Wood Laminate Cabinets Add Contrast Throughout This Home
Designer Matthew had seen plenty of projects through construction during his professional career. Renovating his own 1,000-square-foot apartment in Clinton Hill was different. He was working full-time, keeping a close eye on his budget, and trying to complete as much as possible before moving in.
Matthew wanted his home to feel peaceful and light, with a quiet backdrop for art and objects. He chose materials he genuinely liked, including wood and laminate cabinetry, concrete countertops, knotty pine millwork, and reclaimed wood shelving.
- Homeowner: Matthew posted his first personal Clinton Hill renovation on Sweeten
- Where: Clinton Hill, Brooklyn, New York
- Primary renovation: Updating the kitchen, two bathrooms, and a multipurpose guest room in a 1,000-square-foot apartment
- Homeowner’s quote: “At the outset, I got a lot of high bids. My contractor was the one who convinced me it could be done within my budget.”
Written in partnership with homeowner Matthew
Designing a calm home on a tight budget
I found an apartment that needed work, but it still left me with some money in the budget to renovate. Working full-time while overseeing the project was challenging, so I tried to keep the design straightforward.
I wanted my home to feel peaceful and light, but I had a pretty tight budget for everything I hoped to accomplish. I focused on fairly humble materials that I liked and used them alongside traditional neutral colors.
My work is visually intensive, so at home I wanted something more minimal and quiet. The apartment could then serve as a backdrop for the art and objects I wanted around me.
I had seen many projects through construction during my professional career, but I had never experienced a renovation so personally. One of my biggest concerns was whether I could finish the design, hire a contractor, and complete the work within the short window before I had to move in.
In the end, I moved in while construction was still underway. Having workers arrive every morning and going without a kitchen for many weeks was difficult, but those memories faded pretty quickly once the work was finished and I could enjoy the apartment.
My partner at the time also helped throughout the process. He has great taste and helped me along the way.
How wood laminate cabinets shaped the kitchen
Mixing wood and laminate finishes for the cabinetry was one of the ideas I cared about most when planning the kitchen. The custom wood laminate cabinets combine Douglas fir with laminate, creating contrast between the different cabinet surfaces.
I liked the way the mix of finishes emphasized the different volumes and made the scale feel more human. Using wood and laminate cabinetry also fit naturally with the simple material palette I wanted throughout the apartment.
The countertops and peninsula are concrete. I like concrete because it can take different forms, but I was also drawn to the fact that it is a natural material that changes as it ages.
The kitchen also includes an appliance garage, a feature I had liked long before starting this project.
I’ve always liked appliance garages. It goes back to the fact that my grandparents had one in their very modern kitchen from the ’60s.
Giving each bathroom its own details
I was especially excited about renovating the bathrooms and having a tub where I could soak. I paired it with a smoked-glass panel, and from the beginning, I knew I did not want the partition to be clear glass. Sweeten brings homeowners an exceptional renovation experience by personally matching trusted general contractors to your project, while offering expert guidance and support—at no cost to you. Renovate expertly with Sweeten
The other bathroom was very small, so my goal was to make it feel as big and open as possible. The materials themselves are simple, while details such as the extra showerhead give the space something more distinctive.
Adding a Murphy bed and custom storage
The guest bedroom also serves as an office, so the millwork combines several materials and storage features. It uses knotty pine and laminate with a painted wood frame, while a red laminate panel breaks up the finish and draws attention to the sliding door.
The built-ins provide closet and shoe storage. A Murphy bed gives the room a place for guests while still allowing it to function as an office.
I also made the open shelving in the hallway myself, using laminated pieces of reclaimed wood. In a way, those shelves became the heart of the apartment.
I knew I wanted to find a place for them, and the hallway turned out to be the right fit. The shelves transformed an area that had not been especially useful into a place where I could display things.
Plants were always an important part of the apartment as well. All of the artwork comes from friends, acquaintances, or other people in my community.
Working with my Sweeten general contractor
My Sweeten general contractor was instrumental in completing the project and helping me accomplish what I wanted to do.
At the outset, I got a lot of high bids. My contractor was the one who convinced me it could be done within my budget.
They also helped me find the millworker who completed all of the cabinetry. I prepared the designs and drawings and selected the finishes.
For the guest room, I purchased a Murphy bed kit online. My contractor built the frame and custom panels and handled the installation.
I highly recommend working with design professionals because it is easy to underestimate the amount of work involved. I also learned not to get too caught up in every individual choice. Sometimes it is easier to choose something you already know you like and move on.
Settling into the finished apartment
My new home makes me feel happy and relaxed, and it helps me focus. Living here has also encouraged me to declutter and live more simply.
Going through my own project gave me a different perspective on a process I already knew professionally. It has also been a useful exercise in directing my interests for future projects.
Thank you, Matthew, for sharing your renovation with us!
Renovation materials
KITCHEN RESOURCES:
- Laminate and Douglas fir cabinets: Custom by general contractor.
- Hardware: Rejuvenation.
- Concrete countertops: Trueform Concrete.
- Ceramic backsplash tile: Mosa.
- Silgranit sink: Blanco.
- Faucet: Kohler.
- Pendant lights: Verner Panton.
MASTER BATHROOM RESOURCES:
- Shower fixtures: California Faucets.
- Sink: Kohler.
- Vanity: Custom.
- Toilet: Duravit.
- Lighting: Rich Brilliant Willing.
GUEST BATHROOM RESOURCES:
- Floor and wall tiles: Mosa ceramic.
- Shower fixtures: California Faucets.
- Toilet: Toto.
- Lighting: Vintage.
LIVING SPACE:
- Alabaster paint throughout: Benjamin Moore.
Frequently asked questions
What is laminated wood?
Laminated wood is made by bonding layers or pieces of wood-based material together to create a finished surface or structural panel. In cabinetry, laminate can be used alongside natural wood to add contrast, color, and a durable finished surface.
Is laminate wood of good quality?
Yes, laminate wood can be a good-quality choice when it is well made and properly installed. Its quality depends on the core material, laminate finish, fabrication, and how the cabinetry is constructed.
Can I use concrete for my countertops?
Many renovators use concrete for countertops as it can be shaped to suit different kitchen layouts. In this renovation, the homeowner used concrete for the countertops and peninsula because he liked how the material could take different forms and naturally change as it aged.
