Our favorite projects nestled between the Hudson River and Central Park West

Once home to Nora Ephron, John Lennon, and countless other writers, artists, and musicians, the Upper West Side boasts a lively history that’s been captured in a myriad of films and immortalized in books. Broadway runs through it, and landmarks like the Apthorp, the Dakota, and Lincoln Center lend their impressive architecture to the texture of the neighborhood. The brownstone-lined blocks are quiet in the early mornings and evenings, making it an ideal spot for city dwellers seeking solitude. Join us as we take a look at some of the Sweeten renovations in the neighborhood.

As an Upper West Sider, Christine guided her apartment search by one very important piece of criteria: the new place could be no more than 10 blocks from Zabar’s! Unfortunately, the right location came with outdated finishes and peeling paint. Sweeten entered the picture, helping Christine renovate the kitchen and outfit the rest of the apartment with built-ins in every room to store her massive collection of books and artwork, adding character to the space.

A bigger home was just what Sophia and Leon needed when they decided to grow their family. The apartment they found on the Upper West Side had been laid out like a rabbit warren, and although the latest arrival to their family was tiny, the space would have to fit the three of them comfortably for years to come. Taking down the walls and connecting the kitchen to both the living and dining rooms gave the family plenty of room to spread out. The decision to go open-plan also came with the added bonus of improving the flow of natural light throughout the space.

Lindsay and Tim landed on Central Park West when it came time to purchase their first home together. The apartment had plenty of square footage, but the rooms felt dark and cramped. Restructuring the layout to join the kitchen with the dining room created the perfect spot to host dinner parties, while classic finishes and a muted palette throughout paid homage to the apartment’s prewar roots.

Preparing for a baby meant shuffling the floor plan of Karen and Kevin’s Upper West Side apartment to fit a nursery and a kid-friendly bathroom. The small dining area at the end of the kitchen was sealed off and transformed into the baby’s room. In the bathroom, the grimy tiling was replaced with crisp white subway tile and the bulky bath was swapped out for a new, standard-sized tub, making room for an open console vanity and a basket of bathtime essentials.

Heather loved everything about her Upper West Side apartment except the galley kitchen, which was functional but felt like cooking inside of a shoebox. Her Sweeten renovation opened up the kitchen to the dining room, converting the half wall into a peninsula with deep storage drawers on one side and bar seating on the other. The transformation was just what she needed to take the space from just another place in the world to her home sweet home.

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Take a tour of the best Sweeten renovations in Queens and Prospect Heights, Brooklyn.

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 Best of Manhattan: The Upper West Side appeared first on Sweeten Blog.

After a Sweeten kitchen reno, Kate and Daniel take on the bath

Project: Update an inefficient bathroom in Queens

Before: Kate and her husband, Daniel, had lived in their two-bedroom co-op in Jackson Heights, Queens, for four years. Redoing the bathroom and kitchen were always on the table, but since Daniel is a food writer who needed to experiment with recipes, he went to Sweeten for the kitchen renovation first. “We didn’t have the funds to do them both at the same time,” explained Daniel. Fast forward a few years and a baby on the way “really forced our hand with the bathroom renovation,” he said. “We are either doing it now or never.”

Adding a bathtub was just the immediate necessity. There was also an issue with the water temperature; the shower would either freeze or scald you. The radiator was installed on a wall above head height, which Daniel thought was odd. (“Doesn’t hot air rise?”  he asked.) The bathroom looked like it had been revamped in the ’70s with plenty of drab beige tiles decorated with floral prints. The couple wanted to bring the lagging aesthetic in-line with the prewar design of the building.

After: One of the most important aspects of the renovation was the timeline. They came back to Sweeten, a free service that connects homeowners with vetted contractors, and found their general contractor. “We have this baby coming. Please, please don’t let there be construction going on when we have a baby,” Daniel recalled saying. Their Sweeten contractor understood the tight timeframe and kept the project moving, finishing a month before baby Adrian arrived.

The radiator dilemma was a key feature that Kate and Daniel’s Sweeten team helped to resolve. At one point, there was a complicated plan to rerun the steam pipe so the radiator could be installed on the floor. However, the plumber on their Sweeten team guided them toward removing the radiator altogether. The risky decision was a winner, with the rest of the apartment generating enough heat to keep the bathroom warm.

Fixing the water temperature issue was another unknown. The problem could have been in the wall of the bathroom or elsewhere in the building. Thankfully, it turned out to be inside the wall. “Our water temperature control is so beautiful, I feel like I am in a hotel,” said Daniel.

As for the aesthetic, the couple spent a lot of time on Pinterest. They went with classic subway tile for the walls and hexagonal tile in a royal blue colorway for the floor. Salvaged redwood planks along the bathtub added some warmth. The gold fixtures were an effort to mimic the brass found throughout the rest of the apartment.

Bonus: While on a trip to Puebla, Mexico, a few years ago, the couple bought a box of hand-painted tiles with no real purpose in mind. When Kate and Daniel’s Sweeten contractor proposed a nook in the shower for soap, they were able to incorporate some of the tiles into the design.

Style finds: Floor tile: American Restoration Tile. Wall tile: Daltile. Shower fixtures and toilet: Kohler. Charlottesville 42″ vanity in light gray: Fairmont Designs. Salvaged wood planks: Sawkill Lumber. Mirror: Restoration Hardware. Brass towel bars and train rack: Rejuvenation. Lighting and coat hooks: Schoolhouse Electric.

Check out Kate and Daniel’s Sweeten kitchen renovation here!

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A bright blue waterfall of penny tile sets the tone in Rachel and Michael’s prewar, Jackson Heights bath.

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

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

The post A Return for a Royal Blue Bath appeared first on Sweeten Blog.

A Connecticut couple refreshes their first townhouse

In 2016, Brooklyn homeowner Lauren embarked on her first Sweeten renovation. The result: a beautiful alcove studio that was featured in a New York Times story on organizing small spaces. In 2017, she moved to Connecticut to join her fiancé and upgraded to a 3,000-square-foot condo in Stamford.

Space was no longer an issue, but the home appeared to be stuck in the early ‘80s. There was also a suspiciously damp smell from the accumulation of several leaks during the previous owners’ time there. Given her positive past experience with Sweeten, Lauren returned to post her latest project to find the best contracting team. (Luckily, Sweeten had recently expanded its free service, matching homeowners with vetted general contractors, to Fairfield County.) Read on for her take on renovating with Sweeten outside of New York City!

Guest post by Stamford homeowner Lauren

This is now my second Sweeten renovation and my first time renovating with my fiancé, Austin. After remodeling my Brooklyn Heights co-op, I ended up moving to Stamford, Connecticut, the following year and started looking for a condo to buy with Austin. The search didn’t take long and we found a 3-bed, 2.5-bath townhouse that was in need of some updating before we moved in. The unit had lots of potential, but it was dated and hadn’t really been touched since it was first built over 30 years ago: orange oak kitchen cabinets, vinyl flooring, wall-to-wall carpeting, mirrored walls—you get the idea.

Once we had a vision for the space, and given how smoothly my first renovation experience had gone, it was only natural that we turned to Sweeten again to help us find our contractor. The Sweeten contractor we chose was incredibly organized, professional, and had a very detailed quote, which we appreciated. Some contractors struck us as too hopeful with regard to project scope, while others were “doom-and-gloom” purveyors, finding calamity behind every piece of drywall. Our contractor tempered our enthusiasm by identifying challenges we didn’t see coming but never told us something couldn’t be done. He was attentive and imaginative.

Since I was leaving my recently renovated apartment to start our life together in Stamford, we needed to bring some of the modern city elements to the suburbs. One of the challenges was the large amount of space to be updated without having a huge budget. Since we had plans to grow into the space over time, we decided to focus on the areas we’d use the most—the first two floors and the master bathroom. We wanted the unit to feel current with our own choices but without ripping everything out.

Austin and I worked really well together and collaborated on elements that were important to us. He pushed for the recessed lighting in the kitchen and dining room, whereas I was excited about the engineered floor and spent weeks reviewing my selection. Believe it or not, I found the flooring company on a deep-dive on Instagram. There were no local distributors or showrooms, but I was able to track down a salesperson in Texas who helped me select the material remotely. When it arrived, I knew it was the best decision; it really transformed the space.

From the start, we knew the wall-to-wall carpet on the first two floors would be replaced with engineered hardwood. The kitchen cabinets would be repainted and new appliances added. We increased the kitchen storage and functionality by adding the Simple Human under-sink trash and recycling bins. Roll-out chrome baskets held strainers and cleaning supplies and pot lids sat on racks.

Adding a bill-paying station/drop zone just outside the kitchen made a big difference. It used to be an extra kitchen cabinet. But in order to make the space work for us, I knew we needed a work area that wasn’t the dining room table.

In the master bedroom, we added California Closets to maximize the space. The closets had an odd layout, so a custom system enabled us to design it to fit our needs. The master bath was refreshed with new tile and fixtures.

An entryway on the lower level from the garage leads you to our gym. Our Sweeten contractor worked incredibly hard on these stairs after the carpeting was removed. He showed his skills laying down the plank, nosing, and risers, especially with the corners and angles.

A home gym/multipurpose room was created on the lower level. Our contractor covered the concrete floor with a specific floor paint as a moisture barrier and then laid down interlocking foam floor tiles. They were more cost-effective and functional than continuing the engineered wood into this space.

Every renovation has its ups and downs. In this one, we kept discovering water damage! When we bought the condo, it had a musty smell, so we knew we were going to find some sort of water issue, but I don’t think we realized how much. The previous owners just covered up rotten subfloor with new carpeting in multiple places. And when they decided the lower level needed a closet, they just framed it out right on top of the shag! So it proved comical when we tried to remove the old carpet and found ourselves using pliers to get every last bit of remnant out.

Our Sweeten contractor and his team worked late into the evenings and on many weekends to keep up with our scheduled move-in date. Unfortunately, our flooring got delayed, and that held him up, but he was proactive and able to work on other projects in the apartment.

