready for a renovation: Anticipate bad news and delays, and roll with the punches. Be grateful for the opportunity you have, even when you wonder why you ever thought it was a good idea! And remember, issues that arise and seem monumental during the process get solved, and are forgotten once you move in. Now when we enter our home, we feel serene.

Thank you for sharing your Bronx remodel story with us, Steve and Lewis!

Renovation Materials

WHOLE HOME RESOURCES: Wall and ceiling in Super Matte paint; interior doors, trip/castings, window sills, stair risers, and stringers in Cliffside Gray pearl paint: Benjamin Moore. Radiant heat flooring: Warmboard, Inc. Engineered Hickory Heirloom, ¾” thick, tongue and groove softened edge, 5” face widths, Veiled White satin prefinished wood flooring: Carlisle. Mini Orb stairwell lights: Allied Maker. Light switches: Lutron.

ARTIST STUDIO RESOURCES: Interior doors and door trim in Super White pearl; studio floor and cellar stairs in Platinum Gray glossy floor/porch paint; storage cabinet in Pacific Ocean; stair risers in Hot Lips pearl; stair stringers in Cliffside Gray pearl: Benjamin Moore. Continuum 23 series architectural LED linear fixture: Alcon Lighting. No. 8 LED, flush mount recessed lighting: Dulanski.

KITCHEN RESOURCES: Custom millwork cabinets: Custom by contractor. Cabinets in Antique Jade paint: Benjamin Moore. Dekton countertops and backsplash in Zenith: TK Quartz and Granite. Refrigerator, dishwasher, and cooktop: Bosch. Electric oven: Appliances Connection. Discus Pendant 2 light over kitchen island: Mattermade.

DINING AREA RESOURCES: Tolomeo variations light over dining table: Artemide. Dining area drawer and shelving system: Vitsoe.

FULL BATHROOM RESOURCES: Field tile, 6×6 in color P210 (dark green), 6×3 in color R203 (chartreuse), 3×3 tile in color P94 (gray-green), 3×3 in color S1 (off-white, behind sink): Pratt & Larson. Blu Bathworks series 1200 wall-mount vanity and matte white #SA1200-01m sink top; Duravit Darling New wall-mounted toilet; matte black single-function shower head; black Del Rp71751.Bl shower arm; black wall-mounted hand shower set: AF New York. Gravity mirror: Ex.T. Mini Dome light: Allied Maker.

HALF BATH RESOURCES: Adriatic 3×12 lava stone subway tile: Tilebar. Jason Wu sink faucets: Brizo. Nivis wall-mounted sink: Agape Design. Gravity mirror: Ex.T. White Darling New wall-mounted toilet: AF New York. Endless Dome light: Allied Maker. Contempo II black matte towel bar: Manhattan Center for Kitchen and Bath.

BEDROOM RESOURCES: Drawer and shelving systems: Vitsoe. Tolomeo variations wall-mounted bedside lamps: Artemide.

—

ADUs or accessory dwelling units can transform into home offices, living space for family or as a rental, or a retreat.

The post Our Bronx Rowhouse Remade as a Live/Work Home appeared first on Sweeten.

A Greenwich Village Loft Raised to New Heights

Carol Wang — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 13:23:16 +0000

Clerestory windows and a library ladder bring new life to this loft’s compact footprint

“After” photos by Kate Glicksberg for Sweeten

Homeowners: A Manhattan couple posted their loft renovation on Sweeten
Where: Greenwich Village in New York City
Primary renovation: Gut renovating an 850-square-foot loft condo to maximize 16-foot ceilings with storage, transoms, and a mezzanine
Sweeten general contractor
Sweeten’s role: Sweeten matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering advice, support, and secure deposits—at no cost to the homeowner.

Laying out the plan for high ceilings

The homeowners closed on an 850-square-foot loft apartment in a multi-building complex in Greenwich Village, just a short stroll from Washington Square Park. The building dated to 1890 and had formerly housed a cast-iron factory. The apartment itself benefited from the structure’s history with high 16-foot ceilings and original detailing. The interior finishes were outdated, however, since it had been decades since the last renovation.

They planned to convert the one-bedroom apartment into a two-bedroom while making full use of the ceiling height. A mezzanine level around much of the apartment would allow for storage and display of their art and decorative pieces.

The kitchen was tucked away in a dark corner of the loft, with dark wood cabinetry and black countertops adding to the gloom. It made more sense to swap the locations of the bathroom and the kitchen. This brought the kitchen closer to the the dining and living spaces. The bathroom itself needed a gut renovation. Its finish materials and all the wiring and plumbing were deteriorating.

Out with the debris, in with the light

As their Sweeten contractor began to demo the space, he unearthed…actual earth. The contractor found about eight inches of “some kind of dirt floor” beneath the flooring. He had to excavate it along with the rest of the demolition debris—a first for this seasoned contractor. He speculated it was perhaps due to the building’s past as a factory.

They worked to create a gallery-like space featuring bright white walls, highlighted with blackened steel accents. Keeping the finishes simple allowed the airiness of the space to shine.

A triumph of clerestory windows

Although there are now two bedrooms rather than one, the homeowners were able to preserve a sense of expansiveness by not taking the walls all the way up to the ceiling. Clear glass clerestory windows were installed in the bedrooms, as well as in the bathroom so that natural light could still shine in each part of the loft.

