Icon - Arrow LeftAn icon we use to indicate a rightwards action. Icon - Arrow RightAn icon we use to indicate a leftwards action. Icon - External LinkAn icon we use to indicate a button link is external. Icon - MessageThe icon we use to represent an email action. Icon - Down ChevronUsed to indicate a dropdown. Icon - CloseUsed to indicate a close action. Icon - Dropdown ArrowUsed to indicate a dropdown. Icon - Location PinUsed to showcase a location on a map. Icon - Zoom OutUsed to indicate a zoom out action on a map. Icon - Zoom InUsed to indicate a zoom in action on a map. Icon - SearchUsed to indicate a search action. Icon - EmailUsed to indicate an emai action. Icon - FacebookFacebooks brand mark for use in social sharing icons. flipboard Icon - InstagramInstagrams brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - PinterestPinterests brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - TwitterTwitters brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - Check MarkA check mark for checkbox buttons.
You are reading

Before & After: A French-Inflected Townhouse Renovation in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Search

Start typing to search...

Search
Before & AfterIssue 21 — New Creatives

Before & After: A French-Inflected Townhouse Renovation in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

May 21, 2018

When Parisians Celia and Rodolphe bought a 1910 townhouse in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, the plan was to do a light remodel: new flooring in the basement and parlor, a kitchen on the main floor, and a refurbished upstairs bath. It’d be four to five months, tops. They got the permit and started work right away. Then their contractor called them with the news: The supporting beams had been eaten by termites and about 80 percent of the foundation needed replacing. “The small renovation we had planned turned into a gut renovation, and we had to rethink the scope of our project,” Celia says. They hired a structural engineer to shore up the foundation and an architect to draw up the plans. The “light remodel” turned into a 16-month-long project, during which time Celia and Rodolphe lived out of Airbnbs or on the unfinished third floor.

Celia, who is originally from Toulouse, was first drawn to the townhouse for its historic quality. “We’re used to old buildings, and we found the house to have the charm of a French country house,” she says. An ultramodern renovation was never the plan, so instead, they designed an interior to “create an alliance between modern and industrial Brooklyn and the style of old French houses,” as she says. In the end, we think, the termites were a blessing in disguise.

Photography by Brian Ferry for Remodelista; styling by Alexa Hotz.

when black mold was discovered in the street facing facade, setting in motion a 17
Above: When black mold was discovered in the street-facing facade, setting in motion a rebuild,  Celia and Rodolphe went for a large and wide bay window where there had been two small windows before. Privacy is provided via floor-length Ivory Linen Sheers from the Shade Store. The sofa is a Remodelista favorite, the MC & Co. Daybed by Brooklyn-based French designer Corinne Gilbert. The speakers are Rega RX3 Speakers and to the right is a West Elm floor lamp (no longer available) and a wall hanging by friend Julie Thevenot in Roussillon.
on the mc & co. daybed is a collection of corinne gilbert’s patchwor 18
Above: On the MC & Co. daybed is a collection of Corinne Gilbert’s Patchwork Pillows and oatmeal-colored Quilted Shams from Parachute; the  Coffee Table is by Gesa Hansen; and the Berber rug was sourced on a trip to Morocco. The armchair is a vintage piece Celia and Rodolphe found in Paris for €50. It’s one of the first pieces of furniture they bought—something they always thought would be temporary, but it’s been with them for 10 years. “Every time I move to a new place I’m thinking I should upgrade, but it’s the one piece everyone comments on, so we’re keeping it.” (Ed. Note: The chair was the first thing I commented on.)
the floors are european oak from lv wood in a chevron pattern typical of p 19
Above: The floors are European oak from LV Wood in a chevron pattern typical of Parisian apartments. The lamp is the Gubi Grasshopper Floor Lamp and the brass knobs on the built-in cabinets are Natural Brass Hex Knobs from Schoolhouse.

“rodolphe is a huge music lover—he has an extensive vinyl collect 20
Above: “Rodolphe is a huge music lover—he has an extensive vinyl collection and a vintage McIntosh sound system,” Celia says. The couple worked with Simone Polga to design custom shelving, which was produced by Diego Paccagnella of Design-Apart. The console top is Calacatta marble and the custom cubbies are designed to hold Rodolph’s LP collection.

