How a 19th-Century Townhouse Nearly Tripled in Size Without Losing Its Charm

Revamp Interior Design’s gut renovation included adding a third story that stayed true to the original design.

Photo: Travis Mark
Photo: Travis Mark

Danielle Fennoy and Cece Stelljes, who’ve been at the helm of Revamp Interior Design since 2010, had their work cut out for them when developer Yuval Berger brought them in to do a major renovation on this two-story, single-family house that was all of 12 feet wide and 33 feet deep.

Danielle Fennoy and Cece Stelljes, who’ve been at the helm of Revamp Interior Design since 2010, had their work cut out for them when developer Yuval Berger brought them in to do a major renovation on this two-story, single-family house that was all of 12 feet wide and 33 feet deep. “We wanted to preserve that sweet façade,” Fennoy says. Inside, she and Stelljes redesigned the interiors, selecting all the finishes, fixtures, and hardware. Photo: Courtesy of Revamp Interior Design
Revamp’s transformation included adding a third story that stayed true to the original design, making it a graceful and respectful neighbor. Its original 800 square feet blossomed into a full-bodied 2,300 square feet. Photo: Travis Mark
The house had seen a lot of living but, in spite of the wear and tear, had some good bones and wood beams still intact. Photo: Courtesy of Revamp Interior Design
The beams are still in place, but the interiors have been swept clean: New walls and new oak floors welcome you through the dining room with a table by Token, Prouvé Standard dining chairs, and a Bluff City pendant light by Roll & Hill. “We enlisted WorkOf to furnish the house; it’s a local showroom and felt in keeping with the project,” Stelljes says. Photo: Travis Mark
The kitchen was a little down at the heels, showing its age by the wall-mounted phone, among other things. Photo: Courtesy of Revamp Interior Design
Who could have guessed that this was in the realm of possibilities? The white and green cabinets have Caesarstone countertops and a bronze glazed ceramic-tile backsplash. The wood beams on the second floor were removed and used for the ceiling of the extension now housing the living room, at the back of the first floor. Photo: Travis Mark
The living room has been opened up to a backyard with a new cedar fence. The velvet Hudson sofa is from Desiron; the rug, designed in Brooklyn and created in India, is from Aelfie; the credenza is by Stillmade; and the leather lounge chair and ottoman are from Desiron. Photo: Travis Mark
The state of the backyard left a lot to be desired. Photo: Courtesy of Revamp Interior Design
Now: Bring on the kids, dogs, and adults, with a cedar fence and a built-in cedar bench. Photo: Travis Mark
The bedroom of the master suite, seen here, on the third-floor addition, is entered through floor-to ceiling closets. The picture window overlooks the park. The Aelfie rug is an Optik pattern; the Thompson bed is from Desiron; and the side tables are from Volk. The bubble chandelier is from Pelle, and a Tom Dixon copper bell lamp sits on a black lacquer cabinet from Desiron. