When a sister moves in, a never-used basement bathroom lands on the remodel to-do list

• Homeowners: Sisters, Nicole and Missy posted their basement bathroom remodel on Sweeten
  
• Where: Arlington Ridge, Virginia
  
• Primary renovation: Updating an old bathroom on the lower level to feel more modern and open
  
• Sweeten general contractor
• Homeowner’s quote: “I scored with a respectful and professional contracting group that made my rip-and-replace renovation run smoothly, even as I worked from home.”
• Sweeten’s role: Sweeten matches home renovators with vetted general contractors, offering input, support, and secure payments—for free.

Written in partnership with Sweeten homeowner Nicole. “After” photos by Nova Soul Imagery for Sweeten. Styling by Simon Staging.

Remodel a basement bathroom for a welcome upgrade

I love my Arlington Ridge neighborhood with its hilly streets and access to the metro, my favorite Mexican restaurant, and grocery store. When I found the 2,000-square-foot 1950s Virginia ranch home, I fell for the windows, cathedral kitchen, glass porch, and spacious yard. My older sister, Missy, deciding to move from San Francisco back to the East Coast, was a perfect excuse to renovate. She asked to use my downstairs as her temporary home.

Before we renovated this (almost) windowless basement bathroom, it was creepy and unwelcoming. The shower had a horrible wall partitioning it off from the rest of the room. The door opened to a full view of the toilet. We never used it. I wanted an open-plan bathroom with plenty of light—a room that guests wouldn’t be scared to use when they visited me in Arlington.

I went into this as a first-time renovator. My biggest question was: Will it be a huge interruption in my workday? I work in business development, so I am on Zoom a lot. We posted our project on Sweeten and we could not have been happier with the woman-owned general contractor we selected.

Behind the not-so-pleasing wall

When the contractor removed the wall, she discovered a very vintage pipe system that needed replacement. We looked for a plumbing specialist, and that search set us back a couple of days. Meanwhile, our contractor took the room down to the studs so the plumber could install new piping. The job involved breaking the foundation concrete, but even on days when the jackhammers were out or the water had to be turned off, we had advanced warning.

Expanding the design palette

My Sweeten contractor made the job seamless and easy, even though what I initially envisioned changed dramatically. I thought I wanted the bathroom all white and clean but decided instead to let this room give the downstairs character. When she proposed the sliding glass barn door as a shower enclosure, I was sold.

The vanity is another fantastic piece, not only for its look but for the storage it brought to the room. I never would have guessed I would pick the gray shower floor, but it all came together and it works.

“My contractor was really helpful…providing the right resources and materials. I understood what to expect throughout the process…”

A beautiful result, and a satisfying experience

I wanted a modern bathroom to match the rest of the house—and my future renovation plans—and I really lucked out. My contractor was really helpful, connecting with my sister and me and providing the right resources and materials. I understood what to expect throughout the process, and we are both so happy with how the bathroom turned out. Missy, a former tech executive, now works as a startup advisor. She is really enjoying the new digs.

Throughout the process, my contractor’s crew was amazing. My one-year-old beagle, Callie, would shake with excitement when they arrived, play for ten minutes, and then allow them to work. She returned throughout the day to check progress and get head scratches.

My Sweeten general contractor answered my questions, updated me on changes, and discussed any challenges. The team was respectful of my space, too. They covered the downstairs areas to keep them as clean as possible and left the workspace tidy. I scored with a respectful and professional contracting group that made my rip-and-replace renovation run smoothly, even as I worked from home. I always knew what to expect the next day.

After a remodel, a basement bathroom has real appeal

Missy’s gorgeous bathroom is now my favorite thing to show off in the house. It inspired her, too. She recently sold her house and is thinking about where she—and her Aussiedoodle, Ellie—should buy next. New, modern, and clean…what an upgrade.

Thank you, Nicole and Missy, for sharing your dream bathroom remodel with us!

Renovation Materials:

BATHROOM RESOURCES: Adessi Florentina gray ceramic 16” x 16” floor tile; Villa Artisan Mist ceramic 3” x 12” shower wall tile; Festival matte gray porcelain Penny Mosaic shower floor tile; Zipcode Design’s New Milford metal bathroom/vanity mirror; and Varenne sink faucet: Wayfair. Fontaine by Italia’s Hotel de Ville single-handle square 1-spray-setting shower faucet in matte black: Italia Faucets. Frameless sliding shower door: Glass Warehouse. Woodbrook 37-inch vanity in white-washed oak with cultured-marble vanity and white sink; Power Flush two-piece 1.28 GPF single-flush elongated toilet: Glacier Bay. Three-light dimmable vanity fixture: Joss & Main.

Looking for contractors near Arlington, Virginia? Work with Sweeten to renovate with the best contractors.

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

The post My Sweeten Story: Siblings Renovate an Arlington Basement Bathroom appeared first on Sweeten.

The post A Small Bathroom Remodel in Atlanta on a Budget appeared first on Sweeten.

Project: Refresh an old and outdated bathroom

Before: Penny, a product manager for a financial firm, and Kevin, a puppeteer with the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre, and their son, have lived in their over 100-year-old-plus co-op building for five years. They’ve been remodeling the Sunset Park, Brooklyn, apartment room by room, and until recently, waited on any major changes to the bathroom. They did, however, replace an old and “hideous” shower door with a curtain for a short-term fix. Once they were ready to bring the dingy space up to speed with their clean, simple style, they posted their project on Sweeten and were matched with a general contractor.

