Brooklyn Brownstone Heritage Bathroom

About

About this project

Renovating a bathroom in an 1890s Park Slope brownstone requires balancing historical character with modern functionality. The owners—architects who appreciated their home's heritage—wanted a bathroom that felt original to the building while meeting contemporary standards. We designed a space honoring the Victorian era with handmade 3x6 white subway tiles laid in a classic brick pattern with dark charcoal grout that highlights each tile. The floors feature hex penny tiles with a decorative border pattern matching historical designs. A clawfoot tub was refinished and paired with an exposed-pipe shower conversion, maintaining the period aesthetic. The custom vanity was crafted from reclaimed heart pine flooring salvaged from a Brooklyn warehouse, topped with honed Carrara marble. Authentic schoolhouse lighting, porcelain cross-handle fixtures, and a medicine cabinet with beveled mirror complete the period-appropriate design. The result feels like it's always been there—a testament to thoughtful renovation that respects a building's soul.