Now that the renovation is complete, we learned it will always take longer than you had hoped, but in the end, it’s all worth it. Make all of your design selections in advance of starting construction. You can cut down on costs by taking on some of the work yourself, but there’s a reason why professional contractors stay in business. They quickly finished what would have been gargantuan tasks to amateurs like us.

Austin and I love our new space. Friends and family come over and are so impressed with the transformation. My second Sweeten renovation went as well as my first, and I think it speaks to the company and the quality contractors that are in the Sweeten network.

Lauren and Austin, thanks for showing us your updated townhouse—and for being repeat customers! We love “serial renovators”!

KITCHEN RESOURCES: Newport Collection Monterrey oak floor: Garrison Collection. Kitchen cabinets: Original. Smoke Embers paint color: Benjamin Moore. Martha Stewart Collection cabinet hardware: Home Depot. Kraus sink/faucet: Home Depot. Samsung range, Samsung microwave, and Bosch dishwasher: Lowe’s.

BATHROOM RESOURCES: Festival Metro White Matte Hexagon Porcelain Mosaic floor tile: Floor & Decor. Bright Tender Gray Subway Ceramic Tile wall tile: Floor & Decor. Purist towel bar, shower fixtures, and toilet paper holder: Kohler. Sink/vanity: Lowe’s. Kohler toilet: Home Depot. Lighting: Destination Lighting. Sink mirror: Lowe’s. Vanity mirror: Pottery Barn.

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When it came time to move into a larger space, Chong and Adam upgraded from a small apartment in Jersey City to a condo in Fort Lee and renovated the kitchen, dining area, and bathrooms.

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

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

The post A Second Homecoming—from City to Suburb appeared first on Sweeten Blog.

Sweeten’s Founder + CEO Answers Your Renovation Questions

Welcome to #8 in our series, designed to bring clarity to some of the mysteries of renovating! Whether you’re a first-time homeowner or a serial renovator, each project brings with it a new set of circumstances and new questions, and Sweeten is here to be a source of knowledge and reassurance. 

Feel free to email me at JBrownhill@sweeten.com with any reno questions or dilemmas you’d like addressed.

QUESTION: When should I start planning for my renovation?

JEAN: A lot of homeowners come to us when they are in contract on a new property, but haven’t closed yet. This is a good time to start some preliminary planning, such as outlining the scope of the project—what you’re aiming to accomplish—and begin selecting materials. However, you really need to wait until you’ve closed on the property in order to pull permits, get board approval (if necessary), and have easy access to the space for walkthroughs and measuring—all the things that you’ll need to do to start your renovation.

You might also meet with a general contractor, but keep in mind that close dates sometimes don’t happen and there’s a chance the property sale may fall through. It’s a little harder to get general contractors to come on a site visit at this stage of purchase. It’s also a challenge to get access to the property. While in contract, we highly recommend starting to plan what you would want to renovate and the level of costs you want to spend on your materials, including your “must-haves” and “nice-to-haves.” We can’t emphasize enough how having a good handle on these aspects affect timing and delivery lead times, keeping your project on schedule.

If you have more questions on the topic, check out our blog post The Do’s and Don’ts of Closing and Renovating.

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Looking for more advice from Jean? Be sure to check out the seventh installment in this series, Q&A with Jean: Do I Need Temporary Walls?

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 Q&A with Jean: When should I start planning for my renovation? appeared first on Sweeten Blog.

Let your fridge blend neatly into its surroundings

One of the first things you see upon walking into a kitchen is the refrigerator; it’s big, it’s shiny, and its surface is often peppered with souvenir magnets, wedding invitations, or to-do lists. But the kitchens we’re about to show you will have you scratching your head and wondering, “Where’s the fridge?” Because here’s the thing: you don’t have to put your refrigerator on display. No matter the style or size, whether it’s a single-door fridge with a bottom freezer drawer or an under-counter model, you can disguise it with custom paneling designed to match your kitchen cabinets. You can even extend the paneling to hide a built-in pantry next door and keep all your foodstuff in one spot, from fresh fruit and vegetables to cooking oil and spices. Scroll down for eight smart takes on the concealed refrigerator from Sweeten homeowners.

Ainsley and Simon’s kitchen in Park Slope

When Ainsley and Simon’s architect discovered that the column in the kitchen was merely decorative, they came up with a plan to tuck the refrigerator inside of it and add custom panels. “You don’t look at it and think it is a fridge at all,” said Ainsley.

Rachel and Marco’s Greenwich Village kitchen

Looking to create a functional kitchen that was also beautiful enough to host dinner parties, Rachel and Marco planned on hiding as many of their appliances as possible. Their general contractor built two “appliance garages” to conceal the smaller ones while the fridge was encased in paneling that matches the surrounding cabinetry.

Lauren’s kitchen in Brooklyn Heights

Lauren’s front door led directly into the kitchen. When it came time to renovate, she had to choose between creating a traditional entryway or designing a hybrid space that would add square footage to the kitchen. She chose the latter and opted for a seamless wall of cabinetry to contain the refrigerator and pantry storage—plus, a coat closet!


Kavi and David’s Clinton Hill kitchen

An open plan kitchen with a large center island received an ultramodern renovation that evoked a contemporary, art-house vibe. White, flat-front cabinets with hidden hardware provide a sleek style while matching paneling hides the fridge from view.

Claudia’s kitchen on the Upper East Side

This 1929 apartment once boasted original details full of charm and character—until they were stripped away to make room for modern upgrades. In the renovated kitchen, details like molding make a return to cabinet doors and panels concealing the refrigerator and freezer drawer, turning back time for a more traditional look.

Casey and Kumar’s Clinton Hill kitchen

Contemporary meets the natural world in this updated kitchen, combining white paint and clean lines with textural materials such as wood grain and dark charcoal soapstone. Disguised within a unique built-in facing the main kitchen, custom paneling hides the fridge, freezer drawer, and pantry.

Emily’s kitchen on the Upper West Side

The clever placement of the refrigerator in this tiny galley kitchen allowed the expansion of prep space along the countertop. Keeping all upper space clear, black cabinets with gold hardware were installed along the lower base, and hiding among them behind the first handle on the left is the under-counter fridge—perfect for those who don’t need a full-sized appliance.

Frans’ Gramercy Park kitchen

A compact studio necessitates a space-savvy fridge. Installed only a few feet from the rest of the kitchen, the refrigerator and dual freezer drawers are cloaked by white panels that allow them to blend into the wall. As an added bonus, the close proximity of the wine storage to the fridge makes a fast turnaround for wine-and-cheese occasions.

This post has been revised and updated from its original publication on April 10, 2017.

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If you’re renovating your kitchen, check out our post on remodeling costs and where that money goes for a jumpstart on budgeting for a new fridge and more!

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, scope, and style. Follow the blog for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you’re ready to renovate, start your renovation on Sweeten.

The post Fridge Paneling: 8 Refrigerators in Disguise appeared first on Sweeten Blog.

A Japanese aesthetic warms up a chef’s kitchen

Project: Remodel a neglected kitchen in East Flatbush

Before: For years, Tracey Dixon and Stephen Neverson and their three young children were always renters in New York City. But in August of 2016, a confluence of difficult and emotional events—the deaths of Tracey’s parents (just three weeks apart after 42 years of marriage), which led to some inheritance money, followed closely by the sale of their apartment by their landlord—pushed them to decide to purchase a place of their own.

While the ‘40s attached rowhouse in Brooklyn’s East Flatbush had enough space (1,930 square feet), it also had a kitchen with a drop ceiling, wood paneling, an unsightly ceramic floor, and a sink that was falling apart. “We entertain a lot, and the kitchen blocked us from that. The stove was crooked because of the floor, and there was a thick layer of grease on everything that would not come off. The pipes were old as I don’t know what,” says Tracey, a freelance violist who runs the private Dixon String Studio and avid cook with a culinary degree. “I wanted a modern, bright, clean design.” Tracey and Stephen, a high school guidance counselor, posted their project to Sweeten, a free service matching homeowners with vetted general contractors, and planned a renovation with their chosen contractor.

After: While Tracey wanted her chef’s kitchen, she didn’t want it to feel sterile. “This is a home, not a restaurant,” she said. “And the kitchen is the center of our home.” The design combines her love for both modern and Japanese aesthetics.

The dishwasher and stove were the two things Tracey was looking forward to the most. “We are a family of five and a dishwasher is crucial,” she said. The stove is “beloved. It allows me to create. I needed more power out of my stove. In our last apartment, it took me 100 years just to boil water for pasta,” she said. During the renovation, Tracey said she became a “microwave cooking queen.” It was difficult to navigate the renovation with three small children and all their appliances sitting in the living room. But they couldn’t eat out all the time. “I discovered I could make lovely broccoli and fabulous rice in the microwave!” Tracey said.

Once they put everything back into the new kitchen, they were glad they had pull-out drawers for the recycling, spices, and oils. “There is so much storage. We also have two open-shelving spaces, which I just love,” she said.

If they ever renovate again, she’d know to “save for the renovation and the padding around it. The incidental costs caught us off guard. We factored in some, but not all. We were still able to get everything done, but we definitely could have benefitted from more financial padding.”

The couple loved working with their Sweeten contractor and designer. “They were the absolute greatest,” Tracey said. “The level of professionalism was top notch. They did everything they could on this project. The kitchen was completely gutted and done in five weeks. They worked hard and were consistent. You never felt like you were just being fit into their day. We felt like priority clients.” And Sweeten itself “was great. They checked in regularly to see how things were going and made sure we knew they were available for any and all help.”

Now that it’s all over, Tracey is looking toward their next possible project. “The outdoor deck is definitely in our future renovation plans for our lifestyle.” She knows they’ll be outside as soon as the weather is good and is daydreaming about a deck with Portuguese tiles, maybe a partial patio and a grassy area. “Nature is important, necessary, and dear to me,” she said. “My family and guests need to have an option of green in our urban landscape.”

