Brooks + Scarpa Uses Chicago Common Brick For an Uncommon Suburban Courtyard Residence

This article highlights a unique duplex for rent at 1886 Stockholm Street in Ridgewood, located on a landmarked cobblestoned street near the border of Ridgewood and Bushwick. Priced at $5,700 per month, the property occupies the top two floors of a row house owned by a designer couple. Their extensive renovation transformed the three-story house into an urban farmhouse, inspired by their upstate farmhouse and contributing to their interior design career. The three-bedroom, three-bath duplex is situated on one of Ridgewood’s historic blocks, showcasing meticulously considered design elements throughout for practical daily living. Upon entry, the front porch features rocking chairs, while the living room blends industrial and rustic aesthetics. It includes a functional fireplace stove and an integrated surround-sound projector that retracts into the ceiling. A grand piano is also present in the den, adding to the home's character. The kitchen is an open chef’s space, equipped with a Wolf range, custom shiplap cabinetry, exposed beams, and low-sheen hardwood floors. Adjacent to the kitchen are an open dining room and a sitting room. French doors from the kitchen lead to an outdoor deck and a backyard, which includes a ping-pong table, offering versatile spaces for relaxation or entertaining. Moving upstairs, the duplex features a library complete with a rolling ladder. The master bedroom is spacious, offering oversized closets and custom cabinetry. Its en suite bathroom provides views of the garden and is fitted with an old-fashioned soaking tub and a separate stall shower. Two additional bedrooms are designed with custom storage solutions, one of which includes a built-in bed to optimize space. A washer/dryer unit is also conveniently located on this floor. For climate control, the home is equipped with a Nest central heating and cooling system, ensuring comfort throughout the year. The property's location offers convenient access to public transportation, with the M train at Seneca Avenue and the L train at Dekalb, providing alternative routes and avoiding sole reliance on the L train. The listing for 1886 Stockholm Street is managed by Olivia Ionescu, Meris Blumstein, and Justine Lee Mills for Corcoran Group, with images provided courtesy of Corcoran Group. #RidgewoodRealEstate #UrbanFarmhouse #DesignerHome #DuplexForRent #HistoricBlock #InteriorDesign #NewYorkCity #BrooklynLiving #CorcoranGroup

This article, part of the "What's That Building?" series focusing on Chicago's iconic structures, delves into the unique architectural and cultural significance of Chicago bungalows. It highlights how these homes, prevalent in the city's "Bungalow Belt," represent a distinct era of urban development and a strong desire for homeownership among Chicago's diverse population. The article begins by setting the scene in Auburn Gresham, specifically the 8300 to 8500 blocks of South May Street, where a variety of Chicago bungalow styles can be observed. These include homes with different brick colors (red, yellow, brown), varying facade designs (flat or octagon), and entrance placements (front or side). The author notes how some bungalows have undergone subtle updates, preserving their historical streetscape, while others feature more dramatic alterations like "pop tops" (second-story additions) or permastone exteriors, sometimes resembling a "Flintstones house." The "Bungalow Belt" is described as a large C-shaped area stretching from West Rogers Park on the Far North Side, through the West Side, and extending towards the Indiana State Line in South Chicago. This extensive zone contains approximately 80,000 bungalows, accounting for nearly one-third of all houses in the city. These homes were primarily constructed in the 1910s and 1920s to accommodate Chicago's rapidly growing population, driven by an influx of workers to its numerous factories. Between 1900 and 1930, the city's population nearly doubled, underscoring the critical need for affordable housing solutions like the bungalow. The Chicago bungalow's design is traced back to earlier influences. The term "bungalow" originated from British colonizers in India, who used a descriptive word for their low-roofed, shaded houses. This evolved to describe seaside homes in England and New England with similar heat-beating features. Southern California's late 19th-century population boom further popularized the Arts & Crafts-style bungalow, characterized by large eaves, cooling porches, and handcrafted interior details such as stained glass, built-in bookcases, and vintage tile work. A key adaptation for the Chicago bungalow was its narrower front profile, designed to fit the city's standard 25-by-125-foot lots. This characteristic, combined with the sheer volume of construction, led to the distinctive, almost continuous streetscapes seen in many neighborhoods, where bungalows maintain a consistent alignment of sills, windows, and rooflines, yet offer individual variations in materials and decorative elements, preventing monotony. Architectural historian Carla Bruni is quoted, emphasizing that the Chicago bungalow's unique form created an entirely novel urbanism for the city. The article provides a specific example with Armrhad Johnson's bungalow, purchased in 2009. Johnson's home retained many original features, such as stained glass windows, a fireplace, and built-ins. He was fortunate that the original hardwood floors were preserved under carpeting and that the wood trim had not been painted over. However, like many older homes, it required significant updates to plumbing and electrical wiring, which were largely original to its 1921 construction. Johnson shares his ongoing experience with home improvement, noting that despite initial expectations, renovating a bungalow is a continuous project. #ChicagoBungalow #Architecture #UrbanHistory #Homeownership #ChicagoLandmarks #ArchitecturalStyles #HousingMarket #CommunityDevelopment