An integrated kitchen

Throughout the hallways, bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom, a steel rail was installed for a custom library ladder, to give access to the mezzanine areas. This unique system used brushed steel for the rail and brackets, and black-anodized aluminum for the portable ladder, to make it light enough to carry from room to room.

While the living room lost a few feet to create the second bedroom, it gained plenty of linear feet in book storage. Custom black steel bookcases run along the length of one wall. The contractor secured these shelves through to the studs as they were rebuilding the apartment, so they’ll be able to handle any load.

The living room space opens up to the dining nook, which also houses an upright piano. An adjacent gallery wall, decorated with black-framed art, provides visual interest along the interior wall. Recessed lighting and statement pendants support the minimalist aesthetic.

Extra storage for the bathroom

In the smaller bedroom next to the kitchen, they created a lofted sleeping area for guests with a simple mattress set-up, which is also accessible via the library ladder. The elevated sleeping loft allows the floor area of the room to be used by the homeowners as a closet and dressing area.

The bathroom received a similarly modern treatment with a deep soaking tub. A matte black towel hook and shower and sink fixtures create contrast, and match the overall black-and-white motif. Unusually, the homeowners were able to add storage above the shower area, also accessible with the portable library ladder. As with the overhead kitchen storage, the space above was built without shelves or compartments, to accommodate large or odd-shaped items.

The couple now has a beautiful home that handles their storage, showcases their art and treasures, lets in the light—and even lets them share their space with overnight guests.

Renovation Materials

KITCHEN RESOURCES: Custom cabinetry and hardware: Poggenpohl. Quartz countertops and backsplash: Silestone. Refrigerator, dishwasher, washer/dryer: Miele. Range: Bertazzoni. Ladder: Custom by contractor.

BATH RESOURCES: Shower wall tile: Silestone. Shower fixtures: Brizo. Sink/vanity: Custom. Tub: Blu Bathworks. Toilet: Duravit. Vanity mirror/medicine cabinet: Robern.

GENERAL RESOURCES: Prefinished wood flooring: Listone Giordano. Paint: Benjamin Moore.

—

Another Sweeten loft renovation in Chicago leaned into a rising desk trend: matte black.

ADUs or accessory dwelling units can transform into home offices, living space for family or as a rental, or a retreat.

The post A Greenwich Village Loft Raised to New Heights appeared first on Sweeten.

My Sweeten Story: Renovating Our Los Angeles Home on the Hill

Tisha Leung — Thu, 24 Jun 2021 14:45:08 +0000

Returning expats create an eye-grabbing bathroom and french doors to the deck

“After” photos by Madeline Tolle for Sweeten

Homeowners: Cory + Andrew posted their project on Sweeten
Where: Glassell Park neighborhood in Los Angeles, California
Primary renovation: A gut bathroom remodel is inspired by New York and Yves Klein blue while a pair of new entry doors open to the deck
Sweeten general contractor
Sweeten’s role: Sweeten matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering guidance, tools, and support—for free.

Guest blog post written by Sweeten homeowner Cory Quailes

(Above) Family portrait courtesy of Sweeten homeowners

A homecoming for Americans abroad

Before the word “Covid” entered our collective consciousness, Andrew and I lived as American expats in Hong Kong. As educators, we worked long and active terms, which were often fulfilling, but sometimes thankless. We cherished our long breaks.

In our first few years together, we traveled all over Asia and Europe. However, we knew at some point we would settle back home in California, close to family, both given and chosen.

Purchasing the right-size bungalow home

2018 was our year. After I returned from a visiting professor role in the South of France, Andrew and I married in the south of California. Right after we said “I do,” we started looking for a home, for living in when we visited Los Angeles, and for renting out the rest of the year. Our goal was to find a modest, move-in-ready house in a central location, with a spectacular view.

We soon discovered, though, that the supply in the market meeting both our needs and our budget was greatly limited. Eventually, we chose the hillside of Glassell Park. Our 650 square-foot, two-bedroom, one-bathroom bungalow was still nearly double the size of our apartment in Hong Kong. It was more space than we’d had in a long time, and we knew that it would be the perfect place to welcome us back to this side of the Pacific. Best of all, our southwest-facing view meant we could watch the sun rise and set without moving from our perch.

Working from home during Covid

Then Covid happened. In the summer of 2020, we left Hong Kong, our cat Velcro in tow. Moving during a pandemic was not easy, but a larger space and the LA weather made working from home more manageable. We decided to enjoy actually living in our home before renovating. When the time was right, we started with the bathroom, and then added something special for our outdoor space.

The total renovation time, from demolition to painting, took about six weeks. The small bathroom was the biggest challenge. We wanted a space that was updated, but timeless. Which meant everything had to go!

Inspired by a classic bright blue

We’re not afraid of color but prefer to inject it as an accent. I chose black-and-white as the base with 3” x 6” white subway tile. (It reminded us of our years in New York). To add some whimsy, we decided to mix geometric shapes—herringbone in the shower and a brick layout for the rest of the bathroom. The tile installer ended up laying the herringbone horizontally instead of the classic vertical configuration, but this added to the quirkiness we had envisioned.

The bathtub was removed and replaced with a freestanding shower. Andrew is 6’3”, and was thrilled when he discovered the ceiling could be move up by a foot, allowing the showerhead to be mounted several inches above his red curls. For the shower floor, I chose a simple porcelain penny tile, trying to match one of my favorites hues: Yves Klein blue. To tie this rich color back to the rest of the bathroom, we painted the walls with custom-matched semi-gloss paint.

