A Colonial-Style Kitchen’s Modern Side
A classic blue kitchen relocates a refrigerator for a perfect layout
- Homeowners: Sweeten homeowners Nydia and Jonathan posted their 250-square-foot kitchen renovation on Sweeten
- Where: Brooklyn, New York
- Primary renovation: Reconfigure a dark and dated space and bring in more natural light
- Sweeten general contractor
- Homeowner’s quote: “The kitchen is definitely the highlight of the house. It’s warm and inviting and makes everyone feel welcome.”
- Sweeten’s role: Sweeten matches home renovators with vetted general contractors, offering input, support, and secure payments—for free.
Written in partnership with Sweeten homeowners Nydia and Jonathan. “After” photos by Miao Jiaxin for Sweeten.
Opening up the layout
Nydia and Jonathan bought their 3,240-square-foot house in Fiske Terrace, Brooklyn. They completed a few renovations in the colonial-style home but left the kitchen as-is. “We waited until we were in a position to do a kitchen splurge,” she shared.
To make the layout more functional and welcoming for their family of five, they looked to an open concept. The stairs to the basement were in the kitchen, presenting a design dilemma. “Where the stairs started and stopped directly impacted how the kitchen could be configured, so that was quite challenging,” Nydia said. The couple also wanted to take more advantage of the natural light, which the small windows weren’t doing. The couple posted their project on Sweeten and selected a general contractor.
Expanding the kitchen
One layout change allowed the rest of the floorplan to roll out with ease: moving the refrigerator outside of the main cooking area. The other appliances fell right into place: the dishwasher sat directly across from the sink, while the new range and hood had more surrounding counter space. “We also opened up the stairs that lead to the basement and it made the kitchen appear bigger,” Nydia said.
Renovate to live, Sweeten to thrive!
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.
Additionally, the colonial-style kitchen transformed thanks to crown molding, blue paint, and a peninsula.
Ample storage and countertop space
The eat-in peninsula adds more storage and a prep surface, but also brings in a sense of separation from the basement entry. It’s the family’s favorite part of their new kitchen. “It’s where we have our coffee in the morning or prepare cookies for baking. It functions exactly how we imagined it,” Nydia said. The couple paired gray-blue cabinets with brushed gold accents, giving it a modern edge that’s still warm. Instead of ceramic or tile floors, they chose oak wood flooring to create a cozier feel. New larger white-framed windows let in more natural light, too.
A spectacular outcome
Just off the main kitchen area, they added a separate coffee and tea bar, along with floating shelves. The new bottom-freezer refrigerator is surrounded by cabinets. Exposed brick from the chimney brings even more character.
“The kitchen is definitely the highlight of the house. It’s warm and inviting and makes everyone feel welcome,” Nydia said. “There’s plenty of space to sit, stand, and hang around eating, talking, and enjoying company.”
“It’s where we have our coffee in the morning or prepare cookies for baking. It functions exactly how we imagined it.”
Renovation Materials
Tribeca Oak flooring, ¾” x 5”: Bellawood. Diamond Reflection kitchen cabinets, main paint color in Maritime Blue and Moonstone: Lowe’s. Classic 3” cup bin and knob hardware: Pottery Barn. Talon Calacatta & Thassos marble tile backsplash: TileBar. LaToscana Sink: Home Depot. Cassidy Collection faucet in Champagne Bronze: Delta. Whirlpool refrigerator: Whirlpool. Thermador stove and oven: Thermador. Fulton light pendant: Hinkley. Bar stools: Design Tree Home.
When you’re ready to get started on your kitchen or home remodel, work with Sweeten to renovate with the best contractors.
—
Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project’s location, budget, and scope, helping until project completion. Follow the blog for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you’re ready to renovate, start your renovation on Sweeten.
