Before & After: A Little Kitchen Lives Large

When the last of their kids moved out, Hafeeza and her husband decided to make a big change: they sold their 4,500 square foot house in New Jersey and moved to Manhattan. They were tired of the maintenance a big house requires, and wanted to be close to the city and all it has to offer. After a year in a temporary spot, they found the perfect apartment. The kitchen just needed a little tlc.

After run-ins with a few different contractors who weren’t available or weren’t willing to take on a small project, the couple turned to Sweeten, a New York area resource that matches homeowners with architects, designers, and contractors. They were matched with Sweeten expert Pedro, who was able to make the changes they desired in a quick, hassle-free renovation.

Some of the changes to the kitchen, obviously, were cosmetic: new, contrasting cabinets, a quartz countertop, and a new floor give the room a more streamlined, modern look. But there were practical changes too: Hafeeza and her husband love to cook and entertain, and wanted more storage and prep space. So in their new kitchen, they decided to forego a dishwasher in lieu of more storage space. The sink was moved to the right of its previous location, leaving a long, continuous work space.

In the end, the couple decided that they didn’t mind washing dishes, and that they’d get more out of the extra space gained from not having a dishwasher. It’s a unique solution that works for them — and the addition of a beautiful, modern new stove has helped them quickly get over the loss of the dishwasher.

The couple had originally contemplated removing the kitchen wall, but decided against it when they realized it would only give them 18 inches of extra space. Instead, they chose bright lighting and light, reflective finishes, like the glass backsplash tile, which help the new kitchen feel more spacious despite its small size.

To read more about this remodel, check out the project page on Sweeten.

Re-edited from a post originally published 2.12.15 – NT