Ny29 Design Brooklyn

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DESIGN

BROOKLYN Known for its artistic and cultural diversity, Brooklyn has become a mecca for residential design. The borough brims with innovative and visionary professionals, from interior designers to purveyors of luxury bedding, decorative plumbing and hardware, high-end surfaces and handcrafted entryways. Describing Brooklyn is no simple endeavor, given its countless neighborhoods, each of which has its own signature aesthetic. Still, some things are true of the borough as a whole: It is always changing; alive with inspiration and ideas; inhabited by people who radiate passion; and altogether collaborative. Read on, and discover the state of Brooklyn’s residential design community from the luminaries responsible for creating it.

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Accentuations

By Design 1501 60th Street, Brooklyn, New York 718.972.2300 | accentuationsbydesign.com

“The borough’s culture and creative spirit are informed by the diversity of its locals—lifelong Brooklynites and new residents alike.”

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t Accentuations By Design, furnishings stand the test of time.

According to CEO Joel Brach, the goal is to ensure they both delight the client who purchases them and become beloved family heirlooms. Such a sense of tradition, timelessness and preservation can be rare to find today, but it’s also characteristic of a brand cultivated in Brooklyn. “The great thing about working in design is connecting with clients, getting to know their tastes and helping them beautify their homes,” Brach says. “The cherry on top is when we have the opportunity to welcome the next generation, as our clients’ children begin to build their homes in the area.” Located in Borough Park, ABD offers furnishings in traditional, transitional, contemporary and modern styles. And, according to Brach, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. “We offer more than oneoff furniture pieces,” he says. “We provide our clientele with the entire design experience.

We work with each client to create a cohesive look that includes lighting, draperies, painting and more.” Known to introduce and define trends, Brooklyn exudes a fresh, innovative vibe even as it nods to tradition. Asked to describe the borough in three words, Brach says, “the ‘it’ place,” and the designation seems spot on. “As people have become hip to the hip nature of Brooklyn, we’ve seen an increase in interest at ABD,” he says.

“Brooklyn’s influence will continue to develop as the community grows.”

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THE BROOKLYN NATIVE According to Brach, ABD clients are the “crème de la crème of society.” Given Brooklyn’s strong, pioneering and diverse design scene, and proximity to the mecca of high-end culture that is Manhattan, Brach’s insight rings true. “They take pride in their sophisticated tastes and enjoy working with our talented team to design rooms that reflect those tastes,” he elaborates. On a related note, Brach advises first-time visitors to get in touch with their inner Brooklynite, saying, “I recommend incorporating some unstructured time into your schedule to experience the borough like a native.”

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DESIGN BROOKLYN

1. Touches of blue are woven throughout this bedroom, as seen in the furnishings, accent wall and curtains, all of which were coordinated by Accentuations’ in-house designers. 2. This rich dining room features a hand-carved table with inlaid mother-of-pearl and 100-percent gold leaf. 3. The vanity and medicine cabinets are custom Italian creations, with the wood crafted to look like brass.

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Downright

A LOOK AT THE BOROUGH WITH LEA ISRAEL

4603 1st Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 718.788.6363, ext. 214 | downrightltd.com

Local design events? Industry City is something new and local. It has monthly events ranging from design to dining.

Little-known fact? The history of Brooklyn spans

“Diverse, busy and developing, Brooklyn showcases an incredible mixture of innovation and history.”

more than 350 years.

Advice for a first-time visitor? Go to Prospect Park and Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and bike in Brooklyn Bridge Park.

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o hear Lea Israel explain the history of Downright is to understand the very definition of a homegrown Brooklyn business. “Our family in Europe had a smallscale down and feather operation on their farm,” she says. “Geese were raised for food, and the down and feathers operation evolved from the geese farm. Like many immigrants, our parents made Brooklyn their home. We drew on the family’s expertise and started a small pillow-filling operation in our basement.” Today, Downright is entering its 41st year in business, and quality continues to guide its philosophy. A mecca for creative expression and opportunity, Brooklyn has long been hailed by locals and visitors alike for the resources it offers design enthusiasts and professionals. “Every aspect of design, from the drawing board to the finished project, can be sourced and finished right here in Brooklyn,” Israel says. “The design community has access to the style and production experience of the long-standing businesses, and the newer talents of the startups.” In regard to the culture at large, Israel notes a shift from Brooklyn’s classic establishments to an offering geared toward a new generation. “It is evolving from the candy stores, delicatessens and mom-andpop enterprises to establishments that cater to the young millennial, who is making his or her first home here,” she says.

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Sourcing Ethically Along with innovation, creativity and a boldness of spirit, Brooklyn is known for local businesses that uphold strength of reputation through good practices. Downright is no exception. In an effort to respect the animals from which its product comes, the company has announced its No Fowl Play initiative. “From farm to factory, each step of the supply chain is certified by the Responsible Down Standard,” Israel says. The RDS is an independent, global standard that verifies the ethical treatment of the ducks and geese from which certified down and feathers are sourced. “Customers can sleep well knowing that what keeps them warm at night comes from only the finest and most responsibly sourced down available,” Israel says.

