Parlor Floor Kitchen #9: White-and-Black in Bed Stuy
The hot kitchen action continues today from the home of the folks behind House By We, a reminder that architects and designers should feel free to send in their creations. We were interested in designing a white/black kitchen for this space very early on. We feel it’s a simple way to incorporate modern elements into…
The hot kitchen action continues today from the home of the folks behind House By We, a reminder that architects and designers should feel free to send in their creations.
We were interested in designing a white/black kitchen for this space very early on. We feel it’s a simple way to incorporate modern elements into the more traditional brownstone aesthetic. The cabinets and hardware are all IKEA, the countertop is Caesarstone and the tile, Ann Sacks. Rather than spend a bundle on custom cabinetry, we saved a a lot of money on the actual product and budgeted a little more money for labor and craftsmanship to customize the existing space to the cabinets and appliances. So, while it wasn’t an easy decision to square the original arch opening at the expense of a couple of beautiful original plaster moldings, the practical advantage of adding more useable space won out in the end. Squaring and expanding the existing arch allowed us to expand the neighboring pantry; it also served as a more appropriate frame for the blending of contemporary, industrial and traditional details–a farmhouse sink with restaurant-style fixtures; DCS stove with country white cabinets; classic counter-to-ceiling subway tile, but in a more contemporary “Dove” hue; a BOSCH dishwasher (in white) and a sleek countertop juxtaposed with rustic, original plank floors. The DCS range and the tile were the splurge items–a couple of higher-end details, particularly the stove, can go a long way towards upgrading the feel of a kitchen that needs to save where it can. The entire kitchen cost about $25,000.
Looks great to us, though we probably would’ve kept the original arch.
Ideas for the Parlor Floor Kitchen? [Brownstoner]
Parlor Kitchen #1: Architect-Designed in The Slope [Brownstoner]
Parlor Kitchen #2: Contractor’s Own Kitchen [Brownstoner]
Parlor Floor Kitchen #3: Jeffrey’s 35-Footer [Brownstoner]
Parlor Kitchen #4: Spreading Out in a 22-Footer [Brownstoner]
Parlor Kitchen #5: Where the Party’s At [Brownstoner]
Parlor Kitchen #6: Modern in Prospect Heights [Brownstoner]
Parlor Kitchen #7: Doing It On The Cheap [Brownstoner]
Parlor Kitchen #8: Clinton Hill Charmer [Brownstoner]
The store called Trailer Park in Park Slope on Sterling near 6th Ave, has custom order Amish-made farm tables similar to this one (if you get the Shaker leg). I got an 8-footer with big turned legs and we love it. It was the best priced farm table in the area I could find too. Right now Trailer Park doesn’t offer a choice of stains or colors, only clear varnish so the antique barn wood variations shows up nicely. So if you want a darker stain like we did, you have to order it unfinished and stain it yourself. Even with the dark stain the variations in the wood show, and are beautiful.
8:08: we found the table on craigslist–hand crafted by a couple in vermont. email: ntodres@yahoo.com. they come to nyc every so often to make deliveries.
Many of the sad sacks complaining above would no doubt prefer to read the endlessly tedious threads about which way the RE market is going and how appropriately priced various properties are. How teeth-grittingly dull. I’d much rather get my jollies off looking at pretty pictures of brownstone kitchens and finding design inspiration!
I love the idea of showing these interiors, and have enjoyed seeing how people handle the quirks of modern living in a century-old home. Maybe, it’s a bit long – some other blogs seem to continue a thread forever, and it gets boring or hard to follow.
It would be great to see another section, like the forum, where you could show series of rooms. Like others suggested above, different areas would be nice – garden floor kitchens, floor-through apartments, master bedrooms. Maybe two new “rooms” every week – changing the type of room every month. . .
Please, Mr. B., keep the kitchens coming!
Of course *you* know it’s useful and popular. There’s clearly one loser posting against the idea.
I agree with the poster above that it would be great to see garden level kitchens as well, for those of us who are re-doing the cucina in its original location. We have quickly figured out that it is really hard–two windows and a doorway in back, two doorways in front, and only 20 feet of width to work with–that is not an easy kitchen to design. When we get there, maybe we’ll share it with ya.
But if you could solicit some now, while we’re in the design phase, we’d love it!
Also agree with previous posters that features on bathrooms would be great! Cheers!
I’d like to weigh in on the pro-kitchen-feature side. It’s my favorite part of the site, and I’ve been looking forward to it every day. Many people here may be looking for a place, but you’re only going to buy once (for a while) — but you’ll be renovating and decorating for years. And the challenges of a brownstone aren’t covered by many books or magazines; I may be biased because I’m currently trying to design my own parlor-level kitchen, but I think features like this are very interesting and useful. And who doesn’t like to see pictures of other people’s houses? I too would love to see more series like this — maybe where to put bookcases in narrow houses without making them feel like bowling alleys, where to put TVs, where to locate bathrooms, etc.
I’m wondering if it is the same person who keeps writing about being tired of this series. I just skip things that don’t interest me (and there are many), I definitely wouldn’t even read through a bunch of comments, which it sounds like this person did. He keeps referring to Mr. B., too.
Anyway, anyone who has tried to cope with renovating a brownstone with its limited parameters can appreciate this series, and the more the better. At least in this case, 8 is not yet enough.
I love the feature. As someone who will be doing a kitchen in the near future I find it very helpful. Would also love to see others featured: bathrooms, etc. As stated above, if you don’t like it don’t read it. There are lots of things I just pass, doesn’t mean others aren’t interested.
Please tell us about that dining room table (designer and where you purchased, if you don’t mind)! It’s lovely lovely lovely!