Tour a 125-Year-Old Brownstone In Brooklyn

This place has buzz — but not too much. As dynamic as it looks, it’s also casual-comfy — just right for a couple of parents/coffee shop owners. HGTV Magazine shows you around.

Keep in mind: Price and stock could change after publish date, and we may make money from these affiliate links.

October 20, 2021

From: HGTV Magazine

Related To:

Shop This Look

Photo By: Dane Tashima

The Story

When Angela and Joe Austin bought an aging brownstone in Brooklyn, New York, they needed all the caffeine to renovate it. They had that part covered — the Austins cofounded and run a chain of area coffee shops, called Milk & Pull. And the house had its charms: nearly 125 years old, 3,000 square feet and full of original details. But it needed exhaustive updates, including raising low ceilings, replacing beams, reimagining the kitchen and ripping out the linoleum that covered every single floor. They joined forces with designer Danielle Fennoy to balance jolts of color (usually shades of Angela’s favorite, green) with clean white, and choose pieces that snap against the woodwork and pine floors. The juxtaposition of old and new — and lively and low-key — make for a high-octane place to start the day, a calming way to end it and special family time always.

From: HGTV Magazine

Living Room

This room sets the tone for the entire home. Original features like the pine floors converge with zippy furniture and accessories, including a curved sofa by R. & E. Bouroullec, a two-tone mirror by Porter James of New York, and a painting by artist Shateek Brown. While the sofa is sleek, it’s like sitting in a hug.

From: HGTV Magazine

Shop This Look

Bleeker Coffee Table

Over Dyed Vintage Rug

Dining Area

This spot serves up a bright area for meals, Ava’s art projects, Carter’s playtime and Angela and Joe’s touch-bases before work (over coffee, naturally — for him, pour-over; for her, café con leche). Mustard-color chairs from Blu Dot invigorate a white Saarinen Tulip table. The rest of the area is timeless, down to the antique hutch gifted by a family member.

From: HGTV Magazine

Shop This Look

Cement Hedron Hex

Decade Chair

Den

As in many New York brownstones, a railroad layout connects each room to the next in a straight line. The couple leaned into the middle room’s darkness by painting it deep green; now it’s their TV-watching hangout. The velvet couch, by Interior Define, is perked up with patterned pillows and an ottoman, made by designer Danielle’s company and upholstered with fabric by Zinc Tile.

From: HGTV Magazine

Shop This Look

Cheetah Pillow

Susie Pillow

Ava’s Room

It’s wall-to-wall hers—the 7-year-old had a say in every detail. She spotted the pink juju hat at local store Peace & Riot. “I said, ‘That’s a great choice!’ ” says Angela. “And then I explained where juju hats come from and their meaning, and she was all over it.” The canopy bed from RH Teen, bedding from Pottery Barn Teen, and rug from West Elm can all grow with her. That framed abstract watercolor is an original by Ava.

From: HGTV Magazine

Shop This Look

Flynn Nightstand

Main Bedroom

“This is our sanctuary,” says Angela, “but of course at bedtime the kids come in to put on their PJs, sing and dance, and do all the silly things they do to kill time and not go to bed!” An accent wall of subtle ombré wallpaper by Calico that goes from dark teal to charcoal and a dense black-and-white rug from AllModern cozify the room. Ditto the original shutters, which the couple unearthed during the reno. A vintage chair by Pierre Paulin picks up the yellow in the striking bedding.

From: HGTV Magazine

Shop This Look

Tiered Rings Chandelier

Woven Pillow

Casso Bedding

Kitchen

An absence of hardware modernizes Shaker-style cabinets. Angela and Joe chose the herringbone backsplash and quartz countertop for their informal beauty. While the setting is soothing, there’s usually plenty of action here. “The kids often join in to make arepas with huevos pericos — scrambled eggs with scallions and tomatoes — a classic Colombian breakfast,” says Angela.

From: HGTV Magazine

Shop This Look

Raawii Strom Bowl

Bathroom

The spa-like space is punctuated by peppy tilework — two sizes on the wall separated by a thin line of black tile, plus graphic concrete tile by Popham Design on the floor. Brass faucets and cabinet pulls have pizzazz while harkening back to the brownstone’s early days, and marigold towels in wire baskets pack a colorful punch.

From: HGTV Magazine

Tour a 125-Year-Old Brownstone In Brooklyn

Related To:

Shop This Look

The Story

Living Room

Shop This Look

Bleeker Coffee Table

Over Dyed Vintage Rug

Dining Area

Shop This Look

Cement Hedron Hex

Decade Chair

Den

Shop This Look

Cheetah Pillow

Susie Pillow

Ava’s Room

Shop This Look

Flynn Nightstand

Main Bedroom

Shop This Look

Tiered Rings Chandelier

Woven Pillow

Casso Bedding

Kitchen

Shop This Look

Raawii Strom Bowl

Bathroom

Tour a 100-Year-Old Home With an Eclectic Twist 9 Photos

The New 170-Year-Old Kitchen

Tour a Brooklyn Home With Wall-to-Wall Wallpaper 8 Photos

Tour an Extra-Cozy, Holiday-Ready Home In Houston 9 Photos

Tour a Very Cool Ohio Victorian Built in 1900 10 Photos

A New Home Packed With Old-Fashioned Charm 27 Photos

Related Pages