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December 2, 2008

Interiors: Modernizing a Row House in the Slope

The folks from Coburn Architecture, based in Dumbo, have taken on the task of updating, and adding to, a row house in Park Slope. If you have interior projects large or small, amateur or professional you'd like to share, please contact us.

This mid 19th century row house on a quiet street in Park Slope was in relatively poor condition when purchased by the client. The house next door had burned down many years before, leaving the lot vacant and overgrown, and the new owners wanted to build a structure in its place that would connect to the existing house.

The client’s ambitious program for the new structure required a new master suite with a spacious bath and dressing room, a dining room, a garage with a driveway (a luxury for city dwellers), and some outdoor living space. To avoid having to move to temporary quarters, the client elected to complete the project in two architectural phases, followed by an interior design phase.

UPDATE: Brendan Coburn just dropped us a note to clear up a couple of things: 1) The house is only a combined 3,400 square feet, as the addition is just two stories high; 2) The construction and renovation took place in four phases over eight years.




Posted by lisa at 10:33 AM | Comments (66)
Categories: Interiors, Park Slope

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Comments

Wow-- this place is beautiful.

Posted by: fawn at December 2, 2008 10:41 AM

Not my cup of tea, but impressive nonetheless.

Posted by: crimsonson at December 2, 2008 10:44 AM

Gorgeous photos. Gorgeous house.
Nicely done renovation.
There's more photos on the Coburn's Website.
Love the ceiling in the living room. And the grey / beige bedroom sooooo soothing.

Posted by: bayridgegirl at December 2, 2008 10:50 AM

It is beautiful. If you go to the architects site and read the captions along with the additional pics, it is pretty clear that this was a renovation/restoration of the exising building with a very well-done addition where the burned out empty lot was.

I suspect they had to replace much of the period details which they did. The facade of the adjoining addition looks great. Wish more new construction looked that way.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at December 2, 2008 10:52 AM

Really pretty. Makes me realize how infrequently I see traditional renovations anymore and how much I like them. I mean, a house without a nelson saucer pendant? Is that even legal anymore?

Posted by: Ringo at December 2, 2008 11:00 AM

Wow, the building looks great but the decor sure is tacky.

Posted by: shillstoner at December 2, 2008 11:01 AM

Gorgeous!

Posted by: TownhouseLady at December 2, 2008 11:05 AM

Agreed with shillstoner, tacky. And I might say that anyone who screws up the streetscape in PS with a driveway should be shot.

Posted by: cmu at December 2, 2008 11:13 AM

Jeez...Xanax anyone?

Better a well done driveway than a burned out lot.

Posted by: TownhouseLady at December 2, 2008 11:16 AM

cmu...because a parked car looks better??? They built a beautiful facade out of nothing. I don't understand people's loathing of other people's driveways. Well I do actually.

A lot of the furniture though is nouveau riche tacky. The kitchen looks nice. I suspect there was an interior designer for the furniture who was different from the architects.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at December 2, 2008 11:17 AM

TACKY????? TACKY??????

While I don't like the pink walls and some of the furniture is too traditional for my taste, but overall the house is beautiful!!!!!
There is nothing tacky about it. It's beautifully designed and tastefully furnished. It's a very understated traditional style.

THL - please post something tacky for contrast.

Posted by: bayridgegirl at December 2, 2008 11:18 AM

can't comment much on the architecture, but it seems to get a lot of light and i like the back facade on the new building.

however, there is something very schizophrenic and off-putting about the decor of some of these rooms. i don't think it's tacky so much as...not hitting it's mark? it's like they used all of the leftover easter-egg dye on the walls, then sent 3 people off shopping - one with an issue of "country living," one with "dwell," and one with a collection of edgar allan poe stories - and then put it all together. it could be interesting but...somehow it isn't.

Posted by: i disagree at December 2, 2008 11:18 AM

The easter egg colors are a little annoying and some of the acoutrements are a little silly, but I bet this place does feel really spacious. The kitchen seems at odds with the dining room, I'm confused. Did two different people do them?

