The Seashell House
The Seashell House is a comprehensive renovation of an 1897 landmarked brownstone in Park Slope, Brooklyn, for a family relocating from California.
Originally designed by William Calder, the three-story neo-Italian Renaissance brownstone retained many of its character-defining elements — a curved bay, carved stone panels, formal proportions — yet its interiors were no longer suited for contemporary living. As in all our historic-home projects, the design lives in the productive tension between preservation and intervention, the old and new set beside one another, each amplifying the other. At the parlor level, the formal living room remains at the front of the house while the rear opens into a light-filled kitchen and dining space designed for everyday family life. The garden level was reimagined to accommodate a guest suite, family room, and home office; the upper floors now house three bedrooms and a primary suite framed by the home's distinctive curved bay. Throughout, vintage and mid-century-inspired furnishings complement warm wood tones, soft neutral walls, and earth-toned finishes — a calm, California-inflected interior grounded in the home's 19th-century character.
Working within the constraints of a landmarked structure, sustainability focused on maximizing daylight and natural ventilation, complemented by energy-efficient windows, enhanced insulation, and air-sealing strategies that improve thermal comfort while reducing energy demand.
.
As featured in Dwell.
All photos by Jonathan Hokklo.
Originally designed by William Calder, the three-story neo-Italian Renaissance brownstone retained many of its character-defining elements — a curved bay, carved stone panels, formal proportions — yet its interiors were no longer suited for contemporary living. As in all our historic-home projects, the design lives in the productive tension between preservation and intervention, the old and new set beside one another, each amplifying the other. At the parlor level, the formal living room remains at the front of the house while the rear opens into a light-filled kitchen and dining space designed for everyday family life. The garden level was reimagined to accommodate a guest suite, family room, and home office; the upper floors now house three bedrooms and a primary suite framed by the home's distinctive curved bay. Throughout, vintage and mid-century-inspired furnishings complement warm wood tones, soft neutral walls, and earth-toned finishes — a calm, California-inflected interior grounded in the home's 19th-century character.
Working within the constraints of a landmarked structure, sustainability focused on maximizing daylight and natural ventilation, complemented by energy-efficient windows, enhanced insulation, and air-sealing strategies that improve thermal comfort while reducing energy demand.
.
As featured in Dwell.
All photos by Jonathan Hokklo.
Project Year: 2024
Project Cost: $1,000,001 - $1,500,000
Country: United States
Zip Code: 11215
