A Stylish Brooklyn Brownstone Bathroom & Laundry Remodel
Who knew a bathroom renovation could feel like a game of Tetris? This Brooklyn family began on a journey to transform their cramped, outdated bathroom into a functional oasis for their growing family. Facing unexpected challenges and embracing creative solutions along the way, they ultimately achieved a stunning result. Discover how they navigated the twists and turns of their renovation and created a bathroom that is both beautiful and practical.
This family’s 2-unit renovation was worth the wait
- Homeowners: Isis and Stephano moved into their pre-war home and posted their Brooklyn brownstone bathroom remodel with laundry on Sweeten
- Where: Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York
- Primary renovation: Expansion, reconfiguration, and renovation of the Brooklyn brownstone’s fourth-floor bathroom, which does double-duty as a laundry room
- Homeowners’ quote: “[Sweeten] helped us gut-check our initial budget based on the market for our area.”
Written in partnership with homeowners Isis and Stephano. “After” photos by Kate Glicksberg for Sweeten.
Post your project on Sweeten for free and make your dream renovation a reality. Sweeten simplifies home renovation by connecting homeowners with top-rated general contractors, handling the vetting process and project management. To learn more about how we can help, check out our home renovation services.
Purchasing the right Brooklyn brownstone
Isis, a brand and experiential marketing specialist, and Stephano, a nurse anesthetist, purchased their dream brownstone in late 2018. This four-story fixer-upper, with a three-story apartment for the family and a garden-level rental unit, presented a thrilling challenge. Renovating the bathroom quickly rose to the top of their to-do list, but unforeseen circumstances demanded a change in plans.
“We gutted the bathroom, eager to transform it,” explains Isis, “but soon realized we had to prioritize urgent repairs to the roof and the downstairs rental unit.” With two children and another on the way, the prospect of delaying the bathroom renovation was less than ideal. Their vision, however, remained clear: an expanded bathroom that could comfortably accommodate their growing family and finally include a much-needed laundry area.
How much, and how long?
During the nearly two years that followed, the family muddled through. “We had everyone sharing one bathroom,” Stephano said—including, at times, Isis’s dad. When they finally had the time and resources to undertake the bathroom remodel, they posted it on Sweeten, and were quickly introduced to several qualified Brooklyn contractors.
“The biggest questions we had were how much and how long,” Isis recalled, explaining that they’d heard horror stories of inflamed budgets and endless timeline extensions. They also tried to ascertain how well each of the candidates could communicate. “We hoped to work with a team that could convey all key info that might affect the timeline,” Isis said, “so that we could collaborate on workarounds.”
Isis was relieved that Sweeten could smooth the process. “The company helped us gut-check our initial budget based on the market for our area,” she said. “They presented solid contractors for us to meet, and then checked in to make sure we felt pleased with our selection. I felt good about the consultant who supported us and the insights she shared.” 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 to live, Sweeten to thrive!
Measure twice, cut once
Once they had made their contractor choice, the process for the bathroom began—haltingly. Isis and Stephano had hired an independent designer, and brought the resulting plans to the table when discussing the project with their contractor. “The designer had measured, provided renderings, and even put us in touch with vendors,” Stephano said. They ordered many of the materials for the bathroom, included a barn door for the washer/dryer, a vanity, and stone for the two-sink top. Then—a hard stop. “Our contractor realized that many of the measurements didn’t jibe,” Stephano said.
Finding a creative way to fit them in, Stephano said, “took amazing Tetris skills” on the part of their contractor.
The original washer and dryer, left behind by the previous owners, wouldn’t fit in the space the designer had planned for it. The vanity size was also off, and the door from the recommended vendor was too heavy to be installed as intended. “It wasn’t the best experience,” Isis said. But the couple persisted, fueled by their vision: a functional space for laundry, and a shower lit by the morning sun through a skylight. And their Sweeten contractor found solutions to each of the problems created by the ill-chosen designer. Stephano offered his own solution to the barn door problem: he’d use his skills to build his own custom design, and worked with the contractor to incorporate it.
Borrowing space to get a bigger bathroom
To accommodate the whole family, and the laundry area, they knocked down an adjacent wall and annexed a pair of closets. One closet was rebuilt to house the washer and dryer—a pair of 24-inch stacking units to replace the original ones that didn’t match the designer’s drawings. Finding a creative way to incorporate the units into the bathroom, Stephano said, “took amazing Tetris skills” on the part of their contractor. The enlarged space helped with other layout and storage challenges. “The shower is spacious! We added a custom cabinet that can hold all of our toiletry needs and were able to obtain a larger, double-sink vanity,” Isis said.
For finishes they chose a combination of black, white, and natural wood, with contrasting hex tiles and subway tiles. “Subway tile felt very NYC to us, so we led with that, but also liked hexagon tile for the floor,” Isis said. “In the shower, we opted for all black, which we totally love, and we’re happy with the custom walnut shelving, too.”
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Their general contractor was a great fit
Both partners feel proud of starting their bathroom project and the final outcome. “We took what we’d learned from other projects,” Isis said, “and used that knowledge to work really well with our Sweeten contractor and his team.” Stephano appreciated that their contractor was always available, “and was invested in both getting the work done and making sure we were satisfied.”
“I love the design, and how functional it is for all of our needs, including storage,” Isis said. “Thanks to the skylight, the bathroom has great natural light. She added, “I love the custom door Stephano made for us!” Perfectly weighted, and smooth-rolling.
Thanks for sharing your Brooklyn brownstone bathroom story with us, Isis and Stephano!
Ready to start your own renovation journey?
Post your project on Sweeten for free and make your dream bathroom 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:
BATHROOM RESOURCES:
- Geometrics 2” hex matte white wall tile; Silhouette black polished 2”x10” shower wall tile; Geometrics 2” hex glazed black shower floor tile; Geometrics two-inch hex glazed black floor tile; and Quartz Jet Black saddles: Brooklyn Tile & Design
- Awaken and Purist X Handles shower fixtures and hardware, Adair toilet: Kohler
- Matte black rolling shower door: VIGO
- Custom-built double vanity cabinet with Urbania door panels in Mariposa: Tafisa
- Nicoli matte black faucet: Delta
- Carbon Loft Cornwall Metal Beveled Venetian wall mirror: Overstock
- Keenan two-light wall sconce: ALLMODERN
- Barn door: Custom hand-made by contractor
- SmartStandard Barn door hardware: Amazon
- 24” washer and dryer: Samsung
FAQs
“One of the biggest challenges was the initial design phase. The designer’s measurements were inaccurate, which led to several unforeseen problems. For example, the chosen vanity was too large, and the original washer and dryer wouldn’t fit in the designated space. Our contractor, however, was incredibly resourceful and found creative solutions to overcome these obstacles.”
“Thorough planning and communication are key. Ensure you have accurate measurements and realistic budget expectations. Work closely with your contractor and don’t hesitate to ask questions. Don’t be afraid to embrace unexpected challenges as opportunities for creativity. And most importantly, remember to enjoy the process! Your dream bathroom is within reach.”