Posted by: cobblehiller at December 2, 2008 11:20 AM

Actually I'm going to backpeddle on my comment that the furniture is tacky. I must have had the vision of the bed and the pink walls. Those armchairs are fantastic; especially the one with the flame-stitch pattern. I don't like mixing of styles in the same room either.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at December 2, 2008 11:21 AM

My pleasure BRG....with a driveway...

http://www.coldwellbankermoves.com/CustomModules/Properties/PropertyDetails.aspx?SearchID=7017249&PropertyID=1092758&RowNum=2&StateID=38&RegionID=1&IsRegularPS=True

Posted by: TownhouseLady at December 2, 2008 11:24 AM

you people are nuts

Posted by: Ringo at December 2, 2008 11:27 AM

It doesn't paste THL..I suspect its incomplete...break it up with the return key

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at December 2, 2008 11:27 AM

"nouveau riche" exactly.
only the rich can afford this...building + total reno on building + lot next door + new construction on said lot + "2 architectural phases" + "interior design phase" + Extensive millwork + i dont even want to think about the finishes for fear of barfing on my desk

Posted by: mysteriousbklyn at December 2, 2008 11:28 AM

I hope one day I can get my house looking that tacky!


Dave sorry about that link, try this:

http://www.coldwellbankermoves.com/ID/1092758

Posted by: TownhouseLady at December 2, 2008 11:31 AM

I think it is quite lovely and I could easily live there. The level of thought and finish from the design of the space through to the furnishings and artwork are really first rate. I know some of the art was commissioned for the house by the architect. I also am so tired of everyone using grays as their color palettes for their homes and considering it "special". I think the pink room is courageous and refreshing. I also think juxtapositions of styles can be fun and intriguing, when done well. And I dare any of you critics to open up your homes to anonymous comments on a blog! (and no, I don't know the owners or have any vested interest in this house).

Posted by: Schultz at December 2, 2008 11:33 AM

THL - link not working...I WANT to see TACKY!!

Mysterious...and what's your point?? There are so many people who buy and renovate...and believe it or not hire architects and designers to help them create a beautiful space. Doesn't neccessarily make them 'mouveau riche'

Are we going to start hating on rich people now? Or on people that renovate and decorate?

Posted by: bayridgegirl at December 2, 2008 11:34 AM

Well, if you don't think this house's decor is tacky, then that just says something about your style. The whole thing exudes trying too hard to show how rich and tasteful I am--which is the essence of tackiness.

Posted by: shillstoner at December 2, 2008 11:36 AM

Shillstoner -- show us what you like! We'll give you our opinion.

Posted by: Schultz at December 2, 2008 11:40 AM

Shill...please post pictures of your space!

Posted by: bayridgegirl at December 2, 2008 11:42 AM

I sent lisa pics of my yard and waiting to feel all the love when she posts them. After that I'll send pics of the interior renovation and all my furniture to feel even more of the love coming from fellow brownstoners!!!

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at December 2, 2008 11:46 AM

Frankly, at some point money DOES become an object and you have to decorate somehow right? Let's face it not everything in my home (or I suspect most others) is exactly I'd like it but until I hit the lotto I'm going to have to live with some fine antiques mixed in with reproductions, some hand me downs from the folks and yes, brace yourselves, even some IKEA. I'd love to see the homes of those who are being so critical.

BRG, Sorry, they work when I try them so I don't know. Frankly, it wasn't that great anyways. Even the owners of these homes aren't willing to sell right now. The bombs are getting harder to find.

Posted by: TownhouseLady at December 2, 2008 11:46 AM

This is "modernizing" a rowhouse? The decor looks like a bed & breakfast in Ohio.

Posted by: Park Sloper at December 2, 2008 11:49 AM

You're a brave man Dave. The only pics of my home I was willing to share were before we took ownership from the RE listing!

Posted by: TownhouseLady at December 2, 2008 11:52 AM

"Are we going to start hating on rich people now? Or on people that renovate and decorate?"

just rich people that renovate and decorate ;)

Posted by: CGmodern at December 2, 2008 11:54 AM

Share my personal space with you all, you must be kidding! I don't know what kind of freak shares anything personal on the web! Suffice it to say, my space is actually personal--unlike the highly designed and impersonal decor in this house. The things in my house all speak to some part of myself and my life--as decor should.

