Photographs by Kyle Norton, courtesy of Plain English and Anat Soudry Architect.
Photographs by Kyle Norton, courtesy of Plain English and Anat Soudry Architect.
After 11 years of living in their Brooklyn brownstone, architect Anat Soudry’s friends were ready: they wanted to replace the Ikea shoebox kitchen that came with their otherwise well-preserved 1889 townhouse.
After 11 years of living in their Brooklyn brownstone, architect Anat Soudry’s friends were ready: they wanted to replace the Ikea shoebox kitchen that came with their otherwise well-preserved 1889 townhouse.
Knowing that they love the Italianate plasterwork, moldings, and other original details in their landmarked home, Soudry, their former neighbor who runs her own firm, immediately suggested they work with Plain English Design to make the cabinets.
Knowing that they love the Italianate plasterwork, moldings, and other original details in their landmarked home, Soudry, their former neighbor who runs her own firm, immediately suggested they work with Plain English Design to make the cabinets.
It was a tidy approach but not quite big enough to house the desired range, island, and mega-storage.
To fit all of the kitchen’s desired elements, Soudry introduced a cantilevered bay window, also known as an oriel window, to the back of the space overlooking the garden.
To fit all of the kitchen’s desired elements, Soudry introduced a cantilevered bay window, also known as an oriel window, to the back of the space overlooking the garden.
The black walnut-framed bay window—made in the US by Parrett Windows & Doors and supplied by Prince Windows—adds a lot of light to the room and 25 square feet of interior space, just enough clearance to make the island comfortably fit.
The cabinets are painted in a Plain English Paint shade called Army Camp (and have interiors in Flummery, a pale yellow inspired by “soft pudding”). Thanks to her fashion skills, Danielle wanted pattern and color in the kitchen.
Antique Victorian tiles from Solar Antique Tiles in NYC create a patterned backsplash for the Viking 7 Series 48-inch range built into the original fireplace—the hood vent, a PK22 by Best, runs through the existing chimney shaft (“it was a structural challenge,” says Soudry, “but we pulled it off.”).
Antique Victorian tiles from Solar Antique Tiles in NYC create a patterned backsplash for the Viking 7 Series 48-inch range built into the original fireplace—the hood vent, a PK22 by Best, runs through the existing chimney shaft (“it was a structural challenge,” says Soudry, “but we pulled it off.”).
The cabinet and island counters are Imperial Danby honed marble.
The microwave oven is integrated into the island. NYC Builders Group served as general contractor and NYCBG member Marek Jakubowski was project manager: “It was teamwork,” says Soudry.
The microwave oven is integrated into the island. NYC Builders Group served as general contractor and NYCBG member Marek Jakubowski was project manager: “It was teamwork,” says Soudry.
A freestanding Plain English larder, a cabinet that can hold tableware or staples, is tucked in a corner.
A freestanding Plain English larder, a cabinet that can hold tableware or staples, is tucked in a corner.
An antique American pine dining table with a built in banquette occupies the footprint of the former all white kitchen there was a wide partition between kitchen...
...and dining area that Soudry opened further now it s almost one open space The antique chandelier a converted gas fixture is another piece from Bijan Royal
As an afterthought, Soudry had her builder make a cabinet for the dining area.
The view from the front hall.
The new bay window—framed in wood on the interior and aluminum on the exterior—stole a mere two feet from the existing deck, which was expanded during the remodel.
