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Photography: Gieves Anderson
12 / 02 / 2025
Transforming a typical New York townhouse into a cosy space for a family of three. This was the challenge that Alexandra Barker embraced with the Barker Architecture Office (BAAO) team.
In the famous area of Brooklyn, New York, BAAO's latest project involved restoring and renovating an old house, with an exterior clad in brownstone.
Using curves and bold architectural elements, Alexandra Barker has reborn the townhouse as a colourful and fun home, with a versatile design suited to the family's day-to-day life. The BAAO team opted for robust, quality materials such as marble, steel and solid wood to add character and a sense of luxury to the space.
Each room has its own personality - often marked by different colour ranges. The areas, however, fit harmoniously into an overall approach that defines a "cool and calm space with moody moments."
The project's light tones combine with deep colours and textured shapes, creating a canvas where natural materials and handcrafted pieces are the protagonists. "We chose textured materials for the transitions from the front to the back of the house, which were made of plaster and white oak tambour," says the architect. "We looked to the colours in stone to inspire the rest of the palette."
In the entrance hall, the predominant colour is green - the walls are a deep shade, and the green and light pink checkered floor is a twist on the traditional black and white. In the living room, marked by neutral colours with colourful accents, a curved sofa and armchair frame two marble tables on an asymmetrical rug. The space also has an elegant, customised walnut sideboard. Above the original marble fireplace are a gold-painted relief by Andrew Zimmerman and Cloud Support by Mike Hansel.
A corrugated plaster arch, with a built-in bar area lit by vintage French sconces, frames the view into the kitchen. Here, Calacatta Vagli Viola marble covers the customised cabinets and the island, in neutral tones. A minimalist staircase leads visitors to the playroom.
In an aubergine colour, the multimedia room is accompanied by a bar area clad in marble. This room has a large grey sofa and a yellow velvet armchair, which frame a curved walnut coffee table.
On the second floor, the primary suite is painted in lavender grey with stained oak elements. Wall sconces in patterned linen illuminate the wall-hung side tables. An arched cupboard leads to the bathroom. The shower is clad in green onyx and pink aurora macchia Vecchia marble. A steel window above the freestanding bath opens onto the garden, and onyx covers the painted oak washbasin.
On the top floor, the curved staircase ends in a sculpted space with a skylight. The guest bedroom has a green velvet bed flanked by two travertine marble coffee tables. Clay ceiling lamps pick up the tones of the handmade woollen carpet.
Boerum Hill Townhouse is a fusion of minimal architecture and bold, playful design. The result of this project is a testament to the success of Alexandra Barker and the Barker Architecture Office team.
Using curves and bold architectural elements, Alexandra Barker has reborn the townhouse as a colourful and fun home, with a versatile design suited to the family's day-to-day life. The BAAO team opted for robust, quality materials such as marble, steel and solid wood to add character and a sense of luxury to the space.
Each room has its own personality - often marked by different colour ranges. The areas, however, fit harmoniously into an overall approach that defines a "cool and calm space with moody moments."
The project's light tones combine with deep colours and textured shapes, creating a canvas where natural materials and handcrafted pieces are the protagonists. "We chose textured materials for the transitions from the front to the back of the house, which were made of plaster and white oak tambour," says the architect. "We looked to the colours in stone to inspire the rest of the palette."
In the entrance hall, the predominant colour is green - the walls are a deep shade, and the green and light pink checkered floor is a twist on the traditional black and white. In the living room, marked by neutral colours with colourful accents, a curved sofa and armchair frame two marble tables on an asymmetrical rug. The space also has an elegant, customised walnut sideboard. Above the original marble fireplace are a gold-painted relief by Andrew Zimmerman and Cloud Support by Mike Hansel.
A corrugated plaster arch, with a built-in bar area lit by vintage French sconces, frames the view into the kitchen. Here, Calacatta Vagli Viola marble covers the customised cabinets and the island, in neutral tones. A minimalist staircase leads visitors to the playroom.
In an aubergine colour, the multimedia room is accompanied by a bar area clad in marble. This room has a large grey sofa and a yellow velvet armchair, which frame a curved walnut coffee table.
On the second floor, the primary suite is painted in lavender grey with stained oak elements. Wall sconces in patterned linen illuminate the wall-hung side tables. An arched cupboard leads to the bathroom. The shower is clad in green onyx and pink aurora macchia Vecchia marble. A steel window above the freestanding bath opens onto the garden, and onyx covers the painted oak washbasin.
On the top floor, the curved staircase ends in a sculpted space with a skylight. The guest bedroom has a green velvet bed flanked by two travertine marble coffee tables. Clay ceiling lamps pick up the tones of the handmade woollen carpet.
Boerum Hill Townhouse is a fusion of minimal architecture and bold, playful design. The result of this project is a testament to the success of Alexandra Barker and the Barker Architecture Office team.
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