A caveman’s dream doesn’t have to be limited to the basement. When designer Bennett Gale helped his friend Dan renovate the living room of a one-bedroom New York City apartment in the 1960s, he knew he could create a unique and elegant space. With a passion for entertaining, Dan’s vision was to create a living space that perfectly suited his lifestyle.
- Homeowner: Dan, CFO, Publish your project on Dessert With the help of his friend, designer Bennett
- where: Greenwich Village, Manhattan, New York City
- Initial renewal: Living room renovation and kitchen update that removed walls to improve flow and create more space around the pool table. She also opened the kitchen to the living area with counter seating, moved the cabinetry, and added a built-in dry bar.
- Homeowner Quote: “I would have been lost without his expertise, guidance and recommendations, not to mention his help with contractors and the building when I needed it.”
“For a long time, the only piece of furniture Dan had — even before he bought a bed — was a pool table,” recalls Bennett, who works as a project manager for a luxury real estate developer. The dark wood pool console — sturdy, angular and covered in camel-colored felt — was a prized possession and a key feature of the project. Dan, the CFO who moved to Cooperative About a year before starting Living room renovationMake it the centerpiece of the apartment.
Billiard table in Manhattan apartment It may seem like an elephant in the room, but Bennett, who has been close to Dan since college, recognized its importance and was happy to discuss it. The table had a modern design and good bones. With a set of 4-5 table leaves allowing it to multi-task as a dining surface, the stylish four-legged table was also practical – Dan has gathered many friends around it.
The problem was that his sparsely spaced living room felt cramped when the table was in use. “I wanted to create more space around it,” Dan said. Plus, more elbow room will be helpful for pool cues!
Dan and Bennett worked together to post the job on Sweeten and Soon I hired a contractor. They then proceeded to upgrade the co-op to the ultimate bachelor’s platform. (Note: Dan’s girlfriend has moved into the living room since the remodel, and she reportedly loves the space.)
The original Project scopeIt has grown exponentially,” Bennett said. “We were planning to open up the wall between the kitchen and the living room, but once we delved into the plans, it became clear that by removing some walls and moving… treasury“We can make better use of the space.”
He proposed a complete remodel that would eliminate much of the sheetrock impeding the flow, giving… kitchen An eye-catching redesign and renovation of the living room into a spacious entertainment center. This change will bring light and an elegant loft-like extension to the downtown apartment.
Conversations about details began in the kitchen. Bennett and Dan have done a lot of research into bonded surface options. “Much of the space is dominated by dark wood parquet floors, so we brightened the walls and chose Materials That coordinates with wood.”
Choose Dan Kitchen cabinets In custom textured veneer with blonde accents; Matte bronze cabinet hardware and coordinating light fixtures complement the stained wood. the Natural marble What Dan settled on for the countertops is a warm white with earth-toned veining that reflects the dark brown pool and dining table.
Quality and durability were key factors. Dan decided to go all out with natural marble Countertop and Backsplash. “We performed countless tests on countertop samples in order to determine whether we should use honed or polished marble,” Bennett said. “Olive oil, red wine, hot sauce, pickle juice, and soda were tested to see how they stained or etched.”
Expertly rejuvenate with Sweeten
Sweeten provides homeowners with an exceptional renovation experience by personally matching trusted general contractors to your project, while providing expert guidance and support – at no cost to you.
Start your renovation process
Dan chose a matte finish, which is more resistant to discolouration and allows scratches and marks to blend out. “Through multiple panels, we identified one that had the most complexity and movement possible,” Bennett said.
With the materials selected and sourced, the real work began. The crew opened up the kitchen, installed cabinets and appliances, and created an extended three-chair seating area on the living room side of the opening.
From there, other unnecessary apartment walls got hammered. Bennett’s plan included removing the lobby wall to create more space around the pool table.
To complete the expansion of the space, removing the corner cabinet revealed a prominent column. Bennett designed a dry bar to fill the occasional niche. “That difficult corner became a great opportunity,” Bennett said.
“We negotiated with contractor To insert the tape into the construction. It ended up being a great show.” The treasury was moved to an oversized, inefficient foyer.
As with most homebuilding, the team faced some hurdles. During the demolition process, contractors discovered that the electrical wiring needed to be updated. Bennett stresses the importance of reading and understanding the co-op or condo board rules and sharing them with contractors, who must not only work within the regulations, but also have the proper licenses and insurance coverages for the project.
A collaborative relationship between the construction crew and construction staff is a must, according to Bennett. “Get your super involved early,” he says. “These individuals almost always have previous experience with building renovations, and can often provide valuable information about the specific issues you will encounter.”
Fortunately, Dan received Support from Sweeten Throughout the process, of Bennett, his friend (and architect!) he said, “I would have been lost without his expertise, guidance, and recommendations, not to mention his help in fending off the contractors and the building when I needed it.”
Regardless of all the challenges, Dan said, “I’m very happy with the final product.” “I accomplished exactly what I was looking to do.”
Thank you, Bennett and Dan, for sharing the results of a wonderful collaboration!
We can help plan your renovation
The search for endless home renovation inspiration, Detailed guidesand Process cost breakdowns From our blogs. You can too Publish your project Visit Sweeten today and connect with our vetted general contractors and get estimates Free!
Renewal materials
kitchen:
- Porcelain tiles: Tile warehouse.
- Kitchen Cabinets: Provided by the contractor.
- Bronze Cabinet Hardware: Emtech.
- Calcutta Calvini Honed Marble Countertop: Stone source.
- Grohe polished chrome faucet: Very Madison.
- Bosch refrigerator, Bertazzoni dishwasher, stove and hood: PC Richard and Son.
- Lighting fixtures: Y lighting.
Living space:
- White dove paint: Benjamin Moore.
- Billiard table: Billiards plat.
- Sectional sofa: West elm.
- Lighting fixtures above the pool table: Technical lighting.
