[photo by emily gilbert]
we’ve all been drooling over this brownstone from the folks at the brooklyn home company – the details are just amazing! the sculpture over the fireplace, the dining table crafted from a fallen beech tree, and the hand-carved four poster bed – all made by fitzhugh karol, a woodworker and sculptor, and lyndsay caleo, a jewelry designer and goldsmith. they certainly are one majorly talented couple! the pair met at risd grad. school. in addition to their individual work, they collaborate on the interior planning and architectural design for the brooklyn home company (and fitzhugh create a sculpture for each project!) i now know whom to call when i get that brooklyn brownstone of my dreams (of course, i’ll just might need a fairy godmother first!) {thanks fitzhugh and lyndsay!} {and thanks to emily gilbert for the amazing photographs!} -amy a.
[Moving to New York was a big jump for both of us, having grown up in the country. The main goal for our living space in NY was to create a departure from the city. We looked at many brownstones but there were very few buildings on the market that fit our model. We needed lots natural light, outdoor space, room for plenty of guests, a bathroom for two, storage, a great kitchen, personal workspace, and 3 rental apartments to help with the mortgage. (In a 55' x 20' brownstone we had to be creative.) We approached the project like a puzzle and it was just a matter of figuring out how it would all fit together.]
[photo by emily gilbert]
[photo above: We discovered the structural beams during demolition. Fitzhugh made the white, wood sculpture above the fireplace, the built-in bookcases, coffee table as well as the bar stools. Lyndsay found the Indian daybed at a salvage yard.]
[photo by emily gilbert]
[photo above: The library ladder leads to one of the "guest-rooms." The large cage lights above the kitchen island were salvaged off of a freighter ship from India. Lyndsay and Fitzhugh made the dining table together from a fallen beech tree. The bookshelves house various collections which are constantly growing and being rearranged.]
[photo by emily gilbert]
[photo above: Another angle of the dining table. The turned wood mirror was made by Lyndsay's father. The large ceramic form is by Toshiko Takaezu, for whom Fitzhugh was apprentice.]
CLICK HERE for the rest of The Brooklyn Home Company peek! (and all the images on one page!
[photo by emily gilbert]
[photo above: Lyndsay searched ebay for weeks for a barn door to lead into the bathroom, and ended up finding one in the sheep run of Fitzhugh's family's farm in NH. After giving it some major TLC it found a new purpose.]
[photo by emily gilbert]
[photo above: Natural light floods the bathroom through a floor to ceiling panel of sandblasted glass. After looking at every bathroom light on earth, Lyndsay found 2 picture lights that were perfect.]
[photo by emily gilbert]
[photo above: We put a 9 foot extension on the garden and parlor floor and relocated the kitchen to the back of the house. The wall of double hung windows was sourced from a storefront window manufacturer. The vintage American Standard farm sink came from Northampton MA via Ebay. Fitzhugh made the Sapele island countertop with a slit for kitchen knives - an idea that Lyndsay got from a photograph of Terence Conran's kitchen. Olive the Norfolk Terrier is not usually allowed on the counter.]
[photo by emily gilbert]
[photo above: We were lucky to have our property lined with trees including Magnolia, Dogwood and a huge Cherry tree. The reclaimed shelving came from a mill in Canandaigua, NY.]
[photo by emily gilbert]
[photo above: Lyndsay originally had her studio on the garden level, but soon outgrew the space. We turned the parlor floor coat closet into the stairway and added a bathroom, a guest bedroom, storage, personal workspaces and a family room on the garden level. Fitzhugh made the Sapele stair treads. Above is a reclaimed beam that Fitzhugh sculpted into a Christmas present for Lyndsay.]
[photo by emily gilbert]
[photo above: In the foyer is Lyndsay's carved wood and concrete table. The leather chairs are from American Leather. The opening to the right of the front door is where the parlor coat closet used to be and is now the stairway to the garden level. The floorboards were painted with a hard wearing floor paint.]
[photo by emily gilbert]
[photo above: Fitzhugh carved the four poster bed from a Beech tree. The tall carved mirror is from the Wendell Castle Collection. The fireplace is original.]
[photo by emily gilbert]
[photo above: Lyndsay got inspiration for the new guest-room from the inside of a ship's cabin. Fitzhugh made the built-in storage beneath the bed and the small side table. The new full guest bathroom is in the background. For bathroom fixtures, great deals can be found on floor models.]
[photo by emily gilbert]
[photo by emily gilbert]
[photo by emily gilbert]
[photo above: The windows look out to the back garden. We made the couch platform from reclaimed brownstone beams and twin mattresses to accommodate for more guests. Linen mattress covers can be removed and cleaned easily. The "Cloud" chair is from the Wendell Castle Collection. The wood sculptures and tables were made by Fitzhugh. Olive strikes a pose.]