Bonus: Tracey expresses her love and nurturing through food. “Just a few weeks ago, the added counter space allowed me to show my brother some cooking tips because he has a new love for cooking. Food binds our cultures and our lives together,” she explained.

Style finds: Floor tile and backsplash tile: Artistic Tile. Bamboo cabinets, hardware, and Caesarstone countertops: Decori Kitchens. Sink: Elkay. Faucet: Blanco. Refrigerator: LG. Dishwasher: Whirlpool. Stove: Bertazzoni. Ivy Bronx pendant lighting: All Modern. Envi bar stools: Lumisource.

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Thinking of redesigning your storage? Take a look at these kitchen cabinets in motion.

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

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

The post A Reno for the Love of Cooking appeared first on Sweeten Blog.

A newly engaged couple takes the remodeling plunge

Even though Heather and Eric knew nothing about renovating, they took the chance of starting a remodeling project before moving into their new apartment. Their interpretation of “home, sweet home” meant a non-cookie-cutter space with natural light, a welcoming kitchen, architectural details, and wide-plank flooring. With the help of the team they connected with through Sweeten, the free service that matches homeowners with vetted general contractors, the renovating couple’s “get-it-done” attitude included ferrying materials through the city with up-to-the-minute decisions to meet a five-week timeline.  

Guest post by Sweeten homeowners Heather and Eric in Manhattan

When we were looking for a new place, we ignored all gut-renovation apartments off-the-cuff, but when we saw this 850-square foot co-op, we knew it had great potential. It was dark, barren, and dated, and probably hadn’t been touched since it was built in 1972, but it had natural lighting from the east, south, and northern exposures, high-rise views, and a prime Gramercy location. Neither Heather nor I had previous renovation experience, but through conversations with friends and family, and research on Sweeten, we felt prepared to post our project and move forward.

Heather, not knowing an engagement proposal was forthcoming, eagerly pushed for the exciting summer project. So only three days before I popped the question, we put in an offer on the property. After she said, “Yes!” the project truly began.

Our goal was to take this dark space that had no overhead lighting, ’70s popcorn ceilings, and a cramped galley kitchen and modernize it, opening it up to highlight the apartment’s natural light and spaciousness. We wanted it to feel unique and stand out from the crowd of standard New York starter homes.

We prepared a timeline to begin the day after closing with the goal to finish the job in five weeks in order to beat our old apartment’s lease expiration. However, after the seller delayed the closing, we had to improvise living remotely for three weeks and then through the final two weeks of construction. With this delay, we, along with our contractor, had to personally roll our new kitchen cabinets across two New York City avenues! On top of that, our building only allowed renovation work between 9 am to 4 pm on weekdays. Did I mention we had no prior renovating experience?

With a timeline like this, Sweeten was critical in hiring our contractor—before which, we had interviewed three contractors who could not meet our timeline or budget. Sweeten immediately matched us with two contractors who both had great reviews and offered competitive quotes. The one we chose was eager to meet our timeline, always arriving early and ending late. He visited us on weekends and did additional research and buying outside of the labor and roughing. Our contractor provided ideas when asked and would respond with a “No problem” to any request—a luxury during a difficult and stressful project.

We created a defined foyer by reframing walls and building a Moroccan archway, which led into the kitchen. Other hallway closets were also reframed to provide symmetry throughout the apartment.

We envisioned an open kitchen with a bar counter that provided a natural gathering spot for breakfast and entertaining. To get there, we completely gutted the kitchen, replacing all of the old cabinets and appliances, and took advantage of every inch of space. We moved the refrigerator to the opposite side of the kitchen and raised the microwave by six inches, allowing us to cut through the wall of the previous galley kitchen and create an opening with recessed, under-cabinet puck lighting. We accented the space with quartz countertops, glass cabinetry, a herringbone marble backsplash, and stainless steel hardware.

Tackling the lack of overhead lighting, we chose nonstructural beams in the living room and bedroom with LEDs inserted. The beams gave the space a unique structural aesthetic and provided a clever lighting solution. We then added crown molding in the entire apartment for more dimension. The flooring throughout had been a traditional parquet not revisited since the original construction of the building in the ‘70s. We replaced it with wide-plank espresso hardwood flooring to balance the white and off-white cabinetry and furnishings.

Of course, at post-renovation, we realize how important it is to plan ahead. It’s better to have all your ideas on paper before you begin, from important aspects like flooring and appliances to the small details that are easy to overlook, such as cabinet hardware, paint colors, lighting fixtures, and electrical outlets. Having this mapped out will make your life and your contractor’s life much easier during the renovation.

Truthfully, we look back and are still unsure how we were able to sketch, design, renovate, and implement all of our aesthetic and structural changes without any background or experience in any of these areas. Day by day, the apartment came together and by the end, we were incredibly proud of what we accomplished. Now we have a few months to relax before the wedding.

Thank you, Heather and Eric, for sharing your pre-wedding home design journey with us!

LIVING ROOM RESOURCES: On the Rocks paint color: Sherwin-Williams. Home Legend wire-brushed hickory coffee flooring and stain: Home Depot. Craftmade Mira, 47191-CH-LED ring chandelier: 1 Stop Lighting. Hyperikon LED flush mount ceiling light: Amazon.

KITCHEN RESOURCES: Home Legend wire-brushed hickory coffee flooring and stain: Home Depot. Home Decorators Collection Brookfield kitchen cabinets in Pacific White: Home Depot. Hardware: Home Depot. Quartz countertops: from the general contractor. Carrara Venato herringbone backsplash: The Builder Depot. Moen Kaden faucet in chrome: Home Depot. Refrigerator, dishwasher, and range: Samsung. Under-cabinet lighting: AQ Lighting. Jumilla LED track lighting: Home Depot. Phoenix Ivory bar stools: CB2.

BEDROOM RESOURCES: North Star paint color: Sherwin-Williams.

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In Melissa and Blake’s Gramercy apartment, the couple reimagined the floor plan of the galley kitchen and found new spots for prep and storage.

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 “With This Reno, I Thee Wed” appeared first on Sweeten Blog.

Scott began as a mortgage broker before picking up the hard hat

At Sweeten, the experts in our network are experienced contractors and design pros we’d be thrilled to have working in our own homes. We check their licenses, insurance, quality of work, and customer service skills. Trust and open communication are the lifeblood of our free renovation service and our personal connection to our experts enables us to match you to the best choices for your project. Here, get to know their personality and click to view their portfolio, including photos from past work and client reviews, so that you can hire the right team and renovate with confidence.

Check out Scott’s portfolio here

Where are you from and how long have you been in construction?

I’m from Queens originally, and I live on Long Island now. I’ve been in construction for roughly 15 years.

How did you get into construction?

I started as a mortgage broker, became a real estate appraiser, and then I switched to general contracting and kind of put everything together.

Who is your ideal client?

My ideal client is someone who communicates a lot and trusts my expertise so that when I talk about what’s going on behind the walls or what’s happening on the job, they believe and trust what I’m doing. Being understanding and communicative about what we’re dealing with is also important.

What do you love most about construction?

People.

What’s the biggest challenge you face when renovating in New York?

It’s not the renovation or the skill of the labor. It’s more the traffic, getting to jobs, the appointments, the back-and-forth for customer service, and all the phone calls. 

What do you like about Sweeten? How has it helped with your business?

Sweeten is like a virtual salesman for me. It enables me to reach new clients and affords me more time elsewhere to manage a current project or to sell another job. I have a relationship with the client right off the bat because they’ve spoken to the Sweeten team already.

What do you think is the biggest misconception homeowners have when starting a renovation project?

That they can’t afford it.

Favorite New York City building?

The World Trade Center—now, the Memorial.

Favorite New York City neighborhood?

Bayside, since I’m from there.

Tour Sweeten homeowner Michelle’s “She Shed” renovated by Scott and check out his portfolio for more photos of past work.

This post originally ran on October 4, 2016.

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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 Meet Sweeten General Contractor Scott appeared first on Sweeten Blog.

Renovate your backyard (and terrace!) to entertain, garden, or just kick back and relax

K.V. Harper’s backyard

A private backyard or rooftop lounging space is hard to come by in the city. When you live in an apartment building, you’re more likely to end up with outdoor areas that are shared with other tenants—or a petite private terrace, if you’re lucky. What passes for a “yard” in the city is much smaller than what you’d find in the suburbs. If you do have one, what do you do with it? To find out, we spoke to a handful of Sweeten general contractors, a landscape designer, and a horticulturist, to get the scoop on how to create your personal patch of paradise.

Consider how you want to use your outdoor space and plan with that purpose

Santi, the Sweeten general contractor who transformed K.V.’s backyard, shared the following advice with us: “Just like any other project around the house, I would recommend taking some time to decide what your goal is”—and whether you’ll be using the space primarily for dining, grilling, gardening, or play. Jonathan, a Sweeten landscape designer, adds, “Decide what you want to prioritize: functionality or ornamentation. If there are kids involved, that will be a determining factor.”

After turning her attention to her brownstone’s backyard, K.V. knew she wanted to use the space to host friends and barbecues. She took inspiration from gardens in Mexico and Brazil, leaning toward a more tropical atmosphere. Building a tall cedar fence to provide privacy was also a must-have.

Nate and Michelle’s rooftop

Nate and Michelle’s wanted their rooftop to double as a “bonus room” for hanging out, which meant it had to have comfortable seating and plants to make it feel cozy. Creating a visual barrier along the perimeter was important since the rooftop felt exposed, as well as incorporating a fire pit for chilly, late-summer nights.

Be flexible when it comes to choosing materials

K.V. had her heart set on bluestone to create a walkway to the elevated patio in her backyard. “She had a budget she didn’t want to go over,” Santi said. “She asked us to price bluestone, but it was a little too high, so we looked for other materials.” He added, “Homeowners should always price projects with different materials [because] changing the materials doesn’t mean changing the final goal or look of the design.”

In a surprise twist, they were able to find some bluestone buried under the dirt in the yard and repurposed it for the walkway. The rest of the design was completed with gravel and pavers. The moral of the story is that while your budget will play a hand in determining what you can do, the outcome can still meet your goals.

