This 1910s wood and masonry rowhouse sits comfortably back off a main artery in the residential neighborhood of Windsor Terrace, located steps away from Brooklyn’s Prospect Park. The owners wanted to open the interior spaces to feel more loft-like and airy, plus create a stronger connection to their vibrant backyard garden from both the ground level and the parlor. They did not want to sacrifice the historic character of the house, yet they wanted an open plan with fewer divisions and ample room for their young family to grow and move around.

The solution was to open up the back of the house at the ground level and parlor using large glass doors and windows. We pushed the size of the glass openings as much as the space would allow, then removed any partitions that broke up the spaces previously. At the garden level, a functional and shaded outdoor space was carved out beneath the large dining terrace above that works in conjunction with the new custom kitchen. The terrace not only makes the inside feel larger by extending it outward, but it also serves as a great perch over the newly landscaped rear yard.

The interior spaces received complete facelifts and new bathrooms using Porcelanosa slabs & tiles, Concretti sinks, and other high end plumbing fixtures. Emphasis was placed on showcasing the pristine marble fireplaces, historic parlor doors and moldings, stained glass accents, all while adding modern conveniences and complimentary design elements to townhouse urban living. The result is a modest rowhouse on the exterior with a fresh contemporary interior that focuses on detail and placemaking by seamlessly mixing the old and new.

Photo credits: images by Thomas Newberger