Icon - Arrow LeftAn icon we use to indicate a rightwards action. Icon - Arrow RightAn icon we use to indicate a leftwards action. Icon - External LinkAn icon we use to indicate a button link is external. Icon - MessageThe icon we use to represent an email action. Icon - Down ChevronUsed to indicate a dropdown. Icon - CloseUsed to indicate a close action. Icon - Dropdown ArrowUsed to indicate a dropdown. Icon - Location PinUsed to showcase a location on a map. Icon - Zoom OutUsed to indicate a zoom out action on a map. Icon - Zoom InUsed to indicate a zoom in action on a map. Icon - SearchUsed to indicate a search action. Icon - EmailUsed to indicate an emai action. Icon - FacebookFacebooks brand mark for use in social sharing icons. flipboard Icon - InstagramInstagrams brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - PinterestPinterests brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - TwitterTwitters brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - Check MarkA check mark for checkbox buttons.
You are reading

Victorian, Revamped

Search

Victorian, Revamped

February 29, 2012

When a sculptor wanted to bring more light into her Brooklyn Victorian brownstone, she called on Elizabeth Roberts to help her radically reshape the space without compromising its historical details.

“The woodwork and the narrow width of the house meant it was very dark,” says Roberts, who has a degree in historic preservation and is a member of the Remodelista Architect/Designer Directory. “But my client could see past the darkness and recognized the potential.” The 19th-century Victorian brownstone, located in Prospect Heights, is slightly narrower than the standard size (18 feet vs. 20 feet); Roberts' solution was to connect the front and rear of the house by removing the dividing wall in the middle, essentially creating one open space on each floor. She also reshaped each floor for modern living by inserting storage units-cum-room dividers. And instead of stripping the interior of the original details, Roberts retained elements of the dark woodwork, adapting it in innovative ways for this family of three. The result is a comfortable balance between the old and the new.

N.B. Also see House Call: Elizabeth Roberts in Brooklyn.

Photography by Sean Slattery.

Victorian Revamped portrait 3

Above: Roberts removed the existing wall between the entry hall and the living room to open the space up and added bookcases that double as seating during parties.

Victorian Revamped portrait 4

Above: In the kitchen, Roberts adapted an old wardrobe to house the kitchen appliances and tableware.

Victorian Revamped portrait 5

Above: The open kitchen has a contemporary island in dark wood to match the wardrobe. Robert painted the window trims throughout the house to brighten the space.

Victorian Revamped portrait 6

Above: In the master bedroom, Roberts took the existing dark-wood mantels to Old Good Things, an architectural salvage shop in Scranton, PA, and came back with simpler marble fireplace surrounds. The master suite, which takes up the whole floor, combines the bedroom area with the master bath.

Victorian Revamped portrait 7

Above: The master bath features a freestanding tub and a collection of antiques.

elizabeth roberts bath detail

Above: The master bathroom sink and toilet are tucked away behind a dividing wall. The floors are bamboo, dyed with aniline.

Victorian Revamped portrait 9

Above: The stairs leading downstairs to the cellar had very little natural light, so Roberts stripped the floors, whitewashed them and lightened up the wainscoting by painting it a light gray.

Victorian Revamped portrait 10

Above: An image of the kitchen before its transformation shows the dark Victorian window trim and the wall that separates the room from the hall.

Victorian Revamped portrait 11

Above: The old wardrobe, before it was repurposed.

Victorian Revamped portrait 12

Above: An image of the second floor during the renovation shows the walls before they were removed.

(Visited 485 times, 1 visits today)
You need to login or register to view and manage your bookmarks.

Have a Question or Comment About This Post?

Join the conversation

v5.0