Add some greenery to introduce color and texture or enhance privacy

We asked Justin, a horticulturist at Costa Farms, to fill us in on how to choose the right plants. “The first and most important thing is to get a realistic sense of your area’s growing conditions, including sun, moisture, and exposure to wind, and then pick plants that like or at least tolerate what your space has to offer,” he says. “If you want to grow a shade-loving plant in a spot that gets blazing sun all day, for example, you’re asking for trouble.”

For those sunny spots, Justin recommends heat-loving tropical plants such as hibiscus, mandevilla, and allamanda. In shady areas, birds of paradise and majesty palm are perfect for adding drama, while croton and colorful aglaonema provide a pop of color. If you find yourself leaning toward plants that won’t survive a New York winter, just keep them in a pot so you can bring them inside when temperatures drop.

Nate and Michelle turned to landscaping to soften their space. Their landscape designer proposed lavender and feather reed grass, which were used to frame the seating area, and a Japanese Maple tree. Justin also suggests other tall plants, like arborvitae, columnar juniper, and yew to achieve a sense of privacy.

In K.V.’s yard, Santi filled in the spotty grass with fresh sod to transform the lawn into a thick green carpet. He also added a row of mulch along one wall for a small but manageable garden. Potted plants fill out the patio and walkway, providing color and texture.

(Clockwise from left to right): Angelonia Archangel, Mandevilla, Ipomoea Spotlight Red (also known as sweet potato vine), Lantana Bandana Cherry. Photos: Costa Farms. 

Don’t have a green thumb? Choose low-maintenance plants and automated irrigation

“New Yorkers like it low maintenance. They want to step into a three-season oasis, with automated irrigation in the morning, flowering shrubs basking all day, and accent lights illuminating trees and fences at night,” said Jonathan. If you find yourself unlucky in plant-love, Justin has some advice. “Coleus is a fun choice that thrives in sun or shade and has delightful, dramatically colored foliage you can enjoy from spring to frost,” he said.

Deck designed by Sweeten landscape designer Jonathan

“Similarly, consider sweet potato vine: it spills down over the side of a planter, creating an elegant look, grows as a groundcover, or can be trained to grow up a trellis or other structure” Justin continued. “Torenia, also called wishbone flower, is another option you can grow in sun or shade.” And if watering is your biggest concern, he advises planting mandevilla, lantana, angelonia, purslane, and evolvulus.

Begin researching your outdoor space during the off-season

“Start planning and working in the off-season,” says Jonathan, the landscape designer. “If you are planning green space, try to have your team in place by the New Year, as most good gardeners are heavily booked by April.” In addition to giving yourself enough time to properly plan, make sure that you find an experienced team. For those not ready to plant or are just building up toward a green thumb, use the warm seasons to look around for inspiration and get a game plan set during the winter season.

With an outdoor space, there’s a lot more to consider, like drainage of excess water. “Your general contractor should have an in-depth understanding of how bulk water will be managed and how your plans will impact the neighbors. If you’re working on a roof, make sure you have access points for clearing roof drains,” said Jonathan.

Outdoor spaces designed by Sweeten landscape designer Jonathan

Your team will also have to haul all of the materials to wherever your outdoor space is located. Sean, a Sweeten general contractor, tells us, “Hauling roof deck lumber, soil, sod and plant matter up through service elevators can be costly and time-consuming.” What’s the alternative? He suggests exploring the potential of booming materials to the roof by crane. “Your contractor has partnerships with local greenhouses and lumber yards and can make arrangements to move materials from the street to your garden more quickly and efficiently and cost-effectively than schlepping them through the service entrance and up the elevators,” Sean said.

And finally, make sure you have the necessary approvals or that your team can handle getting them when needed. “Most exterior improvements will require an alteration agreement and approval from the building’s architect, and many will require filing with the city,” Sean said. “If you live in a landmarked building, special regulations will apply. Make sure your team can get you the necessary approvals.”

So when you’re ready to tackle your outdoor spot, give yourself plenty of time to prepare, decide on how you want to use the space, and don’t forget to add a splash of green. “A well-planned deck or garden can greatly increase the value of a property, sometimes approaching the value provided by a renovation of interior space,” says Sean. That sounds good to us!

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Our guide to building a deck will help you create the perfect setup for those summer barbecues.

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 5 Tips to Create an Outdoor Space appeared first on Sweeten Blog.

A rip-and-replace gets details, storage, and a coffee area

Project: Renovate and open up a kitchen in a Ditmas Park, Brooklyn co-op

Before: Lindsay, a director at Brooks Brothers, and Roger, a director in pre-sales at StyleLabs, purchased their 1,075-square-foot, two-bedroom co-op in 2016. Roger “loves to play around in the kitchen,” said his wife, Lindsay. While the kitchen was dark, outdated, and not very functional, the space also didn’t offer a clear sight line between the kitchen and living room. “We wanted a more family-friendly space, opened up so whoever was in the kitchen could interact with family and friends in the living room,” they said. “And we wanted some kind of island/breakfast bar.” After living in the co-op for about a year, they posted their project to Sweeten, a free service matching homeowners with vetted general contractors, and planned a renewed flow.

After: Lindsay was about nine months pregnant during the renovation, something she wouldn’t recommend to anyone doing a remodel. “The challenge of trying to get around the apartment that was in complete disrepair was interesting on some days,” she said. “We ended up moving the entire kitchen and living room into the nursery. I’d recommend going on a vacation or taking a long weekend trip during the major part of the construction. You think you can live through it for a week or two, and then realize how long a week or two really is. It would have been a nice break to go somewhere where there wasn’t dust and tools and boxes everywhere.”

Their Sweeten contractor “knew we wanted to get everything done in time for the baby to come—with a little bit of time to spare to clean up the nursery,” Lindsay said. “They were good at communicating what the status was, how long something was going to take, and how much time we had to make a decision.”

The job was basically a “rip-and-replace” with a new peninsula where the wall between the kitchen and living space once stood. The only appliance that moved was the refrigerator, which stayed on the same wall. For the cabinets, their contractor recommended a kitchen designer in the Sweeten network. The kitchen designers provided the initial custom cabinet layout, then Lindsay visualized the usability of the kitchen. “I mapped all of our stuff from pantry and appliances to a drawer or cabinet. Then I was able to work with our contractor to determine the best shelf or drawer configuration to utilize the space and fit our stuff,” she said.

The duo chose an island/breakfast bar so guests would feel like a part of the cooking process. Tall cabinets like the pantry gave them more storage with pull-out drawers for easy access and a large drawer for their spices. A separate small counter and shelves stand in as their “coffee bar.”

Aside from the difficulties of being pregnant and having to move things during the renovation, Lindsay felt it would have been easier had they spent more time deciding on appliances in advance and budgeting in the little things like cabinet hardware, lighting, faucet, and sink. “You’ve got to be flexible and open-minded to extending your timeline if something is not available immediately, or finding a substitute material.” She also would have raised her cost expectations another $5,000 to $10,000. “There’s always something you forget or didn’t know you had to pay for, like licensing fees just to get co-op approval.” (See Bonus section below.)

Lindsay cautions other first-timers to be prepared to pay a fee to show a copy of a license for plumbers and electricians, a fee for an engineer to review the design, and a fee for the management company and/or board to review and approve. There were several back-and-forth discussions to get the paperwork exactly right for the approval. “It took us six to eight weeks to get everything in order and get the final approvals,” she said.

Despite the bumps, Lindsay and Roger—and now Porter, born in January just after the project was finished—are delighted to be able to entertain family and friends from their new, open kitchen.

Bonus: The couple had actually posted this project on Sweeten twice. There were “politics,” Lindsay said, in getting it approved through the co-op. “We thought we could just submit the design and it would be approved,” she said. “The approval process for our co-op board was multi-level, which we didn’t understand when we first posted.”

They removed their posting and Sweeten’s client services helped Lindsay rewrite it and narrow down the choices while they searched for a contractor match. Once they found a potential match, several other factors were required by the board, and their contractors “took the time to go through the copy of the board requirements before we officially selected them,” Lindsay said. “As a first-time renovator and co-op owner, we were happy to have a little guidance from someone who has been through this process before.”

Style finds: Floor tiles: Agora Grey. Kitchen cabinets: Sweeten kitchen designer. Aluminum cabinet hardware: Hafele. Countertops: Monteclare Quartz TK. Faucet: Moen. Sink: Elkay. Refrigerator: Fisher & Paykel. Stove: Bosch. 800 Series microwave: Bosch. 800 Series dishwasher: Bosch. Hood: Faber. Darvone 1-light bowl pendant: Wayfair. Bar stools: Flash Furniture.

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Sarah and her husband bought a one-bedroom co-op in Ditmas Park and renovated the kitchen and bathroom, restoring original details throughout the home.

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

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

The post A Kitchen Graduates with a New Look appeared first on Sweeten Blog.

Living space and rental come together in Brooklyn

Bellamy, an executive at The GAP, and Zak, a senior environmental scientist, had their hearts set on a Brooklyn brownstone. Although it was a lengthy process, (made more complex by the fact that it was an estate sale), the pair found themselves the proud owners of a two-family, 2,400-square-foot Bedford-Stuyvesant brownstone in 2017. They posted their project to Sweeten, a free service that matches homeowners with vetted general contractors, and got to work.

One of the major changes they made was to flip the way the house would be used. Previously, there was a lower duplex and a top floor rental apartment. Bellamy and Zak wanted to reverse it so that the top two floors could be used as the owners’ duplex, with a garden rental. The plan was to salvage any original details while giving the home a fresh update. 

Here is the renovation story of the couple’s main home. The journey for their garden-level rental is coming soon—but get a sneak peek of the results at the bottom of the post.

