Frederick Tang Architecture Updates the Interiors of a Newly Constructed Townhouse in Boerum Hill
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Brooklyn, NY—Frederick Tang Architecture (FTA) designed the architectural renovation and interiors of a newly constructed 3,500-square-foot townhouse in the Boerum Hill neighborhood of Brooklyn, for a young family of four. The house is one of seven rowhouses built in 2013 in a Georgian style. The interior has been updated and reorganized to accommodate the owners’ growing family, live/work spaces for both, and visiting guests, all while creating a space that feels intimate but can also expand to accommodate larger gatherings.
Spread across six floors, the 3 bedroom and 3.5 bath single-family townhouse is connected by a central, curved plaster staircase with custom reeded glass and brass stair rails. The living area on the ground floor boasts 20-foot ceilings accented by a wall of windows with southern exposure, and is anchored by a fireplace that FTA re-designed in a sculptural plaster form inspired by the work of artist and artisan Valentine Schlegel. The hearth was integrated into a custom entry bench with tambour siding and upholstery by Pollack and Maharahm. “The re-designed fireplace was a really exciting piece to study. The entire house is united by this soft plaster and this is the first thing you see when you enter the house and it anchors the dramatic double height space. This was designed in 3D software and the contractor with the aid of CAD/CAM software cut a skeleton structure that a craftsman then plastered,” says FTA founder and principal Frederick Tang.
In the adjacent dining room FTA removed the existing faux traditional ceiling and trim detailing and updated it to something more modern and more bespoke. Here, FTA rounded the inset ceiling, forming a curved cove to define the dining area which spotlights a geometric brass and marble chandelier from Cosulich Interiors & Antiques. A large painting from the client’s grandmother became the focal point for the dining area, and all furnishings were chosen by FTA to complement it. An antique black marble and brass dining table by Eunique Space, burgundy bench by Danish Design Store with a custom Maharam fabric, and blush pink dining chairs by Mambo Unlimited round out the space.
Moving deeper within the ground floor space, the kitchen, located at the rear, was also an area that needed to be reconsidered. FTA left the existing wooden cabinetry and replaced the kitchen island with a custom-fabricated piece by Casa Quieta. This striking black marble island complements the adjacent Hurricane Black marble stone backsplash, AGA range and custom hood also made of black stone. “The stone selection was important as these were the grand moments in the home,” says Barbara Reyes, FTA’s Director of Interior Design and Branding. She continues, “The heart of the palette is black and cream with integrated jewel tones of peacock blue, rust, oxblood, mulberry, wine and blush. The richness is offset by ‘lots of brass’, a request of the client; and her acceptance of ‘red’ had to be deep enough and not too bright.” The stone selection carries through the space to the adjacent powder room where Breccia Pernice marble becomes a custom sink/vanity and at the penthouse bar, both offsetting painterly wallpaper by The Pattern Collective. Elegant brown quartzite supplements the entry millwork in oxblood and the plaster sculpture of the fireplace. A lush garden space at the rear designed by Brook Landscape completes the main level.
Moving up the sinuous staircase, the second floor features another dramatic double height living room space accented by a wall of windows, and a bar area. An L-shaped sofa with a chromase base that previously belonged to the owner’s late grandmother is the central furnishing of the space. Reupholstered in Rebel lavender fabric by Knoll, FTA gives the special piece a new life. The sofa is positioned alongside a vintage swivel cocktail table in black glass and brass and a Slash Objects end table made of concrete, rubber and brass. The lighting that brightens the space includes wall sconces by Atelier de Troupe, and the pendant is from Circa Lighting.
The second floor also has a narrow hallway space that was previously underutilized. FTA designed this area to be an area for larger dinner parties and gatherings. Here, FTA installed a custom seating bench upholstered with fabric by Maharam and James Dunlop and a wet bar (that also conceals the HVAC unit) with tambour fronted millwork. The graphic mural behind the sofa is a custom-painted wallpaper with bold black, beige and gold colors by Degournay. The playful side table is a vintage Italian Brass Travertine table from Judy Frankel Antiques.
