Nate McBride Cobble Hill

Townhouse Renovation in Cobble Hill

Existing staircases had curved handrails and spindle balusters.

The front bedroom on the third floor sported quite the color combination.

The team refurbished the chimney in the front portion of the house because Priscilla really wanted a fireplace.

The original kitchen was in the back of the basement.

The townhouse was a mess when the new owner took possession. The crew that hauled out the contents unearthed a piano.

The third floor landing where the shower is now.

The team plastered over the home's exposed brick walls.

The second floor had front and back bedrooms prior to the renovation.

They also demolished the yellow bath on the second floor in favor of a spectacular primary bath on the third floor.

The front room on the parlor level was less than eight-feet wide.

The team demolished the powder blue bath on the first floor and added a new bath in the basement.

The position of the stairs and corridor in the original layout ate up six of the building's 14-foot width. "The narrowness didn't initially bother me,

A corner townhouse that borders the Warren Place Mews in Brooklyn was occupied by the same family for generations. Architect Nate McBride, who reworked the interior for the new owner points out that the window heights get dramatically smaller the higher up you go.

The stairs are hidden behind a core wood block with a high gloss finish for a mirror-like reflection. Fortuitously, there is a window at the top of each run. "They're not perfectly aligned, but they bring light down at every level,

Priscilla and McBride initially discussed the office core being an actual desk that could be closed, but opted for this setup so she could sit with her back to the books and look out the window. The double arm chandelier from The Urban Electric Co. lends a sturdy, industrial feel that echoes the metal base of the desk. "Light fixtures are an important details that make a house feel solid,

"It's unexpected to have the living room above the dining room,

The windows on the parlor level stretch up to the TK-foot ceiling where the team uncovered the beams and left them exposed. "Everything we did was to try to make the rooms feel more spacious and open,