Renovating a home is an opportunity to imbue an existing space with an entirely new character, one that reflects the lives of those who inhabit it. For a young family in Brooklyn, New York, it was also a chance to expand their home to accommodate their growing family. Starling Architecture and Emily Lindberg Design collaborated on the project, transforming the original townhouse into a crafted home that is defined by sweeping planes of seamless wood, finely detailed battens, and immaculate custom millwork.

“The original house was quite spare and the layout was very chopped up,” recalls Ian Starling, principal of Starling Architecture. “It was mostly white gypsum, without any design features. We were looking for a way to elevate the space, create a feeling of warmth throughout the house, and develop a design language that would tie all of the spaces together.”

The solution was found in a palette defined by elegant, light European oak, which was supplied by Madera, who designs and fabricates seamless wood design solutions.

The clients—a couple in their mid-thirties with three young children—had been living in a two-family townhouse in Brooklyn, New York, for some time, occupying the main house and renting out the garden apartment. The original brief was to combine the house and apartment into a 3,700-square-foot, four-bedroom single-family home and to add a mudroom, work-from-home spaces, and a dining room to accommodate the entire family and guests.

When it became apparent early on that the flooring in the parlor needed to be replaced, the clients decided on a light oak floor for a bright, natural feel. They fell in love with the wide format of the Madera floor boards, and these were the catalyst for carrying the material palette across the four floors and basement.

The cantilevered oak stair and linear wood screen cuts through the entire home, creating a sense of balance and harmony. The first floor features the entry foyer and living room, with a timber volume that houses a mudroom, powder room, and home office; the second floor features a foyer, sitting room, oak-clad dining room and kitchen; the third floor is the primary suite and guest room; and the fourth floor is home to two kids’ bedrooms and bathrooms. The wooden stair and screen even extends down into the windowless basement that has been dramatically transformed into a welcoming playroom.

This statement screen element not only united the disparate spaces, but also became a guide feature in the design development, with a rhythmic “wood and slat” language that characterizes the millwork throughout. From the wall and ceiling paneling that defines the dining room as a cozy space, to the bespoke floating nightstands and timber paneling that visually extend the width of the primary bedroom, the effect is one of stunning unity. “In each space of the house, you come into contact with the wood, but it’s used in different ways to create distinct effects,” explains Starling.

The challenge to this approach, however, was specifying wood that would match in terms of quality, character, and finish. This potential issue was easily solved with a full suite of Madera products—including architectural panels, doors, custom millwork, and furniture—that seamlessly match the brand’s wide plank flooring and stairs.

As the brief evolved, so did the layout of the home. The kitchen, which had previously been a dark space at the center of the house, was moved toward the south facade. This allowed for generous natural light and more open access to the dining area, creating a more enjoyable space to gather.

The natural light also highlights the subtle yet tactile material palette—from the tonal depth and grain of the oak, walnut and ash, to the combed plaster and slate in the entry, and the quirky office clad almost entirely in cork. Warm yellows and brass accents pick up on the golden oak hues, while shades of blue add dynamic contrast.

“Our clients had prepared themselves for a big transformation and were excited to be able to provide a spacious, inviting home for their young kids and visiting family,” says Lindberg. “We were looking to add a distinct character to give the home more heart, warmth, and personality—and the quiet oak material was a perfect neutral palette to build from.”

Learn more at maderasurfaces.com.

Project Credits:

Architect: Starling Architecture

Interior Designer: Emily Lindberg Design

General Contractor: Euro Art Construction

Wood Surfaces: Madera

Photography: Eric Petschek

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A Brooklyn Townhouse Is Seamlessly Transformed With European Oak