A Brooklyn Gem Reimagined: Blending Georgian Revival Grandeur with Modern Living
Nestled within Brooklyn’s famed brownstone belt, a distinctive three-story, one-family brick home stands out from its neighbors. Unlike the contiguous brownstones that define much of the borough’s architectural landscape, this residence boasts a unique typology: a freestanding house built in the elegant 1920s Georgian Revival style, poised gracefully a few steps above the street level. This rarity, as noted by architect Adam Glickman of Ridgewood-based Glickman Schlesinger Architects, presented both a unique challenge and an exciting opportunity for the homeowners who engaged his firm for a comprehensive “gut” renovation.
The project embarked on an ambitious journey to breathe new life into an historic structure, transforming it into a vibrant, functional home tailored for a young, modern couple. This extensive overhaul went beyond mere cosmetic updates, delving deep into the home’s very essence to redefine its layout and design across all three levels. The visionary team behind this transformation comprised Adam Glickman and his partner, architect Lauren Schlesinger, who meticulously reimagined the first-floor living room, dining room, and kitchen, alongside the second-floor’s three bedrooms and a key bathroom. The renovation also extended to the third floor, where a home office was expertly crafted under the distinctive sloping mansard roof.
Crucial to the home’s aesthetic evolution was the early involvement of designer Allison Tick of Allison Tick Interiors. From the project’s inception, Tick played a pivotal role in shaping the home’s interior narrative. Her expertise guided the selection of a sophisticated color palette, premium materials, and new furnishings, all thoughtfully chosen to complement the clients’ existing cherished pieces. Her mission, as she described it from her Carroll Gardens office, was to “freshen up an old house for a young modern couple,” ensuring the renovated spaces felt contemporary and inviting while honoring the home’s inherent charm and architectural legacy.
The Distinctive Allure of a Freestanding Georgian Revival in Brooklyn
Brooklyn is synonymous with its rows of stately brownstones, each exuding a classic urban charm. Yet, every so often, a property emerges that defies this norm, offering a refreshing departure from the conventional. This particular three-story brick home, a prime example of 1920s Georgian Revival architecture, is one such anomaly. Its freestanding nature immediately sets it apart, allowing for windows on all four sides – a luxury that bathes the interiors in abundant natural light, a stark contrast to the often more enclosed spaces of attached townhouses. The Georgian Revival style itself speaks volumes of elegance and symmetry, characterized by its classical proportions, decorative cornices, and often, a grand entrance. This architectural choice, more commonly found in suburban or rural settings, lends an air of distinguished prominence to the property, making it a rare and coveted find in the bustling urban landscape of Brooklyn.
Stepping up a few discreet steps from the street, the house commands a subtle presence, hinting at the grandeur within. Its brick facade, robust and timeless, provides a strong foundation for the aesthetic transformation that Glickman Schlesinger Architects and Allison Tick Interiors were tasked to achieve. The goal was not to erase its history but to weave a contemporary narrative into its existing framework, creating a home that respects its past while firmly embracing the demands and aesthetics of modern living. This required a delicate balance: preserving the architectural integrity and classic appeal of the Georgian Revival style, while simultaneously infusing it with modern functionality, comfort, and a vibrant, youthful spirit.
A Visionary Collaboration: Architects and Interior Designers Unite
The success of such a multifaceted renovation hinges on seamless collaboration, and this project exemplified just that. Glickman Schlesinger Architects, known for their meticulous approach to structural and spatial design, partnered intrinsically with Allison Tick Interiors, celebrated for her nuanced understanding of color, texture, and furnishing. This synergy ensured that every architectural decision was harmonized with the interior design vision, resulting in a cohesive and breathtaking outcome.
Glickman Schlesinger Architects: Redefining Space and Structure
Adam Glickman and Lauren Schlesinger spearheaded the architectural endeavors, undertaking what they described as a “pretty much gut” renovation. This extensive scope meant addressing not just superficial aesthetics but also the fundamental layout and structural integrity of the home. Their initial task involved a thorough assessment of the existing conditions, identifying opportunities to optimize flow, enhance natural light, and improve overall functionality. For a 1920s home, this often entails updating aged infrastructure – plumbing, electrical systems, and insulation – to meet contemporary standards of efficiency and safety. The architects meticulously planned new spatial configurations for the first floor, envisioning how the living room, dining room, and kitchen could interact more fluidly, catering to both everyday family life and entertaining guests.
Their work on the second floor focused on modernizing the private quarters, specifically the three bedrooms and one of the bathrooms. This involved reconsidering spatial allocations for built-in storage, improving sightlines, and integrating thoughtful details that elevate comfort. The third-floor home office under the mansard roof presented a unique challenge, requiring clever solutions to maximize usable space despite the sloping ceilings, all while ensuring ample natural light and a conducive work environment. The architects’ expertise ensured that every structural alteration and layout modification respected the original architectural character of the Georgian Revival style while introducing contemporary efficiencies and an open, airy feel.
Allison Tick Interiors: Crafting the Aesthetic Narrative
Allison Tick’s involvement from the project’s inception was instrumental in shaping the home’s interior identity. Her role went beyond mere decoration; it was about curating an experience, a lifestyle for the homeowners. Tasked with “freshening up an old house for a young modern couple,” Tick delved into selecting a harmonious palette of colors and materials that would feel both contemporary and timeless. She expertly blended the clients’ existing furnishings – pieces that undoubtedly held sentimental value – with new, carefully chosen items that introduced a fresh perspective without clashing with the home’s historic charm. Her design philosophy aimed for an understated elegance, emphasizing comfort, practicality, and an inviting atmosphere.
Tick’s keen eye for detail extended to every surface and textile. She selected finishes that would reflect light, fabrics that would offer tactile comfort, and fixtures that would provide both function and aesthetic appeal. The collaboration with Glickman Schlesinger was particularly evident in areas like the kitchen and bathrooms, where the architectural design provided the canvas for Tick’s material and color choices. Her ability to translate the clients’ aspirations for a modern, livable home into a tangible, beautiful reality solidified her critical role in the project’s success.
A Floor-by-Floor Transformation: Modernizing a Georgian Legacy
The renovation was a holistic endeavor, transforming each level of the house into a distinct yet cohesive part of the whole. The meticulous planning by Glickman Schlesinger Architects and the refined aesthetic vision of Allison Tick Interiors culminated in spaces that are both exquisitely beautiful and eminently functional.
The First Floor: The Vibrant Core of Social Living
The ground floor, traditionally the public face of the home, underwent the most dramatic transformation to foster an open, fluid living experience. The architects reimagined the layout to enhance connectivity between the living room, dining room, and kitchen. Walls were strategically opened or reconfigured to create larger, more breathable spaces, allowing natural light to penetrate deeper into the interior. The living room, once potentially formal and enclosed, was transformed into an inviting space for relaxation and social gatherings. Allison Tick’s furnishing choices here likely balanced comfort with modern sophistication, perhaps integrating custom built-ins for media or display that complement the room’s proportions.
The dining room now serves as a central hub, seamlessly connecting the more relaxed living area with the bustling kitchen. This creates an ideal flow for entertaining, where guests can move effortlessly between spaces. The kitchen, often the heart of a modern home, saw the most significant overhaul. Here, the design team likely introduced state-of-the-art appliances, custom cabinetry, and durable, elegant countertops. The goal was to create a highly efficient, aesthetically pleasing culinary space that caters to the young couple’s lifestyle – whether for quick weeknight meals or elaborate dinner parties. The materials chosen by Tick for the kitchen, from tile backsplashes to lighting fixtures, would have married functionality with a fresh, contemporary style that still felt appropriate for a Georgian Revival home.
The Second Floor: Serene Private Sanctuaries
Ascending to the second floor, the renovation shifted focus to creating tranquil and private retreats. The three bedrooms were each updated to offer maximum comfort and personalized style. Glickman Schlesinger Architects likely optimized bedroom layouts to allow for better furniture placement and improved storage solutions, perhaps incorporating custom closets. Allison Tick’s design for these rooms would have focused on a serene color palette, soft textures, and thoughtful lighting to create peaceful havens. The blend of existing and new furnishings would have ensured that each bedroom reflected the individual personality of its occupant while maintaining a cohesive aesthetic with the rest of the house.
One of the bathrooms on this floor underwent a complete renovation. This presented an opportunity to introduce modern fixtures, elegant tiling, and a refreshed layout that maximizes space and comfort. The designers carefully selected materials that not only offered durability and ease of maintenance but also contributed to a spa-like ambiance. While another bathroom remained as-is, the focus on the renovated space demonstrates a strategic approach to allocating resources and impacting daily living. The choices here reflect a commitment to both luxury and practicality.
The Third Floor: An Inspiring Mansard Office
The third floor, tucked beneath a distinctive sloping mansard roof, was ingeniously transformed into a functional and inspiring home office. The unique architectural features of the mansard, while challenging due to varying ceiling heights, were embraced by Glickman Schlesinger Architects as an opportunity for creative design. They likely incorporated custom built-in desks and shelving that conform to the roofline, maximizing every inch of space. Strategically placed windows or skylights would have been introduced to flood the office with natural light, creating an airy and productive environment. Allison Tick’s interior design choices for this space would have prioritized functionality and focus, opting for a calming color scheme and ergonomic furnishings that promote concentration and well-being. This innovative use of the top floor adds significant value and versatility to the home, perfectly catering to the contemporary need for dedicated remote work areas.
The Synthesis: A Modern Georgian Masterpiece in Brooklyn
The comprehensive renovation of this freestanding Georgian Revival home in Brooklyn stands as a testament to the power of thoughtful design and expert execution. By embarking on a “pretty much gut” renovation, Glickman Schlesinger Architects successfully re-engineered the home’s layout and infrastructure, enhancing its functionality and flow while respecting its inherent architectural grandeur. Their meticulous attention to structural integrity and spatial optimization laid the groundwork for a truly modern living experience.
Complementing this architectural prowess, Allison Tick Interiors masterfully curated the home’s aesthetic. Her ability to blend the clients’ existing pieces with new furnishings, while introducing a fresh color and material palette, was key to achieving the “freshen up an old house for a young modern couple” objective. The result is a home that feels light, spacious, and effortlessly chic, without losing the character that makes a 1920s Georgian Revival so special.
From the seamlessly integrated living, dining, and kitchen areas on the first floor to the serene bedrooms and meticulously designed bathrooms on the second, and the inspiring home office beneath the mansard roof, every space tells a story of transformation. This project is a shining example of how historic properties can be revitalized to meet the demands of modern life, offering an unparalleled living experience that beautifully bridges the past and the present. It redefines luxury in Brooklyn, proving that unique architectural typologies can, with the right vision, become the most coveted addresses in a city famed for its distinct urban residences.