Guest post by Bed-Stuy homeowner Bellamy

After a grueling year-long search, countless open houses, and one house lost in a bidding war, we found our home. Remarkably, it had everything we wanted: it was a two-family home in the heart of “brownstone” Brooklyn, with original hardwood floors. Most of the houses in the neighborhood were built circa 1900. Many we viewed did not stand the test of time, but this home had been in the same family for years and did not show the usual wear-and-tear of a 100-year-old home. We were lucky, but it did need a major facelift.

(Above) Floor plans for first and second floors

I was thankful to stumble upon Sweeten early in my renovation research. While I had owned a home before, this was our first time doing a serious renovation that would require more than our DIY skills could handle. I posted our project on the site and chose this contractor.

The layout of the house and our budget did not afford us a ton of options, so the renovation was straightforward. We focused on structural changes to change the flow and use of the house. Thankfully, when we moved in, we were able to live in the garden floor apartment while we renovated the upper two floors where we would eventually live.

(Above) First-floor entryway

We removed the original entry doors as you come into the entry foyer, but left the structural wall intact. This allowed the area to feel more open as you continue into the living area; it also gave back more livable space to work with. However, I loved the original details of the doors and was determined to find another use for them. Luckily, they just fit the ceiling clearance on the second floor and they found new life as the guest room headboard.

(Above) First-floor living space

In the living room and through to the kitchen, we tore down two walls and exposed a long expanse of brick wall. The former owner had repointed the brick in the front room with black mortar, which was a real eyesore. When we exposed the whole length of the house, we were left with two walls that didn’t match. Limited by our budget, we repointed the half that was previously covered and had to get creative with the other side. Eventually, we experimented with painting techniques to blend the two together.

(Above) First-floor kitchen

I wanted the kitchen to be the focus of the home and pored over the details. There were three main obstacles: adding a door for backyard access, the ceiling height, and a non-negotiable double oven. I initially wanted to enlarge the back window above the sink to make it a focal point and let in more natural light. Not far along into the process, I had to abandon that idea since we were concerned with what the enlarged opening would do to the structural integrity of the home, given its age. It was also a huge expense so we chose to use those dollars elsewhere. In the end, we actually made the window above the sink slightly smaller to allow for a proper backsplash. We replaced the second window with a door and added a small landing and stairs for easy backyard access.

The next question was how to vent the hood with 11-foot high ceilings and open shelving left nowhere to hide. Ultimately, the ducting was kept exposed and vented directly through the wall outside. I love the industrial element it adds to the newly renovated space.

Lastly, where to fit the double oven? At first, I was concerned I would be giving up valuable pantry space, but the layout worked out perfectly and there was room for everything we wanted, even the custom built-in taps. We are home-brewing enthusiasts and wanted a unique feature in our kitchen to showcase that. While this was a first for our contractor, he approached it with humor and completed the installation. There’s also easy access to change it out and connect to cold-brewed coffee or wine when we are entertaining.

(Above) First-floor bath

The first-floor bath was an easy update. The layout was already functional, so we kept it as-is with a direct replacement—aka rip-and-replace—of all the fixtures. We were able to salvage the original door and reuse the existing tub. We later put our DIY skills to the test and added fun wallpaper and wainscoting.

My favorite splurge on the top floor was a heated bathroom floor—worth every penny in the winter.

(Above) Second-floor master bedroom and closet

The top floor previously served as a separate apartment complete with its own kitchen. We wanted to have a master bedroom, master closet, master bathroom, guest bedroom, and laundry room. The tricky part was figuring out where to put everything. The pre-existing kitchen allowed us to easily add laundry without a huge expense. Once that was decided, everything else fell into place.

(Above) Second-floor master bath

We even added two more closets that mirror each other in both bedrooms. The master bedroom closet is one of my favorite rooms and elicits the most satisfying reaction from friends now that it’s done. It had been a small room that we converted and had the contractor close off one of the entrances. He finished it as an empty room and we used Ikea Pax cabinets to build our dream spot. My favorite splurge on the top floor was a heated bathroom floor—worth every penny in the winter.

Throughout the house, we did some major upgrades that elevate the whole space: we put up fresh drywall throughout the second floor, refinished the original floors in a dark walnut color, and replaced all the windows in the house.

(Above) Second-floor guest bedroom (with original foyer doors repurposed as the headboard).

While I would not necessarily recommend living in a renovation (so much dust), it did allow us to check on the progress and be more involved in day-to-day decisions that I would have never thought about but are now customized for us…things like outlet and doorknob height. We optimistically thought the renovation would take three months, but we did add on some significant projects that stretched the timeline. Overall, the project took about five months to complete the top two floors with some minor updates in the garden apartment.

(Above) Second-floor hallway

The budget was our major obstacle, but our Sweeten contractor was great at working with us to determine where we could splurge and where we could save. Once our contractor realized we were quite handy, we were able to figure out what we could do ourselves versus what we should leave to the professionals. For example, we chose to take on all the painting, which was a huge undertaking. I’m talking all ceilings, all walls, all trim, and multiple coats! I don’t think we understood what a huge task it was—and that in certain spaces, the contractor was unable to move forward until we completed painting. I’m glad we did it, but it was a grueling several months and I’m pretty sure I gave myself carpal tunnel.

(Above) Garden floor rental apartment

The biggest change in terms of the function of the home was separating the garden floor apartment from the upper two floors. In dividing the two, we were able to gain a coat closet in the apartment and additional storage space for us before the basement level. The ground floor can now be rented as its own standalone unit, while we live on the two floors above. Now that the house is done, I am so thankful we splurged on what we wanted—replacing the windows, skim-coating, and repointing the brick; those are some of my favorite things in the house.

Stay tuned for the story on their new garden rental space. Thanks to Bellamy and Zak for sharing your beautiful and unique home with us!

FOYER RESOURCES: Merola floor tile: Home Depot.

LIVING ROOM RESOURCES: Vega brushed brass blush-mount lamp: CB2.

GROUND FLOOR BATH RESOURCES: Merola hex black floor tile: Home Depot. Jeffrey Court Fresh White wall tile: Home Depot. Devine Color Speckled Dot peel-and-stick wallpaper: Target. Delta Foundations shower fixtures: Home Depot. ENSEN faucet: IKEA. Black towel bar hardware: CB2. The Copper Factory doorknob: Overstock.com. Godmorgon/Odensvik vanity and sink: IKEA. Framed fog-free wall mirror: Home Depot. Hinkley Lighting vanity light from Ainsley Collection: Build.com.

KITCHEN RESOURCES: Merola floor tile: Home Depot. Kitchen cabinets: Custom. Omnia cabinet knobs: Build.com. Drawer pulls: Custom. Quartz countertops: Caesarstone (similar). Jeffrey Court Fresh White backsplash tile: Home Depot. Olde London apron-front farmhouse fireclay sink: Home Depot. Kenmore refrigerator: Sears. Bosch dishwasher: Sears. Whirlpool self-cleaning double electric wall oven: Lowe’s. Kenmore slide-in gas cooktop: Sears.

MASTER BATH RESOURCES: Carrara marble hex mosaic floor tile: MarbleOnline.com. Jeffrey Court Fresh White wall tile: Home Depot. Jeffrey Court Retro Octagon White Dot shower floor tile: Home Depot. Towel bar and toilet paper holder: CB2. Delta Porter shower fixtures: Home Depot. Godmorgon/Odensvik sink and vanity: IKEA. Vanity cabinet fronts: Semihandmade. Hinkley Lighting vanity light from Ainsley Collection: Build.com. Home Decorators Collection framed fog-free wall mirror: Home Depot.

PAINT RESOURCES: Trim paint in Totally Black: Behr. Wall paint in Pure White: Behr Ultra.

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Remodel the brownstone of your dreams with help from our guide on purchasing and renovating a townhouse.

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

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

The post A Brownstone “Flips” for the Better appeared first on Sweeten Blog.

A couple quintuples their counter space with tips for all-white finishes

Project: Open up a small kitchen in a one-bedroom Brooklyn co-op

Before: Marissa, who has had a “varied career” in theater and finance, purchased the 630-square-foot Prospect Heights co-op in 2012 and renovated the bathroom in 2014 (with Sweeten!). The photo of her bathroom has been saved 7,614 times on Pinterest to date and is Sweeten’s most saved pin.

Marissa planned on renovating the kitchen in the spring of 2016, but got married to her then-boyfriend, Jeremy, instead. If they had tried to plan a wedding and do a remodel simultaneously, “we would probably run out of money and, someone—me—was going to have a nervous breakdown coordinating both,” she recounts. So they put the renovation on hold until well after the wedding. They considered renovating based on choices made purely for resale reasons but decided to follow their particular vision instead. “It was going to be way more expensive than a traditional kitchen flip,” she said. “But, in my defense, design is an important part of my life and how often will I get a chance to design a gut-renovated kitchen?”

The apartment hadn’t been renovated since the 100-year-old building became a co-op in the early ‘80s. The kitchen worked, but was dated, lacked storage, and only had 24 square inches of usable counter space. The couple are avid cooks and the kitchen was so cramped, Marissa said, “that we had to instill a rule of only one person allowed in the kitchen at a time—for marital harmony and personal safety.” A raised bar on the peninsula further blocked the kitchen from the living room. “That was a bit isolating for both the cook and the non-cook when all you want to do is reconnect with your spouse after work while prepping dinner,” she explained.

Since the living room and bedroom walls were dark, the new kitchen needed to be lighter to balance out the space. “I wouldn’t have gone with a white kitchen if I didn’t have the lighting decisions correct, though,” said Marissa, who drew from her background as a theater lighting designer.

After: With a plan in mind, Marissa and Jeremy posted their project to Sweeten, a free service matching homeowners with vetted general contractors, and chose a “wonderfully communicative” contractor. He helped them get the layered lighting she envisioned, “where I needed it, at color temperatures that I liked, and that I could mix to be flattering so we could pull off a white kitchen. If we should age-in-place and need crazy bright lights one day, we have the ability to turn the kitchen into an airport runway. But for now, a mix of one-half to one-quarter intensity feels just right in our space.”

