News — Before

Homeowners: Kayla + Jesse posted their one-bedroom apartment project on Sweeten Where: Chelsea neighborhood in Manhattan, New York Primary renovation: Remodel a tiny kitchen to add space and character Sweeten general contractor 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. “After” photos by Miao Jiaxin for Sweeten Written in partnership with Sweeten homeowner Kayla From Renting to Buying I’ve always had a passion for real estate. I even work in real estate tech as a product manager. Since moving to the city over 10 years ago,...

It was a case of “I’m not buying the house unless we can afford to do that right now,” because it was pretty gross! I still love the kitchen just as much today, but lurking behind its famous blue barn door has been an extremely grotty laundry which has finally had its makeover! And boy, am I excited to share it with you today! Many assumed there was a butler’s pantry behind that door but, because of the state of it, you’d never know because that door remained firmly shut! My friend James Treble, the TV interior designer, once had...

Today, I’m excited to share with you a little tour of our bedroom and bathroom spaces! You can see my living spaces tour here. Our house has 5 bedrooms and 4.5 baths. My husband, Jonathan, and I have a daughter (Opal, 5) and a son (Moses, 1) who each have a bedroom on the second floor that connects through a shared bathroom and playroom area. Our main bedroom is located on the other side of the hallway on the same level.   This home was originally built in 1925, and when it was built, it had 1 1/2 baths and...

The Brooklyn Heights Association kicked off its second showhouse located in the historic neighborhood. Continuing its mission to preserve old homes for 21st-century living, they invited 15 designers to lay their magic among the rooms in the wood-framed house. Tapped to help with two bathroom renovations—the powder room and kids’ bathroom—designer Kim Tomasino was matched with a general contractor from Sweeten, a free service connecting renovators and designers with vetted contractors. Scroll down to see the design candy she created or visit the showhouse in person through November 3rd.  PROJECT: Remodel two outdated bathrooms in the Brooklyn Heights Designer Showhouse LOCATION: 13 Pineapple Street,...

This is what Europeans-turned-New-Yorkers, Uldis and Serge, saw when they stepped into a loft in a 1929 industrial building in Manhattan’s Midtown East: soaring 12- to14-foot ceilings, floating steps to a steel and tempered glass mezzanine, and 10-foot windows overlooking a tree-lined courtyard. They were sold on the historic feel and open concept but a remodel was in order including a full kitchen installation, new lighting, and reworking the layout to fit a master bedroom. The first-time homeowners posted their project on Sweeten, a free service matching renovators with vetted general contractors, and found their Sweeten contractor. The space emerged with...