After: While they stuck to the original footprint, Penny and Kevin made one big change that had a big impact on the overall look of the bathroom: replacing the bathtub for a walk-in shower. “We spent most of our budget converting the old tub,” Penny shared. They were especially excited about the brand new glass door. A big priority for the couple was sourcing materials locally. When they went to select their wood-like porcelain tile floor at a nearby supplier, they found the light blue and white tiles from the same store. The hardware and major fixtures also come from a Brooklyn showroom close to their home.

The only issue that came up during the renovation was a leak from an apartment upstairs. It was resolved, as the neighbor became more vigilant about making sure water didn’t escape from outside her shower curtain, though if it leaks again, the issue will have to be readdressed.

Otherwise, the biggest challenge was the division of labor between Penny, Kevin, and their contractor—especially since the family was out of town for the majority of the project. The couple divided responsibilities, with Penny taking on the budget and Kevin handling the aesthetic aspects. “He presented me with beautiful designs and then I approved or suggested how we could do things on a budget,” Penny said.

They coordinated with their general contractor mostly via email and phone calls. “His willingness to work with a neighbor, send emails, and call was really helpful,” Penny said. As an experienced renovator, she’s learned to be more trusting of a contractor’s advice, but also that it’s important to speak up about what you’re looking to achieve.  “Be clear on what you want, don’t give up on your design, but be flexible and listen to your contractor. You will be surprised on how that can help—they see a lot.”

Bonus: Penny also added these words of wisdom: “Go with the contractor that listens and seems pleasant to work with,” she said.

Style finds: Glass door: Hofman’s Glass. Shower wall and floor tile, and bathroom floor tile: Express Brooklyn Tile. Shower hardware, vanity hardware, vanity, mirror, faucet, and toilet: GalacticTiles.

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This Murray Hill, Manhattan, bathroom stuck to its original footprint but got a stylish update.

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

The post A Couple Divides (and Conquers) a Bathroom Reno appeared first on Sweeten.

Project: Fix water damage and give the main-floor bathroom a facelift in Valley Stream, Long Island

Before: The problem with the first-floor bathroom in Marilyn’s 1950s home was twofold. While undergoing a separate renovation in the basement, the family discovered water damage in the bathroom that needed to be fixed ASAP. The subfloor was rotting out from what they assumed was pre-existing damage prior to their ownership of the home, plus a slow leak. Marilyn, a veteran renovator and construction manager, also wanted to give the bathroom a cosmetic facelift to make it more cohesive with the rest of her house. “I felt like my house was really modern (and totally my taste), and that bathroom was an eyesore,” Marilyn said.

After: Eager to complete the renovation in time for Christmas dinner when plenty of guests would be in her home, Marilyn posted her project on Sweeten and was matched with this Sweeten general contractor early in December. They tackled the water damage first by reinforcing joists and demoing the rest of the space, removing the bathtub, toilet, vanity, and old tile flooring.

She had initially debated replacing the bathtub with a rain shower, but it was the only bathtub in the house (and one her kids loved to use). Instead, she set out to find a deep tub that would add to the luxury feel of the space. “I actually had to get this special ordered, because it’s really, really deep and wide,” Marilyn said.

Marilyn spent an entire day at the tile store, searching for the perfect ones for the wall, floor, and shower. “I fell in love with the white subway tile, but I went with a gray grout,” she said. Along the shower and bath wall, she opted for a gray gradient tile, and then a pop of color in the storage niche with a turquoise that ties in with the wall color. The modern vanity boasts lots of storage for the smaller space, thanks to the large drawers.

Given her expertise and knowledge of the industry, Marilyn was very hands-on throughout the renovation and worked directly with her Sweeten contractor on finding, picking, and negotiating prices on materials. One of the biggest and only challenges they ran into was accommodating the oversized bathtub. “It’s almost like jutting out past the wall a little bit, but he was able to get a nice little silver trim just so everything looks kind of consistent. We had to shimmy things to make it straight,” she said.

The results were totally worth it and the project was completed just in time. “I absolutely love it. I get lots and lots of compliments from everyone who comes to my home, and it’s always really nice,” Marilyn said.

Bonus: Marilyn’s daughters are in love with the giant new bathtub. She said, “Both of my girls get in this big tub, and it’s like a little swimming pool for them!” she said.

Style finds: Bathtub, 21″ deep: Maax. Hague 3-light vanity light, Maxted modern wall shelf, robe hook, toilet ring, and Kohler medicine cabinet, K-2967-BR1: Wayfair. Wall paint in Wave Top M450-3: Behr.

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See how Jen and Luke tackled their leaky bathroom in Harlem.

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 Hotel-Worthy Bathroom in Long Island appeared first on Sweeten.

“After” photos by Kate Glicksberg for Sweeten

Before: Give a Gramercy bathroom a much-needed facelift for storage, style

Dated tile (“the bathroom looked like a 1980s Mafia movie!”) and no storage (“with a pedestal sink and no drawers or shelving, we didn’t even have room to store extra toilet paper”) drove homeowners Jessica and Kevin to finally renovate their bathroom. She’d been living in the 750-square-foot, one-bedroom co-op overlooking Pete’s Tavern, the oldest tavern in NYC, for seven years. Renovating the bathroom had been on her remodeling bucket list since day one.

Slideshow:

After getting married, they used wedding money to fund their renovation, enthusiastic to update the aesthetics by losing the “burnt-red marble, gold hardware, and wall-to-wall mirrors” and adding storage solutions. Jessica posted her project to Sweeten and chose her Sweeten contractor.