the couple designed the kitchen themselves, spec&#8\2\17;ing custom white c 21
Above: The couple designed the kitchen themselves, spec’ing custom white cabinets, Corian countertops, and a Calacatta marble backsplash. The refrigerator is a Liebherr and the range is a Bertazzoni (the microwave is also Bertazzoni). The Bosch dishwasher is concealed behind cabinets, and a Summit wine refrigerator is integrated into the island.
rodolphe and celia in the kitchen. the pendant lights are aura lights by l 22
Above: Rodolphe and Celia in the kitchen. The pendant lights are Aura Lights by Ladies & Gentleman Studio, and the stools are ebonized Sawkille Counter Stools.
the unlacquered brass faucet is the easton vintage bridge faucet from waterwork 23
Above: The unlacquered brass faucet is the Easton Vintage Bridge Faucet from Waterworks. Celia studies ceramics at Japanese studio Togei Kyoshitsu in midtown and has taken classes with ceramicist Romy Northover (where she made the slab plates, above left). The other ceramics are Northover’s designs.
a view of the open kitchen/dining area with a constance guisset vertigo pendant 24
Above: A view of the open kitchen/dining area with a Constance Guisset Vertigo Pendant Lamp.
the walls throughout are painted benjamin moore decorator&#8\2\17;s white a 25
Above: The walls throughout are painted Benjamin Moore Decorator’s White and the framed prints are by Corinne Gilbert.
the downstairs powder room is papered in cole & son palm jungle wallpaper.& 26
Above: The downstairs powder room is papered in Cole & Son Palm Jungle Wallpaper. Fixtures and fittings include a hanging Brass Frame Mirror, Perrin & Rowe Faucet, and Futagami Brass Towel Bars.

switches and outlets throughout the house are forbes & lomax, with the exce 27
Above: Switches and outlets throughout the house are Forbes & Lomax, with the exception of this one, which is from Meljac.

the former staircase connected all three floors, but celia and rodolphe opted t 28
Above: The former staircase connected all three floors, but Celia and Rodolphe opted to close off access to the garden floor and create two separate units. The steel staircase between the parlor and second floor references industrial Brooklyn. Beneath the stairs is a washer/dryer, powder room, and a slice of wall papered in Calico Inverted Spaces Wallpaper.
the floors upstairs are original to the house—one of the few elements th 29
Above: The floors upstairs are original to the house—one of the few elements the couple were able to keep intact—painted Benjamin Moore Paper White The heavy linen curtains hang on Brass Estate Extension Rods from Restoration Hardware. The two stools at the foot of the bed are from Morocco.
a nils strinning string shelf holds a collection of french paperbacks; the radi 30
Above: A Nils Strinning String Shelf holds a collection of French paperbacks; the radiator is original to the house.
on the bed is the hay plus 9 throw. on the wall is artwork from corinne gilbert 31
Above: On the bed is the Hay Plus 9 Throw. On the wall is artwork from Corinne Gilbert’s former store MC & Co. and the Menu Tribeca Staple Wall Lamp. The pendant light is the Ay Illuminate Z2 Ona White Lamp.

the two chairs in the bedroom are vintage rattan chairs that the couple brought 32
Above: The two chairs in the bedroom are vintage rattan chairs that the couple brought back from the South of France. The dark porcelain doorknob is original to the house and the switch is a Forbes & Lomax Rotary Dimmer in unlacquered brass.

the cement tile (harlequin i from the cement tile shop) in the upstairs bath is 33
Above: The cement tile (Harlequin I from the Cement Tile Shop) in the upstairs bath is “very typical of France,” Celia says. The freestanding bath is original and painted black, the loo is the Toto Aquia, and the cabinet is Restoration Hardware Pharmacy Medicine Cabinet.
the bathroom has a kraus ceramic sink, a california faucets chrome tiburon lava 34
Above: The bathroom has a Kraus Ceramic Sink, a California Faucets chrome Tiburon Lavatory Faucet, a Rejuvenation oil-rubbed bronze Round Mirror, and a Onefortythree Double Sconce.
a small guest bedroom is outfitted with the pari rattan daybed from anthro 35
Above: A small guest bedroom is outfitted with the Pari Rattan Daybed from Anthropologie, an old Ikea dresser, an Ikea Tilst Rug, and a Bamboo Pendant from Couleur Locale in France. Celia and Rodolphe bought the Calder poster at the Maeght Foundation in Saint Paul de Vence.
an upstairs guest room/office has an old muji table that functions as a desk an 36
Above: An upstairs guest room/office has an old Muji table that functions as a desk and a large FiddlPAPe-Leaf Fig Tree in a pot from Sprout in Brooklyn. On the desk is a Pablo Designs Tube Top Table Lamp and an Ikea mirror.

the façade is clad in modern black aluminum siding, configured vertically. 37
Above: The façade is clad in modern black aluminum siding, configured vertically. “Most houses have horizontal paneling, and this way the house really stands out from the street,” Celia says. The entry door has a frosted glass panel that brings in more light to the interior but allows for privacy, and the concrete steps are original to the house.

Before

an archival photograph of the townhouse in its original state. 38
Above: An archival photograph of the townhouse in its original state.

During

the basement level, mid renovation, before a three foot deep concrete wall was 39
Above: The basement level, mid-renovation, before a three-foot-deep concrete wall was poured to support the house. Photograph courtesy of the owners.

For more French-inflected style, see our posts:

(Visited 3,507 times, 2 visits today)
You need to login or register to view and manage your bookmarks.
Add to Collection
New Collection

Frequently asked questions

What is the location of the renovated townhouse?

The renovated townhouse is located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

What style was the townhouse renovated in?

The townhouse was renovated in a French style.

What was the condition of the townhouse before the renovation?

The townhouse was in a dilapidated condition before the renovation.

What changes were made to the interior of the townhouse?

The interior of the townhouse was completely gutted and redesigned.

What kind of flooring was used in the townhouse?

