Brazilian Walnut Flooring Brings Warmth to a Bright Apartment
An Upper West Side co-op in Manhattan had new Brazilian walnut flooring installed to bring warmth and depth to a minimalist apartment. Set against crisp white walls, the rich wood softens the renovation, making the home feel bright and inviting.
- Homeowner: Tejesh posted his full apartment remodel on Sweeten
- Where: Upper West Side, Manhattan, New York City
- Primary renovation: The entire co-op was updated, including a gut renovation of the kitchen and bathroom, new flooring throughout, upgraded electrical, new lighting and outlets, and reworked closets for better function. The kitchen was opened to the dining area with a peninsula, while the bathroom was rebuilt with streamlined fixtures and a glass-walled shower.
- Homeowner’s quote: “From project start to finish, my Sweeten contractor was on top of it. We had some unexpected hiccups and delays, but he kept the job moving.”
Guest blog post by homeowner Tejesh
An outdated Manhattan apartment with promise
After more than a decade of living in the heart of Chelsea, a block away from the charms of the Meatpacking District and the phenomenal Chelsea Market, I knew that finding my next place was going to require faith and flexibility. When my previous apartment sold and I hadn’t yet found my next home, those things were more necessary than ever.
I focused on location over curb appeal, and after a year of looking, I found it. The one-bedroom apartment, in a small pre-war co-op with 31 units, could only be described as outdated. The kitchen and bath needed total gut jobs. But I liked the layout and the historic detailing, and the price was good, too.
Then I checked out the neighborhood. The place is a block from Riverside Drive and another short walk to the Hudson River’s edge; a block in the other direction is the subway and Broadway shopping. It’s a 5-minute walk to Central Park, and an easy stroll to Hell’s Kitchen, the area where I spend a lot of my after-work hours hitting the gym and meeting friends at restaurants.
I wasn’t a renovating newbie. I’d bought the old Chelsea studio in 2003, and remodeled twice before selling it as a junior one-bedroom. I quickly figured out the specifics of the renovation of the new place, then posted the job on Sweeten and waited for contractors to bid.
The apartment’s interior was functional but needed an overhaul. I wanted it to have a modern look and liked the idea of mixing old and new features and finishes. The place had beautiful archways, an entry niche, and a sunken living room, all key architectural features I wanted to retain.
My list of must-dos included replacing all floors, revamping the electrical to install new lighting and additional outlets, redoing three closets—and the biggies—to completely modernize both the kitchen and bathroom.
Before long, we had our Sweeten general contractor secured, and we were ready to start work on the apartment.
Opening a closed-off kitchen to become a social hub
The renovation started with the kitchen. To bring 21st-century sleekness to the space, I decided to open the kitchen and create a peninsula that would connect it to the dining room space.
The kitchen had an awkward design and was walled-in from the rest of the apartment. I was excited to bring in light and design a kitchen where I could cook. It would also serve as a social space.
I love entertaining in the kitchen, and having a massive countertop to hang out around and serve appetizers and cocktails from was truly a necessity.
I didn’t go crazy on the cabinetry; it’s custom-designed but basic, built by a Brooklyn company to make use of all available wall space. A floor-to-ceiling pantry occupies a former dead space blocked off by an immovable hot water riser. We installed quartz countertops and a marble backsplash, which topped the white cabinets.
A small bathroom with room to breathe
The bathroom was as challenging as the kitchen. Small and narrow, the space was overwhelmed by an enclosed tub and shower. Once gutted, the actual problem was clear—there was no room in there!
I had ideas for moving the toilet and the shower drain, but in the end, my contractor put the bathroom back together as it was, using streamlined fixtures and a minimal glass-walled shower. We decided to eliminate the space-hogging storage cabinet.
Meanwhile, I moved on to bathroom tile design, which also proved difficult to choose. Wanting something striking, I flopped from $250-a-square-foot marble mosaic to hand-painted Italian tiles, then settled on a geometric design made of cement tile, which I paired with luxe wall tiles.
