Harrison West neighborhood homes have a lot of charm and tradition. As a designer who lived and worked in the Park Slope section of Brooklyn, NY, I often had the opportunity to work with brownstones that were both beautiful and historic, but very challenging in terms of today’s design standards.
My clients in Brooklyn often faced many of the problems Harrison West home-owners face. Their brownstones were dark inside and most faced north. The chief architectural obstacle was the structures’ long and narrow spaces. All of them struggled with the difficulty of combining the beauty of the original wood work and period details with the desire for modern styles and comforts.
Yes, old houses are beautiful, but you need to know how to preserve this beauty and work with what you have, rather than try to fight it by changing it. The aim in a restoration should be to honor the look and feel of a house that’s been lived in over the years while giving it the love and care it deserves. What most people don’t realize is that you can make small changes in your existing space without breaking the bank…or any walls.
To start, look at your furniture and accessories and decide what you want to keep and what needs to go. Keep what you like and start rearranging the furniture in a way that opens the room and allows for a flow. You always want to be able to see the beauty and the details of your period home. Don’t position the furniture in the wrong places, i.e., in the middle of a traffic area or blocking a window or a fireplace, even if it’s a non working one. You need to find the focal point of your room and set the furniture around it.
The room needs to be open and airy. Older homes tend to have smaller rooms, while contemporary furniture tends to be oversized. You may want to consider purchasing new furniture if the proportion of your present furniture doesn’t go with the size of your room. If the furniture does fit, but doesn’t look right, you can also reupholster existing furniture with a fresh fabric. If you like more modern styles of furniture, don’t rush to throw out your grandma’s pieces: You can moderate a traditional piece with a modern fabric. This mix is very hip and trendy now. It’s great to see modern furniture in older homes, so dare to be bold and go with the unexpected.
Historic houses tend to be dark due to lack of daily light exposure. Likewise, the original, detailed wood work might be beautiful, but it often makes the interior spaces look even darker. However, there are a number of ways you can brighten up the space. Start with color: You need to choose light tones not only on the walls, but also for the furniture. While many tend to be afraid of light colored furniture, there are a lot of fabrics out there that look very light, yet are still very durable and functional. Likewise, people tend to under-illuminate a room. In a dark room, you need to add some extra light sources: A combination of floor lamps, wall sconces, and desk and table lamps can enhance old spaces and reveal their charm.
Most important; don’t be discouraged. De-clutter, go with a light color palette, use light and airy furniture, and illuminate the room! Over time, these changes will improve your interior space and let you fall in love with your old house all over again.
For design questions or a free consultation, email Inbar at inbar@inbarinteriors.com.
Can “this old house” use some help?