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

After: A dramatic change resulted when white modern tile replaced the “heinous red marble tile” Jessica still has nightmares about. Their bathroom, which was trapped in an ‘80s vibe, became a calming, minimal space aligned with the couple’s style. The white and pale gray palette lent the former bathroom new life with a spa feel.

The couple replaced the “clunky” bathtub with a modern shower with two heads and switched to chrome fixtures. Next, they tackled their storage woes. A console sink with open shelving for towels gave an airy illusion and contributed to the room feeling more spacious.

While designing their new bath space, Jessica was mindful of potential future buyers. She said, “When I bought the apartment, I found it very frustrating there were so many permanent fixtures, including a built-in glass shelf over the toilet, wall-to-wall mirrors, and tile covering most of the walls.” To give the next homeowners the room to express their own personal touch, she kept the walls painted instead of tiled, installed a mirror that could easily be replaced over the vanity table, and hung two simple towel hooks.

Slideshow:

Jessica offered this sage advice, ”If you are purchasing your own materials for the renovation, have it arrive before the start date.” This will help avoid waiting for products to arrive and delaying the project.

Now Jessica calls her new bathroom a happy place and is appreciative of her well-matched contractor. “As with any NYC renovation, you tend to get a lot of complaints about uncontrollable things like dust and loud noise which comes with the territory of living in an apartment building. My Sweeten contractor handled everything like a pro and had much more patience for people than I ever could have exhibited,” she said. “He was extremely flexible and true to his word with regards to price and timing of the project.”

Bonus: Jessica doubled their storage by adding a two-drawer unit under the existing vanity table as well as a cabinet, creating a “personal heaven” she uses every morning to get ready for work.

Thanks for sharing your fantastic bathroom and vanity renovation with Sweeten, Jessica and Kevin!

Ready to start your own home renovation project?

Style finds: CoreLux Driftwood Hickory engineered vinyl plank flooring: Lumber Liquidators. Shower floor tile: Jeff Lewis. Shower wall tile: Jeffrey Court. Shower doors: Appliances Connection. Hardware and shower fixtures: Appliances Connection. 24″ Hammonton Console sink/vanity set: Wayfair. Toilet: Appliances Connection. Medicine cabinet: Appliances Connection. Vanity table mirror and storage cabinetry: Pottery Barn.

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Keep your materials budget in check. Here’s how to accurately measure for the amount of tile you will need.

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 Bathroom Goes from Clunky to Classy appeared first on Sweeten.

Even a small bathroom can be home to a large amount of storage space. The key is to get creative and use every nook and cranny you have to help store your essentials. Carefully plotting the layout and layering in key features like the Sweeten renovations below can help maximize space and minimize clutter—making a beautiful and functional bathroom.

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

Homeowners Eric and Maria needed to make the most of their bathroom’s small footprint. Their Sweeten contractor installed a recessed wall unit behind the door, creating almost-hidden additional storage.

For more storage, Angela had her Sweeten contractor utilize the space between the shower and wall, creating a series of shelves. Here, she is able to store extra towels and other toiletries.

Peggy and Jack enlisted the help of a designer, who was recommended by their Sweeten contractor, to re-envision their bathroom. They considered (and used!) multiple bathroom storage solutions in the space. The designer recommended leaving the tub in its place and moving the toilet so they can fit a larger vanity. Plus, the six inches of space behind the shower wall allowed the couple to add double-storage niches.

For Lauren and Ross, their bathroom was in need of a major overhaul. They wanted a hotel-inspired vibe that included more storage. So they had custom a shower niche put in as well as a large in-wall cabinet—perfect for hiding toiletries and other essentials.

A freestanding storage cabinet has the look of a built-in in Katherine and Chris renovated bathroom. The blue-stained ash wood matches the sink vanity.

Before the renovation, Katherine and Gus’s bathroom had impractical storage niches above a pedestal sink. They upgraded it with double mirrors, featuring storage ledges for a more modern storage interpretation.

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

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

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

The post These 6 Clever Bathroom Storage Solutions Clear Clutter appeared first on Sweeten.

Last week, we took a peek at Amy and Nick’s sparkling new kitchen. This week, we’re exploring their new bathroom, which takes a style cue from a previous Sweeten story.

Project: Refresh an outdated bath in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn

Before: After purchasing their 2-bed, 1-bath condo, it became clear to Amy and Nick that the old bathroom needed to be given new life. The layout worked, but the tile and fixtures were tired and out-of-style, and a low ceiling made the space feel cramped.

After: The Sweeten contractor who had successfully renovated their kitchen (and who they’d found on Sweeten, a free service matching renovators with general contractors after posting their project) got to work on the bathroom remodel. The layout was preserved but the footprint was expanded; one wall was moved and the ceiling was raised to make the space feel larger. The old tile was ripped up and replaced with a hex tile bathroom floor paired with high-contrast white grout. White subway tile was installed in the shower, along the side of the tub, and across the lower half of the walls. All new fixtures in polished chrome gave the space a bright boost. A new sink and vanity with a Calacatta gold marble countertop was placed center stage (the marble was also added to the windowsill and threshold), while a wall-mounted faucet provides a sleek, contemporary look. It took a couple of tries for Amy and Nick to find the right toilet that would work with their piping; Amy explained, “We knew from the beginning we needed a horizontal connection—just not all the horizontally piped toilets we bought worked for our specific connection. Eventually, we just had our contractor pick one out for us and switched the handle so it was more in line aesthetically with what we’d originally picked out.” A large, recessed medicine cabinet was added above the sink in addition to customized storage; “I like the two built-in nooks (in the shower)—it makes it easy to separate bath products by person and height. We’re also both really pleased with the way the side table/vanity turned out,” said Amy.

