A Hong Kong-based businessman with three grown children living in New York purchased an 18-foot-wide, five-story Fort Greene brownstone for them all to share.

Then he hired architect Alexandra Barker of Downtown Brooklyn’s Barker Freeman Design Office to execute a rather complex redo that would allow them each to have their own units — a one-bedroom on the garden level, a two-bedroom duplex on the parlor and second floors, and another two-bedroom duplex at the top of the house, which also includes a room for the visiting parents.

Each is a discrete apartment with complete privacy, which necessitated building stairs within each unit, a design opportunity of which Barker took full advantage. “Each apartment has its own personality, with unique stair and storage elements,” Barker said.

The original brownstone stairs were left in place so all members of the family could access the new roof deck.

The general contractor was PTL, whose in-house carpenter fabricated extensive custom wood elements, including wood stairs, shelving and even a bed for one of the units.

The kitchens and baths vary considerably design-wise, but share many materials, including cabinets supplied by Park Slope Kitchens, Olympian White Danby stone slabs from ABC Stone used as countertops, and slate floor tile in bathrooms from Complete Tile.

Interior Design Ideas Brooklyn Barker Freeman
©2016 Francis Dzikowski/OTTO

A deep blue color is used as an organizing thread throughout the building, from the entry doors to the railing and stairs of the backyard deck.

Patterned floor tile in the entry vestibule came from Mosaic House.

Interior Design Ideas Brooklyn Barker Freeman Fort Greene
©2016 Francis Dzikowski/OTTO

The parlor has high ceilings and some original detail. The living room at the front shares space with the entry hall and is therefore quite small, but the original ten-foot mahogany doors remain.

Interior Design Ideas Brooklyn Barker Freeman Fort Greene
©2016 Francis Dzikowski/OTTO
Interior Design Ideas Brooklyn Barker Freeman Fort Greene
©2016 Francis Dzikowski/OTTO

One daughter, a restauranteur, lives on the parlor and second floors with her husband and child. The large kitchen and dining room, where the family spends much of its time, look out onto a rear deck through a full wall of windows.

Interior Design Ideas Brooklyn Barker Freeman Fort Greene
©2016 Francis Dzikowski/OTTO

The oak-clad straight-run stair leading to the second floor forms a thick wall containing storage space and an oak-lined alcove for a desk.

Interior Design Ideas Brooklyn Barker Freeman Fort Greene
©2016 Francis Dzikowski/OTTO

The second floor is organized into a master suite with bathroom and office in the front and a child’s room in the back.

Interior Design Ideas Brooklyn Barker Freeman Fort Greene
©2016 Francis Dzikowski/OTTO

Cooking equipment is displayed on stainless steel shelves in the third-floor kitchen of the upper duplex.

Interior Design Ideas Brooklyn Barker Freeman Fort Greene
©2016 Francis Dzikowski/OTTO

The perforated steel stair in the upper duplex was fabricated on-site by Li Hang Steel Corp.

“That one is the most sculptural, ‘look-at-me’ piece and we wanted it not to be tucked away,” Barker said. “Materials were chosen carefully so light from the windows could filter through.”

Interior Design Ideas Brooklyn Barker Freeman Fort Greene
©2016 Francis Dzikowski/OTTO

In a hybrid gym/library on the top floor of the upper duplex, books line a recessed aluminum track and bracket system fitted with custom white oak shelves.

Interior Design Ideas Brooklyn Barker Freeman Fort Greene
©2016 Francis Dzikowski/OTTO

The custom-made white oak platform bed and headboard is stacked with more books.

Interior Design Ideas Brooklyn Barker Freeman Fort Greene
©2016 Francis Dzikowski/OTTO

Slatted wood stairs lead to the roof deck.

Interior Design Ideas Brooklyn Barker Freeman Fort Greene
©2016 Francis Dzikowski/OTTO
Interior Design Ideas Brooklyn Barker Freeman Fort Greene
©2016 Francis Dzikowski/OTTO

The garden-level apartment has new oak floors and a high level of custom finishes in the kitchen to make up for its smaller square footage and more limited light.

Interior Design Ideas Brooklyn Barker Freeman Fort Greene
©2016 Francis Dzikowski/OTTO

The marble mantel was moved to the garden level from elsewhere in the house.

Interior Design Ideas Brooklyn Barker Freeman Fort Greene
©2016 Francis Dzikowski/OTTO

A sculptural wood staircase creates a focal point in the middle of the garden floor. A bench with storage beneath is incorporated into the stair, which winds down to land in a finished English basement.

Interior Design Ideas Brooklyn Barker Freeman Fort Greene
©2016 Francis Dzikowski/OTTO

Double doors leading to a bathroom were fitted into the original brick arches of the English basement.

Interior Design Ideas Brooklyn Barker Freeman Fort Greene
©2016 Francis Dzikowski/OTTO

The Insider is Brownstoner’s in-depth look at a notable interior design/renovation project, by design journalist Cara Greenberg. Find it here Thursday mornings.

Got a project to propose for The Insider? Contact Cara at caramia447 [at] gmail [dot] com

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