This article details a recently renovated brownstone located at 541 1st Street in Park Slope, Brooklyn, listed for $7.49 million. The property features eight bedrooms, four bathrooms, and private outdoor spaces, emphasizing a blend of historic preservation and modern upgrades. Lyons Studio professionally designed and furnished the home, highlighting original architectural details like millwork and molding while incorporating contemporary elements. The parlor level, boasting 10-foot-high ceilings, welcomes visitors with a wallpapered entryway featuring custom harlequin marble tile and includes a restored pier mirror and ornate banisters. The formal living room on this level is bright, characterized by new herringbone flooring, a spacious layout with a sitting area under large bay windows, a unique chandelier, and restored stained glass transom windows. A functional fireplace divides the living area from the dining space, which accommodates a large table. The rear of this level houses a generously sized kitchen equipped with new skylights, Calacatta marble backsplash and counters, an integrated Sub Zero refrigerator, and an eat-in banquette suitable for dining or a work-from-home setup. Sliding doors connect the kitchen to a new iron deck that leads down to the garden. The upper floor is dedicated to the primary bedroom suite, a sun-drenched space with custom lighting, bay windows overlooking the tree-lined street, a decorative fireplace, and elegant moldings. The en-suite bathroom, separated from the bedroom by a walk-in closet, offers a double vanity, custom marble and tile-work, a freestanding tub, and a spa shower. This floor also includes a small study. The top-level accommodates three additional bedrooms, a Jack and Jill bathroom, another study, and a washer-dryer. The garden floor, accessible via its own entrance, is designed for family-friendly use. It includes a mudroom, a laundry room, and an additional bedroom with a full bath. An extension on this level provides ample space for a family room, complete with a wet bar, wine fridge, and dishwasher, making it suitable for entertainment. The 20-foot-wide home features a private outdoor garden, accessible from both the garden level and the kitchen deck. Its location offers convenient access to Prospect Park, with commercial amenities on Seventh Avenue a block west, and Grand Army Plaza and the Brooklyn Public Library’s main branch to the north. Deeded parking is also available for separate purchase. The listing is managed by Jessica Buchman of The Corcoran Group. #BrooklynBrownstone #ParkSlope #LuxuryRealEstate #HistoricHome #HomeRenovation #InteriorDesign #NYCRealEstate #FamilyFriendlyHome

This article delves into a peculiar 1904 Chicago bungalow located in the small Villa District, a neighborhood known for its country-like feel within 15 minutes of the city center. Initially, the exterior of the home appears idyllic, featuring well-maintained gardens and a swimming pool, suggesting a charming and desirable property. However, the narrative quickly shifts to the interior and closer exterior views, revealing a stark contrast to the initial impression. The author expresses confusion and bemusement regarding the property's condition and design choices, particularly questioning the real estate agent's decision to include photographs that depict the house in a state of disarray and poor repair. The article proceeds to describe the interior, categorizing some rooms as not "horrible" but noting an excessive amount of decorative items, suggesting a need for decluttering. The author, referencing Marie Kondo, indicates a strong reaction to the sheer volume of 'geegaws' present in every room, implying a cluttered and overwhelming aesthetic. The discussion then moves to the bathrooms, where the design choices are highlighted as particularly unusual and difficult to comprehend. One bathroom is described as having a "mirror ball" aesthetic, which clashes significantly with what appears to be an "abandoned cottage design theme" prevalent elsewhere in the house. Another bathroom features a rattan commode, humorously dubbed the "Rattapper," which the author associates with rustic, "country pooping needs," further emphasizing the incongruity of the design elements. The climax of the article focuses on the kitchen, which is presented as the most perplexing part of the house. Despite containing a stove and a sink, its overall appearance is described as chaotic and inexplicable, filled with an overwhelming number of unidentified objects. The author questions whether the space is truly functional for cooking or merely a bizarre obstacle course. The kitchen's state leads to a rhetorical question about whether it is a room "cursed by an evil witch because it’s on the way to a sleeping princess," underscoring the deep level of confusion and disbelief inspired by its design. The article concludes by inviting readers to offer their interpretations of the peculiar dwelling, reinforcing the overall theme of bemusement and confusion. The house's listing on Realtor.com is provided for readers to view more images and draw their own conclusions. #ChicagoBungalow #RealEstateWTF #UnusualHomeDesign #VillaDistrict #HomeInterior #KitchenDesign #BathroomDesign #PropertyListing

