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Finding a spacious apartment with great bones and, even better, natural light in New York is tough, so when you do come across one you snap it up and deal with the ornamental work later. That said, when the aforementioned ornamental work requires a contractor—i.e. someone whose design qualifications are a little more legitimate than “avid Pinner”—getting professional help is useful in ensuring you don’t do anything to jeopardize your new home’s value. Which is why one homeowner turned to Sweeten, the free contractor matchmaking service, to give his Greenwich Village prewar apartment a facelift.
The loft in question is a 1979 corner apartment perfectly situated high above a bustling street in the Village. With massive industrial windows that allow for a steady stream of natural light, the homeowner could look out onto the New York skyline while still enjoying his privacy. High 14-foot ceilings further open up the space, while a mezzanine just above the kitchen makes use of the tall ceilings and provides a more closed-off work area.
Taking advantage of those gorgeous structural features, the owner wanted to update a few of the less desirable elements, writing that the space was functional but “hasn’t been updated in decades.” First up: Tackling the dated wood parquet tiling on the floor. Natural white oak wide plank hardwood took its place, instantly transporting the loft to 2018.
After a minor reconfiguration of the space which saw the entryway closet and kitchen ceiling reduced to further showcase the 10-foot windows, the next order of business was the kitchen.
The old green Formica counters had to go, replaced by a more timeless Carrara marble that also creeps up into the backsplash. New stainless steel appliances—including fridge drawers hidden on the inside of the new counters—lend a sleek look. And where unremarkable wooden counters used to be, the Sweeten contractor added blue-grey cabinets from Ikea complete with minimal nickel hardware.
This high-low approach to decor continues in the bathroom, which was completely gutted. The same Carrara marble that gives the kitchen a luxe feel is present in this room, and while the marble subway tiling on the bathtub walls may look equally expensive, it’s actually from the Home Depot.
Neutral and understated yet full of accent pieces and materials that look high-end, the bathroom almost looks like something you’d find at a luxury hotel.
Finally, the bedroom. Much like every other part of the apartment, it came with its own unique feature: Floor-to-ceiling shelving in a recessed wall, complete with a stepladder, that looks like something you’d find in an antique bookstore.
By ripping out all shelves, save for a select few at the top, the Sweeten contractor was able to make the space bigger and more efficient. The massive windows that continue on into this room are once more the focal point for the otherwise minimalist space.
Bright and modern, this apartment may be a far cry from the brick-and-exposed-wood-beam motif one might expect from a traditional New York City loft, but it perfectly fit the owner’s more contemporary aesthetic. Which made for one content homeowner: “I feel like I made every micro decision, but it worked out! The unit looks great and I am a happy customer,” he said.
Sweeten, a free renovation service, 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.
See more before and afters:
An Overwhelming Brooklyn Kitchen Gets a Refined MakeoverA Spacious New Kitchen Totally Transformed This Dated ApartmentA Small Bathroom Renovation That Doesn’t Skimp on Style