Vegetable Nirvana

Plywood cabinets and handcrafted tile sets the artistic tone for a working kitchen Homeowners:  Anthony Espino, founder of digital marketing agency Miki, and Jeremiah Corley, a senior manager at Maude,  posted their renovation  on Sweeten Where:  Boerum Hill in Brooklyn, New York Primary renovation: Revamping a 150-square-foot kitchen, ideal for baking and cooking, in a 720-square-foot condo Sweeten general contractor Homeowner’s quote: “Our Sweeten contractor was a huge help solving problems on the fly.” Sweeten’s role:   Sweeten  matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors , offering advice, support, and financial protection—at no cost to the homeowner. Written in partnership with Sweeten homeowner Anthony.  “After” photos by Kate Glicksberg for Sweeten. Correcting some kitchen “wrongs” Jeremiah and I bought our first hom...

On the moody end of the color spectrum, cabinets in dark tones prove to be versatile White and light hues are the go-to’s when you’re looking for an airy and calm feeling for a kitchen. But going dark offers a bold look. Dark kitchen cabinets—dark browns, navy blues, dark green, or black—strike a nice balance with light tile and countertop materials. It’s edgy and dramatic and can elicit the “wow” just as easily as a white kitchen can. Gold or brass hardware will also add some glow to a dark finish. Small space kitchens, in particular, can embrace the coziness that dark cabinets bring. Below is a gallery of Sweeten kitchens to spark ideas. Sweeten matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors , offering advice, support, and up to $50,000 in renovation financial protection—for free. The popularity of green cabinets grabs the spotlight The sunny kitchen...

How to create and use a scope of work when undertaking a home remodeling project ( Above ) Sweeten homeowner Bellamy + Zak’s renovation . Photos by Kate Glicksberg. Why is the scope of work important? “Scope of work” or “scope” is construction lingo for the list of work that needs to be done in a remodeling project. When a contractor asks for your project scope , they’re really asking, “What are all the things you need me to do?” Sweeten breaks it all down below. Sweeten  matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering advice, support, and up to $50,000 in renovation financial protection—for free. What is the scope of work? Early in your planning, like when you first post your project on the Sweeten platform or start talking to general contractors, your scope will likely be vague. For example, “I want to renovate the master bathroom, including retiling and replacing cabinets and fixtures.” Later, when it comes time to ask general contractor...

The evergreen pattern stays on trend with safety advantages to boot The little tile that could If you’re looking for an instant “wow” factor in your bathroom, consider a graphic tile pattern. A bathroom floor in penny tile makes a visual impact and can easily be the main design feature. Yet, in a neutral color, it can be a supporting player to another focal point. As one of the most popular tiles, it’s proven its staying power and has a delightful shape. Furthermore, this small tile requires a lot of grout. As a result, it provides more grip and is less slippery on a wet floor. Choose a matte finish for more texture and as an added safety measure. Sweeten matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors , offering advice, support, and up to $50,000 in renovation financial protection—for free.  A black bathroom floor in penny tile anchors A full apart...