Making a small space feel open

I sourced all of the bathroom components myself. The pre-fabricated glass shower door plays with the geometric theme using varying sizes of rectangles. Its frosted glass helps to diffuse the light while providing a modest cover. I carried this into the blocky console sink with exposed legs. Above it, the round vanity mirror with a medicine cabinet ties back to the round penny tiles. Due to the small size of the bathroom, it was important to open it up as much as possible. So we avoided closed cabinets. This also forced us to be more mindful of our clutter.

For the most part, I was conscious of not over-spending on the decorative components. We did splurge with the pieces for the sink and shower. And with the pièce de résistance: a Japanese-style toilet and bidet with seat warmer, air dryer, and warm water setting. Andrew doubted the necessity of this but now can’t imagine life without it.

The tile installer ended up laying the herringbone horizontally instead of the classic vertical configuration, but it only added to the quirkiness we had envisioned.

The finishing touch was the porcelain basketweave floor tiles in black and white. I thought this would be a nice way to ground the complexity of the rigid and organic shapes with one last element.

Bringing the deck inside

When we’re home, we find the most joy watching the sunset from our deck that looks over the neighborhood. Our goal was to bring that view into the home itself, so we decided to replace the two living room windows with a set of prehung French doors. The best feature of the doors is that the blinds are set between two panes of glass, making it ideal for thwarting a mischievous, climbing cat. Velcro loves to play! Now all three of us can lie on our rugs and pillows on the floor, watching the sunbeams stream into our home. We even got a retractable screen door so that Velcro, too, can enjoy the fresh air from inside.

We’re very happy with the progress we’ve made on the home so far. It feels more like ours every day! That being said, we’re still not done. Next project: kitchen redo! As a home chef, this is my most sacred space. Stay tuned for more!

Thank you, Cory and Andrew, for sharing your hillside home with us!

Renovation Materials

BATHROOM RESOURCES: Shower tile, penny porcelain floor tile, basketweave porcelain floor tile, and bathroom wall tile: LA Tile and Stone. Sink faucet and shower fixture: Appliances Connection. Bright Showers rain shower head in oil rubbed bronze: Amazon. DreamLine French Linea Avignon shower glass door in satin black; Swiss Madison Claire 24″ console sink; Woodbridge Revel Smart Washlet toilet bidet; Golden Lighting Hines black and seeded glass lights; Pegasus medicine cabinet; Steves & Sons fiberglass mini blind patio doors: The Home Depot. Custom paint: Sherwin Williams.

—

ADUs or accessory dwelling units can transform into home offices, living space for family or as a rental, or a retreat.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

The post My Sweeten Story: Renovating Our Los Angeles Home on the Hill appeared first on Sweeten.

My Sweeten Story: A Renovating Couple Gains Their Urban Chops

Tisha Leung — Thu, 17 Jun 2021 14:45:22 +0000

Old DIY bathroom tiles force a bigger renovation than these Hudson Yards homeowners had planned

“After” photos by Miao Jiaxin for Sweeten

Homeowners: Jeremy and Chris posted their home renovation on Sweeten
Where: Hudson Yards neighborhood in Manhattan, New York
Primary renovation: A remodel of their 778-square-foot co-op’s kitchen, bathroom, and a multi-functioning entryway.
Sweeten general 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 Jeremy

Learning to navigate a New York renovation

A first—and obvious—lesson in renovating: it really is harder in New York. When my husband Chris and I embarked on this adventure, we thought we knew what we were doing. After all, we’d undertaken a remodel of our 1914 Seattle condo before. But that was all before we decamped to New York for work—and learned what a reno here really takes.

Our real estate agent brought us to a 1929 building we would have never come to on our own, smack next to the construction zone that is Hudson Yards. I was hesitant, but Chris saw a decent amount of space and a good layout in a developing neighborhood.

After moving in, we wanted to redo the kitchen, but the most urgent fix was the bathroom. An old leak from above had unmoored a section of tile, and the previous owner refused to repair it as a condition of closing. This was our first lesson in how different a Seattle and New York renovation could be.

Deciding to do the larger renovation

Our foray into a standalone bathroom remodel ended early—we got as far as finishing the design when the co-op came back with a series of unexpected plumbing requirements, chock full of things we’d never heard of like water hammer arrestors and Laticrete. The price nearly doubled, and if we were going to spend much more on a remodel, we decided we should save up and do the larger apartment renovation we had hoped to.

With regular re-spackling, we figured we could buy time while we saved up. That folly ended a year and a half later when, hours before leaving for vacation, a precarious section of tile came crashing down. Our super covered the crumbling wall with a plastic tarp, but it was clear: it was time to begin bidding.

…we raided a savings account and scrambled to add herringbone floors to the scope. The late choice delayed the project by a month, but it was one of the best decisions we made.

Finding the right general contractor with multiple skills

We weren’t sure exactly what we needed—walls weren’t moving, but our co-op required an architect. So while we asked the initial bathroom contractor to bid, we also thankfully posted our project on Sweeten. To complete our renovation, Sweeten paired us with a design-build firm with architecture training. They also did custom millwork, making it the perfect fit for our project. Not only did the general contractor immediately understand our aesthetic, but we also had a great rapport.

In planning the remodel, we knew we wanted to play off the building’s modest Art Deco bones, but in a way that wasn’t slavish or theme-y. We also both brought mild obsessions to the mix—for me, an inexplicable passion for English cabinetry, for Chris, a desire to put a kitchen banquette in every possible corner.