1. Filled with Downright’s RDS-certified, Hungarian white goose down, the Bernina comforter and pillow are pure sensations of luxury. 2. No other down comes close to eiderdown, the finest, warmest, most inimitable and exquisite down in the world. 3. Downright’s Premium blanket is covered with a soft 330-thread-count, 100-percent cotton sateen.

DESIGN BROOKLYN

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Focal Point

A Sunday in Brooklyn

1950 Coney Island Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 718.336.6900 | focalpointhardware.com

“My ideal Sunday would begin with brunch at a quaint café and browsing boutique shops,” Silver says. “Then, I would relax at a waterside park before ending the day with a classy dinner.”

“Brooklyn has so many hidden gems.

Every visit will bring something new.”

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or nearly 30 years, Focal Point has been serving the residents of Brooklyn and beyond from its Midwood location.

A local brand to its very core, the company has steadily grown since 1987, today encompassing everything from decorative plumbing to hardware and accessories for the kitchen and bath. As principal Neil Silver tells it, Focal Point is all about the experience.

“We differentiate ourselves by carrying more exclusive products and offering extra services as part of our regular scope,” he says. “We are situated among many other businesses within the home improvement industry, and we feel the local market matches our philosophy perfectly.” With a clientele as loyal, educated and diverse as you might expect Brooklynites to be, Focal Point strives to implement the latest design trends and innovations.

“We serve some of the leaders in various industries, so they are very savvy,” Silver says.

“Our clients push us to stay one step ahead.”

And that they do. With brands like Franke, Dornbracht, Fantini, Baldwin and THG, Focal Point’s showroom boasts a selection to suit every style and functional need. Speaking of his particular role in the company, Silver expresses the rewarding nature of his daily work. “I enjoy being challenged every day to create or design something new,” he says.

“I also like hearing from satisfied customers once a project is complete.”

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NEW HORIZONS From the people and culture to the physical landscape, Brooklyn speaks to transformation and the variety it brings. “This area has so many types of people and an equal amount of diversified neighborhoods,” Silver says. “The skyline, both downtown and on the eastern waterfront, has changed quite a bit. I believe it will continue to do so over the next 10 years, with larger developments and possibly more entertainment centers and hotels being built.”

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1. This Dornbracht spout pairs beautifully with specialty glass handles. 2. THG’s Oceania Lalique shower handles enable a unique look in this private residence.

DESIGN BROOKLYN

VAIA Collection by Dornbracht

1950 Coney Island Avenue Brooklyn, New York 718.336.6900

focalpointhardware.com

A Dornbracht Studio of Excellence

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Grand Doors 1372 39th Street, Brooklyn, New York 718.871.2200 | granddoors.com

“Brooklyn is Manhattan with a little more charm.”

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fter spending years running a lumberyard that doubled as a provider of standard doors, Joe Klein recognized a need and opened Grand Doors. Far from standard, the company has become known for its exquisite custom offerings. Unparalleled in craftsmanship and design, the quality of Grand Doors’ products is reflective of its Brooklyn location. With a renowned design community and reputation for handcraftsmanship, the borough attracts an array of individuals, from the homeowner of a classic brownstone to an interior designer updating an edgy, modern interior. For Klein and his team, this variety necessitates knowledge of nearly every aesthetic and an attitude of passionate flexibility. “We have customers from all over Long Island, Staten Island and parts of New Jersey,” Klein explains.

“The opportunity to create custom designs is what brings them here. At Grand Doors, a customer can give us any style they like, and we can create their dream door. Each Grand Door creation is a masterpiece, crafted with pride and superlative master workmanship.”

The Value Behind This Brooklyn-Born Brand + A unique showroom experience + Exceptional wood quality and variety + An unsurpassed design selection + Superlative staining and finishing + A professional, supportive staff + An artisan woodshop + Customized facades + Impeccable installation + Expedited shipping + A sterling reputation

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THE BOROUGH + GRAND DOORS: GATEWAYS TO DIVERSITY Brooklyn is an amalgam of cultures, artistic pursuits and aesthetics. This diversity, for which the borough has long been cherished, has played a role in some of the world’s most groundbreaking—and breathtaking—creative work. Work such as that of Grand Doors. Focused on custom design and production, the company’s portfolio could certainly be called diverse. “Your choice of product makes a bold statement, conveying your sense of style and personality,” Klein says. “We work with a variety of customers. For each one, we create a door that is exactly what they desire, whether it is in a contemporary or old-world style, formed with fiberglass, wood or iron.”

1. Solid oak wood doors with glass make for the perfect entrance to this multifamily building. 2. A French château-style home features hand-forged iron doors with the homeowner’s initials in the center of the design. 3. Solid mahogany wood and iron combine with matching arched transom windows for this entryway in Park Slope.