Wide plank white oak flooring was installed throughout the townhouse.

What changes were made to the facade of the townhouse?

The facade of the townhouse was restored to its original brickwork.

What kind of lighting was used in the townhouse?

A combination of vintage and contemporary lighting fixtures were used in the townhouse.

What elements of the original townhouse were preserved?

The original staircase and mantle pieces were preserved and restored.

What was the inspiration for the design of the townhouse?

The design was inspired by 19th century Parisian architecture.

What kind of kitchen appliances were installed in the townhouse?

The kitchen appliances include a Viking range and refrigerator, Bosch dishwasher, and a wine fridge.

Product summary  Item 6 209Item 7 210

Aura lights1 SQ 500
Pendant Lights

Aura Lights

$375.00 USD from Ladies and Gentlemen

Explore Deeper Into These Areas

Previous Post

In collaboration with: Steal This Look: A Loft Bedroom with Colorful Accents and the Internet's Favorite Mattress

May 21, 2018
Next Post

Remodelista Considered Design Awards Launch June 1

May 22, 2018

Have a Question or Comment About This Post?

Join the conversation

Related Stories

Read all recent posts

join us on Before amp After A FrenchInflected Townhouse Renovation in Williamsburg Brooklyn portrait 42 40

This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Error: No connected account.

Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to connect an account.

v5.0

×
Join the Remodelista Family of Websites

Become a Member at no charge

When you register as a free Member of the Remodelista family of websites (Remodelista, Gardenista, and The Organized Home), you gain access to all current posts plus 10 archived posts per month, our internal bookmarking tool, and the community bulletin board.

Member benefits include:

  • Access to all posts published in the past year
  • Access 10 archived posts (older than one year) per month on each site
  • Use of our internal bookmark tool, so you can save products, posts, and other pages for quick reference
  • Access to our community bulletin board so you can ask and answer design-related questions
  • Unlimited access to the Product Catalogs, Design Travel sources, and Architect & Designer Directory listings
  • Choose from our ten newsletters to keep up with the latest on the sites

Or Subscribe for Maximum Value!

For $5/month ($59.99 paid annually) you'll enjoy unlimited, ad-free access to Remodelista, Gardenista, and The Organized Home and all the benefits of Membership.



Subscriber benefits include:

  • Unlimited access to all three sites
  • Weekly access to subscriber-only content
  • Ad-free browsing environment
  • Unrestricted access to 30,000+ archived posts
  • Receive the full-text daily newsletters
  • All features that Members have access to
  • Annual subscribers pay 50% off the monthly subscription price of $9.99
×
Subscribe to the Remodelista family of websites

For $5/month ($59.99 paid annually) you'll enjoy unlimited, ad-free access to Remodelista, Gardenista, and The Organized Home and all the benefits of Membership.



Subscriber benefits include:

  • Unlimited access to all three sites
  • Weekly access to subscriber-only content
  • Ad-free browsing environment
  • Unrestricted access to 30,000+ archived posts
  • Receive the full-text daily newsletters
  • All features that Members have access to
  • Annual subscribers pay 50% off the monthly subscription price of $9.99
×
Sorry! As a registered member you get 10 free posts from our archive (posts more than a year old) every 30 days. You have reached your limit for this 30-day period. If you would like to access unlimited posts from the archive (ad free, too), become a subscriber today, and keep reading as many articles as you want.

Full Access Individual Subscription

Benefits include:

  • Unlimited access to Remodelista, Gardenista, and The Organized Home sites
  • Ad-free browsing environment
  • Unrestricted access to 30,000+ archived posts
  • Receive the full-text daily newsletters
  • All features that Members have access to
  • Annual subscribers pay just 50% off the monthly subscription price of $9.99


×
Sorry! You have reached your limit of three (3) free posts from our archive every 30 days. You can increase this to 10 posts by joining as a free Member, or read unlimited posts with no ads by becoming a paid Subscriber.

Subscribe to the Remodelista family of websites

For $5/month ($59.99 paid annually) you'll enjoy unlimited, ad-free access to Remodelista, Gardenista, and The Organized Home and all the benefits of Membership.



Subscriber benefits include:

  • Unlimited access to all three sites
  • Weekly access to subscriber-only content
  • Unrestricted access to 30,000+ archived posts
  • Receive the full-text daily newsletters
  • All features that Members have access to
  • Annual subscribers pay 50% off the monthly subscription price of $9.99

Become a Member at no charge

When you register as a free Member of the Remodelista family of websites (Remodelista, Gardenista, and The Organized Home), you gain access to all current posts plus 10 archived posts per month, our internal bookmarking tool, and the community bulletin board.

Member benefits include:

  • Access to all posts published in the past year
  • Access 10 archived posts (older than one year) per month on each site
  • Use of our internal bookmark tool, so you can save products, posts, and other pages for quick reference
  • Access to our community bulletin board so you can ask and answer design-related questions
  • Unlimited access to the Product Catalogs, Design Travel sources, and Architect & Designer Directory listings
  • Choose from our ten newsletters to keep up with the latest on the sites

My Account

Your member profile is powered by memberstack