Reworking the kitchen layout

The first big choice was how to manage the kitchen layout. The room was spacious enough—designed as an eat-in when 24” of counter space seemed ample—but the two doorways weren’t in an ideal location. One opened onto the foyer and the other onto a back hallway by the bedroom. It had also been poorly updated in the intervening years: half of the footprint was wasted, with a lonely refrigerator in one corner and an errant desk in another.

The location of the gas riser dashed our hopes of moving the entry to adjoin the living room, so our contractor suggested closing the smaller opening to create a wide galley with room for a banquette. This would extend the cabinetry the length of the room on one side, doubling the counter space and creating room for a wine fridge and pantry to boot.

While we played with centering the sink and range on the counter runs, our Sweeten contractor advised against it to preserve prep space. In hindsight, we were happy to have lived in the space before renovating: symmetry looked better on paper, but from experience cooking in the space, we knew her recommendation would be more functional.

To keep the room from feeling enclosed, we substituted upper cabinets for extra-long open shelves on one side, then tucked in under-cabinet lighting for function. The banquette capped off the space, creating both more storage and a place for friends to hang out while cooking.

Giving the foyer a purpose

Our foyer situation was a classic New York City conundrum: too small to do much of anything useful but large enough to be wasted if empty. We decided on a full-height bookcase that’s only 8” deep and it holds loads more than we expected. On the opposite side, our general contractor fitted narrow custom cabinets to serve as a bar. There’s just enough depth to squeeze in double rows of liquor bottles and glasses, saving precious room in the kitchen. We ran new electrical to hang art lights over tall mirrors—the goal was to make the whole space pull triple duty as an entryway, a library, and a bar—then painted the foyer and kitchen cabinetry the same deep gray so that the two spaces relate.

A renewed bathroom in classic black-and-white

In the bathroom, we preserved and refinished an original tub and stuck to a classic black-and-white New York-inspired scheme with updated finishes. Given the narrow layout, the primary play here would be with subtle geometries—and taking advantage of our building’s extra thick walls. A hex marble floor worked well with the warmer white subway tile and porcelain. Our contractor recommended extending the floor tile onto the base of the walls to stretch the visual plane of the room.

The hexagon echoed in new shower controls that help tame the notorious temperature fluctuations that come with living in an old building. In such a small space, we took a cue from hotel bathrooms and put a pedestal sink atop console legs to keep the space open. An extra-tall recessed medicine cabinet provides both storage and electrical outlets.

My favorite thing of all is the towel warmer which took forever to source but that I deeply love for its hex bars and Anglophilic appeal. The contractor placed it in a deep niche so that the warm rails wouldn’t risk singeing passersby. We decided to paint the walls and ceiling in a black high sheen that makes the ceiling recede and the white surfaces gleam. Strangely, of all the things in the apartment, the shower glass proved one of the most frustrating: it wasn’t installed until five months after everything else wrapped up.

Finding the budget for hardwood floors

New wood floors were the most unexpected part of the reno. We had only budgeted for the kitchen alone. But the more floor options we looked at—and after our contractor dissuaded us from several temptations like Moroccan Bejmat tile—the more we wanted hardwood in the kitchen. That meant either putting down maple boards to match the rest of the apartment—despite disliking their color—or redoing everything. Our contractor’s opinion was that changing the kitchen floors would make one of the biggest impacts in the space. So a month into the renovation, after all the other demo was done, we raided a savings account and scrambled to add herringbone floors to the scope. The late choice delayed the project by a month, but it was one of the best decisions we made.

Becoming comfortable with flexibility

Stepping back from it now, our major lesson was in developing a deep comfort with flexibility. We found that we could be much more controlling of our remodel in Seattle than here. New York’s interminable series of permits, co-op requirements, and engineering reports—paired with the inelasticity of old spaces—meant we had to take a go-with-the-flow approach that made trust and an ability to laugh key. Also, best to know exactly what you’re looking for before you start to remodel.

Our contractor taught us the biggest lesson of all: do it all at once if you can. It’s not the disruption that’s the problem, really, or that rework ends up costing more—it’s that few of us really have the talent to create a cohesive space in small increments. Unfortunately, we didn’t quite learn this last lesson in time. During our reno, our bedroom became the storage unit for our furniture.

More than anything else, we were lucky to have a real partnership with our Sweeten general contractor to see us through the changes and warn us off of bad choices. We feel a bit like we’ve earned our honorary New Yorker stripes: we chose a space that we thought was a diamond in the rough and hoped we could turn it into a classic city respite. We feel like—at least to our taste—we got there, and now we have this lovely, large-living one-bedroom to come home to in one of the most dynamic parts of Manhattan.

Thank you, Jeremy and Chris, for sharing your Hudson Yards home renovation with us! Check out more about it in this article from New York magazine’s The Cut.

Renovation Materials

KITCHEN RESOURCES: White oak hardwood floors in espresso stain: Minwax. Cabinets and under-cabinet lighting: Custom by general contractor. Kitchen cabinet paint in Down Pipe, wall paint in Strong White, and ceiling paint in Wimborne White: Farrow & Ball. Regent Collection cabinet pulls: Restoration Hardware. Super White Carrara marble countertop and backsplash: HG Stones. Shaws Original farmhouse sink: Appliances Connection. Faucet in satin brass: California Faucets. Refrigerator, dishwasher, stove, hood, and wine fridge: Appliances Connection. Haleigh ceiling light fixture: Rejuvenation.

