Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Modern-Day Living in a 1910 Harlem Brownstone
Light wood and white paint transform this narrow, almost-windowless New York home into a bright and open family dwelling
After. Birnbaum Pratt kept the oak floors that came with the condo but had them sanded, bleached and stained white with a matte Bona Naturale finish. “Once we sanded down the floors, the original color was beautiful, but we had to bleach and stain them to keep the shade,” she says. “With wood, even adding a clear seal will turn it a little yellow.”
A brighter shade of white on the walls and ceiling helped enhance light. “Windows are on either side of the home, so we had to brighten up the center, remove any barriers and use bright, reflective surfaces,” she says.
This ground level contains the kitchen, living room, two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a laundry room. They all fit in a 15-by-60-foot space. The staircase leads to a basement (see the last two photos), which was transformed into an entertainment room with a half bath.
The architect put functional units like an island and a banquette in the kitchen. She redesigned underutilized spaces (basement, corridors, patio), swapped out clunky materials and gussied up existing structures.
Smart home gadgets — Philips Hue bulbs, Nest thermostat and security cams, and August doorbell camera — complement the modern-day design.
Wall paint: Paper White, Benjamin Moore
See how to furnish a long, narrow room
A brighter shade of white on the walls and ceiling helped enhance light. “Windows are on either side of the home, so we had to brighten up the center, remove any barriers and use bright, reflective surfaces,” she says.
This ground level contains the kitchen, living room, two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a laundry room. They all fit in a 15-by-60-foot space. The staircase leads to a basement (see the last two photos), which was transformed into an entertainment room with a half bath.
The architect put functional units like an island and a banquette in the kitchen. She redesigned underutilized spaces (basement, corridors, patio), swapped out clunky materials and gussied up existing structures.
Smart home gadgets — Philips Hue bulbs, Nest thermostat and security cams, and August doorbell camera — complement the modern-day design.
Wall paint: Paper White, Benjamin Moore
See how to furnish a long, narrow room
Where a utility closet once stood between the kitchen and the living room, Birnbaum Pratt added a banquette with storage under the seat. The dining table is a mango wood slab on an iron umbrella base.
A planter fixture above the table creatively fits the couple’s request for greenery. Birnbaum Pratt placed the light a little higher than usual so it lines up with and reflects off the white-framed mirror.
The architect partnered with Mikheil Karanadze of Geowood Design on the woodwork, including the banquette and the island. Rather than tear out the kitchen cabinets, they worked off the boxes to extend them up toward the 9-foot ceiling. This created more storage and provided a cleaner look. “It also helped us cover up the vent and other things that were distracting,” Birnbaum Pratt says.
To keep the surfaces smooth, she avoided pulls and knobs in favor of integrated channels on the drawers. “We wanted to keep this portion of space free of any visually complicated detailing,” she says. A pullout drawer between the kitchen and the banquette holds spices. It’s slightly taller and painted gray to mark the beginning of a new “zone.”
The cabinets are rift-cut white oak veneer with a clear Bona Naturale finish. Birnbaum Pratt kept the quartz perimeter countertops and glass backsplash that were previously installed. Both work together with the cabinets to bounce light around the space.
Cabinet paint: Satin Impervo in Ice Mist, Benjamin Moore; banquette paint: Pavilion Gray, Farrow & Ball; custom cushion: Tania Kovalenko; custom dining table: From the Source; dining chairs: Luft, Inmod; light fixture-planter: Babylon, Object/Interface; see more lighting options
A planter fixture above the table creatively fits the couple’s request for greenery. Birnbaum Pratt placed the light a little higher than usual so it lines up with and reflects off the white-framed mirror.
The architect partnered with Mikheil Karanadze of Geowood Design on the woodwork, including the banquette and the island. Rather than tear out the kitchen cabinets, they worked off the boxes to extend them up toward the 9-foot ceiling. This created more storage and provided a cleaner look. “It also helped us cover up the vent and other things that were distracting,” Birnbaum Pratt says.
