You might not guess it from its front facade, but this historic limestone in Park Slope is positively packed with color. The homeowners, Tim and Tara—he works in documentary film and is a record collector; she’s a textile designer with a sharp eye for color and pattern—reenergized it from top to bottom with the help of New York–based architect Sarah Jacoby.

The couple previously lived in a smaller apartment, and as they started to crave more space they reached out to Jacoby, who had worked with them on a previous renovation. With two growing kids, they were ready for a home that could flex with family life, and they wanted a trusted collaborator to help shape it.

Finding the right house, however, wasn’t straightforward. “We saw so many different places,” Tim says with a laugh. “Newly renovated homes were nice, but they felt off. You were paying a premium for someone else’s choices.”

As they debated whether to choose a move-in-ready home or one that needed work, Jacoby provided a key insight. “If you go for something that needs more work, you’ll get to put your stamp on it,” she said. Her words stuck, and their patience paid off—eventually, they found the one, a charming limestone that hadn’t been touched since the 1940s. “It had historic details we wanted to preserve, but it needed an update,” Tim explains.

After: Entry

The couple purchased the home in 2021, and construction began in October 2022, guided by a clear, joyful vision to fill the home with levity, color, and pattern—an approach shaped in part by the pandemic. “During Covid, we realized how much our environment mattered,” Tara explains. “It’s like you start to appreciate joy and space in a whole new way.”

Tara picked wallpaper she loved, and Jacoby selected coordinating “friendly” hues and vibrant tile to give the home a palette and personality perfectly suited to the fun-loving foursome.

Before: Living Room

After: Living Room

The home’s color story begins at the curb. While the limestone’s original facade remains, new Marvin windows with leafy green frames offer the first hint of the vibrant interior. The formerly whitewashed entry vestibule is now wrapped in a lively floral wallpaper (Hollyhocks by House of Hackney) that contains nearly the home’s full palette in a single print. Double doors with windows provide a peek into the space—“people always know which house is ours,” Tara says with a laugh.

Before: Fireplace

After: Fireplace

Through the doorway, a graphic rug and an upholstered bench offer a playful pit stop for putting on shoes. Though much of the entry is original, Jacoby suggested adding shoe storage and a coat closet, which now greets guests as they walk in the door.

Previously, this area marked the foot of the home’s long staircase. “It’s a very typical layout for these houses,” Tara explains, “but we ended up moving the last part of the stairs 90 degrees so they landed in the center of the house.” To honor the home’s history, craftsmen meticulously repurposed existing woodwork, including the door and trim.

The front living room, filled with the couple’s books, is anchored by a Forchette 18 chandelier that draws the eye up. The circulation flows through a music room, toward the kitchen and culminates in the dining room at the rear. The music room is a popular gathering place, outfitted with a rebuilt green-tiled fireplace.

After: Kitchen

After: Kitchen

At Jacoby’s suggestion, the couple opted to move the kitchen, previously tucked at the back of the house, to the center. Now it’s wide, welcoming, and ready for everything from weekday breakfasts to weekend gatherings. The BlueStar range, ordered during Covid with no guaranteed delivery date, was actually the starting point for the palate, Jacoby explains. “The whole design process started with the oven,” Tara affirms. “We just fell in love with that color.”

To complement its bright hue, Jacoby suggested a hand-applied blue stain for the lower wood cabinetry. For visual balance, color-matched upholstered eat-in chairs are positioned opposite the range. Jacoby also ensured that the sink faced a window—a personal request from Tara.

“Tim’s mom’s kitchen looks out at nature, and I’ve always thought that was so nice,” she says. “You spend so much time there.” And the glass cabinet, which looks vintage? It’s actually new, and it displays dishware while allowing light to filter through the center of the home.

Before: Dining Room

After: Dining Room

Beyond the kitchen, a bold dining room awaits. The original trim is painted in Crisp Romaine by Benjamin Moore, and the walls are dressed in a large-scale botanical print chosen by Tara. “If you look at the photos,” she says, “you’ll see the wood panels that rise about two-thirds up the wall. That room was originally the home’s kitchen and a half bath, and the old dining room was behind it. Swapping those two spaces was probably the biggest move we made.”

The couple opted to replace the wood floors and install custom cabinetry, complete with brass Schoolhouse pulls, for Tim’s records. A tiled niche beside the hearth offers storage space for firewood. “A lot of people don’t actually build fires because of the mess,” Jacoby notes, “but we tiled it all the way back so it’s both beautiful and practical.” The main level also has a powder room decked out with a vibrant nature print, a blue concrete sink, and a sculptural light fixture.

After: Powder Room

The level above holds the primary suite, plus a guest room and a walkout to the back patio swathed in an upbeat pink. The couple’s bedroom features bold wallpaper and rose-pink walls, accented with cheerful yellow paint on the trim and ceiling. The primary bath has a blue double vanity and Strata Linea stone planks from Clé Tile in a variety of hues installed horizontally on the walls.

Before: Primary Bedroom

After: Primary Bedroom

After: Primary Bathroom

On the top floor, Jacoby updated the staircase spindles with undulating spheres, adding a contemporary twist to the traditional banister. The third level is primarily the kids’ domain, with two bedrooms, a playroom, and a laundry niche, which features a custom blush-and-cream tile backsplash inspired by Tara’s favorite textile.

After: Upstairs Landing

At the back of the house, the joyful pink facade makes a statement. It’s an unexpected pop that energizes the owners and stands out against the city’s grayscale streets. Neighbors often exclaim, “Oh, you live in the pink house!” and the couple laughs; they do!

After: Rear Facade

“It’s always exciting when a client is up for color,” Jacoby says. Confident in their choices, the trio embraced contrast and the unexpected, a quality Jacoby says she delights in drawing out of her clients.

After: Playroom

Tim and Tara’s home is a testament to the idea that color, when used confidently, can tie a home together. From floor to ceiling, the space is alive with personality. “I love how fun everything is,” Jacoby says about the colors and spaces. “They just make me happy.”

More Before & After stories:

How a Couple Brought Mediterranean Vibes to Their London Terrace House

From Bachelor Pad to Family Chalet, This Little Cabin Grew Up With Its Owner

San Francisco’s Famous Fog Inspired This Midcentury Revamp

Project Credits:

Architect of Record: Sarah Jacoby Architect / @sarahjacobyarchitect

Builder/General Contractor: DesignTech

Structural Engineer: Tom Gasbarro, GSE PLLC

Sound Engineer: Rudolf Schewe, Aras Technology

Cabinetry Design/Installation: Avalon Custom Woodworking