I am writing about those built-in dressing rooms/areas that exist usually in the centers of the floors with bedrooms in unrenovated brownstones. I’ve noticed that some folks doing renovations keep them and just spruce them up. Others tear them out and make usable space where they used to be. First of all, are these architectural details original to the buildings? If not, about what period were they added? Is there a generally accepted practice with regard to these during renovations? Has anyone here felt pangs of guilt removing them? Thanks!


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  1. As several people have already pointed out, it really depends on how “special” your pass-through area is. I’d certainly have qualms about ripping out old marble sinks, original brass faucets, birds eye maple woodwork (or cherry, or mahogany, etc). But I didn’t feel at all guilty when we repurposed our own very lack-luster pass-through space. We created more functional closets (much deeper)and a better connection/flow btw our master bedroom and sitting-room. The new space doesn’t lack for period detail: we relocated a set of pocket doors from the parlor floor and also re-used some of the cabinet doors. Lots of folks put a bathroom into this space which seems like a great idea and saves one of the small windowed side rooms to be used as a study or small bedroom.

  2. I was so seduced by the old-world charm of the pass-through closets with their built-ins, shaving sink and pocket door, that I restored the missing shaving sink in my house, new plumbing and all. I had the built-ins and pocket door intact, I just need a salvaged marble sink which I got an the Old Iron Guy in Lowes parking lot. The closets are shallow but with shelves they’re great for storing anything that folds (clothes or linens) as well as shoes. I find the sink really useful and it keeps me out of the bathroom so that my husband can use it. I can guarantee that your closets were not as old, smelly and painted as mine, and now they’re stripped, beautiful and not smelly at all.

  3. The dressing area in my place was definitely original to the 1890 house but was unusable. The closet sandwiched between the two banks of built-in drawers was about 20″ deep and therefore too shallow for anything on hangers. The built-in drawers and shelves which flanked the closet had been painted a million times and the unpainted interiors had that old, musty wood smell of wormwood and rot. I did salvage the hardware but had no qualms about gutting the built-ins for more functional space.

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