Bonus: The vanity was fashioned from a West Elm side table customized to fit a countertop and pedestal sink. Amy was inspired by Sweeten homeowners Ellen and Ben who created their own custom vanity in a similar way.

Style finds: Hex floor tile in a matte finish: Home Depot. Medicine cabinet: Home Depot. Polished chrome shower and tub fixtures: Appliances Connection. Side-table-turned-vanity: West Elm.

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The bathroom floor is one spot where an unexpected tile choice can add style and personality without overpowering the look of your space.

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 Modern Bathroom Remodel Gets Creative appeared first on Sweeten.

Tiles are popping off the wall, the toilet makes a strange gurgling sound when it flushes, and stepping into the shower feels like entering a dark closet. If this situation sounds familiar, then your bathroom is ready for an upgrade. But what will it cost? A $15k-20k budget is an excellent range to cover all the basic bathroom renovation costs—materials, installation, and labor included—for a new toilet, sink, vanity, fixtures, tile, flooring, and lighting. With that in mind, it’s also important to consider that the need for plumbing, electrical, or layout changes will likely add to the amount. Sweeten, a free service matching homeowners with general contractors showcases five of their bathroom remodels below as good examples of what a $15K-20K budget will allow.

$15k takes the blues away in a Brooklyn bathroom remodel

Allison and Jovito’s bathroom in Ocean Parkway, Brooklyn

Upon purchasing a 1910 brick row house, Allison and Jovito got to work on a serious renovation, starting with the upstairs bathroom. The bathroom hadn’t been touched since the 1950s and was very blue—blue tub, blue toilet, blue tile. With a budget of $15k to cover essential bathroom renovation costs, which limited them from expanding the footprint or moving plumbing, the goal was to focus on form and function. A new, dual-flush toilet, console sink, and clawfoot tub—all in white—replaced the original blue fixtures. The simple, classic look they achieved with marble flooring and white subway tile mesh well with the history of the house.

Sleek fixtures and denim-like tile shine for $15K

Mario and Joe’s bathroom in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn

Mario and Joe’s main motivation for their apartment renovation was the bathroom. With a budget of $15k, they kicked off their remodel with a gray porcelain tile that had the look of coarse denim and installed it along the floor and vanity wall. The sink was swapped out for a streamlined IKEA vanity that was customized to fit a raised basin sink, and the existing mirrored medicine cabinet was replaced with a much larger one. A glass shower door, slim toilet, brushed nickel fixtures, and light above the vanity complete the transformation.

For $17K, a Brooklyn couple raises the ceiling and gets double cabinet storage

Ellen and Ben’s bathroom in Kensington, Brooklyn

Budgeting $17k for the bathroom renovation costs, Ellen and Ben decided to focus on modernizing their master bath. To make it feel more open, the stand-up shower and dropped ceiling were removed and replaced with an open shower stall fitted with a glass door. The beige vanity was kicked to the curb and a wooden side table from West Elm, customized to fit a marble countertop and sink, took its place. Two medicine cabinets installed side by side provide ample storage. A new toilet and fixtures complete the functional upgrade, while black hexagon floor tile and floor-to-ceiling white subway tile fulfill the modern aesthetic.

An architect’s $20K travel-inspired bathroom remodel

Brian and Erin’s bathroom in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn

An uninspired bathroom led Brian and Erin to a $20k remodel that would take their space on an international adventure. The remodel was prompted by outdated fixtures and finishes from the ‘80s and a leak in an upstairs bathroom that had ruined the ceiling. To create a unique space, Brian drew inspiration from the many hotel bathrooms he had seen while traveling for work as an architect. Floor-to-ceiling white subway tile was chosen as a simple backdrop, while blue penny tile was selected for the floor. Mirroring the blue tile, a luxurious clawfoot tub with a blue exterior took the look from standard to standout. The rest of the space was outfitted with a new toilet and bronze fixtures, an antique basin table and sink, and a custom red balau wood medicine cabinet.

For $20K, everything had to go (except the tub and toilet!)

Celeste’s bathroom in Park Slope, Brooklyn

Stained limestone tiling in her bathroom was the tipping point for Celeste, who, after a few unsuccessful attempts to remove the stains, budgeted $20k for bathroom renovation costs. Creating more storage space became a priority, so a custom vanity with unique drawer configurations was installed. In order to decrease visual clutter, a dedicated spot within the vanity was designed to hold a small trash can. Celeste chose a marble tile with a cube effect for the floor and beveled subway tile for the walls. Although she decided to keep her original tub and toilet, she finished the look with additional new materials like the sink, countertop, and a new lighting fixture.

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For an in-depth breakdown of the costs involved in renovating your bathroom, check out our guide Budget Basics: Bath Renovation Costs.

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 Bathroom Renovations That Cost $15K-20K appeared first on Sweeten.

Ana and Leo survived the complex process of selling their old apartment and buying a new one simultaneously—no easy feat!—but were nearly taken by an unscrupulous contractor when it came time to renovate. They realized that they needed someone they could trust to facilitate the search for general contractors and Sweeten—a free service matching renovating homeowners with vetted general contractors—turned out to be exactly what they were looking for. (Their words, not ours!) Their Sweeten contractor helped them make layout changes and took on the challenge of creating an oversized sliding door system that allowed the conversion of an open office space into a private guest suite. Here’s how the couple transformed their Tribeca apartment from an awkward warren of rooms into an open, flexible space that is both comfortable and refined, including redoing the living room, office/guest room, dining space, bedroom, and of course the kitchen and two bathrooms.