To keep the surfaces smooth, she avoided pulls and knobs in favor of integrated channels on the drawers. “We wanted to keep this portion of space free of any visually complicated detailing,” she says. A pullout drawer between the kitchen and the banquette holds spices. It’s slightly taller and painted gray to mark the beginning of a new “zone.”
The cabinets are rift-cut white oak veneer with a clear Bona Naturale finish. Birnbaum Pratt kept the quartz perimeter countertops and glass backsplash that were previously installed. Both work together with the cabinets to bounce light around the space.
Cabinet paint: Satin Impervo in Ice Mist, Benjamin Moore; banquette paint: Pavilion Gray, Farrow & Ball; custom cushion: Tania Kovalenko; custom dining table: From the Source; dining chairs: Luft, Inmod; light fixture-planter: Babylon, Object/Interface; see more lighting options
A new quartz-topped white oak island — designed by Birnbaum Pratt and built by Karanadze — defines and delineates the kitchen. The architect designed the piece with angled sides so it takes up less floor space while providing more countertop space. The shape also contributes to the home’s modernist look. “We wanted to have some futuristic elements to go with the smart home theme,” she says.
The front side of the island (facing the living room) opens to reveal floating glass shelves for bar supplies and glassware. On the back side (facing the fridge), the island has deep, long drawers with dish organizers, a pegboard and ample space for pots and pans. The island’s quartz countertop features details that look like marble veining, setting it slightly apart from the pure white perimeter countertops.
The architect chose the fixture above the island because it has two points of light and only one stem taking up ceiling space. “It’s very simple, clean and modern,” she says. “It plays into the futuristic aesthetic too.”
Pendant light: Virga, YLighting
The front side of the island (facing the living room) opens to reveal floating glass shelves for bar supplies and glassware. On the back side (facing the fridge), the island has deep, long drawers with dish organizers, a pegboard and ample space for pots and pans. The island’s quartz countertop features details that look like marble veining, setting it slightly apart from the pure white perimeter countertops.
The architect chose the fixture above the island because it has two points of light and only one stem taking up ceiling space. “It’s very simple, clean and modern,” she says. “It plays into the futuristic aesthetic too.”
Pendant light: Virga, YLighting
Floating shelves and a niche in the living room allow the couple to display and store small items in style. “Shelves offer lots of flexibility,” the architect says. “You can easily swap in different items to keep the decor fresh.”
In lieu of an entryway unit, the couple considered the bare minimum organizers needed (hooks for coats and keys, a small catchall) and installed units just for that. “The goal was to keep as much as we could off the floor,” says Birnbaum Pratt, who also handled the decor.
She had the front door painted to match its exterior color, provide contrast against the neutral interior palette, and hide wear and tear. “Dark paint holds up best,” she says.
A long LED-lit ceiling cove runs along the back wall in the living room to wash light on the banquette, floating shelves and reclaimed-wood wainscoting.
Sofa: Anton in Gravel Gray, Article; coffee table: Mara in oak, Article; rug: Steven Alan solid wool shag in Oatmeal, West Elm; lounge chair: Aldama in copper and natural, The Citizenry; paneling: reclaimed weathered wood in white, Stikwood; front door paint: Black Iron, Benjamin Moore
Discover why you should paint your interior doors black | Browse living room furniture
In lieu of an entryway unit, the couple considered the bare minimum organizers needed (hooks for coats and keys, a small catchall) and installed units just for that. “The goal was to keep as much as we could off the floor,” says Birnbaum Pratt, who also handled the decor.
She had the front door painted to match its exterior color, provide contrast against the neutral interior palette, and hide wear and tear. “Dark paint holds up best,” she says.
A long LED-lit ceiling cove runs along the back wall in the living room to wash light on the banquette, floating shelves and reclaimed-wood wainscoting.