“I sourced, purchased, and refinished the pendants on the peninsula and our contractor allowed me to measure the exact height I wanted them, texting me photos during the installation. He even installed dimmable, under-the-peninsula LED lighting for the cabinets facing the living room so that we can see what’s inside them in spite of the countertop overhang’s shadow!” Marissa loves the ability to control the lighting with such variability and said, “I can match any mood or task I require from it.”

Admittedly a bad duster—and one with pets—Marissa knew that open shelves instead of upper cabinets, “while super trendy and spacious feeling, just didn’t fit our lifestyle.” With all that open space, she might end up feeling annoyed by not having matching bowls on display. “And I certainly don’t need more things,” Marissa said. “I wanted it to straddle contemporary and traditional style and I feel my design was successful in that regard.”

Metal finishes were mixed to keep them from looking the same. “I went wild with the cabinet hardware. If I have a change of heart later, or a future buyer decides that they don’t like them, it’s an inexpensive and easy swap.” She was careful to use “classic” metals for the more complicated to replace items like the stainless steel appliances and sink, polished nickel faucet, sprayer, and soap dispenser.

While the antique mirror backsplash, white marble-look quartz peninsula, and white cabinets were part of Marissa’s original plan, she admits the backsplash was a bit of a leap. “While mirrors are best for bouncing light in a space with few windows and making a room appear larger, I wanted an antiqued mirror so as to soften the reflections in it,” she said. For the countertops, there was a discussion about Calacatta Borghini marble, but Jeremy was concerned about upkeep. “I was less concerned because I think lived-in, scuffed up, and even stained marble is beautiful,” Marissa said. The quartz version of the marble look-alike ended up being the same price, easier to source, and less delicate. “We both love how gorgeous and low maintenance the countertops are,”  she said.

To gain counter space, they got a washer/dryer combo unit. Previously, there was a stacked washer/dryer and a gas dryer vent. “While a gas dryer dries clothes much faster than a ventless dryer, I wanted the extra counter space more than I wanted clothes dried in 20 minutes,” Marissa said. They capped off the gas vent and went long with the back counter. “Now we put in our laundry at night and in the morning it’s dry and we have a nice clear counter above it to fold our clothes before we put them away. It fits our lifestyle.”

The biggest challenge they faced was what Marissa calls “‘The Night of a Thousand Terrors, aka Emergency Plumbing Night,’ which ended up doubling our budget overages. We planned for a 20 percent budget overrun but spent closer to 50 percent more, because of that single night.” The demo exposed an unforeseen problem in the walls—pipes running through the middle of the newly expanded kitchen. As planned, it took a plumber three hours to retrofit the pipes into the space they needed to retain the kitchen’s orientation. But once the gas pipe was retrofitted, it was unable to be sealed: the condensation from nearby water pipes prevented the sealing materials from working.

After a 16-hour emergency job with three plumbers, they had to shut down the entire apartment stack’s waterline and install drain valves in the basement for every apartment above them just to seal that one gas line (under newer building codes, these would have already been in place). The emergency work ended at 3:00 am and it wasn’t until the next morning that everyone’s water and gas was turned back on. “We sat on the front steps of the building, apologizing in person to all our neighbors who passed by during that horrific evening. We handmade apology cards and sent bottles of wine to all the affected neighbors and found a fun educational game to give to our toddler neighbor. People should build these apology gifts in as line items into their budget,” Marissa said. “But in the bigger scheme—our stack of apartments now has drains installed where they should be.”

Despite the challenges, Marissa and Jeremy are thrilled with their new kitchen. “I am excited about so many parts of our kitchen that I don’t know if I can pick a favorite!” she said. “I love that we quintupled (or more) our counter space, I love that I can independently control the intensity of all of the lighting in the kitchen, and I love that I can have a conversation with my husband while one of us is in the kitchen and the other is on the couch.” Working with her Sweeten general contractor was one of the highlights of the project. “He was wonderful about checking in with me. His communication skills were top notch. I cannot stress enough how pleased I am with his finished work. He wanted things done the right way and not just the easiest way.”

Bonus: Marissa knew she needed an eye-catching piece for the wall above the peninsula. “It’s the first thing you will see, walking into the apartment,” she said. “I found a knife rack made out of dark walnut wood fairly easily (Amazon for the win!), but for the life of me, I couldn’t find a small interesting shelf.” She ended up coming across an octagonal shelf on Wayfair that “charmed” her with its shape but was the wrong color so she painted the black metal gold and stained the wood with a darker shade before assembling it.

Style finds: Glazed porcelain floor tile: MSI Stone. Kitchen cabinets: Select Kitchen. Southern Hills Satin Gold cabinet hardware: Amazon. Sink: Dowell. Randolph Morris Bridge faucet: Vintage Tub & Bath. Refrigerator: Samsung. 800 Series dishwasher: Bosch. Stove: Samsung. Combo washer/dryer unit: LG. Kersey mini pendant: Elk. Wevet paint color: Farrow & Ball. Oak hardwood floor stain and Traffic HD finish: Bona.

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Sarah renovated her “closet-like” kitchen in Prospect Heights and doubled her storage by taking advantage of every available inch.

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

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

The post A Kitchen Fit for the Lights on Broadway appeared first on Sweeten Blog.

Proper bedroom walls finally go up in a family home

Located in the heart of downtown Brooklyn, the 808-square-foot apartment’s open layout, high ceilings, and a southeast-facing wall of windows were the main attractions for Sophie, a freelance translator and stay-at-home mom, and Michael, operations manager at Bureau van Dijk. After living there for four years, the couple really wanted to create a defined space for their 2-year-old son, Zacharia, and a baby girl soon to arrive in May, that the siblings could claim as their own. As part of the remodel, they wanted to carve out a peaceful space for themselves to relax as well.

The building, an eight-story concrete structure that was once a toy factory, was converted to 56 condos around 2005. The couple loved the industrial look of the apartment, especially the big concrete column, and high ceilings with exposed HVAC metal vent. However, the divider wall that split the loft layout into what Sophie said was “kinda two bedrooms,” didn’t go up to the ceiling and had no doors, so there was no sound isolation or privacy. Also, she said, “the second bedroom was really tiny and didn’t have much light coming through.”

With clear goals in mind, they posted their project to Sweeten, a free service matching homeowners with vetted general contractors, and were matched with their contractor.

The new wall would help them shape the modern and industrial look that complemented the building. Since this project was about defining living spaces, it focused on function over style, although, Sophie said, “the resulting look of the space was important to us, and we tried making conscious design choices to match our style.” They chose hardware with linear shapes while traditional base moldings were replaced with straight profiles, along with trim around the door frames.

If asked to prioritize between an entrance hall and a children’s bedroom in NYC, the bedroom wins.

To increase the size of the kids’ bedroom and keep enough space for their own bedroom, Sophie and Michael tested various configurations for every feature they wanted using 3-D renderings from the software program Sketch Up. Their decision-making process was guided by such questions as: “How far should they extend the bedrooms?”, “Would the kids’ room allow them to grow with a bunk bed?”, “How much natural light would reach the space?”, and “How high/big should the transom window be?”

“We had a fair amount of square footage in the hall entrance, which was not well-used,” Sophie said. “If asked to prioritize between an entrance hall and a children’s bedroom in New York City, the bedroom wins. The presence of a sprinkler limited us, but we were able to take two feet [width-wise].” And now, two strollers can still fit in the hallway. “It’s a win-win,” Sophie said. Extending one extra foot lengthwise helped to accommodate more furniture for the kids while leaving sufficient space in the dining area. “For the master, we decided not to extend it by that same one foot because it would have brought the wall to the middle of the windows, reducing our living room too much and affecting the amount of natural light coming through,” she explained.

While they had some initial concerns that the bump-out would break the flow of the apartment, “it actually helped create a better flow and even defined a separation between our living room area and our dining room area since there’s a virtual line where the wall comes forward. And the kids’ bedroom is now a usable and decent-sized room.” Their Sweeten contractor also found a solution to connect the HVAC vent to the rooms and keep them flush with the walls rather than extending outward into the room.

To preserve as much natural light as possible the living space and bedrooms, they designed a transom between the two bedrooms and opted for pocket doors. “We wanted the kids to have a French door,” Sophie said, but they would have swung too widely into the apartment and taken up too much space. The soft-close pocket doors were painted a darker stain to contrast against lighter walls. It was also a departure from the red tone found in their wood floors—which they weren’t fans of. “That will be yet another project,” she noted.

Every renovation comes with a little stress. In this case, since the whole family had no sleeping quarters for a while, they moved to an Airbnb for about two weeks. “That didn’t leave much flexibility in the timeline for unexpected surprises,” Sophie said. “Fortunately, our contractor stuck to the deadline with just a little bit of delay, but it was still manageable.”

They felt it was great to have Sweeten’s assistance from the start, giving them more confidence than just randomly searching the Internet on their own. “The process to schedule appointments with the contractors was fast and efficient,” Sophie said. “Knowing that we could contact one specific person at Sweeten’s client services if an issue arose compared to just having a generic email address is reassuring.”

Before a renovation, “you think you’ve covered your bases, but there are so many details, it’s sometimes hard not to get overwhelmed,” Sophie said. Choosing paint colors was one of the things that became maddening. It’s one thing to see it on paper or in 3-D on the computer, but “you’re not really sure how it feels until you actually see the space in person,” she said. Admittedly obsessed with finding the right shade, she explained, “We ended up picking up all the inspiration books and samples we could find at the hardware store; then I’d compare all the colors to pictures on Pinterest, going back and forth on nearly identical shades.”

The couple is “extremely happy with how the kids’ bedroom turned out,” Sophie said. Now that the renovation is finished, and the nursery has doors to close, Zacharia has a quiet place to rest during nap time and at night. And, said Sophie, “having defined spaces makes it a lot easier to keep our apartment feel put together.”

MASTER BEDROOM RESOURCES: Wall paint in Newburg Green; paint on all other walls in Super White: Benjamin Moore. Horgen 1-Light pendant ceiling light: Maxim.