K.N. Associates designed the 'R-House' in Vadodara, India, as a three-level bungalow for a devout multi-generational family, blending traditional Indian design and local Rajasthani craftsmanship with contemporary aesthetics. The residence, featuring exposed brick and reinforced cement concrete (RCC), emphasizes spatial harmony through Vastu principles, guiding the layout and design based on five basic elements. The material palette primarily consists of earthy, natural finishes such as local stone, wood, granite, and exposed brick, aiming to ground the structure in its traditional context and create a spiritually enduring environment. Integrating Indian heritage with a contemporary brick and concrete facade, the architects incorporated traditional architectural elements like jaalis (perforated stone screens), jharokhas (projecting enclosed balconies), and pergolas on open terraces. The porches and balconies feature wooden columns, arches, and brackets salvaged from old structures in Gujarat, forming jharokhas with intricate carvings that contrast with the geometric simplicity of the exterior. The home's C-shaped footprint is created by a series of voids, dynamic horizontal lines, and a mix of private, open, and semi-open spaces that embrace a central courtyard. This semi-open area functions as a transitional buffer between the living spaces and the garden, ideal for use in favorable weather conditions. The design facilitates the family's daily rituals, particularly obeisance upon entering and leaving the home, by integrating Vastu-compliant spaces for prayer and reflection. The entrance is approached by wide 'floating' steps, leading past a metal sculpture of a cowherd by Avinash Gondaliya. Upon entering, an open worship room is revealed, flanked by a serene water feature and separated from the adjacent family room by an L-shaped brick jaali. Eclectic sculptures and interventions enhance the home's unique character. The living room offers unobstructed garden views, bringing natural elements indoors. Locally sourced antique wooden swings and jharokhas from Ahmedabad and Vadodara, along with other curated furniture and decor, impart a local flavor to the brick, concrete, and granite interior. A mask arrangement adorns a brick wall, while polished green Kota stone is paired with yellow leather-finished granite on the floor, mimicking a carpet. A striking 20-feet-diameter circular cut-out window, made with blue, yellow, and green textured glass, connects all floors and serves as a vibrant backdrop to the living area. Metal supports clad in wood frame this artistic statement, filtering diffused light and projecting a delicate geometric pattern that complements the diagonal lines of the surrounding RCC walls. Adjacent to the staircase, a 16-feet-tall art installation by Hemanshi Patwa, featuring large blown-glass lotus leaves, further enriches the space with color. The first floor houses three bedrooms and a spacious common area constructed from reclaimed wood. This open space, supported by double-height beams, features a large window protected by motorized blinds sandwiched between glass panes. The parents' master bedroom opens to the garden via an intimate porch with antique wooden pillars and a pergola. The interior of this bedroom includes refined finishes such as a wicker ceiling, brass etching on the traditional bed back, and louvered wardrobe shutters. The second floor accommodates a gym, a guest bedroom, and a home theatre with exposed brick walls and a wooden base. Artworks celebrating Indian heritage and culture decorate this level, with a rear wall depicting monuments of Baroda and another wall displaying a collage of children playing marbles. #IndianHeritage #ContemporaryDesign #ResidentialArchitecture #BrickArchitecture #RCCConstruction #VastuPrinciples #Vadodara #KNAssociates

Acme Brick, Tile and Stone in Springfield, Missouri, serves the southwest Missouri region, including the Branson area, as a comprehensive masonry material supplier for both building trade professionals and retail customers. The facility boasts a 3,000 square foot showroom displaying over 100 samples of hard-fired clay brick in a diverse range of colors, sizes, and textures. In addition to brick, the showroom features natural and synthetic stone options from various manufacturers, along with hardwoods, ceramic, porcelain, and glass tiles. This wide selection caters to a variety of aesthetic preferences and project requirements for both interior and exterior applications. The location functions as a full-service supplier, ensuring that customers have access to all necessary materials for their construction and design projects. An outdoor kitchen display within the facility showcases innovative paving ideas, fireplaces, and pizza ovens, providing practical inspiration for outdoor living spaces. This allows customers to visualize how different products can be integrated into functional and attractive outdoor designs, highlighting the versatility of the materials offered. The product categories available at the Springfield location are extensive, encompassing Brick, Building materials, Cladding, Concrete Masonry Units (CMU), Fireplace components, Flooring, Landscape materials, Masonry products, and various Miscellaneous items, Outdoor elements, Stone, Thin Brick, and Tile. Specific flooring options include Hardwood, Laminate, Luxury Vinyl, and Pavers, ensuring that diverse flooring needs are met. The range of stone products includes natural stone and manufactured stone options, suitable for different architectural styles and structural needs. Several specific brick products are highlighted, demonstrating the breadth of options available. Examples include 'Abbeville – Queen – Heritage,' 'Academy – Modular – Heritage,' 'Aden Blend – Queen – Heritage,' 'Adobe Wells – King – Heritage,' 'Allendale – King – Heritage,' 'Allendale Rustic – Queen – Heritage,' 'Allentown – King – Velour,' 'Allentown – Modular – Velour,' 'Alluvial Light – Modular – Ruff,' 'Alluvial Light – Modular – Velour,' 'Alluvial Medium – Modular – Ruff,' 'Alluvial Medium – Modular – Velour,' 'Alpine – King – Heritage,' 'Amaretto – Estate – Velour,' 'Amaretto – King – Velour,' 'Amaretto – Modular – Velour,' 'Americana – Modular – Heritage,' and 'Ansley Park – Modular – Heritage.' These product names often indicate the size, finish, and historical or regional influence of the brick, providing insight into their aesthetic characteristics and potential applications in construction and design. #BrickSupply #BuildingMaterials #HomeDesign #SpringfieldMissouri #Showroom #OutdoorLiving #MasonryMaterials #FlooringOptions #ArchitecturalFeatures

