{"id":161742,"date":"2026-03-12T20:47:45","date_gmt":"2026-03-12T20:47:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/161742\/"},"modified":"2026-03-12T20:47:45","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T20:47:45","slug":"a-183-year-old-brooklyn-brownstone-had-its-character-stripped-out-so-a-designer-brought-it-back","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/161742\/","title":{"rendered":"A 183-Year-Old Brooklyn Brownstone Had Its Character Stripped Out \u2014 So a Designer Brought It Back"},"content":{"rendered":"

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ABOUT THIS TOUR<\/p>\n

HOME TYPE: Apartment<\/p>\n

LOCATION: Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn, New York<\/p>\n

STYLE: Eclectic, Parisian<\/p>\n

BEDROOMS: 3<\/p>\n

SQUARE FEET: 1600<\/p>\n

When you step into the foyer of this 183-year-old Brooklyn Heights brownstone apartment, you see rich deep-purple kitchen cabinets contrasting with sumptuous marble countertops. It\u2019s an ultra-dramatic kitchen that makes an impression right away \u2014 but when Jila Keshavarz-Miller<\/a> and her husband Scott Miller<\/a> first bought the apartment three-and-a-half years ago, the space looked very different.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Tragically, much of the home\u2019s historic architectural charm was gone and the tall ceilings had inexplicably been lowered, which severely diminished the grand look and feel that brownstone parlor floors are known for.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

\u201cOver the years and through several owners, many of the apartment\u2019s original details had been stripped away \u2014 most notably, the generous proportions that parlor floors typically offer,\u201d Jila writes. \u201cThe typical striking architectural features seen in brownstones, such as crown molding and ceiling medallions, had all been removed. What we adopted was a series of choppy rooms, with several varying ceiling heights, and all the finishes were gray and white, making the space feel very sterile and dated.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Cozy<\/p>\n

The creative couple \u2014 Jila is a landscape architect and interior designer<\/a> whose work often explores the relationship between interiors and exteriors, and Scott is the founder of Ensemble<\/a>, a hospitality design and strategy studio \u2014 renovated nearly every inch of the apartment. Part of that work involved restoring an original Italianate fireplace mantel, with a hearth \u201cupdated in matching marble, turning it into a recurring motif that moves quietly through the living spaces.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

But Jila says two architectural changes in particular transformed how the home feels and functions.<\/p>\n

\u201cFirst, we removed the dividing wall between the former kitchen and the dining and living areas, opening up the parlor floor and letting the home function as one connected space,\u201d she explains.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

\u201cSecond, we lifted the lowered ceiling to match the grander living room ceiling height, which immediately restored proportion, air, and a sense of calm. Those changes also allowed the floor-to-ceiling, street-facing windows to do their work, pulling hours of natural light deep into the core of a brownstone that would otherwise read quite dark.\u201d<\/p>\n

The kitchen\u2019s dramatic makeover was, of course, also a big part of the renovation. \u201cWe\u2019ve always gravitated toward kitchens with personality \u2014 spaces where color can feel joyful and confident when it\u2019s handled with restraint,\u201d Jila explains.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Along with aubergine cabinetry and gorgeous marble countertops, the couple chose unlacquered brass details and other unexpected touches. \u201cWe added marble toe-kicks to heighten the contrast and pull your eye along the base of the cabinets, so the veining and stone details read as a continuous line through the room, flanking the rich cabinets with stone,\u201d Jila continues.<\/p>\n

\"Modern<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd then there\u2019s the window: It\u2019s actually the smallest in the apartment, facing the back gardens and neighboring carriage houses, but we clad the sill and jambs in marble to give it presence, almost like a small vignette, because that view felt worth honoring.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another design challenge \u2014 aside from stretching the renovation budget across the home\u2019s 1600 square feet \u2014 was figuring out the bathrooms. Although compact, they still needed to feel beautiful, timeless, and efficient.<\/p>\n