KIDS’ ROOM RESOURCES: Rullan shade and Gothem cord set for ceiling light fixture: Ikea. French doors and hardware: Johnson Hardware. Pocket door frame with soft-close hanger: Amazon. Wood floor stain in Jacobean finish: Minwax. Solid brass flush pulls and edge pull hardware: Deltana.

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Building a windowed wall in Deeksha and Joe’s apartment allowed them to create an office and guest bedroom without sacrificing the natural light from a nearby window.

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

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

The post A Condo Divides and Conquers appeared first on Sweeten Blog.

Big imaginations meet home renovation

Parents make most of your life decisions when you’re young, from what you’ll eat for breakfast to where your family will live. We decided it was time to hear from the kids and ask what their dream home would look like. Sweeten collaborated with Mommybites to invite young artists (ages 5-13) to send us a sketch of their “home sweet home.” From roller coasters in the backyard to rooftop aquariums, check out the submissions below and download this PDF to see all of the amazing artwork we received. (Kids, we’re ready to help you renovate when you are!)

George, age 10

With the beach, forest, and orchard nearby, there’s something for everyone.

Helen, age 8 (turning 9 in June!)

This house is perfect for an animal lover! This one won our hearts.

Alexander, age 13

Clean lines and a simple color palette. Can you say “future architect”?

Soren, age 7

Ready for guests from any galaxy or to hitch a ride from a friendly alien.

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Thinking of renovating? Download our Renovation Checklist to get a head start on planning.

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 If Kids Could Renovate… appeared first on Sweeten Blog.

Whether cooking for two or ten, design your space for all to enjoy

Hosting friends and family in your home is a big job with a seemingly endless to-do list. There’s the cleaning marathon the day before, picking up ingredients, and grabbing a last-minute bottle of wine when you realize your stock is low. But no matter how much you have to prepare, inviting people over to enjoy a meal is one of the most rewarding ways to share your space. To get your home party-ready, Sweeten—a free service matching renovating homeowners with vetted general contractors—presents seven kitchens renovated with entertaining in mind.

Romuald’s kitchen

Since Romuald and his wife love to cook, an open plan kitchen and dining room made perfect sense. A ten-foot-long island expands prep space and allows the couple to seat additional guests. The more, the merrier!

Sarah and Oleg’s double oven

A double oven makes cooking for a big meal a lot easier. By placing their new oven beneath the microwave, Sarah and Oleg devoted a spot to getting dishes ready in time.

Katharine and John’s kitchen island

A combined kitchen and living room shared one space, which didn’t leave Katharine and John much room for a dining table. Instead, they extended the lip of the countertop on their kitchen island so that it could double as a work surface or dining area.


Cat and Jordan’s organized drawers

In Cat and Jordan’s kitchen, deep drawers layered with inserts provide perfectly-sized compartments for silverware and utensils. Having a dedicated spot for each item, no matter how small, keeps things organized and makes it easy to find what you need in a pinch.

Ainsley and Simon’s kitchen island

A kitchen island with a built-in stove and microwave in an open plan apartment makes cooking part of the entertainment. Ainsley and Simon’s setup allows them to put last-minute touches on dishes while enjoying the company of friends and family.

Joel and Eric’s kitchen peninsula

To create a relationship between the kitchen and living room, Joel and Eric’s designer installed a unified countertop and peninsula that connected both spaces. The new counter provides a prep area in the kitchen and a buffet surface in the living room, where the couple’s dining table is located. At the end of the counter, a waterfall edge functions as a great spot for drinks and appetizers during dinner parties.

Tim and Lindsay’s kitchen cut-out

Tim and Lindsay’s cut-out joins their galley kitchen to the dining room, simplifying the task of setting out appetizers and coordinating clean-up after a meal. Plus, the custom bar cabinet nearby is ideal for keeping wine, liquor, and glasses within close reach. Cheers!

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For more entertaining tips, check out 6 Home Bar Ideas That Deserve a Toast.

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 7 Kitchens Renovated for Entertaining appeared first on Sweeten Blog.

Elevating privacy with an extra WC

If your home only has one bathroom, then you’ve probably fantasized about moving to a bigger place just to get a second one. Maybe you don’t have to move to accomplish your goal! These five Sweeten homeowners repurposed existing square footage in their homes—adjusting layouts and converting closets, alcoves, and unused rooms—in order to add another bathroom. Whether it’s a powder room, master or guest bath, home just got a little more comfortable.

To make it easier to accommodate guests in their home in Riverhead, NY, Nate and Michelle added an ensuite bath to their second bedroom. “Our main question was really just how difficult would it be to add a bathroom where one hadn’t existed before,” said Nate. The couple found the perfect location: an alcove that was located next to the guest bedroom and right above the downstairs bath.

When it came time to update the rental-grade bathroom in Felix’s condo, she decided to add a powder room as well. The 1,500-square-foot apartment had plenty of room for guests and potential for a third bedroom in the future, but only one bathroom. The new addition brings a whole new level of comfort to the home.

Rather than renovating the existing upstairs bath in her Brooklyn brownstone, Meredith started from scratch and ripped out the second-floor kitchen. She transformed the space into a closet and master bathroom with a huge shower. “The new shower is about the size of the studio I lived in during grad school,” said Meredith.

Working with their Sweeten general contractor, Aimee and B came up with a plan to add a second bathroom to their 3-bed, 1-bath apartment. Reconfiguring the layout mean taking down a wall between two of the bedrooms so that the master bedroom lined up next to a large walk-in closet. That spot became the master bath and a new closet was built for the couple’s clothing.

Terri and Brett’s primary objective during their renovation was to add a second bathroom as a guest bath, which they achieved by relocating the bedroom doors and reducing the size of the hallway closets. “Our families come over frequently now and we love that we were able to add a second bathroom. It really helps make ‘our’ space feel more private,” Brett said.

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Thinking of adding another bathroom to your home? Check out our guide on bath renovation costs.

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 5 Renovations for +1 Bathroom appeared first on Sweeten Blog.

Making an impression, from basic landscaping to prepping the roof

Landscape project by Sweeten landscape designer Michelle

Homeowners who put their house on the market want it to be shown in the best light, and nowhere is this more important than with its exterior. Curb appeal provides the critical first impression to prospective buyers, creating the desire to step inside and see more—or to keep on driving.

Another advantage to strong curb appeal is that it makes for a pretty picture. Most house hunters start the process by looking at homes online and the first photo from the street can help draw buyers in and entice them to reach out to their realtor.

Deciding to improve the home’s exterior at resale is really a balancing act. Perhaps the first question to ask is: why do anything? It’s a valid question in a hot seller’s market where houses go on sale on Monday and are in contract by the next weekend. But an improvement can also keep negative impressions out of a buyer’s mind. Few people are wowed by a nice roof, but everyone can notice missing shingles, discoloration, and other signs of disrepair. Here, Sweeten, a free service matching homeowners with vetted general contractors, outlines the best areas for sellers to focus on for the best return on their budget.

Consider the buyer’s POV

Curb appeal involves many different elements, from a well-manicured lawn to an eye-popping entryway to a new roof or siding. Deciding which projects to tackle comes down to what needs to be renovated or at least improved—if something is worn or damaged, it should be replaced or fixed—and based on the budget, what the improvement can add to the resale value of the house.

“Check around the neighborhood to see what is most prevalent with other homes,” said Sweeten contractor Majid. “You want your home to fit in with the culture of the surrounding area. For example, you don’t want to install vinyl siding in a neighborhood with homes that are predominantly stucco or brick because people who are searching that particular neighborhood are looking for that specific look.”

Landscaping project by Sweeten landscape designer Brook

Another obstacle is how homeowners perceive their home. Someone who has lived in the house happily for a number of years may not be aware of its flaws. “It’s good to get an opinion from someone else,” said Kyle, a contractor with Sweeten. “Some of my clients call me and say they are looking to sell their house and wonder what they should do.”

Working with a qualified general contractor not only gives you the benefit of their expertise, but they can refer you to tradespeople they have worked with and trust—a valuable resource when trying to find a good contractor.

Landscaping

Improving the look of the landscape may be the easiest and least expensive way to enhance curb appeal. “The landscaping and its health are very important as a well-manicured lot will naturally draw attention to the home. It contributes to the overall look and feel of the place,” said Majid.

Start by making sure the lawn is neatly trimmed and the planting beds have a fresh layer of mulch. Add color and texture by placing seasonal plants in pots around the entry. Ringing trees with mulch will give a kempt look to the yard. While this may sound simple, such attention to detail or hiring a landscape designer to do the work provides your front yard the professional polish it needs.

Landscape project by Sweeten landscape designer Michelle

If there is a fence, give it a fresh coat of paint, whether it is a picket fence in the suburbs or an ironwork fence in the city. Its square footage measurement will determine the cost, as well as what shape it is in. “More labor is required if the fence is in bad condition,” explained Kyle.

Other more involved and expensive projects include adding a new front walkway or redoing the driveway, a key detail. Kyle said, “If the driveway is all beat up, the buyer is thinking, ‘I am going to have to replace it.'” The cost of renovating a walkway is also based on the square footage. This is the same for driveways except the cost is measured over the “blacktop, concrete and pavers. Another aspect that plays a part in the price is the elevation,” he said.

Remodeling and resale highlights

Both the National Association of Realtors’ 2017 Remodeling Impact Report and Remodeling‘s 2018 Cost vs. Value Report survey their audiences to estimate how common improvements affect resale value. Much of the data is based on the opinions of the professionals who were given descriptions of the project. The groups used different methodologies and the results do not perfectly align; however, the results extrapolated below could prove helpful for a homeowner making a renovation decision.

Smaller-scale projects run the gamut from a fresh coat of paint on the front door to replacing the entry and garage doors. Larger improvements include repairing the roof to pass inspection.

Entry door replacements range from installing a steel door at a cost of about $1,400 to $1,700 to a fiberglass door that can cost as much as $9,000. A custom door for a 100-plus-year-old brownstone will be priced higher. In general, installing a steel door will recoup a higher percentage of the original cost, mainly due to the lower upfront cost. But location also plays a role. In New York, a fiberglass door fetches 90 percent of the original cost, while the national average is 68 percent.