This article details the design and creation of a new, larger home in Arcadia for a bachelor client with grown children, spearheaded by DeCesare Design Group, in collaboration with architect Jim Blochberger and Berghoff Design Group for landscaping. Following a successful previous project, the client sought a home that was comfortable, elegant, and masculine, drawing inspiration from Santa Barbara and early California styles. The home is situated in Arcadia, offering beautiful views of Camelback Mountain and a flexible design environment due to less stringent design review guidelines, allowing for a blend of architectural styles. The client's personal background, including his roots in farming, influenced the design, incorporating rustic elements like wood beams and forged iron. Despite his appreciation for rustic details, he also desired a tailored, clean aesthetic, described as a "Ralph Lauren men's club-type feel" with dark colors, leather, stripes, and industrial touches. His meticulous nature, bordering on OCD, also played a role in the design, with a preference for concealed storage to maintain an organized appearance. The designers aimed to create a home suitable for entertaining family and friends, balancing private and public spaces. Throughout the home, white oak wood flooring from Pravada Floors' Artistique Collection and custom plaster walls by MKL Contracting and Consulting establish a consistent and clean backdrop. The dining room, one of the first spaces encountered, features a cozy and intimate atmosphere with a brick barrel ceiling, a monastery table, and a buffet. The great room serves as a central gathering space, equipped with a stone fireplace, comfortable sectional seating, and wood beams, lending a clubby, welcoming feel. Furniture from Lee Industries, Ralph Lauren Home, and Paul Ferrante adorns this area. The kitchen, a favorite space of designer Caroline DeCesare, emphasizes functionality and a lighter aesthetic compared to the client's previous home, deviating from a traditional white Cape Cod style. It is outfitted with Sub-Zero appliances and cabinetry by Desert Cove Woodworks, and notably features a custom-forged iron-and-glass skylight that bathes the room in natural light. Adjacent to the kitchen are an indoor-outdoor bar and a breakfast nook. The home's layout thoughtfully separates public and private zones. The guest rooms, garage, and pantry are located to the left of the great room, while the private wing, containing the primary bedroom, primary bathroom, and office, is to the right. The primary bedroom, designed during a period when the client was dating, exhibits a softer, more feminine, and traditional aesthetic with lush fabrics and elegant drapery, featuring an upholstered bed by Hickory Chair and bedding from Linen Tree. The primary bathroom is a spa-like sanctuary, designed for tranquility and relaxation. The success of the project is attributed to the client's trust in his design team, allowing them the creative freedom to deliver a home that perfectly blends his rustic background with his refined personal style. #ArcadiaHome #InteriorDesign #RusticTailoredStyle #DeCesareDesignGroup #JimBlochbergerArchitecture #BerghoffDesignGroup #LuxuryInteriors #CustomHomeDesign #ScottsdaleLiving

Lauren and Jason Muir embarked on a significant renovation of their 1900-built Parkside home after returning to Adelaide from London and Sydney. The couple purchased the property in its original condition in late 2020, with renovation plans beginning almost immediately. However, due to pandemic-related delays and council approvals, construction didn't commence until two years later. Lauren, a strategy executive at Westpac, expressed the importance of honoring the home's 1900 heritage while integrating a modern aesthetic, a design philosophy inspired by Victorian homes in London's southwest. A key design objective was to create a seamless transition between the original structure and the new extension. This was achieved by extending the original timber floors throughout the house and meticulously matching architectural details like architraves. The couple also focused on cohesive styling, using art to introduce color and enhance flow between the old and new sections of the home. The front of the house retained its original character, while the rear extension was designed to complement it with a contemporary feel. The renovation project involved collaboration with The Building Company and Mavtect Designs, successfully navigating council requirements that mandated the extension not be visible from the street. Specific features desired by the couple included a wine cellar, which Jason envisioned as a space where one could walk down and be enveloped by wine. Lauren's primary desire for the living space was an abundance of natural light. While the front of the house, with its older structure and tree coverage, remained darker, the extension was designed to maximize light, leading to the creation of a seven-meter raked ceiling and a large wall of glass. This architectural choice not only floods the living area with light but also provides a view of the century-old hedge in the backyard, which offers significant privacy and a natural green wall effect. Outdoor spaces were also a crucial component of the renovation. With the help of Husk Projects and Evoke Outdoors for landscaping, Lauren and Jason created dedicated outdoor entertaining areas and a sauna area. The sauna was specifically inspired by Sequoia Lodge, aiming to replicate its serene garden setting where one could relax after using the sauna, creating a retreat-like atmosphere. The Parkside home became a labor of love, offering a convenient urban lifestyle, with easy access to parklands and local amenities. Despite their affection for the renovated Parkside home, the Muir family is now moving to Stirling in pursuit of more space for their young children. Their new 1920s home also requires renovation, signaling Lauren's continued preference for restoring older properties over new builds. The sale of the Parkside property, located at 9 Douglas Street, is being managed by Georgie Todd and Alexandra Green of Harris Real Estate, marking the end of one project and the beginning of another for the family. #HeritageHome #ParksideRenovation #ModernExtension #ArchitecturalDesign #LuxuryLiving #HomeRenovation #AdelaideRealEstate #InteriorDesign #OutdoorLiving

