Ansonia Loft

This renovation of a parlor-basement duplex in a landmarked Fort Greene brownstone focused on preserving the historic character of the home while introducing thoughtful updates for contemporary living. The apartment retained an extraordinary collection of original details, including ornate plaster ceilings, working fireplaces, original doors and trim, and exposed wood beams at the lower level. Preserving and highlighting these elements became the foundation of the design approach.

On the parlor floor, the layout was carefully adjusted to create a more open relationship between the kitchen and dining room while maintaining the integrity of the original room proportions and wall locations. Increasing natural light and improving access to the rear garden were also central goals of the renovation. Existing rear windows were replaced with nine-foot-tall French doors and transoms that open onto a new balcony created by extending the historic fire escape landing. These changes bring significantly more daylight into the apartment and strengthen the connection between the interior and the garden beyond.

Original woodwork throughout the apartment was restored, sanded, and repainted, while the decorative plaster ceilings were refinished in semigloss paint to subtly reflect light. In the kitchen, custom cabinetry painted to match the historic trim contrasts with soft gray walls and Carrara marble countertops and backsplashes.

At the lower level, bathrooms were reorganized to create a primary suite overlooking the rear garden, while the child’s bedroom preserves the original exposed-beam ceiling. A redesigned stair carefully integrates with the historic architecture, reinforcing continuity between old and new.