BATHROOM RESOURCES: Fitzgerald Collection sink: DXV. Console legs in polished nickel: Palmer Industries. Monterey faucets: California Faucets. Bianco Dolomiti 1 ¼” hex floor tile: Artistic Tile. White subway wall tile and black liner tile: Subway Ceramics. Astor collection hardware and shower fixtures: Jaclo. Verenne sconces: Restoration Hardware. Thomas O’Brien light fixture over medicine cabinet: Circa Lighting. Recessed medicine cabinet: Robern. Eco Drake toilet: Appliances Connection. Frameless glass shower surround: Glasscrafters. Ceiling and wall paint in Off Black: Farrow & Ball. Towel warmer: Vogue UK.

FOYER RESOURCES: Cabinetry: Custom by general contractor. Super White Carrara marble countertop: HG Stones. Cabinetry and wall paint in Down Pipe, ceiling in Wimborne White: Farrow & Ball. Regent Collection cabinet pulls: Restoration Hardware. Kelly Wearstler flush-mount ceiling light fixtures, Thomas O’Brien art light fixtures: Circa Lighting. Baseboards: Kuiken Brothers.

—

Angela’s bathroom in a landmark New York City building gets a classic yet modern update.

Refer your renovating friends to Sweeten and you’ll both receive a $250 Visa gift card when they sign a contract with a Sweeten general contractor.

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

The post My Sweeten Story: A Renovating Couple Gains Their Urban Chops appeared first on Sweeten.

My Sweeten Story: Finding Charm in the Big City

Brittany Zenner — Thu, 03 Jun 2021 13:16:58 +0000

A Craftsman-inspired rowhouse remodel produces a homey sanctuary in Queens

“After” photos by Miao Jiaxin for Sweeten

Homeowner: Monique posted her Queens rowhouse remodel on Sweeten
Where: Queens, New York
Primary renovation: A full-home remodel to deliver the part American Craftsman-style and part modern functionality oasis for a rowhouse
Sweeten general 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 Monique

Moving from co-op to a house

After living in Brooklyn for nine years, I decided to move back to Queens in search of more space and a slice of the outdoors. I purchased a 1,300-square-foot attached brick rowhouse from the ‘40s. It had a small front patio where I could sit and drink my coffee on the weekends, plus a small front garden to plant vegetables and do some xeriscaping (landscaping that requires little or no irrigation).

For me, the purpose of the purchase and subsequent renovation was to create a sanctuary where I could relax after a long day of work. I wanted to make sure to bring in the things that I had loved about my Brooklyn brownstone co-op, while enjoying and making good use of my new space.

I always wanted to live in a Craftsman cottage but knew I couldn’t find this style of building in New York City. Instead, I decided I would incorporate cottage-style elements into my interior design choices. A few things would need to be changed immediately; there were lime green walls in the bedroom and a vibrant orange hallway. I also wanted to rip up the linoleum and carpet floors, replace the house’s original windows, and update the kitchen, bathroom, and entryway.

Spicing up the entry

In particular, the entryway was very important to me. Moving from an apartment to a house, I could now fully set the tone that welcomed everyone into my home. The entryway had been functional, but bland.

I added some touches that brought the outside in and made me smile whenever I opened the front door. I chose to custom design the steel front door in a Craftsman style that felt warm and inviting. For the flooring, white-and-blue handmade cement tiles added a lot of personality. I didn’t want the walls to pale in comparison to the bold floor, so I found a textured and paintable wallpaper that mimicked an abstracted cloud design.

Even though I didn’t have enough space for a grand entrance, I still wanted to make a statement for the front entry by using a modern fixture and opening up the arch to double the size in the living room.

Design elements to make it truly home

I realized how important incorporating the outdoors into the space was for me. When I was a kid, we couldn’t really afford to renovate the wood-paneled walls that were in my bedroom. Instead, my mom gave my room a woodland theme and installed green carpet that was the color of grass and would encourage me to take off my socks so we could play barefoot in the “grass” together.

I was so excited when my Sweeten general contractor suggested I install European tilt-and-turn-style windows. You can open them all the way and really feel like you are inviting in the outdoors. We were able to remove the linoleum and carpet throughout the house and stain the wood floors underneath. I debated going with a modern, gray stain, but ultimately decided on a timeless walnut that felt more appropriate to the cottage style. I loved the original built-in shelves in the living room, so I just asked for the design elements at the top to be cut off, which made the built-ins feel timeless versus dated.

Form and function for a Cottage-style kitchen

When it came to the kitchen, I decided to mix cooler colors and neutrals like blues, whites, and grays, balanced with a bit of warmth from some champagne bronze accents. I wanted a certain set of cabinet pulls that were too expensive for my budget, but was thrilled to find a similar version for a third of the price.

Small kitchen details made the difference

It was these kinds of details that really started to matter to me throughout the process. I spent hours looking at doorknobs and faucets, which I hadn’t expected. I didn’t realize how much I would want a say in every design choice and how much I would care about all the little details that were going into my home.

Now I have room to eat in the kitchen. My contractor transformed a small broom closet in the hallway into a pull-out pantry. It stores all of my dry goods and is so space-efficient. Without it, that closet would have held trash bags and a Swiffer, but now I use every inch of that space for my spices, peanut butter, and pancake mix.