Posted by: shillstoner at December 2, 2008 11:55 AM

Interior Design is defining individuality. It's the way you choose to live. You need to be comfortable in your home. When you open the door to your space, albiet what size, shape, form it is, you should be content in walking in and at ease in the space. It should make you feel relaxed.

You should surround yourself with things that make you happy. Whether it’s antiques, modern, comtempo, bare walls, art, sculpture, clutter, etc. It’s how YOU define the space.

And these people chose to define it in this style.

Posted by: bayridgegirl at December 2, 2008 11:57 AM

shill...actually i think the MOST personal things get shared on the web. Maybe not on this site and they have less to do with decor and more to do with disrobed.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at December 2, 2008 11:59 AM

Yikes, I really like the interiors- they seem not unlike the inside of an Anthropologie store. Some vintage, some modern, all mixed together with pretty colors in an eclectic way.

Very inspiring. I'm way too cluttered to ever pull this sort of thing off.

Posted by: ennuiater at December 2, 2008 12:02 PM

THL - nothing wrong with Ikea!!!

I love some of their pieces. Hip, Trendy and Cheap. I have three Pax closets that have lasted 9 years and still look great.

I was there on Sunday, looking at kitchens...horrors!!!

Posted by: bayridgegirl at December 2, 2008 12:03 PM

brg - that's just my point. there is no style here. good for them if it relaxes them and makes them feel comfortable, but you can't seriously be suggesting that they weren't trying for something more elevated here. instead, what they did is a mishmash that doesn't have a theme and doesn't make sense and feels like there's a broken string somewhere. they set the bar very high with all the expense and effort and commissioned artwork and the like, but failed to meet it. others set the bar lower and pass it.

my house was renovated on a budget, and is now furnished with ikea.

Posted by: i disagree at December 2, 2008 12:07 PM

Gorgeous house! Not all my cup of tea, either, but certainly well done, and better than what I have. I'd be proud to say I owned it, and very proud to say it was my work, too. (It's not, btw)

What an opportunity to get an empty lot next door, and build your dream addition and garage. I'm not hating on those with the opportunity and money. Somebody's got to get the goodies, at least they have taste.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at December 2, 2008 12:14 PM

Agreed BRG. We went from a 1BR Apt. to a 3BR house. Talk about needing to fill in some gaps! At this stage I'd much rather put my money towards aggressively paying down the mortgage and stashing cash in case the sky does fall on us. "pretty things" are officially on the back burner. We'll get there but, it's going to be one major piece a year for the time being.

Posted by: TownhouseLady at December 2, 2008 12:16 PM

I dis...there def. is a style here, it maybe not your style or anybody else's for that matter. But this is the style that these homeowner's choose. I'm sure they sit in their living room and appreciate their surroundings.

Themes in design are over rated.

If you ask the owners, I'm sure they're going to tell you there is a theme a design and probably feel like they've meet their design criterias.

Let's not forget the illusion of photography. Things are staged, moved around, manupilated for photos.

I don't know why I'm defending this house so much. Maybe I'm just defending interior design.

Posted by: bayridgegirl at December 2, 2008 12:17 PM

BRG -- I think you are defending this house because the initial comments were caustic and harsh, at least that is why I am defending it.

Posted by: Schultz at December 2, 2008 12:22 PM

Shillstoner is way off. This house is not "tacky" or trying-too-hard to impress. We've all seen those interiors and this isn't it. Those trying-too-hard interiors these days are usually ultra modern hipster with immediately identifiable Name designer pieces, where the owner wants you to know how much they paid for something by using furniture that's so designer.

This is simply conservative and not very daring or highly designed. It's more decorative than artistic. That's how I'd describe it. But it's not "tacky".

Posted by: traditionalmod at December 2, 2008 12:49 PM

I think individual pieces are very nice. Something in the combinations doesn't work for me. Seems forced, even the shoe on the floor. They went shopping over the weekend and got it all done by Sunday night.

I love those fireplaces amd ceilings!