This article highlights ten buildings that utilize decorative brick facades to create unique and visually engaging exteriors. Bricks, a globally prevalent building material, are showcased not just for their structural integrity but also for their versatility in aesthetic applications. The inherent small, rectangular shape of bricks allows for diverse decorative effects, including variations in color, complex forms, intricate patterns, and strategic perforations. The featured projects demonstrate a wide array of architectural styles and functions. The Gadi House in India, by PMA Madhushala, features a facade of protruding and perforated bricks over a stone base, designed to ventilate the home and minimize the need for mechanical cooling. At the Kitrvs winery in Greece, ETH Zürich researchers used an "augmented bricklaying" technique to create a semi-transparent facade of over 13,000 individually rotated and mortared bricks, mimicking the movement of light on liquid. The Arches in the UK, by The DHaus Company, incorporates layers of red-brick slips forming arches that frame doors and balconies, paying tribute to nearby Victorian railway architecture. Wallmakers' Pirouette House in India employs the rat-trap bond technique to construct curved and twisting brick walls that animate the facade while concealing structural elements. Bureau de Change's The Interlock in London showcases matte blue bricks that appear to swell around its windows, utilizing 5,000 bespoke bricks in 44 shapes and sizes, meticulously modeled and templated for precise arrangement. Museum de Lakenhal in the Netherlands, designed by Happel Cornelisse Verhoeven and Julian Harrap Architects, features concertina-style folds and bricks set at varying angles, evoking woven textiles and referencing the site's history as a fabric factory. Kohan Ceram, the headquarters of a brick manufacturer in Tehran by Hooba Design Group, presents a six-storey facade with bricks incorporating circular glass inserts, forming distinctive patterns alongside protruding brick blocks. In Vietnam, CTA's Wall House utilizes hole-punctured bricks, seemingly haphazardly stacked, to create a tactile, irregular surface that also funnels air and sunlight into the multi-generational home. Studio Lotus's Krushi Bhawan government building in India features an elaborate brick facade made from three different colored clays, arranged to emulate the traditional Odisha Ikat dyeing technique. Finally, the Shah Muhammad Mohshin Khan Mausoleum in Bangladesh by Sthapotik is defined by six red-brick turrets with perforated tops for natural ventilation, elevated on a brick platform to mitigate flood risks. These examples collectively illustrate how brick, beyond its fundamental utility, can be transformed into an expressive architectural element, contributing significantly to a building's aesthetic identity, environmental performance, and cultural narrative. #BrickFacades #ArchitecturalDesign #ResidentialArchitecture #SustainableDesign #BuildingMaterials #InnovativeConstruction #CulturalReferences #ArchitecturalRoundup

This blog post showcases a Federal-style row house located at 45 Willow Street in the Brooklyn Heights Historic District. The residence, dating back to circa 1824, maintains a picturesque exterior characterized by a Flemish bond brick facade and dormer windows, preserving its 19th-century aesthetic. The property holds historical significance as the long-time home of renowned landscape architect Alice Recknagel Ireys, who grew up there and later established her practice within the house. Ireys was known for her diverse landscape designs, including public housing projects, playgrounds, and notably, the Fragrance Garden at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, which she created for the visually impaired in the 1950s. She resided at 45 Willow Street until her passing in 2000. Inside, the house presents a blend of historical elements and contemporary renovations. Original features from the early 19th century, such as the newel post, stair, and moldings in the double parlors, are still present. Modern conveniences include a small powder room cleverly integrated into a closet and a butler’s pantry at the rear, equipped with a sink and wine fridge, offering direct access to the garden. The main kitchen and dining room are situated on the garden level, featuring a glass wall that provides views of the meticulously designed garden. The garden itself is a key highlight, maintaining its original two-tiered layout conceived by Ireys. A recent restoration undertaken by RKLA Studio enhanced this outdoor space with the addition of two curved staircases, facilitating a seamless connection between the parlor and garden levels. The upper two floors of the residence accommodate five bedrooms, three of which feature mantels, and each floor includes a full bathroom. A compact, windowed home office overlooks the garden, offering a serene workspace. The property's financial history indicates it last sold in 2006 for $4.495 million, and it was periodically on and off the market in 2017. Currently, the house is listed for $7.495 million, represented by Ravi Kantha, Matthew Lesser, Gian Mitchell, and Cameron LeCates from Leslie J. Garfield. This offering provides an opportunity to acquire a home that combines historical architecture, thoughtful interior updates, and a professionally designed garden with a notable legacy. #BrooklynHeights #FederalStyle #RowHouse #HistoricHome #AliceIreys #LandscapeArchitecture #RealEstate #LuxuryHomes #BrooklynRealEstate