One small accent that was a big deal for me was the ceramic crackle push plates for the swinging doors between the kitchen and the bedroom. I’m a big fan of British television and had been inspired by the homes in shows I watch. It was hard to find this kind of push plate in the U.S., so I ended up having them imported from England. I was so nervous about them making it over in one piece, but they did, and I’m so glad I was able to incorporate them into my space.

Most of my decisions were functional, but everyone thought I was crazy when I installed wainscoting in my very tight powder room. I understand why—the wainscoting literally took away space—but I went for it anyway. As a trade-off, I saved space with a corner toilet and a size-appropriate sink. I am really happy with how it turned out.

Remodeling with peace-of-mind

I didn’t really need to take up Sweeten’s check-ins during the renovation. It was reassuring, though, to know they were there should issues come up, as this was my first major home renovation. It gave me peace of mind—like that optional purchase protection on a big product purchase.

As a first-time renovator, I wasn’t sure how long everything would take or how involved I would be in the process. I was glad that I was able to be involved in most of the decisions, even though I work full-time and couldn’t be physically present all day. I don’t know how working people managed projects like this before email!

My renovated space feels like a peaceful retreat. I love how welcoming and warm it feels for my friends and their kids to come and hang out. My contractor understood my vision and now I’m able to relax and fully be myself in this new space.

Thank you for sharing your cottage-charming rowhouse remodel story with us, Monique!

Renovation Materials

WHOLE-HOME RESOURCES: Windows: Liberty Windoors. Wood floor stain on oak floors in Special Walnut: Minwax.

ENTRYWAY RESOURCES: Pacific Collection Tulum tile: Cement Tile Shop. Seafoam paintable wallpaper: Graham & Brown. Legacy Steel front door in Geneva Blue: ProVia. George Kovacs Honey Gold Pontil 6-Light chandelier: Bellacor.

KITCHEN RESOURCES: SSS White Beaded cabinet fronts: Semihandmade. Cabinet bases and dishwasher: Ikea. Atlas Homewares Successi Collection cabinet hardware, Millennium Lighting ceiling-mount light fixture in Heirloom Bronze, #5225-HBZ: Build.com. Supernatural countertops in Piatra Gray: Caesarstone. White subway backsplash: Tiles Unlimited NY. Stainless steel refrigerator and stove: Appliances Connection. Factory Modern No. 4 pendant (over dining table): Schoolhouse.

BATHROOM RESOURCES: Gray daisy hex bathroom floor tile: Tiles Unlimited NY. Shawano wall-mount sink and Barnum dual-flush corner toilet: Signature Hardware. Vanity: Appliances Connection.

—

See how homeowners across Queens renovated their homes.

The post My Sweeten Story: Finding Charm in the Big City appeared first on Sweeten.

An Art Deco Renovation for a Queens Townhome

Carole Braden — Thu, 27 May 2021 16:40:45 +0000

Soft hues and arching pass-throughs inject light in an Art Deco renovation

“After” photos by Miao Jiaxin for Sweeten

Architect: Can Vu Bui and Lane Rick, principal architects at the Office of Things, and in collaboration with architect Matthew Storrie, led this renovation in a 1920s rowhouse and found a general contractor by posting the project on Sweeten.
Where: Glendale neighborhood in Queens, New York
Primary renovation: A front-to-back, Art Deco renovation to reenvision the home’s 600-square-foot ground-floor, bringing in space and light and solving storage problems throughout.
Sweeten general contractor
Sweeten’s role: Sweeten matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering guidance, tools, and support—for free.

Written in partnership with architect Can Vu Bui

Opening up a claustrophobic layout

“Be patient and be bold,” Can Vu Bui, a Brooklyn principal at Office of Things, a collaborative architecture and design studio, likes to tell his clients. This was his mantra going into the main-floor gut renovation of an Art Deco–era rowhouse in Glendale, Queens. Bui’s slow, steady approach led to a striking result.

The homeowners had been living in the home when they hired Bui, and were ready for dramatic change on the brick building’s ground floor. They planned on revising the existing layout to bring air and light to a chronically dreary space.

After coming up with a concept reflecting light modernism, Bui created a project plan and posted the job on Sweeten. They worked with the homeowner to review bids and portfolios before hiring a Sweeten general contractor.

Starting out, the team had their work cut out for them. “The house’s primary problem was a direct product of its 1920s design,” the architect said. The brick-and-mortar building, surrounded by townhomes, had a narrow, chopped-up floor plan.

The challenges of opening the 600-foot main floor space, according to Bui, were abundant. A load-bearing masonry wall blocked light from reaching the living and dining rooms. Walls that separated the stair, kitchen, and dining area inhibited flow, creating “small, claustrophobic” spaces, he said.

As architects, we spend a lot of time designing custom details—our relationships with the contractors who can make them are critical.

Art Deco-approved arches

The light and space problems at the top of Bui’s task list were only the beginning. “This project presented an opportunity to fix those pragmatic issues,” he said, but also to pull together and “artfully unify” the divided ground floor.

Door frames and wall openings were inconsistent, but the building held some inspiring original details. Fortunately, a few with gently rounded upper corners caught the architect’s eye.

Bui envisioned sloping designs to link the spaces together. “We replaced existing walls with elegant structural arches,” the architect said. “The rooms open generously into each other, allowing light to pour into the home’s interior.”

Stairs open up with storage

Despite the desire for openness and light, maximum storage space was still needed for functionality and day-to-day life, particularly in New York City homes, according to Bui.

