Historic Crown Heights Townhouse
Our team worked with a talented photographer and her husband to renovate their newly purchased historic Crown Heights brownstone. The house was full of original millwork & other detailing that they loved, while - at the same time - they requested a brighter and visually lighter interior.
Photography © Winnie Au
The Plan
The existing 2-unit configuration was retained to have an owners’ triplex and a rental unit at the garden level. Their parlor-level kitchen was replaced with a new one featuring custom-made millwork and Carrara marble counters. A dumbwaiter was removed to make space for a new pantry. Both bathrooms at the upper levels were updated, while a third was introduced on the 2nd floor. A neutral color palette consisting primarily of white and off-white colors was utilized at the owners’ request to create a contemporary more contemporary interior - while also keeping the amount of restoration work (and cost) to a minimum. All building systems (electrical, plumbing, HVAC) had to be replaced with new ones. The homeowners carefully selected colorful modern furniture to complement the historic millwork that remains visible in most rooms.
Sustainability
The new windows that replaced the old ones and the insulation added under the roof and along the exterior walls significantly reduced the building envelope’s heat loss. All lighting was replaced with new (LED), and a new high-efficiency HVAC system was installed throughout the house - both contributing to energy savings year-round.
Primary Bedroom features restored original plasterwork and hardwood floors
“ The house had museum-like features, but I didn’t want it to feel like a museum - I wanted it to feel like a home where everyone was comfortable and nothing was so precious “
Winnie Au, Owner
The kitchen features custom shaker-style millwork and marble counters on restored parquet wood floors
A large wall-mounted, cast-iron utility sink is the centerpiece of the upper level bathroom
The green ceramic tile in the primary bathroom adds a splash of color to the otherwise neutral (primarily white) interior. All trims and woodwork are original and restored.