Guest post by Tribeca homeowner and architect Ana

Every real estate agent told us it could not be done. That, in New York, it was nearly impossible to coordinate the sale of our current apartment with the purchase of a new one. But my husband, Leo, was determined, so that is what we set out to do.

After a long search and many disappointments, including lost bid wars and a contract that fell through, fate brought us an amazing real estate broker who made it all possible. Kristi Ambrosetti was not fazed by the sell-buy challenge and helped us find our new home and sell our old one.

The apartment met all of our requirements—a 1,000-square-foot, 2-bed, 2-bath in a doorman building in Tribeca, with great light and plenty of storage space. The interior, however, was still in its original condition from the ’80s; it needed a complete renovation to update finishes and fix layout issues that made the space feel choppy and awkward—the exact opposite of the contemporary open space we had hoped for.

(Above) Living room
(Above) Dining area with living room to the right and office/guest room on the left; bar and TV unit niche straight ahead with TV behind folding panels

Being an architect, I developed the initial plans for the renovation and met with several general contractors that claimed to be available for the job. After comparing multiple bids, we were close to signing with one of them but decided to do some background checking first. I was shocked to find that the address listed in their documents was actually an empty storefront in Queens. The thought that we were very close to making a substantial down payment with someone that might not show up for the job really scared us.

At that point, we took the search for general contractors online and came across Sweeten. We read about their screening process to find qualified professionals, and it sounded exactly like what we were looking for, so we decided to post our project. From the beginning, the experience was surprisingly straightforward. Posting on the website was easy and we were soon matched with a few professionals. When we started interviewing potential general contractors, we were contacted by Miranda from Sweeten and she helped us through the whole process.

In the weeks we had spent interviewing general contractors, we also focused on finalizing the layout and decisions on finishes and fixtures. By the time we signed with our chosen Sweeten contractor, we were ready to begin demolition.

Leo and I had been a little apprehensive about some of our design choices, especially when it came to the changes in the layout, which were intended to make the space more open and flexible. But when demolition began, it became clear that we were on the right track.

By opening up the kitchen, the contractor also eliminated a narrow wall that partially blocked the entryway and made for a very awkward hallway. Squaring off the angled wall between the living room and the master bedroom made both spaces a lot more pleasant.

The change that made the most impact, though, was opening the office (which would double as a guest suite) into the living room. Oversized sliding panels would allow the room to be closed off and provide privacy for overnight guests. However, most of the professionals we spoke to thought the panels would be too heavy and could not be done. The Sweeten contracting team accepted the challenge and executed them beautifully.

(Above) Dining table looking into office with sliding partition

(Above) Office/guest room
(Above) Office/guest room looking into the living room

The one setback we had during demolition was an unexpected electrical conduit found in one of the living room walls we had planned to demolish. The conduit ran down to the apartment below ours and, therefore, could not be moved. After conversations with the contractor, Leo and I decided to take down the rest of the wall as originally planned and leave only the section that had the conduit, creating a corner niche that was perfect for a bookshelf. Once the renovation was complete, this turned out to be one of our favorite features in the apartment.

One aspect that had drawn us to the apartment was a nook next to the living room that seemed perfect for a small bar. Early in the project, we pulled inspiration photos online and it seemed like designing the bar would be fairly easy. That was until we decided the bar should also house a concealed 40-inch TV, which then led to weeks of research and multiple drawing iterations until we landed on a design that met all of our functional requirements for both the bar and the TV.

The dining room pendants were another big challenge. The position of the existing light did not align with the center of the dining table, and we were not able to move the light because of the concrete ceiling. I had almost given up on having pendants over the table when Leo came across the Swell String fixture, which allowed for the pendants to be installed in any position, independent of the canopy.

The finishes for the bathrooms and kitchen were also much debated. We knew from the beginning we wanted marble tile in the bathrooms but looked at a wide range of patterns, sizes, and prices. Narrowing down the search to neutral tones and classic patterns, I eventually chose an Asian statuary from TileBar for the master bathroom and a Bardiglio herringbone mosaic for the guest bathroom floor, with the same Asian statuary in the shower. As a contrast to the traditional tile, I selected modern Duravit fixtures and Grohe faucets. The towel warmers had been at the top of our wishlist and after much research, we were able to find a small hardwired option that worked well in both bathrooms.

For our small galley kitchen, we chose the same low-maintenance quartz countertops we had in our previous apartment, paired with white custom cabinets and integrated Bosch appliances. The cabinets were finished with black linear pulls with accent walnut shelves added on the back wall for some extra storage. The backsplash was probably one of the toughest decisions—with so many interesting materials and patterns to choose from, we considered all sorts of options, from large back-painted glass panels to intricate mosaics. As a way to balance the modern cabinets and countertops, we decided on marble subway tile from TileBar.

Our main goals for the master bedroom were to maximize storage and improve circulation. So the swing bedroom door was replaced with a pocket door, improving access to a long wall of closets that ended in a small custom-made vanity at the corner of the room.

In the end, Leo and I found that all the time spent obsessing over the small details really paid off—it all came together as we had hoped and we were very happy, not only with our choices but with the quality of execution and expertise the Sweeten contractor and his team brought to the project. Most importantly, knowing Sweeten was following the project, and touching base with us periodically gave us peace of mind through the whole process.

Thanks to Ana and Leo for sharing their impeccable renovation—we’re so glad you found Sweeten!

