A Tin Ceiling Kitchen Refresh That Kept Its Brooklyn Charm
In Flatbush, Brooklyn, this before-and-after shows a tin ceiling kitchen transformed from cramped and cluttered to open and functional by removing a dining room wall, relocating a refrigerator, and improving storage with refreshed finishes.
- Homeowners: Anila, an NYU administrator, and Ian, a musician, posted their kitchen renovation project on Sweeten.
- Where: Flatbush, Brooklyn, New York
- Primary renovation: A wall between the kitchen and dining room was removed to create a more open, functional layout, and the refrigerator hookup was relocated to make room for a larger window and more natural light. The kitchen received new cabinetry and added storage, an updated tile backsplash, refreshed flooring, plus new countertops and updated hardware.
- Homeowner’s quote: “We love our new kitchen so much! We’ve been cooking a ton, and it feels great to entertain in our new space.”
A vintage tin ceiling kitchen ready for a makeover
Anila and Ian’s kitchen in Flatbush, Brooklyn, still had elements of its 1920s charm, like the high, tin ceilings. The rest of the cook space had clearly seen updates since then, the latest being standard orange/brown cabinets and linoleum flooring.
The couple, an NYU administrator and musician, lived in the home for a year and a half before deciding it was time for a kitchen renovation.
“Our kitchen and had inadequate storage, but there were also areas of wasted space, including a giant gap between the fridge and the cabinets. There was only one 6-inch wide drawer and limited counter space so it constantly felt cluttered and the corner cabinet, where we stored our pots and pans, was like a giant cave that you almost had to climb into to reach anything,” Anila shared.
They posted their project to Sweeten and were matched with a general contractor.
Walls down, daylight in, and smarter storage takes shape
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. 
With a mission to create an open, functional kitchen they got to work with their Sweeten general contractor. First things first: knocking down the wall between the kitchen and dining room, and moving the refrigerator hook-up to another wall to leave more space for a bigger window. These changes let in more natural light—exactly what the renovators wanted.Renovate expertly with Sweeten
Their contractor recommended a cabinetry company known for its flexibility on cabinet sizes and styles. “It was great to get suggestions from the contractor as there were already so many other things we needed to research and purchase on our own,” Anila said.
They chose white Shaker cabinets with drawers as the bases, a detail the couple really loves. To incorporate color, the renovators selected a blue-green handmade tile backsplash that pops against the white cabinets and new wood flooring.
When their contractor pulled up the linoleum, he found only subflooring in the kitchen and damaged parquet in the dining area. The couple had uncovered the original flooring in other rooms throughout the home, so they opted to keep that look, repairing the floor and adding planks where necessary (mostly in the kitchen).
Living through the build, planning ahead, and loving the result
The biggest challenge of the project was staying during the renovation and without a kitchen or dining room for almost three months. Anila and Ian made a makeshift kitchen in their living room and used the basement sink to wash dishes.
“We also used our backyard a lot since it was summer. We actually did really well on the cooking front considering we had no stove. Ian made eggs on the grill most days and we made some delicious meals both on the grill and in the toaster oven,” she shared.
The first-time renovators emphasized the importance of planning ahead. There are so many decisions to make, so the less you have to make simultaneously or on a whim, the better.
“We love our new kitchen so much! We’ve been cooking a ton and it feels great to entertain in our new space,” Anila said.
Bonus: Anila and Ian chose gray soapstone countertops for their durability and style, as well as brass knobs and pulls to see how they’ll patina over time.
Ready to get started?
Post your project on Sweeten for free and make your dream kitchen 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.
Renovation materials
- White Rockford cabinets: Cliq Studios.
- Brass knobs and pulls: Rejuvenation.
- Soapstone countertops: European Granite & Marble.
- Zellige tiles in Tea Ceremony: Cle.
- Sink and Faucet: Kraus.
- Refrigerator and stove: GE.
- Dishwasher: Bosch.
- Lighting: Hinkley.
Frequently asked questions
A tin ceiling is a decorative ceiling made of thin metal panels, usually stamped with intricate patterns and installed in sections. It became especially popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as an affordable and fire-resistant alternative to ornate plaster ceilings.
The benefits of a tin ceiling are long-term durability and low-maintenance upkeep. Metal ceiling panels are noncombustible and can often be installed over an existing ceiling, which can reduce tear-out and keep cleaning and maintenance straightforward.
Although tin ceilings are not common, you may see them in older prewar apartments and brownstones. You will see them most often in neighborhoods with early-20th-century housing stock where original details were preserved or restored.
