Vegetable Nirvana

See how Shaker-style cabinets complement many home styles—from farmhouse and industrial, to beach-y and classic ( Above ) Renovation with Shaker cabinets by Sweeten homeowners Amy + Kevin Shaker-style cabinets have been a steadfast and dominating kitchen trend. Popularized by the all-white kitchen farmhouse look, painted Shaker cabinets in colors like blue, green, and gray are now commanding attention in kitchen remodels. But, the original Shaker cabinet was natural wood. Sweeten finds out why they’re a perennial favorite. Sweeten matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering advice, support, and up to $50,000 in renovation financial protection—for free. The origin of Shaker-style cabinets Speaking of the original Shaker cabinet, where did this design come from? And why, are they so popular? Shaker cabinets were developed by members of the English Quakers and Methodists. They emigrated to New York state from England in 1774. Their communities ...

Remodeling in a Chicago greystone building, a couple remakes an apartment entrance and two bathrooms “After” photos by John Laning for Sweeten Homeowners: A professor and an accountant post their Chicago condo remodel on Sweeten Where: Chicago’s Lakeview East neighborhood Primary renovation: A relocation of the condo’s front door, plus rip-and-replace remodels of two dated bathrooms Sweeten general contractor Homeowner quote: “ We’ve renovated before, and we know: The wrong contractor can add unnecessary stress, delays, and cost. The right contractor can make the process relatively painless.” Sweeten’s role: Sweeten matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering advice, support, and up to $50,000 in renovation financial protection—for free. Written in partnership with the homeowners Landing a historic fixer-upper in Chicago Our apartment, which we bought in 2019, is in a historic greystone building in Chicago’s Lakeview East nei...

The punch list is a final, crucial step of a renovation. Here’s how they work. ( Above ) Renovation for Sweeten homeowners Dia + Alex . Photo by Kate Glicksberg for Sweeten. A punch list is a list of tasks put together by a homeowner that needs to be completed by their contractor. The punch list needs to be done for the project to be completely done. The majority of the work has been finished, but there are details to be resolved. You have one shot to compile your punch list, and once it is completed, the project is officially done!   What goes on a punch list? It depends who you ask! This question is often a misunderstanding between a homeowner and a contractor. In construction, there are acceptable quality standards, which are in the form of building codes. Licensed contractors are responsible for abiding by these codes. When a project passes inspection by the codes enforcement official, some contractors consider their work completed. Building codes exist to ensure a...

Discover if you’ll need a permit for your bathroom remodel based on the work, how you’ll file the permits, and your building codes When do you need permits to remodel a bathroom? It’s easy to understand why bathroom remodels are one of the most popular home renovation projects. We demand a lot from our bathrooms! In turn, upgrading to modern and more functional tubs , showers, faucets, and toilets makes daily life better. Building codes, however, dictate how far you can go with changes before requiring a permit. Here, Sweeten answers a common question on homeowners’ minds: Do you need permits to remodel a bathroom? The short answer is, you usually need permits to remodel a bathroom. When you make changes to plumbing, electrical, or structural components of your home, you need a permit from the Department of Buildings. However, small aesthetic changes, like painting rooms, repairing plaster, or refinishing floors do not require a permit.  Sweeten matches home renovation ...

A small-spaced bathroom remodel in Philadelphia maximizes every inch to fit a deep soaking tub “After” photos by Kristina Kroot for Sweeten Homeowners: Kait and Patrick posted their project on Sweeten as first-time homeowners Where: Philadelphia’s Point Breeze/Newbold neighborhood, Pennsylvania Primary renovation: A full-scale rip-and-replace of the small outdated bathroom original to their 1920 home Sweeten general contractor Sweeten’s role: Sweeten matches home renovators with vetted general contractors, offering advice, support, and up to $50,000 in financial protection—for free Written in partnership with homeowner Kait Living with a yesteryear Philadelphia bathroom Tiny pink south Philly row home bathroom needs a complete renovation, our Sweeten project post read. We attached photos, featuring not only the Pepto-toned tiles, but teal-colored rugs and seashell wallpaper. They’d been photographed three years earlier, but little had changed—proof that the p...

A look back at 2021’s top renovation stories that made dream homes come to life With 2021 coming to a close, we take a look back at some of our most popular remodels and stories on Sweeten’s blog. These eight posts represent a 360-degree view of common renovation questions when a homeowner decides to renovate. Where do you start? How do you find a contractor to trust? Who are some of the vetted contractors you could meet? How do you choose timeless materials? The culmination of these questions is revealed in our homeowners’ renovation stories—and the questions answered. These homeowners were guided through the renovation process by their Sweeten contractor. Then they graciously shared their new homes and journeys on our blog.  Sweeten matches home renovators with vetted general contractors, offering advice, backup, and up to $50,000 in renovation financial protection—for free. The best home remodeling tips to get you started There are many moving parts when consideri...

The shower bench: A bathroom detail to add for relaxation and functionality The bathroom remodel holds second place as the most popular project in the home. (The kitchen is the most popular.) While choices for tile, layout, and storage are usually top-of-mind, adding details like a shower bench can also make a big impact. For many, shower benches are a nice add-on as they provide both form and function. They can help people with mobility challenges. Provide a special place for relaxation. Add a unique design perspective to the room. Or, all of the above. Here, five shower bench designs from Sweeten renovations show the comfort of taking a seat. Sweeten  matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering advice, support, and up to $50,000 in renovation financial protection—for free. Eye-catching wraparound shower bench seating One way to make a statement is with a long shower bench that wraps around the area. It gives the space an almost spa-like...

This garage remodel in Los Angeles increased the home’s square footage by nearly 40 percent “After” photos by Luminous Vision for Sweeten Homeowners: Saima and Tom, two UCLA administrators, found their general contractor by posting their garage remodel in Los Angeles on Sweeten Where: LA County in Inglewood, California Primary renovation: A freestanding two-car garage converts to live-work square-footage with storage and an electric car charging outlet Sweeten general contractor Sweeten’s role: Sweeten matches home renovators with vetted general contractors, offering input, support, and up to $50,000 in renovation financial protection—for free. Written in partnership with homeowner Saima An old Los Angeles garage finds new use We’d been living in our house for about three years when we started the garage remodel. The home, built in 1936 and located in Inglewood, a suburb of Los Angeles, is a bungalow-style cottage. The most recent appraisal said it comprised...