The back parlor of this 19th-century Brooklyn townhouse was converted into a small kitchen a while back. Its new owners, a couple with a young son, loved its original features, especially the stone mantel and 10-foot pocket doors, but otherwise wanted a clean slate. Their architect, Shauna McManus, was given the challenge of preserving the old parlor look while fitting in a lot of hardworking elements, a dining table included, into approximately 325 square feet. To get the job done, she collaborated with kitchen systems masters Henrybuilt.
Photography courtesy of Henrybuilt.
![\2\20;we wanted the kitchen to be ‘inserted’ into th 17](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Brooklyn-kitchen-remodel-Henrybuilt-architect-Shauna-McManus-1A.jpg)
![after considering many different floor plans, mcmanus and the henrybuilt t 18](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Brooklyn-kitchen-remodel-Henrybuilt-architect-Shauna-McManus-1B.jpg)
The table is one of five distinct areas that, as McManus explained, “are tightly woven into the existing footprint, and are tailored for food prep on the island, cooking at the stove, breakfast/coffee prep at the cabinet next to the fireplace, and cleanup at the main sink.”
![the existing arched window over the sink was opened up to create a big vie 19](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Brooklyn-kitchen-remodel-Henrybuilt-architect-Shauna-McManus-3.jpg)
![a microwave is tucked into the coffee counter. the tall cabinet on the other si 20](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Brooklyn-kitchen-remodel-Henrybuilt-architect-Shauna-McManus-3A.jpg)
The new floor is four-foot-long rift and quartered white oak with a medium walnut stain.
![caesarstone counters and cabinet faces of high pressure, \2\20;truly kid 21](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Brooklyn-kitchen-remodel-Henrybuilt-architect-Shauna-McManus-4Ajpg.jpg)
![cabinets and drawers are kitted out for use; this one has movable dividers. 22](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Brooklyn-kitchen-remodel-Henrybuilt-architect-Shauna-McManus-4B.jpg)
![a wolf range stands at the far end of the island, which is conveniently fitted 23](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Brooklyn-kitchen-remodel-Henrybuilt-architect-Shauna-McManus-5.jpg)
![shelves, leather pouches, and a small desk of walnut topped with paperston 24](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Brooklyn-kitchen-remodel-Henrybuilt-architect-Shauna-McManus-6.jpg)
![the storage components are from henrybuilt\2\17;s panel based openc 25](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Brooklyn-kitchen-remodel-Henrybuilt-architect-Shauna-McManus-8-733x489.jpg)
![a pair of henrybuilt opencase pouches solves the issue of where to put the 26](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Brooklyn-kitchen-remodel-Henrybuilt-architect-Shauna-McManus-7-733x1064.jpg)
N.B. This post is an update; the original ran on November 17, 2016.
For more on Henrybuilt, see A Storage System for the Whole House. Explore more inventive remodels in Kitchen of the Week, including:
- A Kitchen for a Cookbook Author and a Sculptor
- A Low-Cost Before/After Kitchen in Brooklyn
- A Bright and Open Family House by Elizabeth Roberts
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