Site Visit w/ Nick Knacks Creative Interiors
0This week we’re catching up with another one of our new GC’s – Nick Knacks Creative Interiors is a husband-wife team lead by Nick & Dawn Dillon. The homeowners (a pair of young, newly-wed professionals) chose Nick Knacks after interviewing 7 other contractors for this project which included renovating both a master (full) bath and a half bath in their Upper West Side home. Nick has a knack for details, so we’ve broken down the nitty-gritty on just the master bath makeover.
The Nick Knacks team did a complete gut of the bathroom space to discover rotted flooring along with old plumbing lines and pipes that would have to be re-routed in order to realize its new design. After re-routing the plumbing where necessary, they upgraded all of the wiring to code, also adding recessed ceiling lights, 2 vanity light fixtures, a silent vent fan, and designated dimmer switches... Then onto the details below!
Nick always stresses the importance of proper site prep -- for this project, his team spent an entire day protecting surfaces, setting up equipment & preliminary building materials to create a proper construction zone (which was also 99% dust free!).
Here's a first view into the renovated master bath. Nick's design featured classic white beveled-edge subway tiles and Benjamin Moore's Aura Sweet Honeydew Melon on the walls, as well as framed inset medicine cabinets from Restoration Hardware, and a new granite top for the vanity.
When it came to the bathroom cabinets, Nick worked closely with these homeowners to come up with a custom solution that was "exactly it." Nick did the design, fabrication, installation and wood staining of the double sink base cabinet (above) as well as a floating sink base and vertical storage cabinets in the half bath.
Nick's eye for details is also found in the finish of the window sill and tub ledge where he matched the granite used on the vanity.
He also chose lighting and bath fixtures in polished chrome, including faucet and shower fittings from the Kohler Purist Collection. The floors and tub side were tiled with these unglazed porcelain in Linosa by Basaltina.
Nick says that the homeowners were so pleased with the bathrooms that they added a custom bedroom closet to the scope of the original project. Great work and many thanks to Nick & Dawn!
Site Visit :: Projects to Follow
0This week we’re previewing a couple of projects being completed by members of theSweeten network. Both renovations are still early on in the construction phase, but we’re so excited about them that we had to share!
First up is this retrofit with GSDO (you may remember their awesome work from this post). Adam Glickman & Lauren Schlesinger invited us out to Williamsburg to check out the progress on their adaptive re-use of a former Paper Doily Factory. The 7,000 sqft structure will soon have two apartments on the upper level; the new home of the Williamsburg Neighborhood Nursery School will be on the ground floor.
Lauren & Adam of GSDO
Everyone was hard at work on the nursery school -- soon this space will be full of 4 year olds!
Upstairs, a bathroom plan is tacked up in the first apartment.
Six North-facing windows inside the second apartment wash the space with a lovely, even light.
Shiny new windows are already in. Can't wait to see what else is in store for this former paper doily factory (circa 1902)!
Second on the list is another retrofit with Peter Maslow of Maslow Interiors. Peter has just gutted this 1000 sqft home in the West Village and is getting started building the new plan. The former 2 bed, 1 bath will be transformed into an oversized 1 bedroom with both a full and a half-bath. Peter is also relocating the entire kitchen, which, after the renovation is completed, will open onto a living room / library. And like the last project we saw from Peter, this one will also include some unique finishes.
Here's Peter.
Standing in the future living room / library, looking back into the kitchen.
The future master bedroom, can't wait to see what Peter has in store!
Site Visit w/ Famurat Builders
0This week we’re in Kensington, Brooklyn to catch up with Kris Famurat who, along with his wife Natalia, runs Famurat Builders. Kris and his team were busy at work on the renovation of a 480 sqft basement which is due to be finished next week. They’ve already torn out carpet to put in hardwood floors and given the walls a fresh coat of paint; now they’re working on wiring up a new entertainment space–complete with sound system and a built-in projector.
Entertainment aside, the primary focus of this project is actually in the bathroom. It’s been expanded into the former laundry room to make space for a new shower. After adding the shower, they’ll be replacing all the fixtures as well.
Here's Kris Famurat.
In order to make space for a shower in this former half-bath, the adjacent laundry room was converted into a laundry closet.
The Famurat team has had to relocate the washer / dryer hook-ups and are now finishing up the plumbing for the new shower and bathroom fixtures.
Inside the shower unfinished porcelain tiles by Crossville are also being installed (we can see a few on the shower frame to the left). The shower will also have an oversize glass door that will extend all the way to the ceiling.
Out in the entertainment space new hardwood floors were installed and the walls were given a fresh coat of Benjamin Moore's Carribean Breeze. Now they're replacing electric and installing a new sound system.
A built-in projector will finish the space off nicely, movie night in Kensington!
Big thanks to Kris & Natalia!