DESIGN BROOKLYN

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HG Stones

THE PERSPECTIVE OF A LOCAL BUSINESS OWNER

272 Johnson Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 718.383.6708 | hgstones.com

Evolution. According to Reddy, Brooklyn’s real estate market has skyrocketed over the past decade. “The BAM Cultural District and Pacific Park development have brought many design professionals to the area, transforming the neighborhood and cultural landscape,” he says. Collaboration. “Young, creative people have brought dynamism to the workforce

“Our clientele is resourceful, knowledgeable and savvy.”

in Brooklyn,” Reddy says. “The combination of long-standing businesses and startups also creates an energetic, fun environment.” Exploration. Reddy advises first-time visitors to travel to different neighborhoods, such as Bushwick, Greenpoint, Sunset Park and Red Hook, and enjoy the restaurants, cultural destinations and entertainment venues of each.

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ith locations in Brooklyn, Hauppauge and Manhattan, HG Stones epitomizes the longcherished idea of a business grown in the Big Apple. But it’s the brand’s Brooklyn location that perhaps best mirrors its growth into, as principal Babu Reddy describes it, “a dynamic and vibrant company.” Providing outstanding products and services to design and build professionals by offering a wide range of choices, HG Stones works with the best quarries and factories in the world. Although its original focus was on Indian granites, the company has grown to encompass a plethora of surfacing solutions, from natural stones, like quartzite and sandstone, to engineered surfaces from Neolith, Caesarstone and Vetrazzo. Asked to describe what he finds most rewarding about his work, Reddy says, “The best part of my job is the continual opportunity to communicate and interact with a diverse clientele. I also love that I am able to create jobs, and I enjoy the everyday problem solving and creativity inherent in this field. It keeps the cognitive power of the brain alive.”

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1. Natural agates and quartz light up the main entrance at HG Stones’ Brooklyn showroom.

2. The display of Calacatta marble provides an array of detail options. 3. A team member inspects materials at HG Stones’ granite yard.

DESIGN BROOKLYN

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Countertop: Neolith Statuario polished Cabinet facing: Neolith Onyx polished

Flooring: Neolith Strata Argentum

Walls: Neolith La Boheme Shower pan: Neolith Barro

HG Stones’ Flatiron Resource Center

Walls: Neolith Iron Frost Flooring: Neolith Strata Argentum

Flooring: Neolith Beton

FLATIRON RESOURCE CENTER 28 W 25th Street, New York, NY 10010 | 212.964.0900 www.hgstones.com | info_id@hgstones.com

Set up an appoinment with us at 800.216.0670

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Theresa Seabaugh Interiors

Must See, Must Do + Curving along the East River, Brooklyn Bridge Park offers spectacular views, gardens, water access and playgrounds. + In the spring, Brooklyn Flea moves back outside. Filled with treasures, food and handmade crafts, it has something for everyone. + In the warm months, Smorgasburg is worth seeking. It showcases the best of Brooklyn’s artisanal food scene, with 100 local vendors.

47 Lincoln Place, Brooklyn, New York 718.399.1603 | seabaughinteriors.com

“There is so much energy in Brooklyn, and it’s driven by constant change. I’m always inspired.”

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local for more than 20 years, Theresa Seabaugh knows Brooklyn like the back of her hand—no small feat, considering the borough’s constantly changing atmosphere.

“It has always had an edgy, creative, slightly gritty, but warm and friendly vibe,” says Seabaugh, the owner and principal designer of her namesake firm, Theresa Seabaugh Interiors.

“It’s a completely different feeling than being in Manhattan, and setting up my firm here was an easy decision. Brooklyn is about seeking out the gems that are dotted around the borough, such as flea markets, niche design stores, furniture makers, small manufacturers and art galleries.” Seabaugh goes on to note that the simple act of walking around is influential when you’re in Brooklyn, as the architecture changes each time you turn a corner. The amalgam of styles within this unique slice of New York is the inspiration of local luminaries like Seabaugh, who identifies customization and the mixture of old and new as themes within her portfolio.

“I love so many aspects of what I do: getting to know my clients so well I can anticipate their needs and desires; collaborating with artisans to craft a perfect custom piece; and mixing my clients’ beloved family heirlooms with contemporary items to create a personalized space,” Seabaugh says. “Brooklyn has a mixture of cultures and a strong community focus, and I want to absorb that vitality.”

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SEABAUGH’S TAKE ON BROOKLYN’S EVOLVING LANDSCAPE Gowanus

Beyond its significant history, the

Surrounded by brownstone neighborhoods, Exploring Brooklyn’s waterfront

Navy Yard is a treasure trove of design

Gowanus still retains its industrial grit.

resources, including art studios and textile, Discover restaurants, bakeries, barbecue woodworking and fabrication companies.

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DESIGN BROOKLYN

Red Hook

Brooklyn Navy Yard

neighborhoods is always a treat. Red Hook has a unique combination of

joints, amazing event spaces and music

repurposed Civil War-era buildings, great

venues. Don’t miss the architectural

restaurants, cool boutiques and bustling

salvage stores on 9th Street.

waterfront activity.

1. In this Brooklyn den, lacquered gray bookshelves reach to the ceiling, while the vivid blue walls enhance the midcentury furnishings. 2. Vintage fabric shades and a lively Stark carpet add pops of color to this white kitchen.

T heresa S eabaugh I nteriors

718.399.1603 | seabaughinteriors.com

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