The Architect Is In: A Brooklyn Brownstone Transformed, with Respect - Remodelista
When a young family happened upon a neoclassical 1910 Brooklyn brownstone in unusually good shape four years ago, they knew they had found something special. A modern kitchen with a wet bar for entertaining (the couple are avid entertainers). Use the commenting tool below and ask away! Photography by Samuel Morgan Photography. One of Smith’s priorities was to transform the dark parlor floor by adding light–”physically and metaphorically,” in the words of his clients. This opening, along with several others (see below), are “each oriented in different cardinal directions so the natural light in the kitchen changes constantly. On many days, the owners can work in the kitchen without any artificial light until well into the twilight hours.” Smith enlarged an existing window opening to accommodate a new pair of steel French doors sourced from A&S Window Associates, based in Glendale, New York. Smith consulted with color expert Eve Ashcraft on the interior paint colors; she chose Deep Silver from Benjamin Moore for the custom wood cabinets. The hood is coated in colored plaster to match the kitchen walls, in a very light gray with mica flakes added for shimmer. Ashcraft’s paint-picking prowess extended to the kitchen drawer interiors, which are painted in Benjamin Moore Teal. Photograph by Jonas Everets. The kitchen counter and backsplash is Bianco Carrara marble. “The weekly family dinner menu, chosen by democratic voting methods, is usually displayed on the chalkboard,” says Smith. The shelving above the bar is blackened steel, and the bar counter and integral sink are made of zinc. Smith swapped in a solid wall for steel windows and a door on the basement level. A secondary wall oven is slotted into the lower half of the staircase, which is made almost entirely of cabinetry. The new stairwell glazing brings ample light into the laundry and utility rooms, so there’s rarely the need for artificial light during the daytime. The powder room door and hardware is original to the house. The former kitchen, looking onto the backyard. A view from the former utility room into the kitchen. The former kitchen looking into the utility room. The basement laundry room before the renovation. The original staircase from the kitchen to the basement. The transformation of the first floor. Architect Gerry Smith is available for the next 48 hours to answer your questions about the project.