Site Visit w/ Maslow Interiors
1This week we had the exciting opportunity to take a look at a finished renovation by one of our newest contractors, Peter Maslow of Maslow Interiors. The apartment, located on 10th Street in the West Village,
belongs to a woman who was seeking a home conducive to reading and writing. Working with designer Randy Polumbo, Peter created a warm and cozy space that lives up to this ambition. Full of charm, the apartment features old Brownstone doors from Brooklyn and red oak paneling salvaged from the dining room of Kitty Carlisle.
Peter described his work on this interior as the most difficult, yet rewarding project he’s done. See the before images on his profile.
Here's Peter Maslow, owner of Maslow Interiors LLC.
The wood paneling that once framed the entryway to Kitty's dining room now frames the homeowner's sleeping nook. The support below the bed was made of new oak and stained to match by Peter.
Here's a view of the living space. Salvaged sconces brighten the century-old panel arches.
A close-up where the paneling meets the fireplace.
Built-in bookshelves in the dining area. Peter had to work very creatively to collage the oak panels into a new context and design.
This claw foot bathtub also once belonged to Kitty.
The bathroom closet door and coat closet doors come from old Brooklyn Brownstone buildings, and the pocket door on the left is from Kitty's.
A custom, silver sink was made to turn this old industrial warehouse cart into a new, 400-lb bathroom vanity.
Thanks to Peter, Randy and the Homeowner for sharing this incredible and creative renovation with theSweeten.
Site Visit w/ Hutson Landscape Design
0The weather is just right this week for catching up on site with our friend Corey Hutson of Hutson Landscape Design LLC. With Spring in the air, we asked Corey what he would be looking forward to most this season. He says:
“My absolute favorite are new rooftop garden designs, where I can do something truly unique. I love incorporating outdoor kitchens, showers and customizing the space to the clients’ needs.”
Here's Corey Hutson, owner of Hutson Landscape Design LLC
And here's one of our favorite images of a Hutson Landscape rooftop --so serene!
Corey also told us that regardless of the project type, the most rewarding aspect is always the installation. Below, we visited with him during one of these installations. You can really see the transformation that Hutson Landscape Design team brings to this Madison Ave flower bed.
This building needed some upkeep -- this year they were looking for a budget-friendly, 'temporary' solution to enhance the facade / pedestrian level. Next year they plan to undertake a major landscape renovation which will also include a redesign of the roof deck.
The large gaps in the planting area were the main issue to resolve.
The Hutson crew brought in this truck full of plant material that they got from Eberhard Voellm Nurseries Inc. The plants they used here include Ilex crenata Steeds (aka upright Japanese holly), and Calibrachoa (aka million bells).
Once installed it's irrigation time!
A great and simple face-lift for this building and the block!
Nice job Hutson Landscape Design!
Site Visit w/ General Assembly :: Finished Project!
0If you’ve been following our recent visits with General Assembly, you’ll be happy to see these before & after shots of the completed renovation. Sarah Zames did such a great job modernizing this Brownstone studio. Here’s a look at the old & the new!
After: Kitchen with new island, cabinetry, fixtures & even a chalk board!
After: View to open kitchen from living space.
Before: A view of the kitchen and a view looking toward the partitioned kitchen from the main living space.
After: Living space with new shelves, freshly pained walls & refinished floors.
Before: Living space.
After: Living / Sleeping space with new closet, shelving, sleeping nook, & Lulu!
Before: Living / Sleeping space.
All these awesome updates took less than 5 weeks! Great work!
Site Visit w/ Ecostruct
0This week we made a trip out to Gowanus in Brooklyn to catch up with Jon Eklund of Ecostruct LLC. Jon was just finishing up this sweet little desk project. The client, Susan Goldstein, has built her career staging apartments professionally in New York City and San Francisco. For those of you who watch “Selling New York” you might have seen her on this recent episode.
Susan knew exactly what she wanted for this Midtown apartment. All she needed was the right person to make it happen –take a look below!
Here is the sketch that the Susan provided.
The entire desk is made of a few elements, all seen here: the desk top, its custom molding, and a set of drawers.
Jon made this custom molding for the desk's edge so that it will integrate perfectly into the existing radiator cover (adjacent to where the desk will be placed on site).
The set of drawers are constructed out of milled poplar and, like the other desk elements, will be painted in Benjamin Moore Regal Select - Linen White Semi Gloss.
Here's the corner desk in the early stages of installation.
And voila...can't you already imagine it beautifully styled and seamlessly integrated in the room.
A custom-made corner desk by Ecostruct!
Site Visit with GSDO
1Similar to last week’s ‘site visit’, we’re catching up with one of our members to get a closer look into a finished project. After this portfolio project caught our eye, Lauren and Adam of Glickman Schlesinger Design Office (or GSDO) gave us an extended tour of this Midtown West renovation. Lauren explained that the project began when she got a message from an old friend from summer camp who she had not seen since the 1980′s. Jemma and her husband Jason were looking for an architect to update their new space but, as she informed the designers, in the years since camp, Jemma had been diagnosed with ALS (aka Lou Gehrig’s Disease). The new space would need to facilitate Jemma’s use of a wheelchair, as well as plan for live-in care.
