Clean, Modern Brownstone Renovation with Character
Lewis Townhouse is a Brownstone located in Brooklyn, NY. The home was originally built in 1884 in the Neo-Grec syle and was in an extreme state of disrepair. The project was a gut renovation that involved recreating a large amount of period detail in a way that felt original and historically appropriate the house. The renovation breathed life back into the home, empowering the ornate historic elements by seamlessly integrating minimal, modern upgrades that quietly respect, instead of compete with, the gravitas of the original details. The home has many custom elements, including inventive cabinetry details and custom furnishings.
The layout had barely been altered since the home was built, so the 19th century layout, with more divisions and smaller rooms, needed to be converted into new spaces that work for the way we live in the 21st century. The project included moving the kitchen and bathrooms in the home, updating all the MEP systems, and refreshing or replacing all the finishes throughout the house. A large new structural opening was added to the rear facade, to connect the family room to the garden.
The sunny, south-facing living room features a golden velvet sofa and a coffee table, which is a custom design. All the historic mouldings in this room had to be recreated, as unfortunately none had been preserved. Much of the elaborate woodwork was sourced through an architectural salvage comapny, and the styles appropriate for the period of this home.
The kitchen and dining room were concieved as a space to host large family gatherings, and features an open plan. An arch was created in the kitchen, both modern and nostalgic, which created a generous kitchen space while still paying homage to the original divisions of the townhouse.The cabinetry was a intricate and custom design, with chunky rounded frame elements, which have hidden integrated handles built in. The china cabinets on the dining room side are custom-designed furnishings that employ the same detailing as the kitchen cabinetry.
The family room is located on the ground floor, and features custom cabinetry and generous built-in shelving, a gas-burning fireplace with a plaster mantel, and a large accordian door that opens into the garden. The floor finish is a limestone tile, matching the oversized pavers in the garden, creating a visual connection between the spaces. A concealed retractable insect screen is built into the wood jamb of the large accordian door.
The rear garden is combined with a family member's garden next door, and is hardscaped with limestone pavers. There is a lounging area, a dining area, a space for grandkids to play, and a hot tub.
The top floor consists of two bedrooms, a generous primary bathroom, and a guest bathroom. The primary bedroom was painted a dark, moody grey, which complements the historic slate mantel. Through an arched pocket door, the primary bathroom, lit by skylights from above, features a bright limestone floor, custom limestone sink, a freestanding bathtub, and a shower with a skylight above.
Sustainability and energy efficiency was important to the project. An experimental HVAC system was designed as part of a research initiative that includes a rooftop generator unit that generates electricity from recovered exhaust heat from the home. Additionally, natural materials and finishes were used throuighout the home, which generally have a lower carbon footprint than synthetic, man-made materials.