In fact, very few projects actually earn back more money than they cost but keep in mind the goal is to bring foot traffic and potential buyers to your door. The exception: garage doors. The National Association of Realtors ranked replacing a garage door third among its eight projects surveyed that earn back their full cost. (A new roof was #1, followed by new vinyl windows). The report also stated that 24 percent of the realtors surveyed suggested to sellers that they replace the garage door, but only 3 percent cited that factor closed the deal with a buyer. On the bright side, the improvement added more than the cost of the project to the value of the home in the New York area.

Roofing, siding, and windows are big-ticket undertakings that can cost $10,000 to $30,000 and projects that homeowners should consider carefully. Thirty-two percent of the realtors said that a new roof helped close a sale. “Roofing is important because the home inspector looks at it carefully,” said Kyle. The inspector will estimate the age and evaluate the condition of the shingles. New siding and windows helped close deals in the single digits.

Renovation by Sweeten contractor Bud

Making a decision

What’s the timetable? If you plan on moving in a few years or so, then a major improvement may be more attractive because you can enjoy it while you are still living in the house. Then there is the budget and the many things to consider here: the cost of the project, what it adds to the value of the house, the seller’s equity in the house, and how long will you get to enjoy the improvement before you move.

“The last thing you want to do is have your home stick out like a sore thumb,” said Majid. “Overall, your safest bet as far as resale value is concerned is to stick with the general look of the neighborhood and neighboring homes.”

Assessing the condition of your home, whether its a series of small projects to larger-scale mends, will get the “welcome factor” you need for a successful resale.

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Putting your home on the market? Read our guide on renovating for resale.

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 Curb Appeal Goes a Long Way appeared first on Sweeten Blog.

Going down to the studs, a new footprint and closets emerge

Project: Renovate a master bathroom in Pelham, New York

Before: In advance of moving into their newly purchased Pelham home, a three-bedroom, two-bathroom in Westchester, Alexy and her husband decided to get some necessary renovations out of the way. The couple had a five-year-old and were pregnant with their second child. They were still living in Brooklyn, which made this reno project one that would be done from afar.

The house only had showers, which aren’t ideal for bathing infants. They decided to add a tub to the second-floor bathroom, which had already undergone a renovation by the previous owner that had stolen some space from the neighboring bedroom. “The bedroom closet was just a few inches deep with some shelves,” Alexy said. There was also the absence of a linen closet on the second floor. They posted their project on Sweeten, a free service matching homeowners with vetted general contractors.

After: Alexy was familiar with Sweeten from the service’s many renovations in Brooklyn, but didn’t know any general contractors in Westchester. She needed to find one she could trust since the house would be empty. They tried to get to Pelham on weekends to check on the work even though Alexy was nine months pregnant.

The general contractor they chose took space from the hallway to add a large linen closet to the bathroom. “It holds a lot, and that is exactly what I wanted,” said Alexy. The redistributed hallway space also provided the extra room needed to add a tub to the shower area. Alexy’s husband originally wanted a double vanity, but there just wasn’t enough room. After much soul-searching, he decided what he really wanted was adequate counter space. The vanity they went with had a counter that stretched to the wall while adding more storage underneath.

Bonus: The project was finished pretty much on time except for the vanity, which took a long time to be delivered, but their Sweeten contractor stuck to the budget and they encountered no surprises.

Style finds: Bathtub: Bellweather. Faucet: Purist. Toilet: San Souci. Towel racks: Porto. Vanity: Vanico Maronyx.

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Plan your dream home with our guide on Westchester renovation costs.

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

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

The post A New Master Bath (and Tub!) for the Suburbs appeared first on Sweeten Blog.

A Brooklyn couple renovate a rental unit for a warm welcome

Bellamy, an executive at The GAP, and Zak, a senior environmental scientist, took their 119-year old Bed-Stuy brownstone and turned it on its head by flipping the way it was previously used. The new configuration puts the couple at the top of the building in a cozy duplex with a single-story rental on the garden level. To achieve this, they carefully planned their renovation budget to be allocated between the two living spaces. (See how they transformed the two floors of their own home here.) They came to Sweeten, a free service matching homeowners with vetted general contractors, to update the bathroom, add sliding doors, and create a new entrance for a private, light-filled rental unit.

Guest post by Bed-Stuy homeowner Bellamy

I owned a one-bedroom condo in Bedford-Stuyvesant, but when Zak and I moved in together we wanted a larger space for ourselves. So we moved out and rented for two years, which gave us the flexibility to take our time buying and not rush the search process. It worked in our favor since it took us almost eight months to find and purchase a home. We were specifically looking for a two-family house where we would be able to rent out a portion of the house to supplement the mortgage.

(Above) Before shot standing in the living room looking toward the kitchen

We found this perfect three-story brownstone in Bed-Stuy—2,400 square feet, about 800 per floor. It was built in 1899, and when we found it, there was a lower duplex and a top floor rental. We wanted to flip that scenario and posted our project on Sweeten. With help from our Sweeten contractor, we renovated the top two floors for ourselves and gave the rental a facelift.

We were much tighter on our budget in the rental since we had spent the bulk of our money on our personal living space. The mantra was, “Make it simple, functional, and durable.” I wanted to add natural light and brighten the space and make sure there was complete privacy between our living space and the rental unit. A separate stairwell would have had to be created if the rental stayed on the third floor, and we’d lose a lot of existing footprint. By making our home on the top two floors and relocating the rental to the garden-level, we not only kept the square footage but it turned out to be the easiest and least expensive option.

The first thing we did was close off access—which was a set of French doors—to the stairway going from the first floor and on up to our living space. This gave us an open area to create a coat closet when you walk into the rental unit. I loved that my contractor suggested pushing the coat closet as far back as we could which would otherwise have been wasted space inside the rental. Instead, the entire hallway now serves as storage space for Zak and I and a way to our basement that only we can access.

We did spend the majority of our budget in our living space. But I am happy with the areas we chose to upgrade in the rental.

Once our contractor realized that Zak and I were quite handy, we were able to figure out what we could do versus what we should leave to the professionals. Overall, it was all about repurposing what we had. I did a fun tie-dye paint effect over the bed. I’d read online about how to transform a large wall with little cost using a sample can of Behr interior acrylic eggshell paint; it cost about $3. I diluted the paint with water until it was the consistency I wanted and then crisscrossed it over the wall until it was the desired effect. Zak and I did the kitchen ourselves, painting the cabinets, tiling the backsplash, grouting, and putting in new countertops. We also installed the sliding barn doors. The bathroom was left to the professionals!

In closing off the basement, we had to relocate the bathroom entrance and seal off a doorway in the kitchen. With the added wall space, we fit a small eat-in nook in the kitchen. The other thing that needed attention in the rental was an awful bathroom. We replaced everything in there. It completely changed the space and made it feel more modern and updated.

Since the house was built in 1899, we thought we might find some interesting details, but, unfortunately, all the character was stripped prior to us buying the house. Everything had probably been replaced in the past 15 years. Because we were adding walls, it was hard to stay consistent with the original molding, so to stay on budget, we opted for the least expensive four-inch base molding.

It was absolutely worth renovating. We did spend the majority of our budget in our own living space, but I am happy with the areas we chose to upgrade in the rental. The new flow gives us both privacy, we all gained extra storage space, and we’ve received great feedback on what we’ve put together.

Thank you, Bellamy and Zak, for sharing how you made your rental work for you. (Click here for their Airbnb listing.)

KITCHEN RESOURCES: Countertops, sink, and faucet: Ikea. Hardware: original. Wall tile: Home Depot.

BATHROOM RESOURCES: Floor tile: contractor sourced. Wall and shower tile and mirror: Home Depot. Hardware: Home Depot. Sink, vanity, and lighting: Ikea. Toilet: contractor sourced.

PAINT: Paint color throughout in Ultra Pure White: Behr.

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Renovating a rental property? Check out our guide on remodeling costs per square foot.

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

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

The post A Rental in a Brownstone Gets Fashionable appeared first on Sweeten Blog.

From vanity updates to newfound niches, 10 ideas to hide and organize

Believe it or not, a bathroom can be one of the most efficient spaces in your home. With only enough room for essentials, it’s far too easy to cross the line into crowded sink tops and cluttered shower ledges. But it doesn’t have to be that way! Carefully plotting your bath storage with key features like the ones below can help maximize space and minimize clutter before it spirals out of control.

In order to make her small studio bath feel bigger, Kristen went with a classic pedestal sink instead of a vanity. For storage, she added a hutch and curated a display of toiletries and towels.

Swapping out an oversized tub for a standard soaker allowed Karen and Kevin to use the space for a larger vanity with plenty of open storage underneath.

Nancy and Aram took advantage of the unusual dimensions of their bathroom, which was long and narrow, and installed a floor-to-ceiling built-in cabinet with a litter box nook for their cat, Floyd.

The small footprint of Maria and Eric’s bath required non-bulky storage that aligned with the minimalist design. The solution: recessed shelving behind the door.

Amy and Nick took inspiration from a previous Sweeten renovation and customized a West Elm side table for their bathroom vanity, creating a piece that feels fresh and modern.

Going a step further than the traditional medicine cabinet and vanity setup, Lauren and Ross installed a recessed cabinet opposite the sink that blends into the wall.

To combat clutter, Laura and Matthew opted for a two-drawer vanity that’s deep and plentiful in eye-popping red.

Discovering unused space behind the walls in Meg and Brett’s master bathroom allowed them to create a large recessed cabinet that doesn’t intrude on floor space.

Lia and Chris’ floating vanity leaves enough room for baskets to be tucked underneath, providing easy access to everyday items like towels.

As a showpiece for their one-and-only bath, Erin and Brian chose red balau wood for the custom medicine cabinet, mixing open shelves with concealed storage.

This post has been revised and updated from its original publication on March 20, 2017.

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Looking for more bathroom storage ideas? Find inspiration in the shower.

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