Sofa: Anton in Gravel Gray, Article; coffee table: Mara in oak, Article; rug: Steven Alan solid wool shag in Oatmeal, West Elm; lounge chair: Aldama in copper and natural, The Citizenry; paneling: reclaimed weathered wood in white, Stikwood; front door paint: Black Iron, Benjamin Moore
Discover why you should paint your interior doors black | Browse living room furniture
Tempered low-iron glass replaced iron guardrails around the stairs. The glass is bolted onto the trimmer joists below rather than on the floor. “I was happy with how it turned out because the floor looks continuous,” Birnbaum Pratt says.
This illustration shows the layout of the first floor, with the living room and kitchen on the bottom right leading back to the bedrooms near the top left.
In the guest bedroom, double French doors replaced a window to increase the outdoor connection and bring in more light.
Birnbaum Pratt kept the guest bathroom’s tile and floor to save money. She also liked that the textured material has a nice reflective quality.
Marble tiling matches the master bathroom, seen below, and the glass partition here also eliminates the need for a rod and curtain for a more open and cleaner look.
Sink and vanity: Happy D.2, Duravit; mirror: Anzo II, The Interior Gallery; marble tile: Asian Statuary, 3 by 6 inches, Soho Studio Corp.; toilet: San Souci touchless, Kohler
Find out how to add a glass partition to a bathtub
Marble tiling matches the master bathroom, seen below, and the glass partition here also eliminates the need for a rod and curtain for a more open and cleaner look.
Sink and vanity: Happy D.2, Duravit; mirror: Anzo II, The Interior Gallery; marble tile: Asian Statuary, 3 by 6 inches, Soho Studio Corp.; toilet: San Souci touchless, Kohler
Find out how to add a glass partition to a bathtub
The architect turned the wall between the master bedroom and the bathroom into a giant storage space, built by Karanadze. A pocket door can slide shut to separate the spaces or stay open to create a corridor to the bathroom.
The bedroom decor was kept minimal to promote peace and tranquillity.
Platform bed: Lax Series; headboard: Mash Studios
The bedroom decor was kept minimal to promote peace and tranquillity.
Platform bed: Lax Series; headboard: Mash Studios
One of the biggest problems with the original home was that the master bathroom didn’t have a shower. The architect reconfigured the space and added a small shower with a glass partition. “Keeping the floor level continuous as it extends to the shower drain makes the area feel larger,” she says.
Marble tile on the walls lends a cool and contemporary feel to the floating oak vanity.
Vanity: L-Cube series in Mediterranean oak, Duravit; mirror cabinet: L-Cube series, Duravit; floor tile: Bianco Dolomiti hexagon marble, 2 inches; wall tile: Bianco Dolomiti marble, 12 by 24 inches
Learn how to clean a glass shower door
Marble tile on the walls lends a cool and contemporary feel to the floating oak vanity.
Vanity: L-Cube series in Mediterranean oak, Duravit; mirror cabinet: L-Cube series, Duravit; floor tile: Bianco Dolomiti hexagon marble, 2 inches; wall tile: Bianco Dolomiti marble, 12 by 24 inches
Learn how to clean a glass shower door
A small work area fills a little addition that now connects the master bedroom to the renovated patio. Peach walls add color without being overpowering.
Desk: industrial storage mini, West Elm; office chair: Rue Cambon, CB2; planter: Shore, CB2; wall paint: Light Salmon, Benjamin Moore
Create a home office that works for you
Desk: industrial storage mini, West Elm; office chair: Rue Cambon, CB2; planter: Shore, CB2; wall paint: Light Salmon, Benjamin Moore
Create a home office that works for you
Patio (before). The existing patio had not been very user-friendly for the family. “The homeowner had a lot of ideas about what she wanted to accomplish in a limited space,” the architect says. “She wanted a lounge, a dining area, a cooking area and a play area for her daughter.”
