The Insider: Park Slope Reno Turns Sterile Space Stylish

"The space was "devoid of all ornament," Nesbitt-Hayes said. Her directive from the clients: "Give it some warmth and character." Taking inspiration from original moldings and trim on the floors above, she reintroduced crown moldings and baseboards throughout, designed an open custom kitchen in the center of the space and an adjacent dining area with unusual wall paneling (top photo) that "makes it feel like a room of its own." New herringbone floors were part of the upgrade."

"The homeowners had bought the house about a year prior and initially wanted to blow out the back wall on the garden level, but the cost proved prohibitive. Instead, Nesbitt-Hayes enlarged existing openings and replaced old windows with new Marvin windows and doors "more in line with the style of the house.""

"Extensive new millwork storage by East Coast Cabinetry puts an end to the clutter. Blanc de Chine by Farrow & Ball, a color inspired by Chinese porcelain, imparts a serene vibe. The angled window at the front of the building yields a bright entry area with replicated detail to replace that which had been stripped away. An existing soffit on three walls contains ductwork for the stove exhaust and air conditioning. "We painted it a different color to make sense of it," Nesbitt-Hayes said."

A family uses the garden level of a four-story vintage townhouse as the primary living area. Architect Tana Nesbitt-Hayes redesigned the 500-square-foot open-plan space with crown moldings, baseboards, new herringbone floors, an open custom kitchen, and an adjacent dining area with unusual wall paneling. Existing openings were enlarged and old windows were replaced with Marvin windows and doors more in line with the house. Extensive custom millwork from East Coast Cabinetry provides storage and reduces clutter. Blanc de Chine paint creates a serene atmosphere. A painted soffit conceals ductwork and visually integrates mechanical elements. The angled front window yields a bright entry with replicated historic detail.

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