Elizabeth Brosnan Hourihan was responsible for the interior design of a top-to-bottom renovation of a seven-story townhouse in Manhattan. It was brought back to its nineteenth-century glory, with period American, English, and French furniture, while incorporating the state-of-the-art systems and amenities that a large family requires. For these clients’ discerning taste, Elizabeth found subtle, fine antique rugs, and nineteenth- and early twentieth-century paintings, sculptures, and prints. The dining room is an especially magical space, because a pièce de résistance was commissioned for it – hand-painted wallcovering panels portraying a verdant eighteenth-century scene is installed throughout the room and creates a calm, harmonious environment all its own. Architect, Claus Rademacher, AIA. Photography, Paul Warchol.

Example of an entryway design in Charleston

The owners of this nineteenth century condo had been unhappy with a previous bathroom renovation nearly twenty years before and decided that it was time to do something about it. They asked us to gut the entire room and start over. We began by addressing the functionality of the space. Neither of the homeowners used their bathtub very often, and agreed that a large walk-in shower would provide a better use of space. They preferred the clean lines of a stationary glass panel extending all the way to the ceiling as the only divide between the shower and the room. To provide a curbless shower transition, we flush framed the shower area as low as possible. With an eye to future needs we installed blocking in the wall just outside the shower entrance to someday support a grab bar. Two recessed lights in the shower provide additional lighting, and azure Lucien glass tiles on the shower wall offer a splash of color. A Hans Grohe showerhead with separate hand held unit rounds out the luxurious shower experience. Because the bathroom had not featured enough storage, we replaced an existing pedestal sink with an elegant Duravit wall sink with vanity drawer storage. A tall mirrored Robern medicine cabinet provides additional space for toiletries and bathroom necessities. Vincent Wolf’s elegant Waves in Birch matte tile along one wall, with tall, tapered vanity lights on either side of the medicine cabinet, complete the graceful design of this bathroom. Photos by Shelly Harrison.

Elizabeth Brosnan Hourihan was responsible for the interior design of a top-to-bottom renovation of a seven-story townhouse in Manhattan. It was brought back to its nineteenth-century glory, with period American, English, and French furniture, while incorporating the state-of-the-art systems and amenities that a large family requires. For these clients’ discerning taste, Elizabeth found subtle, fine antique rugs, and nineteenth- and early twentieth-century paintings, sculptures, and prints. The dining room is an especially magical space, because a pièce de résistance was commissioned for it – hand-painted wallcovering panels portraying a verdant eighteenth-century scene is installed throughout the room and creates a calm, harmonious environment all its own. Architect, Claus Rademacher, AIA. Photography, Paul Warchol.

This one bedroom cottage features a very nice deck overlooking the creek and Cantine Mills falls and is fully liveable as is. The 980 sq. ft. two story nineteenth century house has newer siding, roof, windows and electric panel, but is otherwise gutted to the studs and ready for renovation. Live in one and use the other as a studio.

The owners of this nineteenth century condo had been unhappy with a previous bathroom renovation nearly twenty years before and decided that it was time to do something about it. They asked us to gut the entire room and start over. We began by addressing the functionality of the space. Neither of the homeowners used their bathtub very often, and agreed that a large walk-in shower would provide a better use of space. They preferred the clean lines of a stationary glass panel extending all the way to the ceiling as the only divide between the shower and the room. To provide a curbless shower transition, we flush framed the shower area as low as possible. With an eye to future needs we installed blocking in the wall just outside the shower entrance to someday support a grab bar. Two recessed lights in the shower provide additional lighting, and azure Lucien glass tiles on the shower wall offer a splash of color. A Hans Grohe showerhead with separate hand held unit rounds out the luxurious shower experience. Because the bathroom had not featured enough storage, we replaced an existing pedestal sink with an elegant Duravit wall sink with vanity drawer storage. A tall mirrored Robern medicine cabinet provides additional space for toiletries and bathroom necessities. Vincent Wolf’s elegant Waves in Birch matte tile along one wall, with tall, tapered vanity lights on either side of the medicine cabinet, complete the graceful design of this bathroom. Photo by Shelly Harrison

© LIla Delman Real Estate International

Inspiration for a timeless living room remodel in Charleston

The house is located in Conyers Farm, a residential development, known for its’ grand estates and polo fields. Although the site is just over 10 acres, due to wetlands and conservation areas only 3 acres adjacent to Upper Cross Road could be developed for the house. These restrictions, along with building setbacks led to the linear planning of the house. To maintain a larger back yard, the garage wing was ‘cranked’ towards the street. The bent wing hinged at the three-story turret, reinforces the rambling character and suggests a sense of enclosure around the entry drive court. Designed in the tradition of late nineteenth-century American country houses. The house has a variety of living spaces, each distinct in shape and orientation. Porches with Greek Doric columns, relaxed plan, juxtaposed masses and shingle-style exterior details all contribute to the elegant “country house” character.

The house is located in Conyers Farm, a residential development, known for its’ grand estates and polo fields. Although the site is just over 10 acres, due to wetlands and conservation areas only 3 acres adjacent to Upper Cross Road could be developed for the house. These restrictions, along with building setbacks led to the linear planning of the house. To maintain a larger back yard, the garage wing was ‘cranked’ towards the street. The bent wing hinged at the three-story turret, reinforces the rambling character and suggests a sense of enclosure around the entry drive court. Designed in the tradition of late nineteenth-century American country houses. The house has a variety of living spaces, each distinct in shape and orientation. Porches with Greek Doric columns, relaxed plan, juxtaposed masses and shingle-style exterior details all contribute to the elegant “country house” character.

Inspiration for a timeless living room remodel in Charleston

While we are not home inspectors, we are sometimes asked by clients who are considering buying an antique home to offer our thoughts and opinions on individual properties before they purchase them. Such was the case with Bryan and Erin in Smithfield, Rhode Island. When they called, they had already looked at the early nineteenth-century center chimney colonial on the hilltop and they were interested in looking again. Much of the house was original and, as is often the case in two-hundred-year-old buildings, long of tooth and ready for a new family to move in. Erin and Bryan decided to be that family and we were thrilled to work with them to make the house their own. That started with performing a full structural evaluation of the existing house and determining what repairs they needed to consider. We also designed a single-storey shed style addition that would house a new kitchen and bathroom. As with many projects undertaken on old buildings, it is wise to approach the work with a master plan in mind. We understand and share the hard truth that owning an antique property is often a financial burden and the decision to do so an expression of passion for… something different. Working with Bryan and Erin, we developed a master plan that established outlines for the work to happen over time. They started with extensive structural repairs in the basement and portions of the exterior walls. We also added a new foundation for the addition and decided to reframe the flooring system through the original house out through the addition. This spared us the task of rebuilding the original collapsing foundation along that wall. We created a kitchen with an open floorplan but used reclaimed hard pine flooring through the addition to match the original floors elsewhere. We also reproduced any original millwork from elsewhere in the house for the added space. Erin and Bryan aren’t farmers but they could be. Even before they moved in, they planted gardens and as our work wound down, they sent us home with vegetables daily.

Ronnette Riley Architect was retained to renovate a landmarked brownstone at 117 W 81st Street into a modern family Pied de Terre. The 6,556 square foot building was originally built in the nineteenth century as a 10 family rooming house next to the famous Hotel Endicott. RRA recreated the original front stoop and façade details based on the historic image from 1921 and the neighboring buildings details. Ronnette Riley Architect’s design proposes to remove the existing ‘L’ shaped rear façade and add a new flush rear addition adding approx. 800 SF. All North facing rooms will be opened up with floor to ceiling and wall to wall 1930’s replica steel factory windows. These double pane steel windows will allow northern light into the building creating a modern, open feel. Additionally, RRA has proposed an extended penthouse and exterior terrace spaces on the roof. The interior of the home will be completely renovated adding a new elevator and sprinklered stair. The interior design of the building reflects the client’s eclectic style, combining many traditional and modern design elements and using luxurious, yet environmentally conscious and easily maintained materials. Millwork has been incorporated to maximize the home’s large living spaces, front parlor and new gourmet kitchen as well as six bedroom suites with baths and four powder rooms. The new design also encompasses a studio apartment on the Garden Level and additional cellar created by excavating the existing floor slab to allow 8 foot tall ceilings, which will house the mechanical areas as well as a wine cellar and additional storage.

Maintaining the beauty of East Hampton’s Northwest Woods became the main consideration for this new construction. The design, inspired by two nineteenth century resort styles- the Adirondack camp and the elegant, yet casual shingled cottage- results in a modernized version of these traditional forms.

Elizabeth Brosnan Hourihan was responsible for the interior design of a top-to-bottom renovation of a seven-story townhouse in Manhattan. It was brought back to its nineteenth-century glory, with period American, English, and French furniture, while incorporating the state-of-the-art systems and amenities that a large family requires. For these clients’ discerning taste, Elizabeth found subtle, fine antique rugs, and nineteenth- and early twentieth-century paintings, sculptures, and prints. The dining room is an especially magical space, because a pièce de résistance was commissioned for it – hand-painted wallcovering panels portraying a verdant eighteenth-century scene is installed throughout the room and creates a calm, harmonious environment all its own. Architect, Claus Rademacher, AIA. Photography, Paul Warchol.

The house is located in Conyers Farm, a residential development, known for its’ grand estates and polo fields. Although the site is just over 10 acres, due to wetlands and conservation areas only 3 acres adjacent to Upper Cross Road could be developed for the house. These restrictions, along with building setbacks led to the linear planning of the house. To maintain a larger back yard, the garage wing was ‘cranked’ towards the street. The bent wing hinged at the three-story turret, reinforces the rambling character and suggests a sense of enclosure around the entry drive court. Designed in the tradition of late nineteenth-century American country houses. The house has a variety of living spaces, each distinct in shape and orientation. Porches with Greek Doric columns, relaxed plan, juxtaposed masses and shingle-style exterior details all contribute to the elegant “country house” character.

An open kitchen with eat-in counters and plenty of counter space in S+H's renovation of a nineteenth-century Cambridge home. Photography by Greg Premru

© LIla Delman Real Estate International

Linden Wall By Tech Lighting SKU# 600LNDW Nineteenth century, neoclassical-inspired cast metal base with elegant blown glass cylinder.
Bathroom - mid-sized traditional bathroom idea in Los Angeles