Kitchen of the Week: A Parlor-Level Fort Greene Townhouse Remodel for a Creative Family (Luxe Marble Included)

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Remodels are sometimes more like surgical procedures—with architects cutting and extracting and stitching with precision so as to completely transform a space without altering its bones.

Such was the “series of surgical interventions” required to upgrade the parlor level of a historic townhouse in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, for a pair of creatives with two young sons. The space was divided into small, cramped rooms with little space for the family to be together, work, and—someday, again—entertain, not to mention very little of the storage space needed for a modern, active family of four.

Enter New York-based firm Civilivn, who—with an exacting touch—left the building’s historic details intact and refashioned the cramped, dark interiors, opening up the dining, living, and kitchen areas and adding plenty of tucked-away storage.

Join us for a look at the newly redone kitchen—a clean, flexible space for the family to gather, replete with marble, too.

Photography by Brian W. Ferry, courtesy of Civilivn.

into the kitchen. the caned dining chairs are the hoffmann dining chairs by des 17 — Above: Into the kitchen. The caned dining chairs are the Hoffmann Dining Chairs by Design Within Reach.

The parlor level before was cramped and divided—made worse by the bottleneck-like opening from the main hallway into the dining and living areas. To start, the firm opened the hall to the kitchen and created a larger entry point to the main living areas, creating what they call a “circulation spine” that allows the family (and two young boys) to move about with more ease—and allows for views straight through to the back garden, too.

Historic details were left intact but given a bright upgrade in Benjamin Moore’s Super White. And “the existing yellowing red oak flooring—introduced in an earlier renovation—was replaced with diagonal American white oak parquet set within plank borders tracing each room,” according to the firm. The parquet is from BK Floor Supply.

the bright, open kitchen. note the green toned marble on the doorjamb, an archi 19 — Above: The bright, open kitchen. Note the green-toned marble on the doorjamb, an architectural detail to showcase the new entryway between kitchen and hall. “The kitchen counters and backsplash are Paonazzo marble, the island is grey soapstone, and the doorjamb is cremo tirreno,” says principal Nicko Elliott.

“The cabinets are finished with Forbo furniture linoleum in Vapour to stand up to the youngest family members moving through the narrow corridor space with sports equipment, etc.,” he adds.

the kitchen is kept neat thanks to tucked away appliances, like an integrated r 21 — Above: The kitchen is kept neat thanks to tucked-away appliances, like an integrated refrigerator hidden behind cabinet fronts and a vent hood tucked into the custom reeded-glass upper cabinets. The walnut pulls were custom-designed by Civilivn.

sleek fittings in the original townhouse shell. civilivn designed the oversized 23 — Above: Sleek fittings in the original townhouse shell. Civilivn designed the oversized walnut island with gray soapstone top as “a piece of furniture that contrasts with the architectural character of the cooking area” and plenty of space for cooking and entertaining. The faucet is by Vipp and the hanging pendant is the Nix Round by MatterMade. The stools are from Sawkille.

the main hall, now far more open, with the kitchen straight ahead through the m 25 — Above: The main hall, now far more open, with the kitchen straight ahead through the marble-lined doorway and the dining area off to the left.

another change in the flow of things: civilivn blocked off an unused staircase 27 — Above: Another change in the flow of things: Civilivn blocked off an unused staircase that leads to the downstairs and replaced it with something far more useful for the family: a sleek row of linoleum-clad cabinets to accommodate “shoes, coats, sports equipment, cleaning supplies, small appliances, and a pull-out pantry.” The staircase leading to the second floor was rehabbed, with newly refinished treads and a restored handrail and spindles.

on the second floor, the architects designed a wall of shelving with a built in 29 — Above: On the second floor, the architects designed a wall of shelving with a built-in desk in the family’s study.

the built ins, walls, even the shutters are all painted in farrow & ball&#x 30 — Above: The built-ins, walls, even the shutters are all painted in Farrow & Ball’s Hague Blue “for a sense of focus and calm.” Much needed, we’d say.

For more tailored-to-fit townhouses in Brooklyn, see:

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