KITCHEN RESOURCES: Hardwood cabinets: custom. Matte Black Classico pulls: Schaub and Company. White Zeus quartz countertops: Silestone. Marble subway tile backsplash: TileBar. Starlight Chrome faucet, #31312001: Grohe. Stainless Steel Vault 25” single basin sink, #K-3822-4: Appliances Connection. Integrated refrigerator 800 Series: Appliances Connection. Range 800 Series: Appliances Connection. Integrated dishwasher 800 Series: Appliances Connection. Boop! wall/ceiling light: Lumens.

MASTER BATH RESOURCES: Asian statuary floor and wall tile: TileBar. HSB Jeeves 20″w hardwired straight stainless steel towel warmer: Amba. White Architec 66” acrylic tub, #700408: Appliances Connection. Euphoria shower system 26177000 Starlight Chrome, #26177000: Grohe. DuraStyle one-piece toilet: Appliances Connection. Vanity: custom. Vanity top: Silestone. Stark 3 sink, #030549: Appliances Connection. Essence chrome faucet: Grohe. Modern Metro hardware, #TK277ALU: Top Knobs. Verdana Series medicine cabinet, #K-99003: Appliances Connection. Anodized brushed nickel Choreograph shower wall hook, #K-97624: Appliances Connection. Tubo Slim 33″ LED bath bar: Lumens.

SECOND BATH RESOURCES: Bardiglio herringbone mosaic floor tile: The Builder Depot. Asian statuary floor and wall tile: TileBar. HSB Jeeves 20″w hardwired straight stainless steel towel warmer: Amba. Euphoria shower system 26177000 Starlight Chrome: Grohe. DuraStyle one-piece toilet: Appliances Connection. DuraStyle wall-mounted vanity base single drawer oak vanity: Appliances Connection. DuraStyle furniture washbasin: Appliances Connection. Starlight Chrome Concetto bathroom faucet, #32138001: Grohe. Verdana Series medicine cabinet, #K-99003: Appliances Connection. Bright Polished Silver Choreograph 21″ floating shower shelf, #K-97623: Appliances Connection. Tubo Slim 19″ LED bath bar: Lumens.

LIVING ROOM/ENTRY/BEDROOM RESOURCES: Maple hardwood flooring, Select & Better: Lauzon. Extra Long black flush pull: Doorware. Swell String pendant: Lumens. Casita outlets and switches: Lutron. Serena shades: Lutron. ecobee3 Smart Thermostat with room sensors: ecobee. Dabria White Geometric wallpaper: Brewster Wall Covering.

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Sliding doors allow you to define spaces in your home while still keeping things flexible—truly, the best of both worlds. Lauren and Ross added a pocket door to separate the dining area from their bedroom.

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 After A Close Call, A Dream Apartment Comes True appeared first on Sweeten.

Project: Turn an old, run-down bathroom into something elegant and calming

Before: Mary Ann and Frank’s three-bedroom Upper West Side apartment had done its job since they had bought it in 1992.  But now, with their two kids grown and gone, the couple pulled the trigger on a long-planned master bathroom upgrade. “Our co-op building was built in 1929 and it was the bath from 1929—same tub, same tiles,” said Mary Ann, who works in publishing. Grime on the tiles wouldn’t budge and some tiles were no longer there at all. Paint peeled off the walls and with no vanity, shampoo bottles were always on prime display.

After: To keep the costs down, the couple kept the original layout. But that was all they kept. What they wanted was a stylish sanctuary beginning with a hex tile bathroom. Hexagons were laid on the floor and marble topped off the vanity for a refined look. The shower also has matching marble tiles. Their Sweeten contractor suggested painting, not tiling, the wall opposite the shower and vanity. Rather than feeling enclosed, the bathroom now feels “more like a room,” said Mary Ann, “and plus it would have been a lot of cleaning.” They did lose storage space in their master and hall bathroom, which they also renovated. However, a large vanity and two large mirrors with storage built into the wall that were added to the master bathroom made up for that. When you open each mirror, there is also another magnifying mirror. The vanity has six large drawers and two cabinets for storing toilet paper and cleaning supplies. “We were just going for a more calmer, less cluttered look,” said Mary Ann. “Now, everything is put away.”

Bonus: Mary Ann’s centerpiece is a walk-in shower so large “you can do yoga in it.” The old tub was decommissioned and replaced with a walk-in shower with glass walls. “It’s so much fun to take a shower now,” said Mary Ann.  

Style finds: Traditional Exposed Dual Control Thermostatic shower system: Hudson Reed. Devonshire standard bathroom faucet; K-3551-0 White Archer Toilet; Verdure Collection Medicine Cabinet: Appliances Connection. Trinsic Collection (accessories): Delta. Align 18” grab bar: Appliances Connection. Hexagon 3” mosaic Carrara floor tile; Hexagon 1” mosaic Carrara tile on shower floor; white polished Carrara 4×10 tile on walls: Classic Tile. Tempered glass shower doors: custom. Audrey 60” double vanity with Carrara marble top: Ancerre Designs. Driscoll wall sconces: Sea Gull Lighting.

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Take a look at these clever bathroom storage ideas.

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

The post An 88-Year-Old Bath Gets Its First Facelift appeared first on Sweeten.

When designing your new bathroom, storage and organization is key to creating a clutter-free, soothing environment. The bath vanity you choose will have a big impact on the amount of storage you can fit. Choose a stock or pre-fab unit from stores like IKEA, Home Depot, and Lowe’s—or you can have one custom built. Unless you have an unusual layout or are looking to do something dramatic with your design, a custom vanity isn’t always necessary. Stock vanities can offer plenty of storage, work with any style, and are budget-friendly. Here are 5 examples of Sweeten homeowners who chose an IKEA vanity for their space.