Patio (after). First, Birnbaum Pratt worked to bring in more greenery. “We didn’t want the whole thing paved,” she says. She found a batch of discarded cement pavers and cut them down to fit the area she needed.
She also pumped the color palette way up by using pops of turquoise, fuchsia and Kelly green. “The homeowner had some flamingos she wanted to incorporate; we played up the kitsch a bit,” she says.
Toward the rear is the lounge and the play area, which are illuminated with string lights and a pendant. In the center is the dining area, outfitted with two benches and a table.
Urban Garden Center, a Harlem nursery, supplied the plants and advised on the best layout and lighting. Corten steel planter boxes have irrigation that runs into them and are filled with wild grasses.
Striped sofa: Tropez, CB2; lounge chair: Farmhouse in Peacock, YLighting
She also pumped the color palette way up by using pops of turquoise, fuchsia and Kelly green. “The homeowner had some flamingos she wanted to incorporate; we played up the kitsch a bit,” she says.
Toward the rear is the lounge and the play area, which are illuminated with string lights and a pendant. In the center is the dining area, outfitted with two benches and a table.
Urban Garden Center, a Harlem nursery, supplied the plants and advised on the best layout and lighting. Corten steel planter boxes have irrigation that runs into them and are filled with wild grasses.
Striped sofa: Tropez, CB2; lounge chair: Farmhouse in Peacock, YLighting
An ipe deck, which was created to mitigate the level change between the interior and the exterior spaces, has a strip of LED lights underneath to create a soft glow at night.
Where the concrete table is now, there will soon be a grill. “We were looking at the hardscape as a way to create rooms,” Birnbaum Pratt says.
Console table: Fuze Grey, CB2; Corten steel trough planters: Nice Planter
Where the concrete table is now, there will soon be a grill. “We were looking at the hardscape as a way to create rooms,” Birnbaum Pratt says.
Console table: Fuze Grey, CB2; Corten steel trough planters: Nice Planter
The basement was transformed into a den with a cozy rug, a modern sofa and ombre wallpaper. “Part of the challenge is that the basement has very low ceilings, so the idea was to have it feel more appealing in some way,” Birnbaum Pratt says. The sofa can be reconfigured in many ways to accommodate different situations.
The door next to the sofa leads to a walk-in closet.
Sofa: Quadra in Carbon Gray, Article; wallpaper: Okre Ombre, Anewall
The door next to the sofa leads to a walk-in closet.
Sofa: Quadra in Carbon Gray, Article; wallpaper: Okre Ombre, Anewall
The basement also features a play area and chalkboard wall for the homeowners’ young daughter. A jute rug pulls it all together and maintains a light, natural aesthetic.
Chalkboard paint: Charcoal Slate, Benjamin Moore; acrylic wall shelf: CB2
More home tours: Apartments | Small Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | All
Chalkboard paint: Charcoal Slate, Benjamin Moore; acrylic wall shelf: CB2
More home tours: Apartments | Small Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | All
House at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple with careers in tech, and their young daughter
Location: Harlem neighborhood of New York City
Size: 1,500 square feet (139 square meters); two bedrooms, 2½ bathrooms
Architect: Jessica Birnbaum Pratt of Emergent Form
Before. Prior to moving into this duplex in a 1910 brownstone in the Harlem area of New York City, the homeowners enlisted architect Jessica Birnbaum Pratt to help make it a home. The condo had received a recent top-to-bottom upgrade by developers, but the aesthetic wasn’t in line with what the new owners wanted. Birnbaum Pratt saw potential in what had been renovated, and she incorporated some existing materials to save time and money and to reduce waste.
One of the homeowners, a Google executive with a design background, had a clear idea of the kind of home she wanted: bright, light and fresh with neutral (but not drab) shades, raw elements, living plants and plenty of character. “She also wanted it to be flexible so they can change up the decor or if they want to sell in the future,” Birnbaum Pratt says.