Explains Reyes about the table, “We knew the client wanted a dramatic flair and appreciated a vintage piece if it felt relevant and modern. We opted for an updated art deco style, a less old fashioned version and a touch of 70s, mixed with an opulent color palette.” She continues, more generally, “All lighting would become statement pieces, jewelry-like, draping into the rooms. Wallpaper would transform the white walls providing shimmer, color and texture to the space. Since there were specific dimensions, we had to search for the perfect item to fit. And in the instances when we couldn’t, custom pieces were necessary like the second floor bar millwork and bench.”
Continuing up the staircase, reaching the third floor one encounters the primary bedroom with two walk-in closets and a marble bath. The primary bedroom walls are covered in custom cream-colored wallpaper by Sarkos, drapery from Eskayel, and a custom headboard upholstered in fabric from Pollack and Holly Hung. The dresser is from BD studio, and Aro Ray Studio table lamps flank the bed. Flush mount lighting by Atelier de Troupe bathes the space in a warm light.
A dramatic hand-painted floral wallpaper by Artemest leads to the top floor and reflects the lush upstairs terrace. Saturated in black, blush and green tones, the wallpaper carries through to the adjacent outdoor spaces that flank the work-from-home space.
“The first time we walked through the house, we could all see the challenges of updating the home, but we were also excited by the potential of these dramatic double height spaces. We had so much fun with the sculptural curving forms, and the saturated color palette, and we love working with clients who share our perspective and trust our vision,” says Tang.
Photography by Gieves Anderson
Project Credits:
Size: 3,500 sf (3 bedroom, 3.5 bathroom)
Architecture and Interior Design: Frederick Tang Architecture PLLC: Barbara Reyes (Director of Interior Design and Branding), Melissa Braxton, Mathanki Kalapathy, Jane Robertson, Cheng Chen, Frederick Tang
Contractor/Builder: HEC Evolution Construction LLC
Landscape Design: Brook Landscape
Photography: Gieves Anderson
Styling: Barbara Reyes
Details and Furnishings by Floor:
Ground Floor:
White Oak Chevron Floors by PID
Entry:
Nicole Fuller Ellsworth Terrazzo Tiles from Ann Sacks
Roman Shades in Klimt by Weizner
Living Room:
Custom Plaster fireplace
Boucle Curved Sofa with custom brass legs
Viccarbe Giro Sculptural Brass and Oak Table by Pedro Paulo Venzin
Nero Marquina Table by Ferm Living
Avante Large Sconce by Kelly Wearstler
Custom Slatted Millwork Painted to match Lariat by Maharam backrest and Elegant Brown Stone from Ciot
Custom cushion in Clairvoyant by Pollack
Black and Brass Mirror by R&Y Augousti
Bow Console in fiber concrete by 101 Copenhagen
Multicolor Georgie Rug (near stair) by Proba Home
Dining Room:
Antique Marble and Brass Dining Table by Eunique Space
Miami Chair with brass detail from 1stDibs
Black French Cane Bench by Be My Guest with custom cushion in Lariat by Maharam
Geometric Brass and Marble Chandelier from Cosulich Interiors & Antiques
Painting from Client’s grandmother
Kitchen:
Backsplash Hurricane black from Ciot and countertops in Honed Absolute Black Granite
Smoked fluted glass from Nathan Allen
Elise Matte Black Range from AGA
Precis Anthracite Silgranit Sink by Blanco
Custom Marble Table in Monterrey Black by Casa Quieta
Luc Wood and Brass Counter stool from 1stDibs
Dory Glass and Brass Chandelier by Silvia Mondo
Powder Room:
Custom sink and counter in Breccia Pernice stone from ABC Stone
Bond Brass faucet, accessories from Waterworks
