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A Blue, White, and Beautiful Transformation of a Brooklyn Kitchen

by Sweeten December 12, 2024

This Brooklyn kitchen renovation isn’t just a makeover; it’s a masterpiece. By blending timeless elegance with contemporary flair, Tiffany and Chad transformed their rental into a dream home. Their two-tone blue and white cabinets, coupled with a stunning herringbone backsplash, create a visual feast. The juxtaposition of rustic and industrial elements adds depth and character to the space, making it a truly unique and inviting kitchen.

Tiffany and Chad’s two-tone blue and white kitchen cabinets are home—thanks to their contractor

Homeowners: Tiffany and Chad, both in pharmaceutical advertising, posted their kitchen remodel on Sweeten
Where: Park Slope, in Brooklyn, New York
Primary renovation: A new layout for a kitchen stretches along a single wall in an 895-square-foot condo
Homeowner quote: “We were able to bid [our project] out and compare estimates that fit what we budgeted for the project. [Sweeten] made a tedious process seamless and easy.”

Written in partnership with homeowner Tiffany. “After” photos by Kate Glicksberg.

Sweeten simplifies home renovation. We connect homeowners with top-rated general contractors, handling the vetting process and project management. To learn more about how we can help, check out our guide to home renovation services.

From a rental to home, sweet, home

Chad and I love Brooklyn, particularly Park Slope. When our relationship became serious and each of us knew we’d be together for the long haul, we purchased our one-bedroom condo. Interest rates were super low due to the pandemic, so it was a good time to buy. (We just got married in this apartment earlier this year!) We share our home with our two pups, Freddie and Georgie Weasley.

Prior to moving in, the space had been rented to many tenants since 2006. As a result, the kitchen and bathroom felt grimy. I am a super clean freak and just wanted to design something we loved for our first home together.

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The original kitchen was tucked in the corner. The new kitchen would open up to the living space but also elongate it across one wall. Chad and I like different styles so we chose to mix them—traditional/country with a Brooklyn/industrial accent. It has a ton of personality.

Two-tone blue and white kitchen cabinets glow in Brooklyn

In an effort to save money, we decided to be the project managers for our own renovation. When putting our renovation team together, we found our designer, cabinet supplier, and Sweeten general contractor each separately—and we were the go-betweens for each one.

“Our contractor helped us source new cabinets and the results were amazing.”

We needed a simple rip-and-replace for our kitchen. Only a small portion of the wall was removed. We chose dual-color blue and white cabinets to break up the monotone and give the space some character. They really pop, especially against the herringbone backsplash. The floating shelves are reclaimed for that country and industrial touch. The wood pieces are unfinished so it has that raw look we were looking for.

A hurdle with a happy solution

Hands down, our biggest challenge involved the purchase of our kitchen cabinets. We spent $10,000 on cabinets based on the beautiful showroom pieces we saw in person. After four months, the delivery arrived with the cabinets in terrible shape that were unrepairable. Paint and pieces of wood were breaking off. The materials felt much lighter than what we saw in the showroom.

Our Sweeten contractor advised us not to move forward with installing them. He predicted the cabinets would need to be replaced between six months to a year. His team helped us source new cabinets and the results were amazing.

Our renovation team—supportive all the way

As first-time renovators, we didn’t know what the first steps were or what was required for a kitchen renovation. Our contractor and his wife were the absolute best. They proved to be professional and trustworthy. Furthermore, they were super committed to doing the best work and making their clients happy. They left the space very clean; the post-construction cleanup wasn’t as intense as I had expected it to be.

We found our Park Slope contractor through Sweeten. We were able to bid this out and compare estimates that fit what we budgeted for the project. They made a tedious process seamless and easy. Another integral part of the team was our designer, Keith Spears, who guided us step by step. He helped to create drawings, choose materials, and identify where to purchase the product.

We love absolutely everything about our new kitchen. It lights up the entire apartment. The quartz countertop and black and gold accents are my favorites but the farmhouse sink is a showstopper. We also feel lucky to have ample countertop space; a luxury living in NYC. The decision to revamp our space was the right one. Our first apartment feels so much more like home.

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