A landmark 1850s Brooklyn Heights townhouse meticulously restored and reimagined, blending Victorian architectural heritage with modernist furnishings and a museum-worthy art collection.
The clients were captivated by the townhouse’s history but approached design with a distinctly modernist mindset. The biggest challenge was reconciling the ornate, Victorian architecture — complete with heavily articulated trim and historic detailing — with their preference for modern furniture, contemporary art, and clean visual simplicity.
The home needed to honor its heritage while feeling relevant, curated, and livable for a modern family.
To bridge the gap between eras, the design team implemented a strategy of restoration through restraint. The intricate moldings and trim were preserved but painted a soft white, transforming them into a subtle textural backdrop that complements modern furnishings rather than competing with them. A curated blend of custom, antique, and vintage modernist pieces — spanning from the industrial revolution to contemporary design — creates a layered, archival aesthetic that harmonizes with the Victorian shell.
A neutral palette unifies the home, while a mix of refined and rustic materials — glazed linen, mother-of-pearl, sisal, and sandblasted oak — brings depth and warmth to each room. The double parlor living room is anchored by a custom wool-and-silk rug, a tête-à-tête sofa beneath the central arch, matching lacquer credenzas, and a perfectly placed Donald Judd diptych.
The formal dining room features a custom twelve-foot rift-oak and patina bronze table, an ivory shell chandelier, and vintage mahogany accents. Additional renovated spaces include a media room, library, study, nursery, kitchen, breakfast room, and numerous bedrooms and baths.
Throughout the residence, the clients’ museum-quality art collection provides a unifying thread — with works from Robert Rauschenberg, Sol LeWitt, Jenny Holzer, Donald Judd, Thomas Struth, the Clayton Brothers, Ryan McGinness, and more — transforming the home into an elegant intersection of history, design, and contemporary culture.
The Groves & Co. team doesn’t just design spaces—they create environments that tell a story. Their expertise and collaborative approach made the process seamless, and the end result is a space that inspires everyone who walks through our doors.
Working with Groves & Co. was a transformative experience. Their team brought our vision to life with such precision and artistry, creating a home that feels both elevated and deeply personal. Every detail was thoughtfully considered, and the final result surpassed our expectations.