This blog post highlights a four-story townhouse located at 356 President Street in the historic Carroll Gardens neighborhood. Built in 1869, the property has recently been listed for just over $4 million, showcasing a blend of historical architectural details and modern upgrades. The exterior of the townhouse features an arched doorway, original paneled doors, Italianate cast iron hand railings, and an impressive cornice, all preserved within a historic district. Inside, the residence has undergone recent restoration efforts to maintain its original charm. These restorations include eight fireplaces, five of which boast ornate marble mantels, as well as plaster moldings, ceiling medallions, decorative trim, and the original wood floors. The property is currently configured as a three-bedroom owner's duplex, with the garden floor housing the bedrooms and the parlor floor dedicated to living spaces. Additionally, the third and fourth floors are designed as two separate rental apartments, offering potential income. The parlor floor hosts a dedicated dining room adjacent to an eat-in kitchen. The dining room features a fireplace framed by an intricately carved marble mantlepiece. The owner's renovated kitchen is noted for its ample natural light, courtesy of large windows, and its direct access to a deck. One of the rental apartments also includes a kitchen with nearly floor-to-ceiling windows, ensuring bright living spaces throughout the property. Bedroom configurations vary, with one bedroom offering a lofty aesthetic characterized by exposed ceiling beams and an exposed brick fireplace painted white. Another bedroom retains more historic elements, including its own fireplace and tin ceilings. The outdoor space has also been significantly upgraded by a landscape architect. The backyard now features vertical cedar fencing, new retaining walls, built-in seating, and a bluestone patio, accessible from the kitchen's deck. This redesigned outdoor area provides a private retreat. Overall, the townhouse at 356 President Street presents a meticulously restored property that balances its historical integrity with contemporary living needs, offering both a luxurious owner's residence and income-generating rental units within a desirable Brooklyn neighborhood. #CarrollGardens #Townhouse #BrooklynRealEstate #HistoricHomes #LuxuryRealEstate #ArchitecturalDetails #HomeRestoration #NYCRealEstate

This blog post highlights a third-floor co-op located at 291 Garfield Place in the Park Slope Historic District, which is currently on the market for $1.145 million. The unit is situated within a neo-Classical townhouse built in 1899 by William Flanagan. The building is part of a series of five townhouses featuring alternating brownstone and limestone facades, showcasing an eclectic mix of architectural details. The co-op unit boasts distinctive architectural features that contribute to its appeal. These include plaster garlands in the parlor, original interior wood shutters, restored window trim, and French doors in the bedroom. A notable element is a stained glass window found in the bathroom, adding a unique aesthetic touch. The interior design incorporates dark stained woodwork and oak parquet floors throughout, providing a classic and sophisticated feel. Functionally, the apartment is well-equipped with dedicated spaces. An office nook, featuring built-in bookshelves, is strategically placed within the front living room alcove, making efficient use of the space. Additionally, a well-appointed library serves a dual purpose, acting as both a reading area and a passage connecting the bedroom to the kitchen and subsequently to the bathroom. This thoughtful layout enhances the flow and utility of the apartment. The kitchen is designed with a blend of traditional and contemporary elements. It features white cabinetry and modern appliances, including a steel dishwasher, which offer a contrast to the darker wood finishes found in other parts of the apartment. While currently advertised as a large two-bedroom, the listing notes that it is essentially a one-bedroom unit, with a suggestion that the living room could be divided to create an additional bedroom, a conversion seen in other units within the building. Exterior details of the building at 291 Garfield Place are also emphasized. The entrance is marked by a grand arched portico adorned with fluted Corinthian columns. The facade further exhibits a row of egg and dart molding topping the first-story lintels, followed by foliate friezes, more Corinthian columns around the window bays, and a cornice embellished with square brackets and acanthus leaves. These details reflect the neo-Classical style and the craftsmanship of the period. The property has a monthly maintenance fee of $1,080. An open house was scheduled for Sunday, January 6, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. The listing agent is Eve Scott of Corcoran. The historical context of the building is briefly mentioned, noting that an owner in 1902 appeared eager to sell the property, possibly indicating a speculative purchase from that era. The article does not speculate on whether the asking price of $1.145 million is likely to be met but provides essential information for potential buyers. #ParkSlope #CoopApartment #HistoricDistrict #RealEstate #BrooklynHomes #InteriorDesign #ArchitecturalDetails #LimestoneFacade