According to his plan, the general contractor opened the wall between the existing stair and dining room, removing a large, square center section. Next, the contracting team revised the staircase, adding a landing a few steps from the base and then introducing a turn, so that the last few steps led into the dining room. The changes helped the narrow stairs and small dining room feel instantly less claustrophobic.

However, the breaking through of the wall eliminated key storage space. Bui found a fix. “We designed custom millwork” surrounding the new wall opening, he says, “that provided a pantry, cabinets, and a low bench,” as well as custom handrails. In the end, a partially exposed stairway brings light and drama to the home.

Paint colors and bright finishes

The walls and the interior planes of the arches are painted in muted shades—green, ochre, and blue. Curved millwork is also seen on a full wall of open storage in the dining room. The brushed oak is stained with a hint of gold. Brass accents bring warmth to the rooms.

“Many homeowners and designers fear color,” he said. “It makes sense—you don’t want to be stuck with the wrong one.” The architectural team worked closely with the homeowner throughout the process, providing renderings, tests, and mockups to prevent surprises. For instance, the shade of gold on the walls in the foyer and dining room carefully bookends the space without overwhelming or darkening the area.

“The pale green in the kitchen and reading nook plays homage to classical French country homes,” Bui said. The effect is an inviting color path leading one through the house. “Our goal,” Bui said, “is to let color boldly elevate the feeling of a space.”

Architect + Sweeten general contractor = Teamwork heaven

Throughout the process, the architect and Sweeten general contractor worked together closely, executing Bui’s vision. “As architects, we spend a lot of time designing custom details—our relationships with the contractors who can make them are critical. It’s great to work with craftspeople who bring insight and expertise to the project.”

In the end, Bui explained, the renovation made over the once spiritless space—it feels bright and modern, but not harsh or humorless. Furthermore, color and flow now have a direct impact on the comfort one feels in their surroundings. “This is a home, after all,” Bui said. “It should feel special.”

Thanks for sharing your Glendale, Queens rowhouse renovation story with us, Can Vu Bui.

Renovation Materials

LIVING AREA RESOURCE: Paint in Cedar Grove, Heirloom Gold, and White Dove: Benjamin Moore. Light fixtures throughout: LF Illumination.

KITCHEN RESOURCES: Anchorage floor tiles: Daltile. Kitchen cabinets and hardware: Custom. Milk Glass Spectra solid surface countertops and backsplash: Wilsonart. Fireclay apron sink: Appliances Connection. Refrigerator/dishwasher/stove: Existing.

—

ADUs or accessory dwelling units can transform into home offices, living space for family or as a rental, or a retreat.

The post An Art Deco Renovation for a Queens Townhome appeared first on Sweeten.

Work-From-Home Perfection in a Los Angeles House

Carole Braden — Thu, 13 May 2021 13:51:20 +0000

Stifled by work-at-home requirements, a newly-purchased 1950s home transforms with a remodel

“After” photos by Advanced Focus Photography for Sweeten

Homeowners: Amy and Kevin posted their 1950s home remodel project on Sweeten
Where: Westchester neighborhood, Los Angeles, California
Primary renovation: Updating the 1,538-square-foot house, the couple revised the living room, kitchen, and “his” and “her” bathrooms—one even got a skylight.
Sweeten general contractor
Sweeten’s role: Sweeten matches homeowners with vetted general contractors for residential renovation projects, offering knowledge, support, and secure payments— for free.

Written in partnership with Sweeten homeowner Amy

Making the decision in a work-from-home moment

When it came to this renovation and our decisions about it, the pandemic was a true influence. Kevin and I previously lived in a two-bedroom apartment, using one bedroom as an office—but working from home, we needed more space. I am a television producer and Kevin is a broadcast engineer. In the end, never leaving home was the motivator we needed to make a move.

We found a three-bedroom house in L.A.’s Westchester neighborhood with plans to use two of the bedrooms as our home offices. Added bonus: the property also had the backyard that we and our dogs, Joey and Stevie, wanted.

Hiring a qualified general contractor—with guidance

As first-timers for a renovation of this scale, we had questions. The biggest ones: How long it would take and how much it would cost? The team at Sweeten guided us through the process of getting bids from several contractors, and the website prepared us for what to expect during work. Ultimately, Sweeten connected us with a great contractor.

Updating the house mechanics

Our home was built in 1950 and, with a previous renovation, gained an addition in the ‘60s, including the living room, master bedroom, and a half-bath. But before beginning, we had dirty work to do. We replaced the sewer line to the street and pipes under the house, tented the house for termites, reinforced the foundation, and updated the electrical.

The pandemic definitely affected the supply chain: A refrigerator ordered in August arrived in February.

The renovation plan included several phases. First, we wanted to lay new flooring throughout the house. We chose white-oak engineered hardwood in 8-inch planks, to showcase the oak’s natural grain and make the house’s interior feel cohesive. We felt that lighter floors would complement the living room’s existing natural wood ceiling. In fact, our vision for the space was guided by that beamed ceiling, and a desire to open the home’s center, front to back.

A wider and elongated kitchen

We met with our contractor and his in-house kitchen designer. Most importantly, we wanted to discuss how to increase flow to the L-shaped kitchen. We decided to widen the kitchen doorway and remove part of the 6.5-foot wall that separated it from the living room. We planned to build a long, modern peninsula to draw the kitchen through the opening and integrate it with the living space. It would make the kitchen more functional.

