Jessica's miraculous renovation
Thu, 2 Jun 2011Jessica emailed the other day with a photo of her dog for pets on furniture. Alot of the room was visible in the photo and I nearly passed out. Turns out Jessica lives in the most incredible Brooklyn brownstone I think I've ever seen. I begged her to let me blog her home - and to my relief she agreed. She sent along some info, along with before and after photos.
The home was built in 1887 and Jessica purchased it in 2007. When we purchased the house, all of the original details were intact however everything was in need of attention. Although the house had never been multi-family, there were kitchens on several floors. The façade was badly decayed. All of the mechanicals were outdated.
Work started about a year after we purchased the house and is just now nearly completed. The garden is our next project. Basically, almost everything has been “touched”. There are all new bathrooms, a new kitchen, a restored copper skylight, new mechanicals . . . In terms of new construction, we built a copper-roofed room to replace an unattractive records room that had been built in 1925 on the foundation of the demolished conservatory for the Brooklyn Public Library offices. We followed the lines of the conservatory, using the existing curved base and the original plans that we found at the DOB. Two of the parlor parquet floors were damaged beyond repair and have been replaced. The heavily patterned parquet of the front parlor was discovered under carpet and linoleum tile and has been restored. A new curved iron stair has been added under the skylight to replace a narrow servant’s stair to the basement.
The details of this home are jaw-dropping. What I would give to have 1/8 of the spectacular architecture of this home in my own. Jessica has done an awesome job decorating her home I might add. In her own words: I want to mention that I am not "really" an interior designer. I did design and furnish this house. I am a life-long thrifter and a junk store junkie and much of my furniture was acquired this way. I have even been known to pull a few things from the neighborhood trash. My friends have been encouraging me to do this professionally. Well, YOU GO GIRL!!! (Many more photos after the jump)
JP Warren Interiors Facebook page
Architect: Kimberly Neuhaus
Photos: Peter Margonelli
****On a side note, I have a new post up on "Kim's Page" of the blog featuring some totally awesome paintings by a Canadian artist that you have GOT to see.
Reader Comments (76)
breathtaking reno. love the cubbies in the kitchen. the size and airiness. the floors. the bay windows. not so sure about that bathroom (or tub room). but otherwise, this makes me paranoid my neighbors may be living large. 60% of my street is brownstones.
oh WOW.
Just amazing.
Thank you.
xox
OMG ... just beautifuL ... everything is absolutely beautiful in that home, must be a pleasure to live there!
MYYY GOODNESS!!! .. & Jessica says shes not "really" an interior designer !!? ... I could look over these photos 100 times!! xo
Wow, I think I just had a decorgasm!
OH... MY... GOD!
I could move right in, not change a thing. So beautiful and more thrills around each corner. Love how the details uphold the overall effect and are not done to show off. I would never leave the house if this were my home! Thanks so much for sharing this with us. Sigh.
Wow. It is spectacular. Immaculate taste, and despite all the amazing pieces of furniture and art, and pottery, and and and, it is still understated and sleek - not over the top or ostentatious.
I think she should definately think about interior design and project management as a career option!
Beautiful. I love everything about this renovation. xx
Since childhood my dream has been to live in a brownstone in NYC, this place is worth dreaming about.
Holy Moly...... What I would do for that kitchen. Excellent job on the house.
Be still my heart!
I think I just swallowed my gum...
WOW I love the “touched”. Jessica must have the resources (both finances and the people). This project requires a lot of time, effort, and money. The details of this home are not only jaw-dropping, it's also eye-popping. To transform this home into a beautiful house is so inspiring.
I admire Jessica for doing this.
Oh, dear God! MAGNIFICENT! Not enough words or exclamation points!!!!!
May I please move in to just ONE of the rooms? I promise to be good and not to frighten the unicorn.
Jessica is incredible. The house leaves me speechless.
My goodness! This is the best house I have ever seen. Ever. Absolutely incredible and one fantastic job! Congratulations!
Oh wow, this is just jaw-droppingly gorgeous. The amazing patterned floor, the stunning carved architraves... wow wow wow.
Wow! Beautiful house and beautiful renovation!
It's amazing! I agree with her friends, she definitely has an amazing career ahead of herself! I love the dining room...the modish chairs (where did she get them?) with the antique-y table. It's all so super great!
Dear sweet merciful crap. This is genius. Every inch of it. The star is the house, and you let her shine. The pictures are stunning.
What a beautiful place. You kept the stunning charm of the place without skimping on style. My favorite part is that massive stone slab behind the bathroom sink. I can only imagine how ten men probably got that thing up the stairs. Just gorgeous.
Who made the beautiful painting in the dining room?
When I got to the photograph of the staircase, I think my heart broke from sheer joy. What a work of art this space is.
most beautiful place I have seen in years