Photography by Eric Laignel

Ric Forest

Stephen Clément

This Greek Revival row house in Boerum Hill was previously owned by a local architect who renovated it several times, including the addition of a two-story steel and glass extension at the rear. The new owners came to us seeking to restore the house and its original formality, while adapting it to the modern needs of a family of five. The detailing of the 25 x 36 foot structure had been lost and required some sleuthing into the history of Greek Revival style in historic Brooklyn neighborhoods. In addition to completely re-framing the interior, the house also required a new south-facing brick façade due to significant deterioration. The modern extension was replaced with a more traditionally detailed wood and copper- clad bay, still open to natural light and the garden view without sacrificing comfort. The kitchen was relocated from the first floor to the garden level with an adjacent formal dining room. Both rooms were enlarged from their previous iterations to accommodate weekly dinners with extended family. The kitchen includes a home office and breakfast nook that doubles as a homework station. The cellar level was further excavated to accommodate finished storage space and a playroom where activity can be monitored from the kitchen workspaces. The parlor floor is now reserved for entertaining. New pocket doors can be closed to separate the formal front parlor from the more relaxed back portion, where the family plays games or watches TV together. At the end of the hall, a powder room with brass details, and a luxe bar with antique mirrored backsplash and stone tile flooring, leads to the deck and direct garden access. Because of the property width, the house is able to provide ample space for the interior program within a shorter footprint. This allows the garden to remain expansive, with a small lawn for play, an outdoor food preparation area with a cast-in-place concrete bench, and a place for entertaining towards the rear. The newly designed landscaping will continue to develop, further enhancing the yard’s feeling of escape, and filling-in the views from the kitchen and back parlor above. A less visible, but equally as conscious, addition is a rooftop PV solar array that provides nearly 100% of the daily electrical usage, with the exception of the AC system on hot summer days. The well-appointed interiors connect the traditional backdrop of the home to a youthful take on classic design and functionality. The materials are elegant without being precious, accommodating a young, growing family. Unique colors and patterns provide a feeling of luxury while inviting inhabitants and guests to relax and enjoy this classic Brooklyn brownstone. This project won runner-up in the architecture category for the 2017 NYC&G Innovation in Design Awards and was featured in The American House: 100 Contemporary Homes. Photography by Francis Dzikowski / OTTO

The hardwood floors are a custom 3/4" x 10" Select White Oak plank with a hand wirebrush and custom stain & finish created by Gaetano Hardwood Floors, Inc. Home Builder: Patterson Custom Homes Ryan Garvin Photography

Our client found Design Connection, Inc. through reading featured articles in local magazines for many years. Her home was 25 years old and never been updated. Their furniture and accessories were well past their prime. The brick fireplace, the focal point of the room, looked dark and dingy. Upon completion of our first interview with the client I realized her style was transitional and the facade of the fireplace would not work with her new furnishings as well as the golden oak paneling. We brought in our very talented faux painter to access the paneling about changing the color to a soft neutral glow and we completed the transformation in one a very short time.

The Living Room received a new larger window to match one that we had previously installed. A new glass and metal railing at the interior stairs was installed. The hardwood floors were refinished throughout.

Landhausdiele Eiche rustikal "bleached". Die Eiche als Holz ist deutlich erkennbar, bekommt aber einen milden beige-weissen Tönung. Elegant gelöst ist die Verwendung des gleichen Materials für das kleine Podest. Die Oberfläche ist 3-fach geölt mit dem legendären TUNG-Nussöl und ist extrem pflegeleicht und strapazierfähig (siehe "Rotweintest").

Photos: Josh Caldwell

Janis Nicolay