Posted by: 11233 at December 2, 2008 1:01 PM

I think the renovation looks great but the interior design leaves something to be desired. I'd agree with traditionalmod that it isn't tacky but a bit "trying too hard." Also, a room like the kitchen looks fabulous, but why is the architect commenting on the "custom pouf" in the living room???????

Posted by: tiptoe at December 2, 2008 1:04 PM

Maybe the interior designer was sitting there when they wrote that!!!!

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at December 2, 2008 1:06 PM

Stunning place wether you like the interior decoration or not. This must have cost a small fortune to complete but looks to be money well spent.

Posted by: 10thStreetReno at December 2, 2008 1:08 PM

I am also surprised by the negative comments. It's fair to say this home is not decorated to everyone's taste but tacky? Lacking style?

There is an ease to homes decorated by the gradual acquisition of items (an occasional purchase here and there, other furniture passed down) but all well decorated homes, including those decorated with hand-me-downs and Ikea, have balance, proper proportion, and visual appeal. I this home possesses all three. These photos are highly staged and pretty sterile (no family photos, the ‘casually strewn’ shoe, for example), but the house is a good example of the art of interior design done well. The warmth will come with the family bringing their own things and natural clutter.

Posted by: fawn at December 2, 2008 1:40 PM

"Interior Design is defining individuality. It's the way you choose to live. You need to be comfortable in your home." Yes, which is why it's odd that turning your house over to a stranger to furnish can never make it "yours" unless they're your twin.

Of course, I don't know these people used an interior decorator, and I don't know the lingo, so maybe not tacky, but: WEIRD mirrors; a doll that could be Lisa's stoop-sitter's buddy; PINKPINK!; just-so-furnishings giving the feeling that they were chosen for the brand etc...

Style me eclectic cheapskate.

Posted by: cmu at December 2, 2008 1:50 PM

respectfully, brg, this "style" seems to me something that the owners did not choose but let someone choose for them. i don't have anything against interior design or paid professionals, but in this instance i just don't think it jells.

Posted by: i disagree at December 2, 2008 1:51 PM

Like I said...why are the kitchen and the dining room so at odds with one another?! Can one of you design genius' explain it to dumb old me?

Posted by: cobblehiller at December 2, 2008 1:59 PM

ahhh! ...odd expecting that...can ever make...

Posted by: cmu at December 2, 2008 2:04 PM

cmu? I can't understand what you said? Are you saying that it's odd for me to expect the kitchen and the dining room to have some cohesive elements? I'm so confused.

Posted by: cobblehiller at December 2, 2008 2:12 PM

No, no, correcting syntax on my previous post.

Just happens to have the same (odd) word...

Posted by: cmu at December 2, 2008 2:15 PM

What's up with all of the negative mean-spirited commentary??? The owners' designed and decorated their house to their liking not anyone else's. This is why I stopped writing on this blog - too many haters. Instead of helping each other and creating a helpful on-line community, too many people find pleasure in bringing people down and tearing each other to shreds. I don't get it???

And no - I am not the owner, the architect nor the interior designer. Just diassapointed!

Posted by: Leffertslodger at December 2, 2008 2:20 PM

Re: why are the kitchen and the dining room so at odds with one another?! From what I understand, the kitchen reno was done several years ago (first phase of the reno)--the dining room was done later when the attached building/garage/master BR were built. The DR is more formal than the eat-in K, so I don't see a prob. I agree with Leffertslodger--why all the negativity? I am quite sure I know these people. They are very decent people, I'm sure I would not decorate my house in EXACTLY the same way because yes, we all have our own style, quirks, money to spend, etc. but overall I think they did an amazing job. Believe me, these people have family photos, kids, a dog, etc., but the photos were probably taken by the architecture firm who weeded out all but the carelessly tossed shoe...

Posted by: ssloper at December 2, 2008 2:33 PM

[Where the heck is this random 'shoe' everyone is getting so crazy about?]

ssloper: ok, I thought the whole thing was redone at the same time. I understand that a dining room can/usually is more formal than a kitchen. I wasn't raised in a hut in the boonies, thank you. I just felt that given how coordinated every room is, that it is odd that not even the colors or some texture or some something are carried over from the dining room to kitchen or vice versa.

I'm sure they're fine people.

