Vegetable Nirvana

A photographer envisions a creative studio space out of an old auto repair shop Project : A photography studio renovates to match their company’s contemporary aesthetic Location : Los Angeles, California Sweeten general contractor Interview with  Neil Abramson, owner of Hippo Factory Studios Sweeten’s role:   Sweeten  matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering advice, support, and financial protection—at no cost to the homeowner. Previous Next Discovering a commercial space Sweeten: What is Hippo Factory Studios?  Neil: Hippo Factory Studios is a creative studio space designed as a simple blank canvas; a place to bring your creative ideas alive. It was fashioned out of a 1920s auto repair shop. It can hold photo/film shoots, events, weddings, art exhibitions, and be a temporary production workspace.  Sweeten: Where did the idea for the business come from?  Neil: I am a photographer and filmmaker and want...

Fireplace renovations add comfort to a room and character to an empty wall Whether living in a modern apartment or a mid-century-style house, a fireplace is a welcome feature to elevate any home. Fireplaces make a room feel cozy and warm, while visually drawing you in. Below, Sweeten highlights a few fireplace renovations that are high-impact and transform the room. Sweeten  matches home renovators with vetted general contractors, offering advice, support, and financial protection, all at no cost to homeowners. Fireplace as a focal point A Sweeten homeowner in Southampton  c onverted her 800-square-foot garage into a 1,350-square-foot living space . Shiplap runs up to the vaulted ceiling with a slate mantle to create a true statement piece. “The way it was executed was beyond my expectations,” the homeowner noted. No chimney needed If you’re looking for a quick fireplace installation , consider a ventless fireplace. In most cases, it can be installed in one day....

Nature's colors and tranquil views turn this beach house into the ultimate chill space “After” photos by Lena Yaremenko for Sweeten Homeowners: An NYC couple posted their project to renovate a 2,000-square-foot weekend home on Sweeten Where: Amagansett, New York Primary renovation: A complete redo of the kitchen and bathrooms, floor refinishing, and wall resurfacing and painting throughout Sweeten’s role: Sweeten matches home-renovation experts with vetted general contractors, offering input, support, and up to $50,000 in renovation financial protection—for free. Modernizing an Amagansett home When the homeowners of this wood-shingled house near the Hamptons, set off on their renovation journey, they understood their primary focus: to update the kitchen and bathrooms, as well as to tweak the home’s footprint to realize their modernization goals. To start...

Black window frames create subtle visual drama for every space Seemingly minor design changes can shift a room’s entire aesthetic. Case in point: black window frames. They not only act as a frame to a picture-perfect outdoor view but dress up a plain wall. Take a look at these six Sweeten projects to see how the homeowners incorporated black-framed windows into a variety of homes. Sweeten  matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering advice, support, and up to $50,000 in renovation financial protection—for free. A new view in Brooklyn Sweeten homeowners Bellamy and Zak replaced all the windows in their house , creating an entirely new view. Painted black window frames invite the outside in. With this integral detail, these homeowners were able to create a timeless look that appeals to the eye. Small-space solution Black-framed window trim made this studio apartment look bigger and brighter. During her Sweeten renovation, Taylor decided t...

Junior accessory dwelling unit (JADU) vs. ADU: What’s the difference? Should you have one…or both? ADUs, or accessory dwelling units, have been an ad-hoc housing option forever. They are also known as granny flats, laneway homes, and carriage houses. Accessory dwelling units typically solve one or two challenges for homeowners: money and family. An ADU can help a family member, such as a senior parent or a young adult, with a decent place to live. The structure is not subject to the normal rental market of a senior-care facility or living with multiple roommates. Additionally, the budgetary bump from rental income could make living in certain properties affordable. An ADU can also be an asset at the time of resale if the unit is code-approved and permitted. Now, the JADU, or junior accessory dwelling unit, can be a consideration. Sweeten explains what you need to know.  Sweeten matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering advice, support, ...

Yes, it is possible to live through a kitchen remodel, with a few key remodeling tips in hand Remodeling your kitchen is a smart move and you’ll be pleased that you took the leap and did it. However, for a short time during the project, you might feel some…frustration, especially if you are accustomed to being at home most days. It’s all manageable, however, and you’ll do fine if you know what to expect. It’s all about adaptability and making as many choices proactively as possible. Get things set up before it feels like an emergency. You’ll be inconvenienced for several weeks or so, if the project goes as planned. Sweeten outlines how to live through a kitchen remodel below. Sweeten matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering advice, support, and up to $50,000 in renovation financial protection—for free. Set up a temporary kitchen Naturally, you’ll have to feed the family and clean up after meals and snacks, so you’ll need some sort of temp...

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