A stained oak IKEA vanity offsets a “denim” palette

Mario and Joe designed their bathroom around a striated gray porcelain tile that had the appearance of coarse denim. To balance out the cool gray tile, they chose a stained oak IKEA vanity for their bath and worked with their Sweeten contractor to build a custom countertop to fit a Kraus sink on top for a more unique look.

An IKEA vanity keeps a stunning bathroom clutter-free

Janet & Jerry credited Sweeten with helping them achieve a “stunning redesign” of their bathroom. The upgrades include an in-wall toilet, a vertical-space shower with skylight, and striking stone floor tiles. A double-drawer IKEA vanity keeps toiletries and bathroom supplies out of sight, allowing the bathrooms’ striking design to stand out. 

A dark walnut IKEA bathroom vanity stands out

Focusing on making their small bathroom feel less cluttered, Fabio and Melina supersized their storage with an IKEA vanity in a walnut wood finish, pairing it with marble and brass shelves from CB2. Bronze fixtures and hardware plus a handmade, cement and granite Moroccan floor tile add warmth and character.

An IKEA bathroom vanity makes sense for a growing family

Although the bathroom in their new home had been recently updated, the finishes felt cheap and bland. Lindsay and Matt set out to increase storage to accommodate their growing family. The pedestal sink was replaced with a sleek square sink and two-drawer IKEA bathroom vanity, while new lighting made the space feel brighter.

A Brooklyn brownstone adds a double-wide IKEA vanity

Homeowners Bellamy and Zak knew their newly-purchased 1900s brownstone needed a “serious facelift”. The renovation list was extensive: a master bedroom, master closet, master bathroom, guest bedroom, and laundry room. The master bathroom has a mix of luxe details (a heated bathroom floor!) and budget-friendly features, like this double-wide IKEA vanity with custom fronts by Semihandmade.

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The IKEA inspiration continues: 7 Ways to Style IKEA Kitchen Cabinets

Sweeten’s guide to Choosing a New Toilet walks homeowners through potential styles, shapes, and add-ons.

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 Bathrooms Give IKEA Vanities the Spotlight appeared first on Sweeten.

Laura and Matthew’s double drawer wall-hung vanity

With all the fixtures taking up space in the bathroom—sinks, toilet, plus tub or shower—it can be hard to also fit sufficient storage. The vanity alone is rarely enough. And if your space is traditional, with a pedestal sink, the need is greater. However, with smart planning that addresses all the tasks in the bath, you can find the best bathroom storage solutions.

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

Planning your space

First, figure out where the fixtures will go. If you’re remodeling, you need to decide if everything stays put or if something moves. Evaluate the floor and wall space to find areas for storage—bathroom cabinets, shelves, or freestanding pieces like furniture.

Bathroom vanity

Once a simple box with doors and drawers for storing toiletries, the vanity has expanded its capabilities. Manufacturers like Appliances Connection and Appliances Connection have introduced built-in internal storage compartments that corral items small, medium and large, while still remaining in arm’s reach. Look for helpful add-ons like electrical outlets, adjustable shelves, and rollout trays. For existing vanities, small acrylic trays and storage boxes at the Container Store fit a variety of drawer dimensions. If the bathroom is shared, and you have room for twin vanities instead of one large one, go for it! This allows each occupant to organize the space exactly as he or she wishes. You can identify the type of vanity you want from among the following styles:

*Floating – This style, attached to the wall, keeps the floor clear for an open look. You can find models from manufacturers like Decorá that include at least one drawer under the sink. Expect a small cutout in the middle of the top drawer to clear the plumbing pipes, and still allow room on the left and right.

*Freestanding – The advantage here is the vanity can be moved, with little impact on the wall behind it. It typically goes countertop to floor so there’s more square footage for storage and more door-and-drawer combos. Appliances Connection makes vanities with integrated sinks and storage below starting as narrow as 19 inches wide, good to fit twin sets in a small bath. Console styles closely resemble furniture, with shapely legs below the cabinet to create an open effect, and usually incorporate a shelf near the bottom.

Built-in cabinets

This might be custom cabinetry, similar to what you would order for the kitchen, and from many of the same manufacturers. Or it might be bespoke, crafted by a carpenter. Because the unit is built into a wall, it can be as large and long as you want. It also allows the addition of matching units above the counter, on either side of the sink, or between double sinks. You get lots of opportunities to vary door, drawer, and open shelf combos above and below the counter. KraftMaid makes a narrow pullout unit with shelves, much like a pantry, to make use of a narrow vertical space. Consider upper cabinets with glass doors as bathroom storage for towels and pretty toiletries in a spa-like display.

Freestanding cabinets

Similar to kitchen solutions, you can add a cabinet or an open case fitted with shelves in any free space in the bath. Make sure there is clearance for any activity taking place nearby. The advantage here is that the shelves can be adjusted when you wish—to hold a hamper or bath towels on a lower shelf, and smaller personal care items at arm level. Another alternative: a shelf that is not a shelf, such as an étagère—an open-back shelving unit—or one side of a ladder. These repurposed bathroom storage ideas can be found at resale shops or some furniture stores that make small decorative furniture for the bath.

Built-in shelves

Shelves maximize vertical space anywhere there is an open wall space with studs that provide support for attaching the units. Find a place for shelves adjacent to a sink, between sinks, or flanking sinks, above a toilet tank, high up around the perimeter of the ceiling, on a wall a foot or so from the shower, or even a shallow ledge above the vanity. In addition to shelves that match a manufacturer’s vanity collection, options include a wide selection of widths and depths or you can have a carpenter craft shelves to exact specifications. As with vanities, they come in a variety of styles.

