We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs.
When you hear the phrase ‘historic Brooklyn Heights townhouse,’ it’s natural to expect charming 1800s motifs: ornate banisters, wood floor inlays, decorative trim. “This didn’t have any of those,” says interior designer Hannah Klingenstein of the floor-through apartment she recently completed for a young family. The four bedroom residence had been renovated by a developer prior to purchase, and while the end result was tasteful, Klingenstein’s clients found it wanting in character and depth.
Fortunately, the remodeled space included soaring ceilings, a well-functioning layout, and high-end finishes, so Klingenstein—who launched Studio June, her residential firm, two-and-a-half years ago—could channel her efforts into honing the decorative aspects. The resulting home is filled with texture, elegance, and elevated furnishings that keep the reality of life with small children in mind without compromising style. Below, Klingenstein delves into the decisions that made all the difference.
Make Lighting a Moment
Lacking crown molding or millwork, the apartment was, in effect, a white box—which provided an opportunity to elevate the space with standout lighting fixtures. In the living room, a large sculptural chandelier commands attention without being visually overpowering; its undulating edges echo the soft lines of the drapery and furnishings, which are largely custom by Studio June.
In the nearby kitchen, a trio of leather pendants hang over the island, a new configuration Klingenstein worked with a general contractor and electrician to achieve. The cylinders feature small circular punch-outs; in the evenings, their twinkle is akin to starlight.
Max Out Versatility with Custom Furniture
When Klingenstein began the project, her clients were expecting their first child; by the time it concluded, a second was on the way: “One thing that came up a lot in conversation was what to do about a living room coffee table—sharp corners can be really scary to have around a baby who is learning to walk.”
She nixed any remotely “dangerous” options and settled on a custom upholstered ottoman in a high-performance fabric that is as impervious to sticky fingers as it is to the occasional spill during post-bedtime cocktail hour. Klingenstein also added wheels so it could be easily moved when the family hosted mommy-and-me classes.
Nix New Build Vibes with Vintage Selects
“I got lucky with this kitchen,” admits Klingenstein, referring to the high-end cabinetry and stone surfaces the developer had installed. Not much changed in the cooking and prep zones, but the adjacent dining area needed a complementary, yet unique style. To accomplish that, Klingenstein sourced a 1940s French dining table from Antik in Brooklyn, pairing it with midcentury chairs that were reupholstered in high performance fabric. “The seat is woven wool—it’s a workhorse—and we got to have a little more fun with super luxe velvet on the chairbacks.”
The trio of wall plates add a rustic counterpoint and, while they look as though they could be vintage, were actually a wedding gift made by a friend, artist JB Townsend of JBT Clayworks: The couple had two but commissioned a third to round out the grouping for the kitchen display.
Inject Color and Bold Choices—but Sparingly
The guest bedroom was conceived of as an expressive counterpoint to the living and kitchen areas. “I wanted something that felt like a big hug for guests on the weekends,” the designer says. Warm vanilla walls provide a neutral backdrop to patterned bedding and a marigold vintage lamp. To mix things up, Klingenstein trimmed the window in Benjamin Moore’s Weekend Getaway—a green shade that enframes the view and injects a playful burst of color.
Maintaining a sense of tranquility in the nursery was essential—but it was also imperative for the room to be truly special. The client had fallen for a grasscloth wallcovering by Caitlin McGauley early on; wrapping the room in the buttery pattern would have been costly and also potentially claustrophobic. “I’m not usually a proponent of the accent wall, but my solution was to introduce a complementary wallpaper on the ceiling to accentuate the height, and then color-match the other three walls to a mint chip shade,” explains Klingenstein.
If You Hate It … Hide It
“The design of this primary suite was actually centered around one problem: The only wall that worked for bed placement had an off-center window that drove the client absolutely crazy,” says Klingenstein. Her smart solution was to run drapery along the entire length of the alcove as a design element and simply cover up the offending window, no drywalling or reconstruction required.
Put Wallpaper Wherever You Want
While a hallway of floor-to-ceiling storage was an asset, the client was underwhelmed by the original look: white, glossy laminate, sans any hardware or decorative detail. Klingenstein’s suggestion was to work with what was there and, rather than replace the cabinet faces, add wallpaper. For the cabinetry, she selected a subtle, small scale polka dot pattern; then she added matte black knobs and finished off the look with off-white tassels.
The foyer was intentionally moodier: “I wanted these areas to feel like an extension of one another, but also completely opposite. The black oak of the console with those cane doors, mixed with the sculptural iron work of that mirror and heavy bottom of the vintage lamp provided a rich contrast.”