We stacked and boxed in the washer and dryer and created a nook for the refrigerator in the peninsula area. That gave us room to add a large pantry in the kitchen space. Our contractor’s crew custom-built the cabinets and suggested matte brass hardware and fixtures, which we love. Choosing the countertop stone took time—after researching online, we visited stone yards and showrooms before agreeing on a light-gray quartz.

We originally planned to paint the shiplap walls in the kitchen white, but after the walls were sanded and primed, we opted for the white-washed look instead. We could always paint it later if we changed our minds.

A private bathroom for each family member

Next came the bathrooms. We don’t really have a master—it’s more like “his” and “hers.” I claimed the one with the bathtub and my husband got the other one, a half-bath when we bought the house. Part of the 1960s renovation, it was odd, narrow, and tight with its very own exterior door! We redesigned it, finding space for a shower by removing the door and an adjacent window, and bumping out approximately 20 inches into the breakfast nook area. Since we were removing the natural light sources, our contractor suggested adding a skylight. We’re happy we took this idea.

Like Kevin’s, my bathroom also got a makeover. We installed new tile, fixtures, a vanity, and hardware. One other idea we got from our contractor was to choose wall-mounted toilets. The bathrooms are small—mine, especially—and the streamlined toilets free up vital inches.

Shopping in a locked-down world

We sourced most materials ourselves. At the project’s start, our contractor gave us a preferred vendor list, which helped us to know where to shop for tile, plumbing fixtures, and other essentials. COVID-19 made us minimize trips to showrooms and stores; when we visited brick-and-mortar locations, we researched first, and knew exactly what to look at. I understand why people work with designers! We made a lot of decisions.

Shopping for lighting fixtures was fun, though. A friend who worked at a lighting showroom recommended a woman-owned Portland lighting company, leading us to beautiful choices for the bathrooms, kitchen, and bedroom. The pandemic definitely affected the supply chain: A refrigerator ordered in August 2020 arrived in February of this year.

The renovators’ learning curve

As two people with no major renovation experience, it felt like a challenge. Fortunately, we were lucky to have a general contractor who guided us. We learned a lot about balancing time and budget—how long things would take and the effect on cost. Sweeten’s check-ins gave us peace of mind; I knew I could ask questions if issues arose. My advice to other renovators is, make sure your contractor is licensed and insured, and consider whether you can communicate clearly with him or her—you need to understand each other.

We felt a true match with our contractor and I love how our home turned out: clean and solid. It’s comforting to know that things were done right. I love the final touches brought to the project by interior designer Ana DeLeon of Delena Studio, whom we hired on our contractor’s recommendation. We thought we wanted help figuring out where to hang art, but she advised us on rugs, too, and it was her idea to use the leather loveseat at the dining table.

The result is a gorgeous home with space for both of us to do our things. I’m so happy!

Thanks for sharing your Los Angeles home renovation story with us, Amy and Kevin!

Renovation Materials:

LIVING AREA RESOURCES: Teramo engineered hardwood floor: CRAFT.

KITCHEN RESOURCES: Paint in Pure White: Sherwin Williams. Cabinets: Custom by contractor. Alpine Mist with honed finish countertops: Caeserstone. Backsplash: Chalk Series 3×12 tile in Chalk Blanco: Cartage Flooring. Cape Dory 33″ under-mount enameled cast-iron sink in white: Kohler. Crue pull-down faucet in brushed moderne brass: Kohler. Refrigerator/dishwasher/stove: Appliances Connection. Meadowlark 16″ Luxe Cord pendant lights in matte black and brass: Cedar & Moss. Contemporary 4” bar cabinet pulls in satin brass: Emtek.

BATHROOM RESOURCES (Kevin’s): Building Blocks (BB) 12” x 24” concrete floor and wall tile in Black: Emser. Chalk Series 3”x12” shower wall tile in Chalk Blanco, matte finish: Cartage Flooring. Awaken 1.75 GPM rain showerhead and shift multifunction hand shower in matte black: Kohler. Shower glass doors: Sourced by contractor. Burchette 36″ sink/vanity set in natural: AllModern. Trinsic widespread faucet in matte black: Delta. Latitude matte black hardware: allen + roth. Lucie mirror in black: Amanti Art. RP D-Shape wall-mounted toilet with DuoFit in-wall tank: Appliances Connection. Vista 2 matte black and brass lighting fixtures: Cedar & Moss.

BATHROOM RESOURCES (Amy’s): Building Blocks (BB) 12” x 24” Concrete floor and wall tile in black: Emser. Chalk Series 3”x12” shower wall tile in Chalk Blanco, matte finish: Cartage Flooring. Tempered shower head and shift hand shower in matte black: Kohler. Signature Hardware’s Sitka 60″ x 30″ three-wall alcove acrylic soaking tub: Appliances Connection. Keri Fouke 30″ sink/vanity set in natural: AllModern. Trinsic widespread faucet in matte black: Delta. Latitude matte black hardware: allen + roth. Mirror: HD Buttercup. RP D-Shape wall-mounted toilet with DuoFit in-wall tank: Appliances Connection. Vista 2 matte black and brass lighting fixtures: Cedar & Moss.

BEDROOM RESOURCES: Cedar & Moss Conifer flush mount 24” ceiling light fixtures in brushed satin: Rejuvenation.

—

ADUs or accessory dwelling units can transform into home offices, living space for family or as a rental, or a retreat.

The post Work-From-Home Perfection in a Los Angeles House appeared first on Sweeten.