A Designer Brought Back the Character of This 183-Year-Old Brooklyn Brownstone

Tragically, much of the home’s historic architectural charm was gone and the tall ceilings had inexplicably been lowered, which severely diminished the grand look and feel that brownstone parlor floors are known for.

“Over the years and through several owners, many of the apartment’s original details had been stripped away — most notably, the generous proportions that parlor floors typically offer,” Jila writes. “The typical striking architectural features seen in brownstones, such as crown molding and ceiling medallions, had all been removed. What we adopted was a series of choppy rooms, with several varying ceiling heights, and all the finishes were gray and white, making the space feel very sterile and dated.”

The creative couple — Jila is a landscape architect and interior designer whose work often explores the relationship between interiors and exteriors, and Scott is the founder of Ensemble, a hospitality design and strategy studio — renovated nearly every inch of the apartment. Part of that work involved restoring an original Italianate fireplace mantel, with a hearth “updated in matching marble, turning it into a recurring motif that moves quietly through the living spaces.”

But Jila says two architectural changes in particular transformed how the home feels and functions.

“First, we removed the dividing wall between the former kitchen and the dining and living areas, opening up the parlor floor and letting the home function as one connected space,” she explains.

“Second, we lifted the lowered ceiling to match the grander living room ceiling height, which immediately restored proportion, air, and a sense of calm. Those changes also allowed the floor-to-ceiling, street-facing windows to do their work, pulling hours of natural light deep into the core of a brownstone that would otherwise read quite dark.”

The kitchen’s dramatic makeover was, of course, also a big part of the renovation. “We’ve always gravitated toward kitchens with personality — spaces where color can feel joyful and confident when it’s handled with restraint,” Jila explains.

Along with aubergine cabinetry and gorgeous marble countertops, the couple chose unlacquered brass details and other unexpected touches. “We added marble toe-kicks to heighten the contrast and pull your eye along the base of the cabinets, so the veining and stone details read as a continuous line through the room, flanking the rich cabinets with stone,” Jila continues.

“And then there’s the window: It’s actually the smallest in the apartment, facing the back gardens and neighboring carriage houses, but we clad the sill and jambs in marble to give it presence, almost like a small vignette, because that view felt worth honoring.”

Another design challenge — aside from stretching the renovation budget across the home’s 1600 square feet — was figuring out the bathrooms. Although compact, they still needed to feel beautiful, timeless, and efficient.

“We rethought every inch, and made a last-minute pivot in the guest bath when our daughter suddenly outgrew her bubble-bath phase and requested a shower,” Jila writes. “We converted it into a relaxing, more mature shower, utilizing the curved wall, flowing marble veining, an in-shower bench, and warm brass accents.”

Throughout the apartment, the renovation reflects how two design professionals (and parents to a young kid and a dog) approached shaping a home for everyday life — balancing practicality with beauty, and historical character with modern comfort. This is a home where the family cooks, gathers with friends, and enjoys the natural light streaming through tall windows — a space once again serving up stunning architectural charm.

PAINT & COLORS

• Living Room, Kitchen, Foyer — Benjamin Moore “Swiss Coffee”
• Kitchen Cabinets — Farrow and Ball “Paean Black”
• Guest Bathroom — Meoded “Stone” 
• Daughter’s Room — James Alexander “Limewash Noche”
• Office/Guest Room — Meoded Limewash “Red Wine”

• Entry Console — Soho Home 
• Mirror — Lulu and Georgia
• Wall Sconces — Vintage from France

• Vintage Paddle Chair — Found at Auction 
• Vintage Teak Buffet — Found at Auction 
• Sofa by Ellison Studio — Design Within Reach
• Commissioned Artwork — David Wilstermann
• Grid Rug — Nordic Knots
• Low Console — USM via Design Within Reach 
• Convex Mantel Mirror — CB2

• Dining Table — Lulu and Georgia  
• Vintage MR-10 Dining Chairs — Found at Auction 

• Vintage Counterweight Pendant — 1st Dibs
• Replica YoYo Stools — Jean Royere (Custom) 
• Wall Sconces  — Lemieux et Cie
• All Plumbing Fixtures — Waterworks 
• AGA Elise Induction Range 36” — AGA
• Custom Cabinets — Kountry Kraft

• Primary Bed Frame — CB2
• Walnut Armoire — Room and Board 
• Tripod Chairs — Found at Auction 
• Bed Cover — Collin King for Cultiver
• Second Bedroom Day Bed — Pottery Barn Kids
• Little Neva Chair — SixPenny

• Lapidary Floor Tiles — cle Tile 
• All Plumbing Fixtures — Waterworks 
• Cube Shower Light — Waterworks 
• Vanity — Custom 

This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.
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