While Brooklyn brownstones conjure up memories of their turn-of-the-century roots, they also remain the modern-day face of New York’s coolest boroughs. With brownstone living, however, comes responsibility—many of these classic beauties are in need of renovation and restoration. Here are 10 standout, renovated brownstones that retain their original charm with added contemporary cool.

According to the Architectural Review, this is “Thomas Willson’s 1829 design for a 15-acre, 94-storey pyramid cemetery to be built on Primrose Hill, housing 5 million corpses accessed by steam-powered lifts." Photo from The Architectural Review.

Modernism Week in Palm Springs.

Silhouetted partygoers enjoying the atmosphere.

In the wild, the rhinoceros is not to be trifled with; this durable wooden version is a fitting representation of the powerful beast. Crafted from wood and ingeniously bound by hidden elastic bands, Simus is tough enough to withstand even the most boisterous play date.

Sofia Design Week 2013 featured a professional forum with prominent international speakers, as well as a one-day 'Balkan Talks' agenda. This year's speakers included names like Konstantin Grcic, Matali Crasset, Michael Marriott, Mark Chalmers, Erik Kessels, Ji Lee, Marti Guixe, Stefan Sagmeister, Genevieve Gauckler, David Carlson, Peter Bilak, and Tomek Rygalik. Between June 12 to 30 there was also an extensive line up of events throughout the city in the form of exhibitions, workshops, screenings, parties, book openings, and interactive events for children. Photo courtesy of Sofia Design Week.

A courtyard like this is just begging to hold a party. Photo by Dan Chavkin.

In the seating area, a David Weeks armchair is next to a vintage console and Italian coffee table that Calder Smith found on 1stdibs.

The Urban Stories exhibition at Palazzo Litta included work by Daniel Libeskind, Alvin Huang, and Venini, in addition to Italian-Danish duo GamFratesi's pieces for Gubi.

Terrazzo Project by Stéphane Halmaï-Voisard and Philippe-Albert Lefebvre arranged the pair's innovative TP panels into a house of cards formation. The panels are made of resin cement and stone aggregates cast onto corrugated aluminium sheets, which make them 50% lighter than traditional slabs (as well as stain proof, UV stable and suitable for both indoor and outdoor use).

This green peplum number is made from silk brocade fabric, designer unknown. The early 50's straw hat with gold leaf lining is Dior inspired.

A line of Lincoln MKZs awaiting their passengers.

Dwell staffers go mod for Modernism Week. Photo by Lani Garfield.

This tiki inspired jacket is by Sandwich Isles, a highly collectible resort wear brand. An early 50s black silk taffeta with lace bodice cocktail dress pairs well with a late 50s ostrich feather hat.

The Dejà Vu store has a wealth of both men and women's vintage clothing. © 2013 Salvatorie Studios, Intl. All Rights Reserved.

A step into any room takes you back into time. Photo by Dan Chavkin.

Julie Rodgers and Mitchell Cowley, the couple behind the restoration of The Fontenell. Photo by Lani Garfield.

Bill Miller, center, with his mid-century models. Photo by Lani Garfield.

Partygoers pick up a Crater Lake vodka cocktail. Photo by Lani Garfield.

Some guests posted up in the authentic mid-century living rooms of the Fontenell. Photo by Lani Garfield.

This gentleman sports a silk taffeta vintage reproduction of a late 50s dinner jacket made by Dejà Vu. The store is fabricating new jackets from vintage patterns. Photo by Lani Garfield.

Volvos with the new adaptive cruise control technology (ACC) lined up in front of the Palm Springs Art Museum to chauffeur guests to dinner.

Nearly 100 thought leaders gathered at the Palm Springs Art Museum to attend a lecture on The Future of Mobility, followed by a cocktail party where the conversation continued. People were eager to debate the pros and cons of autonomous driving which aims to create a safer driving experience for all on the road.

Kristopher Dukes and Matt Jacobsen's Marmol Radziner Desert Prefab home was the perfect backdrop for the dinner and continued discussion of The Future of Mobility.

Dwell President Michela O’Connor Abrams emceed the evening where the conversation about the future of mobility was carried on at the Marmol Radziner Desert Prefab in Desert Hot Springs.

Another Weeks design: this trio of gemlike Folha tables.

David Weeks with his Cubebots robot toys.

Expo-goers enjoy some shade underneath the "Pure Tension Pavilion" while relaxing in chairs provided by Scandinavian luxury furniture company Carl Hansen & Son.

Hundreds of people flocked to the Pure Tension Solar Pavilion and V60 Plug-in Hybrid. The solar canopy (the only prototype of its kind) fits in the back of the V60 and can recharge the car battering in 10-12 hours. The V60 is a diesel hybrid, which offers a lower CO2 emission rating or a pure electric power option. Flooring provided by SwissTrax.

The “Pure Tension Pavilion” made its U.S. debut this weekend as part of Dwell and Volvo’s activation at the Modern Living Expo and Prefab Showcase. Designed by Alvin Huang, this a free-standing tensioned membrane structure is a rapidly deployable and portable solar charging station designed to power up the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid, the world’s first Diesel Plug-in Hybrid.

NORM designer and architect Kasper Rønn, shft.com founder Peter Glatzer, and Maria Margarita Chon exit a Volvo S60 as they arrive at the Marmol Radziner Desert Prefab for dinner.

Prefab architect Leo Marmol discusses design and mobility at the Palm Springs Art Museum for an upcoming video on dwell.com on #thefutureofmobility.

(From left to right): Architect Alving Huang; Anders Tylman-Mikiewicz, General Manager, Volvo Monitoring & Concept Center Los Angeles; Curator Greg Goldin; auto writer Paul Meyers; and Dwell's Los Angeles editor Erika Heet led a lively and thought-provoking conversation at the Palm Springs Art Museum on the Future of Mobility.

Questions from your contractor mean that they have taken the time to review the construction documents or drawings and scope of work.

David Weeks's Kopra Burst standing lamp. "I’m a big fan of lighting that creates a complete atmosphere," Weeks says. "Most of my chandeliers have numerous bulbs."

As U.S. lawmakers finalize a bill to restart the economy, the 95,000-member-strong American Institute of Architecture proposes a plan for the greater good.