Brooklyn Brownstone

Located on a tree-lined street in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, this late-1800s, three-story brownstone had been held within a family for decades- and fell into disrepair and in desperate need of renovation. Windows had decayed, leaving large gaping holes to the elements beyond. The previous ad-hoc renovations in the 1980 and '90s carved up the kitchen and bathrooms creating awkward circulation and dated finishes. Bright red wall-to-wall carpet and layers of caked-on paint were everywhere. This gut renovation aimed to sensitively restore historical details, while introducing contemporary architectural elements and finishes. Detailed inlaid wood, decorative plaster and wood moldings of a different era were carefully returned to their former glory. Modern kitchen and baths were introduced with clean details, a rich palette of materials, and more comfortable proportions, while respecting the historic conditions. Photos by Mark Wickens