Jessica's miraculous renovation
Thu, 2 Jun 2011Jessica emailed the other day with a photo of her dog for pets on furniture. Alot of the room was visible in the photo and I nearly passed out. Turns out Jessica lives in the most incredible Brooklyn brownstone I think I've ever seen. I begged her to let me blog her home - and to my relief she agreed. She sent along some info, along with before and after photos.
The home was built in 1887 and Jessica purchased it in 2007. When we purchased the house, all of the original details were intact however everything was in need of attention. Although the house had never been multi-family, there were kitchens on several floors. The façade was badly decayed. All of the mechanicals were outdated.
Work started about a year after we purchased the house and is just now nearly completed. The garden is our next project. Basically, almost everything has been “touched”. There are all new bathrooms, a new kitchen, a restored copper skylight, new mechanicals . . . In terms of new construction, we built a copper-roofed room to replace an unattractive records room that had been built in 1925 on the foundation of the demolished conservatory for the Brooklyn Public Library offices. We followed the lines of the conservatory, using the existing curved base and the original plans that we found at the DOB. Two of the parlor parquet floors were damaged beyond repair and have been replaced. The heavily patterned parquet of the front parlor was discovered under carpet and linoleum tile and has been restored. A new curved iron stair has been added under the skylight to replace a narrow servant’s stair to the basement.
The details of this home are jaw-dropping. What I would give to have 1/8 of the spectacular architecture of this home in my own. Jessica has done an awesome job decorating her home I might add. In her own words: I want to mention that I am not "really" an interior designer. I did design and furnish this house. I am a life-long thrifter and a junk store junkie and much of my furniture was acquired this way. I have even been known to pull a few things from the neighborhood trash. My friends have been encouraging me to do this professionally. Well, YOU GO GIRL!!! (Many more photos after the jump)
JP Warren Interiors Facebook page
Architect: Kimberly Neuhaus
Photos: Peter Margonelli
****On a side note, I have a new post up on "Kim's Page" of the blog featuring some totally awesome paintings by a Canadian artist that you have GOT to see.
Reader Comments (70)
WOOOWWWW!!! This is incredible. The floor, the mouldings, the doors, windows, everything. So beautiful- great job!
Oh my...now I want to cry!
This entire brownstone is so beautiful I could cry. The first feature bathroom's wall is absolutely dreamy. & those open kitchen "cupboards"...? Holy mama.
Wow is right.
Awesome find.
I love this house! I didn't know how to pull my vintagey-glam pieces into Swedish-white rooms but this is a perfect marriage of the elements I adore! ROCK ON JESSICA! (and desiretoinspire.com for bringing me my daily dose of awesome)
How beautiful is this home ? I love the touches of blue throughout, especially the blue side tables in one of the living rooms Such a lovely space.
that house is killer! is that a wiley painting? killer.
Wow. The whole house looks stunning. She did a fabulous job.
UM WOW! What isn't stunning about this home! What an incredible job they have done - and based on the information she sent along, some serious attention to detail. Thanks so much for sharing this home
What an amazing home. Living in a home with this much architectural detail would be like a dream. What a fantastic job!
Absolutely gorgeous! Love the architectural elements in her home, just breathtaking.
i want to comment, but the only words coming out of my mouth require are of the excitedly-swearing variety.
That is incredibly stunning!!!! What gorgeous details!!!!!!
Jennifer
I agree with the others. This is too fabulous for words! What an awful lot of work this must have eben I can't even imagine.
that plaster ceiling, that floor detailing..... speechless. this place is beautiful. I am SO happy to see people putting money into beautiful old buildings and renovating as opposed to tearing down and rebuilding. that wall behind the sinks is to die for and those stairs.... they belong on stairporn.
- agata.
Unbelievable..what a transformation!!! amazing details..the shelves for white porcelain are killing me..and the stairwell is stunning as is rest of the house..thanks for this lovely tour, kim..have a wonderful day! xx meenal
Wow!!! I'm dying. This home takes my breath away! I really love how carefully curated and unique it is--everything from the artwork in the dining room to the beautiful chandelier in the bathroom.
<clutching my fake pearls> GASP! Simply scrumptious blend of modern and historic beauty. Don't mean to sound crass, but were there mega-bucks behind this reno? It is so majestic, looks like only a foundation would be able to dedicate the funds needed for this transformation. My nosy question aside, generous applause to Jessica. And I'm happy for her lucky pooch who gets to live there -!
I got nothin'. That is just too dreamy for words. *sigh**drool**sigh*
But where is this mystery pet? I bet its something completely rad. Like a borzoi. Or a unicorn.
The details! The chandelier! The large console! Where am I supposed to look first?? Gorgeous and thank you Jessica for sharing your home. Your selective taste could put many DIY "designers" to shame. xoxo
****** SPEECHLESS!!******
the best I've ever seen so far. And the unique pieces ----aaaaaaaahhhhhhh.....
Congratulations Jessica! I wish we were friends so I can come by and visit and drool ( i promise to bring a rag to clean up afterwards)...
Amazing! Are you kidding me with this place? Just gorgeous... and the bath in the middle of the room... so decadent and awesome!
LOL - Rose, stay tuned for a photo of Jessica's pet unicorn Monday. ;)
oh my god!!!!!!!! (YES... I spelled it out! I am just that amazed by this house.) This is an absolutely stunning house. There's just too much eye candy to take in all at once!
There needs to be a renovation Oscars. This woman would sweep every category.