The Insider: Gloss and Glamour in Park Slope
WELCOME TO THE INSIDER, Brownstoner’s weekly in-depth look at a notable interior design or renovation project, written and produced by journalist/blogger Cara Greenberg. Find it here every Thursday at 11 am. AFTER THE NEW OWNERS of this exceptional brownstone had shelled out the price of admission, “budget-friendly” became their decorating watchword. Tamara Eaton, an up-and-coming interior designer, was on the…
WELCOME TO THE INSIDER, Brownstoner’s weekly in-depth look at a notable interior design or renovation project, written and produced by journalist/blogger Cara Greenberg. Find it here every Thursday at 11 am.
AFTER THE NEW OWNERS of this exceptional brownstone had shelled out the price of admission, “budget-friendly” became their decorating watchword. Tamara Eaton, an up-and-coming interior designer, was on the case to help the couple, who recently relocated from L.A., create a fresh, lighthearted home for their young family within the envelope of a seriously detailed late 19th century row house near Prospect Park.
The house was in estate condition, with a load of original detail including mother-of-pearl inlay in woodwork around doors and fireplaces on the parlor floor. “There was not a ton we had to do,” Eaton said.
Because furnishings from the couple’s California residence were to be repurposed in this totally different setting, Eaton saw her challenge as “making their very modern things work in a traditional brownstone. We painted most walls white to freshen things up and make the woodwork feel less heavy, and because she is a fashion stylist, added a bit of gloss and glamour with fun wallpaper and light fixtures.”
A 25-year-old kitchen on the garden level was left untouched due to budget constraints. Eaton oversaw the revamping of four bathrooms with basic white fixtures, plus quirky wallpaper or bright paint just for fun.
See more after the jump.
Photos by Jeffrey Kilmer
The original Victorian woodwork, in superb condition throughout, is studded with pieces of mother-of-pearl — a cue, perhaps, for the chrome Sea Anemone sconce by Robert Abbey in the hall outside the front parlor.
Client-owned furnishings from the husband’s home country include vintage British chrome chairs and Union Jack art; the wall color is Benjamin Moore’s Chantilly Lace.
A clean-lined table from West Elm and tufted chairs with a 1940s feel are understated counterpoint to the impeccable carved woodwork and parquet floors. The chandelier is a Paris flea market find.
Lamps from Anthropologie, nightstands from Bungalow 5, a zebra bench from Plantation and a velvet chaise in the bay window, from Urban Outfitters, comprise the relatively spare furnishings in the master bedroom. Wall color: Benjamin Moore’s Coventry Gray.
Children’s bedrooms on the top floor are painted pale colors, with more vivid woodwork in the center hall. The chandelier is from IKEA.
‘Superstar’ wallpaper by Phyllis Morris brings a ’60s vibe to the new master bath. The stained glass window is original.
the woodwork in this house is absolutely stunning and seemingly pristine. i’ve rarely seen mother of pearl details like that so clean and intact. i’ve often wondered in the richer more ornate victorian woodwork in these brownstones could ever manage to feel NOT heavy in a modern living space, and this sort of proves that yes, it can.
unfortunately, the rest of the interior decor is hideous. about all i enjoyed from this were the wall colors, and those “on a budget” vintage 1940s chairs. the bathroom decor is practically laughable. it already looks like the worst dated 2005 pinterest find
the woodwork in this house is absolutely stunning and seemingly pristine. i’ve rarely seen mother of pearl details like that so clean and intact. i’ve often wondered in the richer more ornate victorian woodwork in these brownstones could ever manage to feel NOT heavy in a modern living space, and this sort of proves that yes, it can.
unfortunately, the rest of the interior decor is hideous. about all i enjoyed from this were the wall colors, and those “on a budget” vintage 1940s chairs. the bathroom decor is practically laughable. it already looks like the worst dated 2005 pinterest find
Well ok, the only antlers I like are the ones my friends now living in the southwest have hanging all over an outbuilding on their property, adding to the collection as they dig them up when landscaping. But I hardly noticed the furnishings when looking at this Insider. The house itself is so darn spectacular, the furniture could be repurposed orange crates and the place would still look fabulous. I thought the bold, modern, large-print black was a great counterpoint to that bathroom’s incredibly delicate stained galas window, for instance. Other choices provide the same sort of yin-yang I personally like.
I was considering the relativity of the phrase “budget friendly” when I came upon the Paris Flea Market chandelier….
Well ok, the only antlers I like are the ones my friends now living in the southwest have hanging all over an outbuilding on their property, adding to the collection as they dig them up when landscaping. But I hardly noticed the furnishings when looking at this Insider. The house itself is so darn spectacular, the furniture could be repurposed orange crates and the place would still look fabulous. I thought the bold, modern, large-print black was a great counterpoint to that bathroom’s incredibly delicate stained galas window, for instance. Other choices provide the same sort of yin-yang I personally like.
I was considering the relativity of the phrase “budget friendly” when I came upon the Paris Flea Market chandelier….
Of course the house cost a fortune. ‘Budget-friendly decorating’ is a way of saying they re-used all the furniture from their previous home (and are making do with the c.1990 un-pictured kitchen).
Of course the house cost a fortune. ‘Budget-friendly decorating’ is a way of saying they re-used all the furniture from their previous home (and are making do with the c.1990 un-pictured kitchen).
Beautiful Home!
Why yes, they’re on a strict budget, having bought a house with details, in Park Slope, near the park, and hired a decorator. Nothing more than a shoestring budget, really.
Antlers. Hmmm. These have got to be the shag carpet and wood panelling of the 2010s.
On a brighter note, what is the history of unpainted woodwork in these houses?
It seems as though everyone is now dutifully stripping their woodwork, staining it dark, complaining when it is painted, and bending over backwards to design minimalist white walls to offset the darkness of the woodwork. One sees this on houses from a wide period, 1870s-1910s or so. Did such houses always have unpainted, dark woodwork when they were built?
Why yes, they’re on a strict budget, having bought a house with details, in Park Slope, near the park, and hired a decorator. Nothing more than a shoestring budget, really.
Antlers. Hmmm. These have got to be the shag carpet and wood panelling of the 2010s.
On a brighter note, what is the history of unpainted woodwork in these houses?
It seems as though everyone is now dutifully stripping their woodwork, staining it dark, complaining when it is painted, and bending over backwards to design minimalist white walls to offset the darkness of the woodwork. One sees this on houses from a wide period, 1870s-1910s or so. Did such houses always have unpainted, dark woodwork when they were built?