Posted by: cobblehiller at December 2, 2008 2:41 PM

Why the negativity? For the same reason we (certainly I) decry McMansions. This is a double-sized house which must be at least 7000 sq ft, done up to the gills, with comments like "this family of four needed substantial storage space" (huh?). So I find it ostentatious, but that's my standard. The owners may be perfectly decent, saintly, Democrats ;), but they have spent more money than God on this house and created a sterile haven. And yes, I will comment negatively on that.

Posted by: cmu at December 2, 2008 2:41 PM

So what CMU?? It's a free country. Get over yourself and complain about something that really matters. Not whine about why someone else chose to expand their house on an adjacent lot.

Posted by: Leffertslodger at December 2, 2008 2:56 PM

"The house is a good example of the art of interior design done well. The warmth will come with the family bringing their own things and natural clutter."

The art of interior design is to capture the clients' sense of self and style. No two interiors should ever look the same because no two clients will ever be the same. To say that an interior designer furnishes a house and then the clients bring
"their own stuff" is absurd. You can get that "look" by simply buying everything in a showroom.

Posted by: shillstoner at December 2, 2008 3:03 PM

If the owner is on this site can you please tell me the colours you used. Especially the two blues. I am looking to do some painting and I was looking at some blues. FB Parma gray and blue gray are what I am looking at. Anybody have any other great recommendations I would appreciate it..

Posted by: HOBOKENROCKS at December 2, 2008 4:25 PM

"You can get that "look" by simply buying everything in a showroom."

You can't buy framed photos of loved ones in a showroom.

Some people are really good at designing / decorating their homes. Others need help. They know what they like, but can't put it all together or don't have the time. So, they hire someone. There's such a misunderstanding about what interior designers and interior decorators do (and YES there is a big dfference between a big designer and a decorator!).

I still think this house looks great and they did a wonderful job with it. I hope they have many loving and wonderful memories in it.

Posted by: bayridgegirl at December 2, 2008 4:26 PM

leffertslodger, last I looked this was a free blog, too.

If you consider that wasteful spending contributes unnecessarily to one's energy footprint, it does matter. Every bit counts.

Posted by: cmu at December 2, 2008 4:48 PM

You don't know anything about this family, cmu. For all you know they have 12 adopted children from Darfur and use every room in the house.


Posted by: 11217 at December 2, 2008 5:47 PM

FWIW, I think this couple does have money to burn. However, I don't begrudge them creating their dream house, which as Mr. B points out, is not a McMansion, but is about 3,400 sq ft, the size of a 4 story-brownstone (which some people inhabit as a 1-family). Yes, it's luxurious but so what? They bought this house years ago, on a so-so block, probably for a pittance, and have slowly fixed it up--sounds smart to me.

Posted by: ssloper at December 2, 2008 6:20 PM

11217, I'm quoting from the architect's website..."a family of four". They could, of course, be lying through their teeth to protect the other 8 illegal immigrant tots.

And ssloper, it's got to be much above 3400. It's 2 houses (but maybe they have a 3-car garage.)

Posted by: cmu at December 2, 2008 7:00 PM

Ok, didn't see the update, the house is only 3400.

Posted by: cmu at December 2, 2008 7:04 PM

I'm a bit late to the party here, but are you people serious? This home is gorgeous. It appears devoid of character because it was sanitized of all personal accoutrement for the purposes of Architectural Digest worthy professional photos. This is why we see the carelessly dropped Louis Vuitton handbag with silk scarf at the bed's end, or the lazily placed glass of red wine on the side table, or the kicked off shoes, sitting on the perfectly plush and cozy carpet...because we are meant to imagine ourselves in this calm oasis of a retreat.

I think the "substantial storage space" comment by the architects, when read in its context, is probably and simply referring to making a home for the loads of stuff that accumulates with kids: artwork, art making stuff, play dough, toys, video games, books, and so on and so on and so on...

Well done. This place is truly enviable. I daresay as the weirdly negative comments suggest.

Posted by: Nokilissa at December 2, 2008 9:36 PM

Really nicely done. Anyone know where in the Slope this is? Inspiring!

Posted by: Miss Muffett at December 2, 2008 11:05 PM

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