This article details a custom-built home in Patrick Square, South Carolina, designed to maximize views and cater to a comfortable lifestyle. The property is a single-family home featuring three bedrooms, four full bathrooms, and one half-bath, spread across 3,090 square feet. It emphasizes a seamless indoor-outdoor living experience, with significant attention paid to natural light and scenic vistas. The home is situated on a corner lot, offering expanded views and a sense of openness. The exterior of the house is characterized by a dark blue finish, complemented by a stained solid wood front door and clad windows with louvered shutters and pediment trim. A flagstone front porch serves as a welcoming space, fostering community interaction. The design prioritizes natural light, with a wall of windows in the living space that provides panoramic views of sunrises and sunsets, seamlessly connecting the interior to the outdoors. The open floor plan further enhances this connection, allowing for easy transitions between the kitchen and living areas. The interior features include a gourmet kitchen equipped with a gas range, custom cabinetry from Keystone Millworks, upper cabinet units, and a chevron-style tile backsplash. A central island with shiplap cladding adds both functionality and aesthetic appeal. The primary bedroom is designed to capitalize on the home's views, featuring triple windows adorned with Roman shades. The primary bathroom is a luxurious retreat, offering a soaking tub, an elegant light fixture, and a glass-tile walk-in shower. A custom walk-in closet in the primary suite includes practical elements like bench seating, soft-close drawers, a built-in sliding hamper, and additional shelf lighting. Beyond the primary areas, the home includes versatile spaces that can adapt to various needs. One such area is designed to function as an office, a library, or a formal dining room, featuring double doors and furnished with a custom-made sofa and entertainment console. Another unique aspect is a Clemson-themed room, which showcases artwork of legendary Tigers’ coach Frank Howard, dating back to 1958 when Clemson operated as a military college. This addition reflects a personal touch and local pride. The home's construction details include a crawl space foundation and a 20-gauge metal roof, ensuring durability. The property is part of the Patrick Square community, which offers a range of amenities such as a wellness center, pool, tennis courts, a community garden, and various green spaces and parks. Located near Clemson University and Lake Hartwell, the community combines suburban tranquility with convenient access to recreational activities and cultural events. #HomeBuilding #ClemsonSC #ArchitecturalDesign #InteriorDesign #PatrickSquare #CustomHome #LuxuryLiving #ScenicViews #CommunityAmenities

This article highlights an exclusive opportunity to purchase an undeveloped home lot in Frisco’s Starwood master-planned community, complete with pre-designed architectural plans from Bella Custom Homes. The offering aims to streamline the custom home building process for a luxury Santa Barbara transitional style home, priced at $4.895 million. Bella Custom Homes, a recognized builder in the Dallas-Fort Worth area since 1993, is known for its transparent, fixed-cost pricing model. This approach provides clients with a detailed, upfront cost before construction begins, ensuring no hidden fees, while still allowing for significant customization and personalization of the new residence. The featured property is located at 5309 Buena Vista Drive, a 0.81-acre lot within the guard-gated Starwood community. This community is distinguished by its wooded creeks, mature oak trees, and scenic hilltop views, and falls within the highly-rated Frisco Independent School District. The specific lot offers unique advantages, including backing onto a tree-lined community greenspace, eliminating direct rear neighbors, and providing distant views of The Star and Lake Lewisville from the second floor. The proposed home, spanning 8,284 square feet, features six bedrooms, six bathrooms, and two half-baths. The architectural style, Santa Barbara transitional, blends the soft curves of Italianate Renaissance with the practical elements of Spanish Revival. The exterior will showcase a Mediterranean facade with stucco, cast stone details, quatrefoil insets, and a Spanish tile roof. A signature element by Bella Custom Homes' founder Tony Visconti, grass latticework, will highlight arched windows and a double iron-and-glass front door. Inside, the 5,163-square-foot first floor is designed to include an owner’s suite, a private guest suite, formal living areas, a family room, and a well-appointed kitchen equipped with high-end Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances. Additional luxury amenities on this level include a wine room, exercise room, mudroom with built-ins, and a safe room within the owner’s suite closet. A spacious 20x39-foot outdoor living area with a pool view and grilling station, along with a four-car garage, complements the ground floor. The second floor, covering 3,121 square feet, houses a media room, four additional bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, and a game room featuring a kitchenette that opens to an expansive private balcony. According to Stacy Brotemarkle, vice president and co-owner of Bella Custom Homes, the floorplans and specifications are finalized and ready for permitting. This pre-designed and pre-approved status significantly shortens the typical custom build timeline, bypassing months of design and Homeowners Association approval processes. This makes it an ideal option for families seeking a luxury custom home without the prolonged initial stages. The Starwood community itself offers a range of amenities, including walking trails, a community center, a fitness center with an indoor sports court, a playground, swimming pools, and tennis courts. It is conveniently located near major Frisco attractions such as The Star, Dr. Pepper Ballpark, Toyota Stadium, and prominent shopping and entertainment districts like Stonebriar Centre, the Shops at Legacy, Legacy West, the new PGA Headquarters, and the recently announced Universal Studios Frisco. Bella Custom Homes is also one of the approved builders for The Preserve, a new luxury gated community within the expansive Fields development in Frisco, further solidifying their presence in the region's high-end real estate market. #FriscoRealEstate #CustomHomes #BellaCustomHomes #LuxuryLiving #StarwoodCommunity #SantaBarbaraTransitional #FriscoISD #DallasFortWorthRealEstate #HomeBuilding

