Project: Sherman Apartment
Architects: Sonya Lee Architect
Location: Brooklyn, New York, USA
Size: 850 sq ft
Date 2018
Photo Credits: Mark Wickens Photography
Text and photos: courtesy of Sonya Lee Architect
Our clients came to us with various scenarios of how they wanted to use their ground floor apartment in their multi-generational Brooklyn brownstone, ranging from renting it out as a separate apartment to using it as a home office with potential client meetings to an overflow entertainment area with long term visiting guests.
Flexibility was critical. Compact and efficient was essential. Ease of use for varying ages and needs was fundamental.
The Sherman apartment was divided into two main areas – a large, sun lit living room was open and expansive with exquisite historical details. The rear of the apartment had been renovated in the early 1990s and was a series of small, adhoc rooms in a meandering layout. Our renovation respectfully refinished the historic details of the front living area, while the rear of the apartment was gutted, removing the small confining rooms to create a large open, light filled space. A custom cabinet defines the main space and acts as a Swiss Army knife, folding out different types of utilities. A white oak vertical screen provides privacy from the kitchen but offers natural daylight throughout the apartment. A built-in desk with floating shelves is essential for the office; a clean minimal panel pulls down and stores away a comfortable queen size bed with storage flanking each side. Integrated lighting throughout with thoughtful details. A small banquette next to the large wood windows creates a cozy dining environment with additional trunk storage below. The kitchen and bathrooms were renovated with a refined clean palette and storage in mind.
