The challenge: how to create a sense of light and space in a notably narrow late 19th-century townhouse? Located in Brooklyn’s Park Slope, the structure—with an interior width of 13.5 feet— was purchased by a young family of three who wanted to preserve the sequence of rooms. Equally importantly, they wanted a great-looking, central kitchen to replace the beat-up laminate design in the basement.
They found architects Anshu Bangia and Willam Agostinho on Remodelista. Members of the Remodelista Architect & Designer Directory known for their thoughtful, clean-lined work, the couple were hired to perform a top-to-bottom update. Not surprisingly, it’s their artful kitchen solution, an extension on the parlor floor, that the owners say is their favorite room in the house. Come take a look.
Photography by Nicole Franzen, courtesy of Bangia Agostinho.
![the rooms are arranged enfilade: just beyond the front door, the living area op 17](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/brooklyn-narrow-townhouse-kitchen-addition-baghia-agostinho-architecture-1-733x489.jpg)
The architects also created functional “transitional spaces” between living areas: “utilities and storage are located in these interstitial spaces,” explains Bangia. The architects worked with contractor Ralph Attanasia of Showcase Construction, and Janik Furniture created all of the millwork.
![to separate the new \10.5 foot wide kitchen and provide plenty of storage, bang 18](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/kitchen-addition-pantry-portal-brooklyn-narrow-townhouse-baghia-agostinho-architecture-2-733x489.jpg)
The new glass windows and door by Marvin fill the back of the house with foliage. They open to a deck just big enough for a table and two chairs for morning coffee.
![the owners are avid cooks and bakers; in lieu of a work island, they asked that 19](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/kitchen-addition-brooklyn-narrow-townhouse-baghia-agostinho-architecture-3b-733x1100.jpg)
![the owners purchased their 48 inch wolf double oven range second hand. it has a 20](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/stove-wall-kitchen-addition-brooklyn-narrow-townhouse-baghia-agostinho-architecture-4-733x489.jpg)
![the open shelving, the owners tells us, was \2\20;a gamble, because we k 21](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/stove-wall-detail-kitchen-addition-brooklyn-narrow-townhouse-baghia-agostinho-architecture-5-733x1102.jpg)
On the bottom of the cabinet, note the hidden toe-kick drawers with edge pulls—they’re sized for the couple’s biggest baking sheets.
![during the design process, the owners took a kitchen inventory and the architec 22](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/cabinet-wall-brooklyn-narrow-townhouse-baghia-agostinho-architecture-6-733x1100.jpg)
The metal pantry handles are from Rocky Mountain Hardware; the wood knobs were sourced online unfinished from Nice Knobs! and painted. The floor of wide-plank reclaimed pine was installed to match the parlor floor’s existing subfloor that was exposed and salvaged.
![the cabinets have pocket doors and plenty of space for appliances and cookbooks 23](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/cabinet-wall-brooklyn-narrow-townhouse-baghia-agostinho-architecture-8-733x1100.jpg)
Bangia Agostinho are based in Brooklyn and specialize in residential design. Here are three more of their projects:
- Rony Vardi’s Homey Townhouse with a Modern Garret
- Light and Shadow: Photographer Pia Ulin at Home
- Serenity Now: Creating Calm and Luxe in a Brooklyn Townhouse
Have a Question or Comment About This Post?
Join the conversation