{"id":292290,"date":"2026-07-10T13:54:31","date_gmt":"2026-07-10T13:54:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/292290\/"},"modified":"2026-07-10T13:54:31","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T13:54:31","slug":"the-brownstone-boys-took-inspiration-from-the-ceiling-of-this-brooklyn-building-for-their-renovation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/292290\/","title":{"rendered":"The Brownstone Boys Took Inspiration From the Ceiling of This Brooklyn Building For Their Renovation"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Estimated3 min read<\/p>\n

It’s not often that the ceiling makes the house, but the cinematic parlor floor in an 1899 brownstone in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, is an exception. \u201cIt’s got some of the most ornate, gorgeous plaster medallions and molding that we\u2019ve seen,\u201d Barry Bordelon says. And he has seen plenty. Together with his business and life partner, Jordan Slocum, Bordelon is cofounder of the Brownstone Boys<\/a>, a Brooklyn-based design firm. In this case, he says, \u201cThe ceiling set the tone for the entire home.\u201d<\/p>\n

The trouble was that the rest of the grande dame had been whittled down into three separate units. \u201cIt went through a whole bunch of renovations over the decades,\u201d Bordelon says. \u201cThere were kitchens everywhere, and louvered doors on the laundry rooms. It was a hilarious mix of these beautiful, ornate [original] medallions and a tiny, little 1980s flushmount fixture on it. A landlord special!\u201d<\/p>\n

We love building modern design into a historic home.<\/p>\n

Blessedly, the parlor floor remained mostly intact, complete with that Sistine Chapel of a ceiling, a grand staircase with a coffin corner, and marble fireplaces that recall bygone Brooklyn. The designers\u2019 clients agreed they should integrate the rest of the home around those elements. \u201cWe love building modern design into a historic home,\u201d Bordelon says. \u201cI remember early meetings with the contractor where we told them, \u2018You have to save this plaster ceiling<\/a> at all costs.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Another priority? Brightening up the home, especially since scaffolding on a construction site across the street cast shadows over the house. \u201cKeeping the whole space light and airy was a challenge, so we went with a lot of whites and neutral tones throughout,\u201d Bordelon notes. They also installed a curved steel-and-glass door to the terrace and opened the wall that once split the staircase from the parlor with an archway, creating a sightline to the back windows.<\/p>\n

Bringing the revamped rooms on the upper floors in line with the home’s history, the Brownstone Boys added picture-frame molding to echo what’s on the parlor floor and hid a modern HVAC unit within a custom slatted oak cover. Now, from the primary bedroom, one can glance toward the trees growing in Brooklyn through what looks like an enfilade of archways. \u201cThe owners wanted a really special bedroom,\u201d Slocum says. \u201cI think we achieved it.\u201d<\/p>\n

ENTRYWAYThe original staircase features classic coffin corners.\"aChristian Torres<\/p>\n

Paint: Tricorn Black (staircase) and Pure White (walls), both Sherwin-Williams.<\/p>\n

Refreshing the staircase meant stripping off “layers of paint,” Bordelon says. An all-black wash creates contrast with the surrounding walls, allowing the entry\u2019s ornate moldings to stand out.<\/p>\n

KITCHENOak cabinets keep the room light and airy.\"aChristian Torres<\/p>\n

Cabinets: deVol. Stools: Stowed Home. Chandelier and sconces: Blueprint Lighting.<\/p>\n

The cabinets, Bordelon says, “bridge the gap between modern and traditional design.” A veiny marble countertop adds visual interest and artistry.<\/p>\n

\"breakfastChristian Torres<\/p>\n

Table: Pottery Barn. Chairs: Williams Sonoma Home. Mirror: Arhaus. Art: Larry Greenberg.<\/p>\n

Nearby, bistro seating makes for a charming spot to dine. Kept intentionally small, it doesn\u2019t \u201cblock that gorgeous window,\u201d Bordelon says.<\/p>\n

DINGING ROOMA graphic chandelier draws all eyes up to the ornate ceiling.\"aChristian Torres<\/p>\n

Table: Maiden Home. Rug: Lulu and Georgia. Vases: West Elm.<\/p>\n

Replacing a wall with the archway at left allowed light from the windows to flood the floor. Most of the windows were kept bare in order to help move light throughout the home.<\/p>\n

PRIMARY BEDROOMPicture frame molding brings subtle dimension to the walls.\"aChristian Torres<\/p>\n

Bed: Design Within Reach. Art: Allison Strickland. Ceiling light: Anthropologie. Sconces: Global Lighting.<\/p>\n

To create a sanctuary, the designers painted everything “a very subtle tone,” a grayish-blue shade called Chill from Clare.<\/p>\n

PRIMARY BATHA centered tub beneath a statement pendant creates a spa-like atmosphere.\"aChristian Torres<\/p>\n

Tub: Victoria + Albert. Pendant: Global Lighting. Rug: Bente Vintage.<\/p>\n

A view through an archway leads from the bedroom, through the walk-in closet, and past another archway into the bathroom.<\/p>\n

REAR GARDENTwo levels make the most of a city backyard.\"rearChristian Torres<\/p>\n

Table, chairs, umbrella, and planters: West Elm. Paint: Tricorn Black (staircase), Sherwin-Williams.<\/p>\n

The designers added the curved door on the landing as “a gorgeous feature” to bring light into the home. A custom cover conceals an unsightly radiator.<\/p>\n

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