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Wednesday, April 29, 2026

Architecture Wednesday: Transformed 5-Floor Brooklyn Townhouse

This 20-foot-wide 1880 brownstone sits at the end of a tree-lined block in Brooklyn, opening to soaring ceilings and miles of antique wood detailing. Wood and steel collaborate to maintain its period allure while adding new, highly functional bathrooms and a dug-out basement gym.

The designers brought in custom walnut millwork, bespoke British radiators, Fireclay tile and bold wallpapers to create a bold, bright new version of the old.  The living room features original millwork, mile high ceilings and custom cabinetry. Next is the dining room with its own fireplace and bold wallpaper and windows that look out over the back garden.

Down one level is the chef’s kitchen that opens onto a deep wildflower garden and features Reform cabinetry, a custom concrete island and terrazzo counters. Off the kitchen is a family room with herringbone wood floors and a splash of color. Go down to the dugout basement for the gym and bathroom with its radiant-heated floors

The full-floor primary suite has its own fireplace and walk-through dressing room, plus an elaborate en suite bath; upstairs is an office space and two additional bedrooms that share a bath.

It’s a home filled with the original, historic details, but with modern twists in design and color and can be yours for just $2.95 M.

As always click to emBIGGERate ...

38 comments:

  1. Krayolakris8:15 AM

    I’m sure its owners were very happy there.

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    1. I love it too; it's eclectic and fun.

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  2. A lot of thought has gone into the decoration of this house. The spaciousness and airiness are appealing, but some of the colours and patterns seem a little odd.

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    1. These are people who love color and pattern; it's not for everyone but some of it I really like.

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  3. Fenced in Yard!!! I like this, though I'd have to do something about that bold blue, maybe a nice sage green, perhaps.

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    Replies
    1. Sage green is like beige! I thought you were the bold color guy!

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  4. Way too busy for me, but such a place in Brooklyn for that price doesn't seem too bad.

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    1. Some of it is color and pattern overload but I could live in it a while and decide what stays and what gets reinvented!

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  5. Anonymous9:35 AM

    the dog's mother
    xoxo :-)

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  6. Like Dave, I'd have to be changing out that bright blue.
    The other thing that stands out for me is the dining room a floor above the kitchen, and not even a Dumb Waiter? Spouse to spouse: "I'm warning you, you drop that 20lb turkey after I cooked all damn day and *you'll* be dinner!" 🤣

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    Replies
    1. Howsabout a live-in not-so-bright-waiter???

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    2. Ooooo.... That would work. He could carry up the stairs, too.

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  7. Beautiful place but the wallpaper choices make me dizzy!

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    1. The only one that kind of bothers me is in the dining room.

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  8. So much ugly wallpapers and paint! A definite No!

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    1. One person's ugly is another person's style. i appreciate the bold even though some would not be my choice.

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  9. I absolutely love it although I don't know about some of those pops of color ...they're just a little too bright for me but that can be changed and that wallpaper in the kitchen the god Awful.I myself would have to go with a more moody color palette for this house Otherwise I love the architecture the elements and the layout and just wait until sixpence sees the library shelves holding all vinyl records. The boy is going to have an orgasm. That's a lovely feature for this house too. Books records perfect for me either. I love the outside, which doesn't look like 5 floors and doesn't appear big on the exterior. And can I just say how much I love the front door and its color. I'll be in New York for the weekend and a couple days maybe I should look the place up.

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    1. I am all about the moody colors, too.
      From the floorplan the top floor looks like converted attic space, and then there are two sort of basement levels.
      I'd love to see it close-up!

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  10. Nope. I'd need a puke bucket in every room.

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    Replies
    1. I'm painting it all red for you~!!!!!

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    2. Nooooo! Even I am not that tacky!

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  11. That zig-zaggy wood floor at the base of the stairs is spectacular!

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  12. You had me at a brownstone in Brooklyn. I love it all with a few exceptions. The light and airiness just draws me in. The outside space is great for the city. When will folks learn that unless it is your forever home do not get too specific. But don't be boring. maybe there are reasons for the sale we are not privy to. First that wallpaper has got to go. Now don't get me wrong. I do love me some wallpaper but the choices are too in your face and would become an eye sore over time. Learn the lesson that less is more. Let's talk about those blue stair risers. I would prefer all wood that is original to the home. A runner, maybe. But that blue has got to go. I could live with the black bathroom for a while before I do away with the black tub, paint, and fixtures. I can work with the floor. One would think that at that price point things would be set to go. Great selection this week.

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    1. The black bathroom is my absolute favorite room in the house!!!
      I also love the blue heading up the stairs!

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  13. Anonymous3:34 PM

    Une magnifique maison de ville à Brooklyn; j’adore les détails architecturaux extérieurs.
    À l’intérieur, j’aménagerais la maison dans un style plus traditionnel, avec des touches à la fois éclectiques et modernes.
    -Beau Mec à Deauville

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    1. A magnificent townhouse in Brooklyn; I love the exterior architectural details.
      Inside, I would furnish the home in a more traditional style, with touches that are both eclectic and modern.
      —Beau Mec à Deauville

      I love a brownstone and I love the color choices though I also like the elegant black bathroom. But there is a great style in the building.

      J'adore les maisons en grès brun, ainsi que les choix de couleurs — bien que j'apprécie également l'élégante salle de bain noire. Quoi qu'il en soit, ce bâtiment possède un style remarquable.

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  14. A girl can dream, sweetpea! xoxo

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    1. Ain't nothing wrong with a dream!
      xoxo

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  15. You had me at BROWNSTONE.
    I love the idea of having several floors for living quarters. That's the dream.
    Now, I really cannot live for the wallpaper but I could tolerate it. But I cannot forgive them for fucking up the stairs. Nope.

    XOXO

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    1. I like some of the wallpaper; NOT the dining room though.
      And I kind of like the whimsy of the blue running up the stairs!
      xoxo

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  16. I love all the wood, but I don't want to go up and down the stairs all the time. We had a three-story townhouse at one time. Cleaning it was a lot of work.

    Love,
    Janie

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    1. I would need an elevator ... and a maid!!!
      xoxo

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  17. I’m with Deedles on this one. I love brownstones and was excited to see this. I hope the owners love it, but the renovations, colors, and the interior design seriously turn me off.

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    1. It is very colorful, though some of it I don't mind.

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  18. Wow, what an amazing use of colour!!! While it might not be my taste, they have done it out beautifully. I especially love that blue shower!

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    1. That tile work in that shower is really pretty.

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