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 ...

The Spaces

Architecture Wednesday: Storybook Home

Straddling the border between the Hudson Valley and the Berkshires, this not-so-tiny house comes with all the hallmarks of a fairytale summer property.

Built in 1875, it has the wood-sided gables and deep verandah of a period home, with established gardens that burst forth from the half-acre property, visited by birds and butterflies. And yet its 1,200 square feet easily make space for two bedrooms, two bathrooms, an office and eat-in kitchen. The living space has super-high ceilings and a gas fireplace, leading out to a sunroom converted from the old porch. Clever nooks hide a laundry room, pantry and energy-efficient upgrades like a full-house generator and air conditioning,

Outside are wildflower gardens, vegetable planters and an outdoor living area with a kitchen with outbuildings that include a chicken coop and it can be yours for just $480,000.

The Space

Architecture Wednesday: The Snyder House

The Snyder House—a Bertrand Goldberg design—is something of a legend in the long history of Shelter Island. Built in 1952 it was recognized as a mid-century marvel, both in design and waterfront location, offering magnificent panoramic water views of West Neck Harbor and Long Island Sound.

In 2002, the current owners undertook rebuilding the home on its original sprawling footprint, maintaining the elements of its mid-century modernist design while sparing no expense to bring this 20th-century masterpiece up to 21st-century living standards of ultimate comfort and high-end quality. The result is a 6,000 square foot one-level oasis perched on three-quarters of an acre, surrounded by water, offering magical sunsets, and jaw-dropping water views that remain as spectacular today as those enjoyed by the Snyder family70 years ago.

The original massive stone fireplace—with 8 flue—and stone floors pay homage to Bertrand Goldberg's vision, providing a dramatic contrast with the interior glass walls, revealing water and nature beyond. There are 6 bedrooms and 4 and 1/2 baths, a cook's kitchen, and numerous seating areas. Outside there is 74-foot-long heated saltwater gunite pool, a private beach, plus something truly rare and unusual: a 235-foot-deep water dock.

Located in the heart of Shelter Island, with easy access to world-class dining and shopping, The Snyder House, is not to be missed … though it was just sold for $14M USD.

I guess I did miss it.

As always, click to emBIGGERate …

Dwell