Here ‘s a look into some of the spaces before the renovation took place: 1. Entry Space, 2. Living Room and 3. Kitchen.
In constant correspondence with Jemma (–who helped in the design process “with gusto,” picking finishes, and making decisions all along the way), GSDO created an open, loft-like space transforming this 1960′s apartment.
The contrast from old to new is truly spectacular! Several walls were removed and rooms were re-programed for this redesign. WHat was a bedroom in the old design is now a great dining area… And remember that ‘Entry Space’ shown above? We don’t either!
This marble-top island also took the place of a full wall, and the minimalist cabinetry was custom-designed by GSDO and made by {a href=”http://www.porcelanosa-usa.com/default.aspx”}Porcelanosa{/a}.
Like the main spaces, the master bedroom was treated with white stained oak flooring. We also got in touch with Jemma to find out more about the gorgeous lighting fixtures she picked for the space. Her favorite is the ceiling fixture here, Fabian by Chandi Lighting. ( The bedside sconces are Antlers by Jason Miller.)
This new master bathroom expanded to take over a former closet in the second bedroom. Lauren mentioned that one of the biggest challenges in the renovation was finding hinges that were strong enough for a glass shower door that is 39" (rather than the more common 31"). But it looks like they found the right ones for the job!
Great work Lauren and Adam & many thanks to Jemma and Jason!
Site Visit with CAV Design
0Because of our New York Magazine coverage we’ve got a bunch of new projects in the works. They are all in the early stages of construction though. So, for this week’s ‘site visit’, we asked Jennifer of CAV Design to give us a tour of a kitchen renovation she finished in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn just under a year ago. Below are some images of the project and you can check out this awesome video as well!
The client for this project, a travel writer who loves to cook, was looking for a more streamlined and functional kitchen for his young family. Jennifer explained that one of the constraints she was working with in the redesign was a limited budget. This was of no consequence in the end, as she beautifully pulled off a custom look with an Ikea kitchen!
Here's Jennifer, owner of CAV Design.
A couple 'before' shots. The clients weren't totally satisfied with the look and functionality of their existing kitchen.
Inside, we can see one of the biggest flaws of the existing kitchen--the stove is located immediately adjacent to a wall! Hope none of the chefs here were left-handed...
And here's a head-on view of the great changes CAV Design brought. Working with these Nexus Brown Ikea cabinets (no longer available, sorry!), Jennifer was able to increase the available storage by expanding the island, as well as running cabinets up to the ceiling. The ceiling-high cabinetry also reduces dust space overhead, and creates an appealing effect of built-ins!
Jennifer knew that major changes to the appliances would end up causing problems with the budget later on. But she managed to make some subtle, yet substantial improvements. The oven was slid over 12", which gave some relief from that wall, and some room for a narrow cabinet. Then, to avoid the overbearing look of 2 appliances next to each other, the dishwasher was replaced and perfectly camouflaged with a Nexus Brown Ikea dishwasher!
For the new floor, Jennifer went with an oversize ceramic tile, 12" x 24" in "Roca Azila" from Brooklyn's Galactic Tiles. Counter-intuitively, large floor tiles can make a small space look bigger.
Great work & big thanks, CAV Design!
Site Visit with General Assembly :: Part 2
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Here's Sarah Zames, owner of General Assembly
A couple of weeks ago we had our first look at General Assembly‘s latest project–a studio renovation in Brooklyn Heights. This week, we’re checking back in to see how things are taking shape.
They’re almost done with the project, which included updating cabinetry, appliances, and floors, opening up an archway, and redoing the ceilings to add extra sound insulation. Here’s what our homeowner Jenny had to say about the project:
“Sarah and I met, and went over ideas and a budget. I quickly learned that renovations were going to cost way more than I had thought, but Sarah went out of her way to come up with some amazing ideas and suggestions that did work with my budget. She was relentless and unwavering in her goal to provide me with a beautiful living space….I cannot recommend Sarah highly enough. I am overjoyed with my new home.”
Here's what the kitchen looked like before construction started --Jenny wanted the space to have a more modern feel.
After only 4 weeks of construction, the project is almost finished! Here's the kitchen now, ready for its backsplash and appliances to be installed.
We love these new countertops by ceasarstone; Jenny chose 'Quartz Reflections' from ceaserstone's recycled collection.
Old cabinetry was replaced with new cherry wood cabinets featuring Shaker style doors and modern hardware.
A pair of these golden pendants by West Elm hang over the new kitchen island.
Here's a look into the main living/sleeping space. All the walls and trim were given a fresh coat of Behr Ultra Premium paint. Once cleaned up, the bed will slide into that shallow wall nook which was painted in Behr's hue Perfect Taupe --a slight contrast to the other walls which were done in Burnished Clay.
A bit more from Jenny:
“ I wouldn’t hesitate to use Sarah, or theSweeten for any project I have in the future…..” Thanks Jenny!