Before and After: Redo Includes a New Media Wall and More
Gorgeous new built-ins, furnishings, windows and a new backyard update this New York family home
This family, which lives in the first three stories of a five-story 1920 townhouse in Harlem, New York, was ready for a refresh, which included the parlor-level gathering spaces and backyard. The home had last been renovated in the 1980s. “They wanted to enhance what was already there,” project architect Julie Tran says. They also wanted hardworking, multifunctional spaces and lots of storage to help them keep it neat.
Entry
Before. The entry’s original flooring was long gone, replaced with linoleum that the family had partially covered up with carpet tiles. A wire rack provided storage for shoes.
Before. The entry’s original flooring was long gone, replaced with linoleum that the family had partially covered up with carpet tiles. A wire rack provided storage for shoes.
After. The beautiful existing millwork remains, while a new floor does the brownstone’s history justice. It’s a white Thassos mini brick mosaic with a border in white, blue, apricot and black.
Field and border tile: Ann Sacks; find more mosaic tile
Field and border tile: Ann Sacks; find more mosaic tile
Living Room
Before. On the right you can see the old closet that led under the stairs. It was replaced with media wall built-ins.
Before. On the right you can see the old closet that led under the stairs. It was replaced with media wall built-ins.
After. The designers replaced the sofa and chair with a sectional so the family can gather together for movie nights. The navy blue sectional gives the room a more streamlined look, and bright pillows punch up the palette. The colors play off those in the entry bay on the other side of the room.
Leather ottomans add texture and do double duty as cocktail tables and footrests. The tray tops can be flipped over and are cushioned on the other side.
Browse sectional sofas
Leather ottomans add texture and do double duty as cocktail tables and footrests. The tray tops can be flipped over and are cushioned on the other side.
Browse sectional sofas
The family can stop by the entry bench to take off shoes, then stash them in the extensive wall of built-ins.
Media Wall
The built-ins provide loads of storage, including two closets and large, deep drawers. “We utilized every inch,” architect James Wagman says. “The drawers are almost big enough for a person to lie down in them, and the kids store their scooters in them.” They have heavy-duty roller hinges to handle a lot of weight. The closet door on the left leads to more storage underneath the stairs. The closet on the right is outfitted with adjustable shelves for shoes. The wood is a beautiful walnut veneer.
The hardwood floors throughout the parlor level were existing and in good shape.
The built-ins provide loads of storage, including two closets and large, deep drawers. “We utilized every inch,” architect James Wagman says. “The drawers are almost big enough for a person to lie down in them, and the kids store their scooters in them.” They have heavy-duty roller hinges to handle a lot of weight. The closet door on the left leads to more storage underneath the stairs. The closet on the right is outfitted with adjustable shelves for shoes. The wood is a beautiful walnut veneer.
The hardwood floors throughout the parlor level were existing and in good shape.
The homeowners like to collect art and do so with a practiced eye. The pieces throughout the home were already in their collection. “They are selective and detail-oriented and really knew what they wanted aesthetically. They have a pretty modern aesthetic,” architect Tran says.
Past the staircase you can catch a glimpse of the dining room.
Past the staircase you can catch a glimpse of the dining room.
Dining Room
Before. The room was dark and uninspired. Just past it you can see a bit of the kitchen, which had been renovated before this project began.
Before. The room was dark and uninspired. Just past it you can see a bit of the kitchen, which had been renovated before this project began.
After. New glass doors double the amount of natural light in here. The architects found triple-glazed windows and doors, which not only save energy but block out much of the city noise. “Installation is very important to making sure they function correctly, including foaming and taping, and the builder did a great job,” Wagman says.
The couple already had the dining table, chairs, Sputnik chandelier and artwork. The wood table paired with classic Eames Shell chairs with metal Eiffel bases create a juxtaposition of materials and style, while the large painting and a tree bring in vibrant color. The doors open to a staircase that leads to the newly revamped backyard.
Windows: Klearwall; browse modern dining chairs
The couple already had the dining table, chairs, Sputnik chandelier and artwork. The wood table paired with classic Eames Shell chairs with metal Eiffel bases create a juxtaposition of materials and style, while the large painting and a tree bring in vibrant color. The doors open to a staircase that leads to the newly revamped backyard.
Windows: Klearwall; browse modern dining chairs
Fireplace
The designers gave the existing dining room fireplace a makeover, partially thanks to Wagman’s passion for architectural salvaging. “When a developer stripped the townhouse next-door to my home years ago, I scooped up a couple of old surrounds knowing I’d want to use them somewhere someday,” he says.
