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My Houzz: Artful Restoration for a Brooklyn Brownstone
Historic detail balances with modern finishes and furnishings in this thoughtfully renovated, art-filled home
Houzz Contributor. I am a New York based photographer, designer, and architectural enthusiast.
Houzz Contributor. I am a New York based photographer, designer, and architectural... More »
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Peter Hassler's restored 1892 brownstone in Brooklyn, New York, is an artful mix of modern decor and stunning historic ornamentation. When he found his home nearly 10 years ago, Hassler, of Design Vidal, was drawn to its intricate details. "The craftsmanship and materials alone were things that made this place stand out and made me say, ‘This is it,’” he says. Since then, he has restored the original flooring and wood detail motifs and given salvaged pieces new life. “The thing I enjoy about restoration work is the satisfaction of taking something that has seen better days and giving it life in a way that isn’t an exact replica of the past but a representation of it,” Hassler says.
Hassler and his partner, artist Dahn Hiuni, occupy the bottom two floors; the top two floors are rented out. Hassler hopes to one day occupy the entire brownstone, so he tried not to do anything that would be difficult to undo. "The idea was to remain as true to the original layout as possible," he says.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Peter Hassler and Dahn Hiuni
Location: Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York
Size: About 2,000 square feet; 1 bedroom, 1 1/2 bathrooms
Hassler and his partner, artist Dahn Hiuni, occupy the bottom two floors; the top two floors are rented out. Hassler hopes to one day occupy the entire brownstone, so he tried not to do anything that would be difficult to undo. "The idea was to remain as true to the original layout as possible," he says.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Peter Hassler and Dahn Hiuni
Location: Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York
Size: About 2,000 square feet; 1 bedroom, 1 1/2 bathrooms
by Chris A. Dorsey
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This kitchen was Hassler's biggest renovation project. First he moved it back to its original location. The next step was removing the layers of Sheetrock and tile flooring, common in older structures. Termites had destroyed many of the old floor beams, but he salvaged what he could to repurpose in the home.
Finally, he highlighted the gorgeous intricate metal panel ceiling in silver to make it shine.
Vent hood: Jupiter Glass, Futuro Futuro; countertop: Stone Surfaces, New Jersey; cabinets: Poggenpohl
Finally, he highlighted the gorgeous intricate metal panel ceiling in silver to make it shine.
Vent hood: Jupiter Glass, Futuro Futuro; countertop: Stone Surfaces, New Jersey; cabinets: Poggenpohl
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On one side of the kitchen, Hassler created this seating nook with salvaged wood joists. “They have so much character," Hassler says of the joists. "You can even see the way they were sawed and the pattern of the blade.”
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Next to the kitchen nook, a candle sits inside the old fireplace. “I have this idea that I want to leave a footprint of what was there,” says Hassler.
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The dining room fireplace is original to the home. Hassler added the marble surround, slate floor and outer posts. "They were actually from a bed frame I found in the garbage. I stripped and stained it, and you can hardly tell that it’s not original,” he describes.
Pendant light: Maskros, Ikea; table: Pacifica, Crate & Barrel (no longer available); chairs: Masters Chair, Design Within Reach
Pendant light: Maskros, Ikea; table: Pacifica, Crate & Barrel (no longer available); chairs: Masters Chair, Design Within Reach
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For those restoring an old home and struggling to integrate a brand-new wood floor or trim, Hassler offers this advice: "It can blend seamlessly, but it’s all about being creative with different material.”
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The home was habitable when Hassler bought it, so he decided to live in it while he decided what could be salvaged and what could be brought in. "It looks seamless now, but many things were missing to start out with," he says. "The trick is to find a balance between old and new.”
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| "When I first renovated the space, everything was very modern and geometric, but recently I decided to add touches of more playful and whimsical elements," Hassler notes. The art on the walls is a mix of his and his partner's original pieces. Pendant light: Maskros, Ikea; couch: Kivik, Ikea; side tables: Chiasso; rug: CB2 |
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Since Hassler is committed to the restoration process, some of the furniture pieces are old items given new life, like this armchair in the living room. “Before I knew about bedbugs, I picked up this chair off the street," Hassler says. "It was originally wrapped with torn yellow vinyl, so I reupholstered it with [leftover] fabric and redid the legs.”
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Hassler completely gutted this bathroom. "It’s another contrast of old and new," he says. "I love contemporary design, and it’s worth going that extra mile.”
Sink: Scola, Duravit; shelves: West Elm; vanity light: Soho Checkered Glass Light; tile: Brooklyn Tile (now closed)
Sink: Scola, Duravit; shelves: West Elm; vanity light: Soho Checkered Glass Light; tile: Brooklyn Tile (now closed)
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The hallway leading into the bedroom is decorated with more original art. “We are bursting at the seams with art," says Hassler.
Hiuni teaches art, and many of the pieces on display are from his students. The couple intentionally built more places to display their unique pieces.