The most versatile, these shelves go anywhere there is sufficient support to attach them: above the toilet, between sinks or flanking sinks, high up around the perimeter of the ceiling, or even a shallow ledge above the vanity.

Melina and Fabio’s gold and marble floating shelves

Medicine cabinets

Why go for a simple mirror when you can capture storage above the sink too? You have two options for storage here, with medicine cabinets that recess into a wall or mount on the wall, each with the traditional mirrored door that opens out.

*Recessed – Placed in the shallow wall space between studs, this style comes in versions from 4 to 8 inches deep—big enough to stow rolls of toilet paper. Kohler offers one for less than $100. Robern adds options with one, two, or three doors as well as electrical outlets for added organization and versatility.

*Wall mount – If you mount the cabinet on the surface of the wall, check out Decorá, which makes a model with storage shelves that slide out from either side, disappearing when not in use.

Maria and Eric’s built-in niche

Built-in niche

This type of shelf is located in a recessed area, such as between studs or even between two cabinets. Built-ins also work on a smaller scale in the shower, in the form of a niche for shampoos and soaps. In the wall above the tub, you can go larger and perhaps fit a couple shelves for a practical display of bath salts and liquid soaps. For visual interest, insert mirrored panels or beadboard on the back surfaces of the niches, or paint them a contrasting color.

Furniture

In addition to the small decorative pieces described above, it can be fun to introduce a vintage dresser or bookcase, if you have the room. Use the top to display personal items as well as toiletries. Drawers hold towels, small appliances like a hair dryer or electric razor.

Solve your bathroom storage with some of the suggestions described above, and begin to enjoy the serene space you deserve.

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We love Brian’s travel-inspired take on classic bathroom storage; check out his antique basin table and custom red balau wood medicine cabinet.

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 How to Add Bathroom Storage for Every Nook and Cranny appeared first on Sweeten.

The most obvious reason is that vanities provide storage that we all need, especially in small New York City apartments. And even the simplest wood vanity adds warmth to a bathroom finished with tile floors and walls and ceramic fixtures. It makes the space feel less utilitarian and more like a real furnished room. Now, after doing a bit of research, I’m entirely convinced.

Designers sometimes repurpose old night tables and chest of drawers to serve as vanities. Conversely, a lot of vanities are designed to look like antique furniture. I like this kind of “themed” vanity in Powder Rooms or Guest Bathrooms, which aren’t used every day. Can you imagine using this vanity everyday? I think it was once used by Napoleon.

Here’s a vanity was made from an old Chinese trunk. It’s a dramatic, fantastic look that would look great in a discotheque.

One trend now is to use “vessel sinks,” bowl-shaped sinks that rest on top of a vanity like a washbasin. I like these but water often splashes over the edge of the bowl and it constantly needs to be wiped down. But vessel sinks have a very pretty look, like this low, round sink that’s set on a wood stand.

Of course there are plenty of handsome, simple vanities. There’s the basic style with two wood doors below, the platonic ideal of vanity.

This simple one has three stacked drawers. It’s straddles the line perfectly between traditional and modern.

This pristine white wood vanity would look perfect in a country home.

For whatever reason, there are a lot of Shaker-style vanities. This one has an open rack below for towels.

This terribly elegant vanity was inspired by Federalist style furniture. But it’s clean, fine, ladylike lines alos have a luxurious 30’s modern kind of style. I can imagine a very spirited and beautiful young woman a la Katherine Hepburn preening in front of this piece. I guess that’s why they’re called vanities.

The post Vanity Fair appeared first on Sweeten.

Two rising furniture-makers with very different sensibilities made a big impression.

Colleen and Eric design lovely, playful home furnishings inspired by far-fetched ideas. Small brass rivets are recessed into the dark wood top of the “Northstar Table” like stars in the constellation. If you locate the northstar and press down on it, a secret side drawer slides open. It’s the perfect place to stash a diary, jewelry, or contraband.

Colleen and Eric’s “Hold on Tight Bookshelf” takes unlikely inspiration from the image of books toppling sideways off an open shelf. This simple maple shelf is capped at one end and has a brightly-colored, sliding metal stop at the other. The toy-like mechanism is a pretty accent and also a lot of fun. Becky couldn’t stop playing with the display model and Jean and I finally had to drag her away.

Colleen and Eric also make accessories like tote bags and keychains. Their product lines are sure to expand further as they’re struck by new ideas. It ‘ll be fun to see what they’ve come up with at next year’s fair.

In contrast, the pieces from Kai-Wei Hsu’s shop KWH Furniture take inspiration from the elemental qualities of the woods that they’re made from. The furniture in the new “Vice” line doesn’t shout out for attention. Each piece has a clear, modern sensibility and yet is so restrained so that it wouldn’t feel out of a place in a traditional interior.

The elegant “Bar Cart” is made from white oak with a cerused finish. The first thing you’re drawn to is the fine grain and stain of the wood.

Then, as you lean in closer, you understand the exquisite workmanship of the piece. The outer corners of the frame are held together with wood splices.

The similarly elegant “Vanity Table” is made from black walnut with an oil finish. Its proportions are perfectly balanced. The first think that strikes you is the sumptuous finish in the wood.

Then when you move in closer, as you’re bound to do, you see how subtly and precisely the drawers are fitted.

I’m looking forward to seeing how Kai-Wei’s designs evolve as he explores new materials and details. Whatever direction the pieces take, I’m certain they’ll all have the same immaculate craftsmanship.

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