Civilco Construction & Interior

Soft hues and arching pass-throughs inject light in an Art Deco renovation “After” photos by Miao Jiaxin for Sweeten Architect: Can Vu Bui and Lane Rick, principal architects at the Office of Things , and in collaboration with architect Matthew Storrie, led this renovation in a 1920s rowhouse and found a general contractor by posting the project on Sweeten. Where: Glendale neighborhood in Queens, New York Primary renovation: A front-to-back, Art Deco renovation to reenvision the home’s 600-square-foot ground-floor, bringing in space and light and solving storage problems throughout. Sweeten general contractor Sweeten’s role: Sweeten matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering advice, support, and up to $50,000 in renovation financial protection—for free. Written in partnership with architect Can Vu Bui Opening up a claustrophobic layout “Be patient and be bold,” Can Vu Bui, a Brooklyn principal at Office of Things, a collaborative ...

Originating from the luxury beach houses at Long Island, New York, the Hamptons style has evolved over the years. But quintessentially, they evoke a carefree, coastal vibe with an understated luxury. Homes following the Hamptons style feature a layout made for entertaining and evoke a holiday feel that brings to mind relaxing resort vacations. Looking to get on board this style? Here’s how to recreate this look in your own home. ( Warning : You will develop some serious envy for the following interior inspiration. And yes, they are all in Singapore.) Colour Palette Design: Styledbypt You will never go wrong by starting off with a white base. A crisp and neutral white (not too cold or warm) is a safe bet, but creams would do well for a more sophisticated vibe. Accents include coastal-inspired ones like yellows (sand), navy and soft blues and greens like teal. If you want things to look more modern, greys tend to feature predominantly in this style as well. Striking black trimm...

I t’s definitely feeling like spring around our house, but even more so, it feels like HOME! We’ve lived in this house for *almost* six years now, can you believe it? I’ve never lived anywhere longer than six years, so it’s a really good feeling to be so settled and have had so many seasons in this place. It continues to nurture, surprise and delight us in unexpected ways. We are also settling into our rhythms here. It’s not all perfect, of course, life never is — but this space feels more and familiar with each season. It feels like home. We are surrounded by so much natural beauty this time of year! On a sunny weekend there are often dozens of boats sailing on the water and the scent of lilacs and salty air flow in the breeze of our open windows. There are so many things we love about living here that I might have overlooked in the real estate listing photos, or simply not known would impact us so greatly when we first saw this home. I think every home has its own special elem...

In 2020, we looked for a respite from the outside world. We needed to focus on self-care to help us navigate the stress of the pandemic. Enter the bathroom! It was a key spot to take time to ourselves, to relax with a glass of wine and a soak, or to nourish ourselves through daily beauty routines. Naturally, with a renewed focus on the bathroom comes the desire to renovate and refresh. Sweeten sees thousands of renovations a year, and in 2021, these bathroom trends are appearing in more and more homes. Sweeten  matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering advice, support, and up to $50,000 in renovation financial protection—for free. 2021 Bathroom Trend: Doorless showers Walk right in! Homeowners are forgoing shower doors in their bathroom renovations. It’s all about the look and feel of the bath, and without a shower door to close off the space; bathrooms can appear larger and more luxurious. It can also help to make the space look fresh and cont...