Shelf: Ikea
Hiuni teaches art, and many of the pieces on display are from his students. The couple intentionally built more places to display their unique pieces.
Shelf: Ikea
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This hallway plaster frieze motif is original to the house, and the wood detailing runs throughout all four floors of the brownstone.
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| Of the bedroom, Hassler says, "The details remained largely intact." He believes the wood flooring may be cherry. "It's so lovely and unique," he says. These gorgeous floor patterns continue on each floor. Bed: Alpine White, CB2; pendant light, desk chair: West Elm; desk: Ikea |
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Hassler considers the bedroom's flooring pattern "tame" and says, "The higher you go, the crazier the patterns get. One of my tenants' floors has this really intricate kaleidoscope pattern.”
The oversize rug is a family heirloom, and the artwork was created by Hassler and Hiuni.
Bed: CB2; pendant light: West Elm; chair (right): Metropolitan Design Center
The oversize rug is a family heirloom, and the artwork was created by Hassler and Hiuni.
Bed: CB2; pendant light: West Elm; chair (right): Metropolitan Design Center
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| The bedroom fireplace showcases original nature-inspired ornamental carvings and intricate plaster friezes. Hassler says, "It is nice to incorporate natural elements with modern design.” |
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| Opposite the bed is this original built-in cabinet that functions as a closet. |
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This space was a crumbling and stained closet in the bedroom when Hassler moved in. He was able to find vintage tiles from the late 19th century and some woodwork to transform it into a half bathroom.
Sink, faucet: Herbeau; mirror: flea market
Sink, faucet: Herbeau; mirror: flea market
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Right outside the bedroom is this informal sitting room. “This room was in pretty good shape," Hassler says. "I added these ceiling medallions and stripped all of the woodwork. Most of it was dark and stained, covered in paint splatters.” He found the two armchairs and reupholstered them.
The unique pendant lamp, designed by Ingo Maurer, is made up of hanging pieces of paper that are actually love notes written in different languages. To personalize the lamp, Hassler asks friends who visit to write letters, then adds those to the piece.
Pendant: Zettel'z, Ingo Maurer; rug: Hampen, Ikea; floor lamp: Twigg, Overstock.com
The unique pendant lamp, designed by Ingo Maurer, is made up of hanging pieces of paper that are actually love notes written in different languages. To personalize the lamp, Hassler asks friends who visit to write letters, then adds those to the piece.
Pendant: Zettel'z, Ingo Maurer; rug: Hampen, Ikea; floor lamp: Twigg, Overstock.com
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Opposite the bedroom and sitting space is this workspace. Hassler restored the original parquet flooring.
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| Hassler kept all of the original functioning doors and added reproduction hardware to match throughout. Hardware: Signature Hardware |
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Proud homeowner Peter Hassler stands in his favorite spot: the kitchen. “I love to cook, so the kitchen was very important to me," he says. "Sometimes just to unwind, I’ll come home after a long day at work and make a three-course meal.”
See more photos of this home
See more photos of this home
Ideabook published on Dec. 18, 2012.
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Question for you (Chris, Peter or Dahn!) - I see you have a massive and very handsome pier mirror. We have a similar one that was removed from a NY brownstone that was being gutted of all its original trim (sad for the house, lucky for us), and it's covered with many many layers of paint. Did you strip yours, and if so, what materials and methods did you use? I think ours is probably walnut, and it looks like much of the trim in your house is also walnut?
TIA!
Hope this helps!
Also, the lighting in this home is exquisite--so many dancing shadows. Thank you for sharing views of your home. :)
Floors and all trim to die for. I could enjoy a glass of Lambrusco in that kitchen..
This is amazing and beautiful. Thank you.
TIA, regarding the wood stripping. Luckily these rooms didn't have too many layers. Although I can't remember the precise chemicals used, I have also heard good things about Peel Away. I think it's less toxic and messy.
Additionally, you'll want to choose the finish carefully. I left it unstained, but tested a lot of finishes (from polly to marine varnish) and decided on tung oil for the way it brought out the richness of the wood.
BTW, I believe armless chairs could be called occasional chairs.
I thought they were called slipper chairs. If they are not, what are slipper chairs? Anyone.
If so I was one of your students. I was a young mother taking courses at the gallery and I believe you had just graduated from Fine Arts at the U of M. You were a great teacher and I still have two art cards I bought from you. Both have pianos in them. Not quite sure where they are at the moment or I would scan them and send them to you.
Sandy Glass
@Sandy - yes Dahn did teach there and I will pass it along! That's so cool.
Ssearching for words, when all else fails try honesty - well I am currently picking my jaw up off the table ! I can break a sweat just thinking about the work invested. It is awesome,and moreover, inspiring! the contrast is so appealing with the amazing wood browns against shades of grey, to the cast of textures tipified by the painted brick; my eye is never distracted! What's next?
Cheers, C Carino