Reno Diary

This Park Slope Kitchen Goes From 80 to 300 Square Feet

Liz Lipkin Interiors updates a 1910 town house in Brooklyn

Originally built in 1910, this brick town house was remodeled by interior designer Liz Lipkin—founder of Liz Lipkin Interiors—for a couple and their young daughter. The owners wanted to respect the history of the property and highlight original details where possible while adding modern conveniences. Having this objective in mind, Liz created the perfect balance between old and new.

Kitchen location: Park Slope, Brooklyn, New York

AFTER: Family and friends spend hours hanging out at the custom banquette. The framed menus and photos are souvenirs from the couples’ travels.

SEAN LITCHFIELD

BEFORE: The former kitchen was narrow, dated, and uninviting.

The before: “It was initially a narrow, single-wall galley kitchen with a sad little pass-through window to the formal dining room,” Liz says. “The space was cramped and dated, and not at all in keeping with how my clients cooked and entertained.”

The inspiration: As soon as the wall between the kitchen and dining room was knocked down, and the rear wall was replaced by glass doors, the space was completely transformed. Bright and white with blue accents, the kitchen features glossy surfaces, which reflect the light that streams through the floor-to-ceiling windows. “I was inspired by the generous proportions of the room and the sunny views to the garden,” Liz says. “I wanted to create a bright, vibrant space that was functional and inviting.”

BEFORE: The garden-facing dining room and kitchen had a lot of potential. Tearing down the wall between them to create one large open space was a no-brainer.

AFTER: A wall of glass sliders leads to the back garden. White counters and cabinets reflect the light that floods the room.

SEAN LITCHFIELD

Square footage: Pre-renovation: 80 square feet; post-renovation: 300 square feet

Main ingredients:

Cabinetry: Custom

Wall color: Benjamin Moore Decorator’s White

Backsplash material: LG quartz

Countertops / island material: LG quartz

Built-in bench fabric: Kravet

Built-in bench fabrication: The Workshop, Brooklyn

Table: LexMod

Chairs: Rove Concepts

Dining pendant: Rejuvenation

Stools: RH

Island pendants: West Elm

Runner: Miss Carpet

Tile: Walker Zanger

Planter: Terrain

AFTER: The predominantly white palette extends to the table, chairs, and chimney. The banquette and the hand-painted tiles in the fireplace provide some unexpected color and pattern.

SEAN LITCHFIELD

Most insane splurge: The 48" Wolf gas range

Sneakiest save: It was the Delta faucet and pot filler. The cost for both was less than $800.

AFTER: Wood stools and floors add warmth to the space.

SEAN LITCHFIELD

The best part: “My favorite part of the kitchen is the dining corner,” Liz says. “I love how the banquettes create an intimate space within the room. They’re also really comfortable! The family spends a lot of time in the kitchen, and they and their guests love to hang out there.”

“Working on the dining gallery was a lot of fun,” Liz continues. “When I first started the project, the clients showed me their collection of menus saved from memorable meals that they’ve enjoyed together around the world, from The French Laundry to Flaubert. The gallery incorporates a selection of favorites alongside photos of my clients in those restaurants.”

Final bill: “It’s difficult to give an exact number, since the kitchen was part of a full house renovation, but it was approximately $85K.”