One of them, which came from a townhouse similar in style and age to this one, is seen here. The team designed the upper area of the fireplace and molding to continue the look, adding beveled mirror that suits the home’s age and reflects light. The tile is new, but its mini brick pattern, deep mossy green color and crazing make it look like it’s from the early 1900s. The gas insert was found on eBay.
Fireplace tile: WV50 1-by-4-inch brick pattern with a 2-by-3-inch border around the floor, Pratt & Larson
The designers gave the existing dining room fireplace a makeover, partially thanks to Wagman’s passion for architectural salvaging. “When a developer stripped the townhouse next-door to my home years ago, I scooped up a couple of old surrounds knowing I’d want to use them somewhere someday,” he says.
One of them, which came from a townhouse similar in style and age to this one, is seen here. The team designed the upper area of the fireplace and molding to continue the look, adding beveled mirror that suits the home’s age and reflects light. The tile is new, but its mini brick pattern, deep mossy green color and crazing make it look like it’s from the early 1900s. The gas insert was found on eBay.
Fireplace tile: WV50 1-by-4-inch brick pattern with a 2-by-3-inch border around the floor, Pratt & Larson
Powder Room
The look is clean and spare, and includes wallpaper that brings in an elegant pattern that picks up on the marble countertop, backsplash and hexagonal Calacatta marble tile on the floor.
Wallpaper: Feather Get Together Muster Lustre, Flat Vernacular; faucet and accessories: Priya line in polished chrome, Newport Brass; TL mirror with LED: Tech Lighting
The look is clean and spare, and includes wallpaper that brings in an elegant pattern that picks up on the marble countertop, backsplash and hexagonal Calacatta marble tile on the floor.
Wallpaper: Feather Get Together Muster Lustre, Flat Vernacular; faucet and accessories: Priya line in polished chrome, Newport Brass; TL mirror with LED: Tech Lighting
Backyard
Before. The uninspired space was bordered by a hodgepodge of neighbors’ boundaries but had no fence of its own. Almost the entire backyard was covered in tired red pavers.
Before. The uninspired space was bordered by a hodgepodge of neighbors’ boundaries but had no fence of its own. Almost the entire backyard was covered in tired red pavers.
After. The renovated space has room for dining, playing, entertaining, planting and soaking up some rays. A new cedar fence with a built-in bench unifies the boundaries and gives the yard a clean, modern look.
“They also really enjoy gardening and wanted space to plant a few things,” Wagman says. So a new powder-coated aluminum planter along the back fence provides a spot for that; right now the couple are considering bamboo trees. The planter is 28 inches high and 14 inches deep.
Despite their green thumb, the couple were absolutely firm on using artificial turf so as not to have to mow or deal with soil in the area. “So we found them the creme de la creme,” Wagman says.
The yard slopes slightly toward the back into a trench drain.
Exterior light fixtures: tube downlight in Black, WAC Lighting; planter: aluminum in Carbon, Planterworx
“They also really enjoy gardening and wanted space to plant a few things,” Wagman says. So a new powder-coated aluminum planter along the back fence provides a spot for that; right now the couple are considering bamboo trees. The planter is 28 inches high and 14 inches deep.
Despite their green thumb, the couple were absolutely firm on using artificial turf so as not to have to mow or deal with soil in the area. “So we found them the creme de la creme,” Wagman says.
The yard slopes slightly toward the back into a trench drain.
Exterior light fixtures: tube downlight in Black, WAC Lighting; planter: aluminum in Carbon, Planterworx
Before. The space was crying out for improvement.
After. A new staircase and decking and new bluestone pavers elevate the look. The stairs were shifted to one side to open up the area beneath. The dining area takes advantage of the built-in bench, and chartreuse chairs add some revved-up green. The new lighting along the fence lets the family enjoy the yard after dark.
More: Browse Before and Afters
More: Browse Before and Afters
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Busy professionals and their three children
Location: Harlem neighborhood of New York
Designer: James Wagman Architect
This lovely bay is off the entry at the end of the living room and looks over the sidewalk and street. New built-in seating makes good use of the space, creating a favorite reading spot for the kids and a place to take off and put on shoes. The designers brought in a bright array of colors and lively patterns via the textiles on the bench seat and the throw pillows. The walnut seats lift up for storage.
New windows and improved insulation were a big part of this project. Because the home is in a historic district, the designers used casement windows that simulate double-hung windows to suit the building’s architecture but give the family the easy function of crank-outs.
Pendant light: Random pendant, Moooi; window seat and cushion textiles: Folia Flavia, Folia Verena and Folia velvet fabrics in Pistachio and Tabasco, Harlequin Fabrics