{"id":94090,"date":"2026-01-08T20:54:16","date_gmt":"2026-01-08T20:54:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/94090\/"},"modified":"2026-01-08T20:54:16","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T20:54:16","slug":"cohesive-finishes-unify-bed-stuy-townhouse-reno","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/94090\/","title":{"rendered":"Cohesive Finishes Unify Bed Stuy Townhouse Reno"},"content":{"rendered":"

Wood, tile, and carefully considered color create an atmosphere that speaks to the client\u2019s tastes.<\/p>\n

A round of renovations in a three-story townhouse \u2014 encompassing a reimagined garden floor, 3.5 new baths, and a brand new staircase \u2014 began with a poetic concept for the garden-level kitchen. True, it had little counter space and an inefficient layout, which was especially irksome for the new homeowner, a professional chef. But more than that, said architect Justin Oh, a partner with Ericka Song in Studio Oh-Song<\/a>, a young Bed Stuy-based architecture and design firm whose first completed Brooklyn project this is, the main aim of the redo was to \u201ccreate a new identity that spoke to the client\u2019s tastes.\u201d<\/p>\n

A prior renovation had replaced old mechanical systems but stripped away vintage character, so aesthetically speaking, Studio Oh-Song was starting from scratch. In an early meeting, the client shared a vivid childhood memory that became a touchstone for the project. \u201cWe were talking about this vibe he wanted to create, of being inside looking out during a thunderstorm, cozy and warm inside when there\u2019s chaos outside,\u201d Oh recalled. They also took design cues from their client\u2019s favorite restaurants: soft lighting, warm woods, a single color accent.<\/p>\n

In a key architectural move, Studio Oh-Song introduced a pair of wide, flat archways on the garden floor, which had previously been completely open, between a sitting area at the front of the house and the kitchen at the rear. \u201cA lot of people think open floor plans are great because they feel spacious,\u201d Oh said, \u201cbut we wanted to create definition between the two spaces and make each feel more special.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
\n\"KITCHEN<\/a>
\n\"KITCHEN<\/a>
\n\"TILE<\/a>
\n\"TILE<\/a><\/p>\n

Under-counter cabinetry provides an abundance of storage. \u201cWe opted to have all storage below the counter to make the space feel more open, since the garden level doesn\u2019t have much ceiling height,\u201d Oh said. White oak veneer with uniform graining and simple wood pulls \u201cdon\u2019t add visual clutter or complexity to the space.\u201d<\/p>\n

Studio Oh-Song conceived the kitchen\u2019s cylindrical range hood, fabricated by Faber, as \u201ca really simple sculpture,\u201d Oh said. \u201cOften range hoods are concealed in drywall, but given that the cooking area is in the middle of the room and we needed ventilation, we decided to make it a feature reminiscent of industrial kitchens, with a contemporary look.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pearlescent gray quartzite for countertops was chosen for its warmth and softness. Rounded shapes appear in the archway radius and red tile backsplash, which comes down to meet the floor. The same palette of stone, wood, and tile carries through to other parts of the project.<\/p>\n

\"ARCH<\/a>
\n\"GRAY<\/a>
\n\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The transitional space between the two new archways, containing a new pantry and new powder room, is lime-washed green \u201clike vegetation,\u201d Oh said.<\/p>\n

The powder room, replacing a full bath from which a shower was removed, is tucked out of the way behind a pocket door. The quirky terrazzo shelf was sourced from Brooklyn\u2019s Osprey Studio.<\/p>\n

\"STAIRS<\/a><\/p>\n

Studio Oh-Song scrapped the existing stair. \u201cIt was one of those 2000s staircases with a floor-to-ceiling glass guardrail and metal hardware \u2014 very sleek and modern, but not Brooklyn townhouse language,\u201d Oh said. \u201cWe extended the palette of warm white oak to the stair, and gave the handrail a round wood profile for softness.\u201d<\/p>\n

The oak handrail was crafted of straight sections plus custom-fabricated curved pieces, put together \u201cto feel fluid, like one continuous piece of wood,\u201d Oh said. The balusters are off-the-shelf vertical wood dowels.<\/p>\n

\"PRIMARY<\/a><\/p>\n

The primary bedroom\u2019s porthole window brings natural light into the bathroom behind. Fluted glass reads as different colors throughout the day.<\/p>\n

The bed, as well as the dining table in the kitchen, are the work of local maker Simeon Beardsley.<\/p>\n

\"RED<\/a><\/p>\n

The primary bath was \u201ccovered in porcelain tile floor to ceiling, and felt very cold and hard,\u201d Oh said. Now it benefits from warm lighting, a wood vanity, and red tiles from Zia.<\/p>\n

\"GREEN<\/a>
\n\"YELLOW<\/a><\/p>\n

Two skylit top-floor bedrooms each have an en suite bath. Studio Oh-Song replaced fixtures but kept them in the same locations to avoid unnecessary plumbing. Crisp tiles from Zia form bold blocks of color, used for bathtub aprons as well as floors.<\/p>\n

Manhattan-based Concrete Collaborative made the playful terrazzo sinks.<\/p>\n

[Photos by Max B Photo<\/a>]<\/p>\n

Got a project to propose for\u00a0The Insider?\u00a0Contact Cara at caramia447 [at] gmail [dot] com<\/p>\n

The Insider\u00a0is Brownstoner\u2019s weekly in-depth look at a notable interior design\/renovation project, by design journalist\u00a0Cara Greenberg<\/a>. Find it here every Thursday morning.<\/p>\n

Related Stories<\/p>\n

The Insider: Bed Stuy Garden Floor Reno Makes Aging in Place Stylish and Social
\nThe Insider: Boerum Hill Townhouse Gains Old-World Charm, Modern Luxury
\nThe Insider: All-Out Carroll Gardens Reno Creates Home to Last Generations<\/p>\n

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