Time Machine Townhouse

Brooklyn, New York
Completed 2025

Less Modern, more Mod.

This historic Brooklyn Limestone is infused with the personality of its new occupants–1960s Mod references are integrated throughout, creating a mash-up of color and pattern that complements the distinguished architectural elements from the early 20th century when this landmarked townhouse was built. The house is a time machine populated by ghosts of interior design trends past.

We relocated the kitchen to a space more central to the home, previously occupied by a formal dining room, to align with contemporary living. Three portals are framed by rich walnut wall panels–an orange bar, a yellow pantry, and a green hall. This trio of colors evokes the nostalgia of retro kitchen appliances. 

A custom sculptural skylight and light fixture ushers the sky into a metallic gold dining room. Each of the fixture’s steel frames casts a different type of light, with the bottom-most frame acting as a dining pendant. The graphic wallpaper pattern echoes the fixture’s interlocking rectangular forms.

In the parlor, two historically smaller rooms combine to create one new gracious living and entertaining room. Ornate crown moulding meets a strikingly stark chimney breast, all hovering above an elevated firebox and grounded by a heavy plinth. Inspiration from Mid-Century living rooms is translated with new materials–walnut, graphic marble, and crisp plaster–into a sophisticated fireplace for this stately townhouse. 

The grand central staircase, which commands the space, is refurbished and celebrated. With the addition of a multi-story pendant, glass orbs cast a gentle spotlight on this stair–a new glittering element. The stair is naturally ventilated with a new operable skylight that allows for passive airflow to lower cooling costs in the summer. 

We readied this townhouse for its next phase of life with all new plumbing, electric, heating and cooling systems. To renovate a historic building is to curate architectural elements in space and time. The millwork, color palettes, and fixtures are all heavily influenced by Mod-era history, merging functional interventions and decorative moments–bringing joy to this historic home.

Built by: Rose & Stone Construction LLC