Autumn 2024 / G&G _ Magazine N°45

Photography by Gieves Anderson

Frederick Tang Architecture designed the architectural renovation and interiors of a newly constructed 325 m² townhouse in the Boerum Hill neighborhood of Brooklyn, for a young family of four.

Built in a Georgian style, the house is spread across six floors connected by a central, curved plaster staircase with custom reeded glass and brass stair rails. Frederick Tang Architecture (FTA) has updated and reorganized the interiors to accommodate the owners’ growing family, live-work spaces for both, and visiting guests, all while creating a space that feels intimate but can also expand to accommodate larger gatherings.

The re-designed fireplace was a really exciting piece to study. The entire house is united by this soft plaster, and this is the first thing you see when you enter the house, and it anchors the dramatic double height space. This was designed in 3D software and the contractor with the aid of CAD/CAM software cut a skeleton structure that a craftsman then plastered.

The living area on the ground floor boasts 20-foot ceilings accented by a wall of windows with southern exposure and is anchored by a fireplace that FTA redesigned in a sculptural plaster form inspired by the work of artist and artisan Valentine Schlegel. The hearth was integrated into a custom entry bench with tambour siding and upholstery by Pollack and Maharahm.

In the adjacent dining room FTA removed the existing faux traditional ceiling and trim detailing and updated it to something more modern and more bespoke. Here, FTA rounded the inset ceiling, forming a curved cove to define the dining area which spotlights a geometric brass and marble chandelier from Cosulich Interiors & Antiques. A large painting from the client’s grandmother became the focal point for the dining area, and all furnishings were chosen by FTA to complement it. An antique black marble and brass dining table by Eunique Space, burgundy bench by Danish Design Store with a custom Maharam fabric, and blush pink dining chairs by Mambo Unlimited round out the space.

Moving deeper within the ground floor space, the kitchen, located at the rear, was also an area that needed to be reconsidered. FTA left the existing wooden cabinetry and replaced the kitchen island with a custom-fabricated piece by Casa Quieta. The striking black marble island complements the adjacent Hurricane Black marble stone backsplash, AGA range and custom hood also made of black stone. The stone selection carries through the space to the adjacent powder room where Breccia Pernice marble becomes a custom sink/vanity and at the penthouse bar, both offsetting painterly wallpaper by The Pattern Collective. Elegant brown quartzite supplements the entry millwork in oxblood and the plaster sculpture of the fireplace. A lush garden space at the rear designed by Brook Landscape completes the main level.

The heart of the palette is black and cream with integrated jewel tones of peacock blue, rust, oxblood, mulberry, wine and blush. The richness is offset by ‘lots of brass’, a request of the client; and her acceptance of ‘red’ had to be deep enough and not too bright.

Going up the staircase, the second floor features another dramatic double height living room space accented by a wall of windows, and a bar area. An L-shaped sofa with a chromase base that previously belonged to the owner’s late grandmother is the central furnishing of the space. Reupholstered in Rebel lavender fabric by Knoll, FTA gives the special piece a new life. The sofa is positioned alongside a vintage swivel cocktail table in black glass and brass and a Slash Objects end table made of concrete, rubber and brass. The lighting that brightens the space includes wall sconces by Atelier de Troupe, and the pendant is from Circa Lighting. The second floor also has a narrow hallway space that was previously underutilized.

FTA designed this area to be an area for larger dinner parties and gatherings. Here, the design team installed a custom seating bench upholstered with fabric by Maharam and James Dunlop and a wet bar (that also conceals the HVAC unit) with tambour fronted millwork. The graphic mural behind the sofa is a custom-painted wallpaper with bold black, beige and gold colors by De Gournay; it brings sparkle, color and texture to the space. The playful side table is a vintage Italian Brass Travertine table from Judy Frankel Antiques.

We knew the client wanted a dramatic flair and appreciated a vintage piece if it felt relevant and modern. We opted for an updated art deco style, a less old-fashioned version and a touch of 70s, mixed with an opulent color palette. All lighting would become statement pieces, jewelry-like, draping into the rooms.

The third floor includes the main bedroom with two walk-in closets and a marble bath. In the bedroom we find custom creamcolored wallpaper by Sarkos, drapery from Eskayel, and a tailor-made headboard upholstered in fabric from Pollack and Holly Hunt. The dresser is from BD studio, and Arvo Ray Studio table lamps flank the bed. Flush mount lighting by Atelier de Troupe bathes the space in a warm light.

We had so much fun with the sculptural curving forms, and the saturated color palette, and we love working with clients who share our perspective and trust our vision.

A dramatic hand-painted floral wallpaper by Artemest leads to the top floor and reflects the lush upstairs terrace. Saturated in black, blush and green tones, the wallpaper carries through to the adjacent outdoor spaces that flank the work-fromhome space. A wet bar in Breccia Pernice stone by ABC Stone was also included, complemented by a Biscuit Dune tile backsplash. A touch of exclusivity is added by the Bond Brass faucet and sculptural pendant by Anna Karlin. The black oak wood desk with black marble top is flanked by the bookcase featuring rich, textured black mesh doors creating a peek-a-boo effect; all from CB2. The brass accents are echoed here in the bookcase frame, 1stDibs chair with pink velvet upholstery, and lighting.