Strict Victorian Restoration in Bed Stuy
The New York Times profiles two Bed Stuy residents who have spent $150,000 and seven years restoring their 1895 brownstone to create the impression that “some old person had lived here for a long time and we just walked in.” That, of course, is not actually the case, explained Reno Dakota, a set designer who works…
The New York Times profiles two Bed Stuy residents who have spent $150,000 and seven years restoring their 1895 brownstone to create the impression that “some old person had lived here for a long time and we just walked in.” That, of course, is not actually the case, explained Reno Dakota, a set designer who works full time on the house as carpenter and historical restoration expert while partner Kei Yip, a sportswear designer, handles the mortgage payments. A giant clown face from Dakota’s past as a nightclub decorator — yes, he is that Reno Dakota in the Magnetic Fields’ song “Reno Dakota” — adorns the entry hall ceiling. Otherwise, the look is strictly old school, with an emphasis on historic wallpaper and what Dakota jokingly refers to as “our collection of dreary landscapes.” Meanwhile, Dakota has also led the campaign to designate Stuyvesant East as a historic district. Check out the original article for lots of fun photos.
In Brooklyn, a Strict Victorian Brownstone [NY Times]
The one nice thing about this place that is not very authentic is that the rooms are bright. In the Victorian era, the windows would have had awnings on the outside and heavy drapes on the inside. Victorian interiors were very dark with only minimal lighting provide by gas or early electric fixtures.