Matte black Rimless toilet from Duravit
Bibi wallpaper in peacock from The Pattern Collective
Vintage Italian 60s Chandelier from 1stDibs
Black and Brass inlay Tile from Tile Bar
Outdoor:
Custom Concrete Column Dining Table by Stogs Concrete DesignPaul McCobb Pavilion Dining Chair from CB2 with custom cushions in Tropic Jungle by Sunbrella, Seacrest Grapefruit by Sunbrella, and Toluka Ikat by Geiger
Brava Wicker Armchair from CB2
Terrazzo Drum Table from CB2
Matte Black Phantom Rogue Grill by Napoleon
2nd Floor:
Study:
Chairman Leather and brass Chair by Henrik Tengler
I Beam Pink Marble Side Table from CB2
Small Bumper Charcoal Felt Ottoman from BluDot
Signal Brass floor lamp by Souda
Discus 8 Vine Brass Pendant by Matter Made
Matsushima (monofilament, metallic, linen, kid mohair) and Monotype IV (monofilament, cotton, linen, kid mohair) textile artwork by Hiroko Takeda
Hall:
Vintage Italian Brass and Travertine Side Table
Symphony wallpaper by De Gournay
Backsplash in Apt Blossom by Maharam
Custom Pencil Tambour Millwork with backing in Mimic Panther by Maharam and Nero Marquina countertop
Custom Brass shelf
Custom channeled seat Levrett Chili Velvet by James Dunlop
Alabaster Melange Sconce by Kelly Wearstler
Asteria Ceiling Light by Umage
Artwork by Frank Magnotta
Stairs/Hall:
Tableau Petit Volcanic Glass and Brass Flush mount by Kelly Wearstler
Alabaster Melange Sconce by Kelly Wearstler
Custom handrail painted in gloss black with custom brass brackets
Custom plaster staircase
Den:
Bau 28 Brass Pendant by Sean Lavin
Arc Brass Sconce by Atelier de Troupe
Vintage Selig modular sofa with chrome base from the client’s late grandmother, reupholstered in Rebel in lavender by Knoll
Vintage DIA black glass and brass swivel coffee table
Sculpt Velvet Chair from Crate and Barrel
Rose Stone Plinth Side Table by Menu
Pill Velvet and Fringe Pouf by Houtique
Rubber, Concrete and Brass CYL Table by Slash Objects
Dorset Brass and Linen Credenza from CB2
Myriad rug from CB2
Cleo Orb Desk Lamp by Kelly Wearstler
3rd Floor:
Primary Bedroom:
Custom Headboard in Au Courant in black/white and pearls by Pollack with trim in Mimic by Maharam
Custom base in Medium Velvet Mediterranee by India Mahdavi for Pierre Frey with base in Mimic by Maharam
Aspri Ammos Wallpaper by Sarkos
Velvet Loafer Chair by Space Copenhagen
Lorenza Bozzolo Couture Geo Pouf from The Craftcode
Paul McCobb Connoisseur brass, marble and cane nightstands for CB2
Van 7 Dresser by BD Studio
Fabrica Stool by Duplex
Lalita wool rug from Citizenry
Perspective Viewpoint Nile Drapery by James Dunlop
Arched Brass Mirror
Dome Brass Semi Flush Mount by Atelier de Troupe
Junius Table Lamp by Avro Ray Studio
Alvaro Lamp by Gallery L7
5th Floor:
Stair / Wet Bar:
Black Garden Wallpaper by MM Lampardi from Artemest
Wet bar in Breccia Pernice stone from ABC Stone and Biscuit Dune tile backsplash from Stone Source with front panels in lariat by Maharam
Bond Brass faucet and Normandy brass sink from Waterworks
Arc Glass and Brass Light by Anna Karlin
Artwork from client’s grandmother
Office:
Fullerton Black and stone desk from CB2
Acapulco Brass and Velvet Chair from 1stDibs
Trace Brass Mesh Bookcase from CB2
Draper Brass and Alabaster Flush Mount by HVL
Bilia brass and glass Lamp by GIo Ponti
Outdoor:
Everett Outdoor Sofa from Rove Concepts, reupholstered in Palm Fabric from Smyrna Fabrics
Paul McCobb Pavilion Outdoor Striped Chaise from CB2
Oro Gold Chair
Tropea Fluted Coffee Table from Williams Sonoma
Terrazzo Drum Table from CB2
Trieste Cement Table from CB2
Outdoor Rug by Malmo
Fringe Umbrella from One Kings Lane
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