This article details the transformation of two historic Dumbo paint factories, an 1891 Brick and Timber building and a 1921 Daylight Factory, into modern residential lofts. The project, a collaboration between Alloy's architecture team and Rebecca Robertson of RR Interior, aimed to preserve the original façades and textures of the centuries-old buildings while updating their functionality to meet contemporary housing needs. The resulting apartments feature unique open floor plans, high ceilings, and abundant natural light, designed to enhance the living experience in the Brooklyn borough. Rebecca Robertson, drawing from her own experience living in a historic New York City loft, spearheaded the interior design. Her approach focused on creating distinct living areas within the expansive open spaces through strategic furniture groupings and rugs. A unified color palette, featuring warm tones accented with hints of black, was chosen to complement the strong architectural elements, particularly the windows. Robertson emphasized layering soft, organic textures, furnishings, décor, and accessories to cultivate a harmonious and lived-in atmosphere. A significant aspect of her design philosophy involved sourcing items from small vendors and artisans, resulting in individualized artwork and fixtures that give each piece a sense of discovered uniqueness. The design process also addressed the evolving role of the home, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, which highlighted the need for multi-functional spaces. Robertson's floor plans incorporate separate corners for working, studying, and socializing. A notable innovation is a flexible worktable, developed in collaboration with Braga Woodworks, which can be reconfigured into two individual desks, catering to the growing need for adaptable home office solutions. Further design highlights in the model apartment include custom stools by Skagerak in the entryway and Thonet dining chairs accompanying a table crafted by Braga Woodworks. The space is elegantly illuminated by an Artemide chandelier, a design by Neri and Hu. Additional thoughtful touches include an Ethnicraft credenza and a plush Côte à Coast rug in the entryway, complemented by a Norm Architects oval mirror. The second bedroom features cube shelves, offering customizable storage solutions. The master bedroom showcases a tambour wood wall and an extended headboard that ingeniously conceals an Avera custom closet designed by The Container Store. The master bathroom is designed to evoke a spa-like ambiance, adding to the luxurious feel of the lofts. The exterior of 168 Plymouth, one of the transformed buildings, is also presented, along with a rendering of a future penthouse suite, demonstrating the project's comprehensive approach to modernizing historical architecture. #ResidentialLofts #HistoricPreservation #InteriorDesign #DumboBrooklyn #AdaptiveReuse #RebeccaRobertsonInteriors #AlloyDevelopment #UrbanRenovation #FlexibleLiving

This article details a Neo-Grec brownstone located at 213 St. Johns Place in the Park Slope Historic District of Brooklyn, currently listed for $3.25 million. Constructed between 1880 and 1881 by William Gubbins, who is credited as both architect and builder for this specific property, the house stands as part of a stretch of brownstones. The three-story residence features a full-height angled bay with incised ornament on the lintels and a bracketed cornice, reflecting its late 19th-century Neo-Grec architectural style. The single-family house has remained under the same ownership since the late 1960s, a factor that has contributed to the preservation of many of its original details. The interior layout largely maintains its 19th-century configuration, with the kitchen and dining room situated on the garden level, formal parlors on the floor above, and five bedrooms and two full bathrooms distributed across the upper two floors. The entry area of the house showcases an unusual patchwork wood floor, wainscoting, an integrated mirror, and an ornate newel post, setting a historical tone. The double parlor is designed as a bibliophile's space, featuring extensive bookshelves that frame an ornately carved wood mantel with a mirrored overmantel. This area includes a library ladder, original hearth tiles, and an inlaid border on the wood floor, highlighting the craftsmanship of the period. Pocket doors with their original ornate surrounds lead to a rear parlor, which contains built-ins within a niche and a wood "rug" with an inlaid border, further emphasizing the historical aesthetic. On the garden level, the dining room at the front of the house is equipped with a green-slate mantel, complete with its original insert, a ceiling medallion, and paisley wallpaper, maintaining a Victorian ambiance. Adjacent to the dining room is the kitchen, which presents a 1960s-era aesthetic, characterized by exposed brick, a wood-burning fireplace, minimalist white cabinets, and retro appliances. The property boasts a total of eight fireplaces, with at least one mantel appearing in a street-facing bedroom that also features a niche under a plaster arch and parquet flooring. One of the bathrooms shown includes a mix of design elements from various eras, such as bead board wainscoting, white fixtures, and wallpaper. The rear garden is described as lush, offering outdoor space. The property is listed by Alexandra Como Saghir and Tyson Lewis of Compass. This detailed examination of 213 St. Johns Place highlights its historical significance, preserved architectural features, and the blend of original and period-specific updates, providing a comprehensive overview for potential buyers or those interested in historic Park Slope residences. #ParkSlope #Brownstone #NeoGrecArchitecture #HistoricHome #BrooklynRealEstate #Woodwork #Mantels #BuiltIns