Brazilian walnut flooring warms the whole apartment
Throughout the apartment, the original hardwood flooring was in bad shape and could not be refinished. I decided to install new Brazilian hardwood floors spanning the living room, dining room, kitchen, and bedroom. Though the wood is dark, the contrast with the white walls, blinds, and all-white kitchen keeps the apartment feeling bright and light.
At the same time, the Brazilian walnut flooring brings a sense of warmth that helps balance the clean, minimalist palette. Running continuously from room to room, it gives the apartment a more grounded, inviting feel and makes the updated space feel less stark and more like home.
We also updated the electric panel, added outlets, and incorporated new light fixtures in every room.
The finishing touches that made it feel like home
The apartment had three closets, including two in the bedroom, and we felt we could improve on all of them. My contractor refashioned all of them to make them more roomy and functional, rebuilding one entirely and refinishing and upgrading the interiors of the other two.
From project start to finish, my Sweeten contractor was on top of it. We had some unexpected hiccups and delays, but he kept the job moving. During my earlier reno projects, I’d learned a thing or two about how to work with a general contractor. Remember that your contractor’s communication with you is essential. If you expect to be included in every decision, make sure the contractor knows it.
My contractor FaceTimed me from the apartment while I was at work, asking for my approval on things as he installed. It felt great to have that level of involvement, but I also needed to be constantly available. He even sent progress photos when I went out of town. He was a no-nonsense, great guy, and I’d trust him to renovate for me again. 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
Despite occasional glitches, the renovation went great. The best part was sleeping on my new bed in my apartment for the first time! It felt great to wake up in this beautiful space. I still have a lot of art to hang and need more rugs to soften up the dark hardwood floors, but I love it.
Thank you, Tejesh, for sharing your story and your new home!
Ready to start your own renovation journey?
Post your project on Sweeten for free and make your dream remodel a reality. Sweeten puts you in control of your renovation, from finding the perfect contractor and gathering design inspiration, to using cost guides to plan your budget wisely. Renovate expertly with Sweeten.
Renovation materials
ENTRY RESOURCES:
Brazilian walnut wood flooring throughout apartment: Floor & Decor.
Three Light ceiling light: Lumens.
KITCHEN RESOURCES:
Custom kitchen cabinets: E-Wood Flooring and Cabinetry.
Chrome pull hardware and Behr: Home Depot.
Quartz countertops and hexagon backsplash: Floor and Decor.
Undercounter sink: Elkay.
Faucet: Delta.
Refrigerator, dishwasher, and oven: Bosch.
Cooktop: Bertazonni.
Pendant lighting: Lumens.
Bar stools: Wayfair.
BEDROOM RESOURCES:
Basic square light fixtures: Lumens.
Behr paint: Home Depot.
BATHROOM RESOURCES:
Pacific Contemporary Collection Berlin IV cement floor tile: Cement Tile Shop.
Large-format white wall tile: Porcelanosa.
Faucet, hanging mirror, and shower head with built-in shower wand: Delta Faucet.
Eviva vanity: Overstock.
Toilet: American Standard.
Light bar: Lumens.
Frequently asked questions
What is Brazilian hardwood?
Brazilian hardwood is a broad flooring term for dense tropical hardwood species sold under Brazilian names, such as Brazilian cherry or Brazilian walnut. In home renovations, people usually choose it for its rich color, natural hardness, and the warm, high-contrast look it can bring to a space.
Is dark hardwood expensive?
Yes, dark hardwood can be expensive, especially when it comes from exotic or less common wood species. Standard hardwood flooring is often priced lower, while unusual or tropical hardwoods can cost more per square foot for materials alone.
Is a kitchen peninsula or island better for entertaining guests?
Both are great for entertaining guests because each creates a natural place to gather, serve food, and keep conversation close to the cooking area. A kitchen island offers a central hub, while a peninsula can also add seating and a social edge that connects the kitchen to the rest of the room.