\"ModernRelated: House Tour: Smart (And Stylish!) Storage Lets This Couple Thrive in Just 320 Square Feet<\/p>\n

\u201cWe rethought every inch, and made a last-minute pivot in the guest bath when our daughter suddenly outgrew her bubble-bath phase and requested a shower,\u201d Jila writes. \u201cWe converted it into a relaxing, more mature shower, utilizing the curved wall, flowing marble veining, an in-shower bench, and warm brass accents.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Modern<\/p>\n

Throughout the apartment, the renovation reflects how two design professionals (and parents to a young kid and a dog) approached shaping a home for everyday life \u2014 balancing practicality with beauty, and historical character with modern comfort. This is a home where the family cooks, gathers with friends, and enjoys the natural light streaming through tall windows \u2014 a space once again serving up stunning architectural charm.<\/p>\n

Resources\"Cozy<\/p>\n

PAINT & COLORS<\/p>\n

Living Room, Kitchen, Foyer \u2014 Benjamin Moore \u201cSwiss Coffee\u201d<\/p>\n

Kitchen Cabinets \u2014 Farrow and Ball \u201cPaean Black<\/a>\u201d<\/p>\n

Guest Bathroom \u2014 Meoded <\/a>\u201cStone\u201d<\/p>\n

Daughter\u2019s Room \u2014 James Alexander \u201cLimewash Noche\u201d<\/p>\n

Office\/Guest Room \u2014 Meoded Limewash \u201cRed Wine\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n

\"AENTRY<\/p>\n

Entry Console \u2014 Soho Home<\/p>\n

Mirror \u2014 Lulu and Georgia<\/a><\/p>\n

Wall Sconces \u2014 Vintage from France<\/p>\n

\"LivingLIVING ROOM<\/p>\n

Vintage Paddle Chair \u2014 Found at Auction<\/p>\n

Vintage Teak Buffet \u2014 Found at Auction<\/p>\n

Sofa by Ellison Studio \u2014 Design Within Reach <\/a><\/p>\n

Commissioned Artwork \u2014 David Wilstermann<\/p>\n

Grid Rug \u2014 Nordic Knots<\/a><\/p>\n

Low Console \u2014 USM via Design Within Reach<\/p>\n

Convex Mantel Mirror \u2014 CB2<\/a><\/p>\n

\"RoundDINING ROOM<\/p>\n

Dining Table \u2014 Lulu and Georgia <\/a><\/p>\n

Vintage MR-10 Dining Chairs \u2014 Found at Auction<\/p>\n

\"ModernKITCHEN<\/p>\n

Vintage Counterweight Pendant \u2014 1st Dibs<\/p>\n

Replica YoYo Stools \u2014 Jean Royere (Custom)<\/p>\n

Wall Sconces \u2014 Lemieux et Cie <\/a><\/p>\n

All Plumbing Fixtures \u2014 Waterworks <\/a><\/p>\n

AGA Elise Induction Range 36\u201d \u2014 AGA<\/a><\/p>\n

Custom Cabinets \u2014 Kountry Kraft<\/a><\/p>\n

\"CozyBEDROOM<\/p>\n

Primary Bed Frame \u2014 CB2<\/a><\/p>\n

Walnut Armoire \u2014 Room and Board<\/p>\n

Tripod Chairs \u2014 Found at Auction<\/p>\n

Bed Cover \u2014 Collin King for Cultiver<\/p>\n

Second Bedroom Day Bed \u2014 Pottery Barn Kids<\/p>\n

Little Neva Chair \u2014 SixPenny<\/a><\/p>\n

\"ModernBATHROOM<\/p>\n

Lapidary Floor Tiles \u2014 cle Tile<\/a><\/p>\n

All Plumbing Fixtures \u2014 Waterworks <\/a><\/p>\n

Cube Shower Light \u2014 Waterworks<\/p>\n

This tour\u2019s responses and photos were edited for length\/size and clarity.
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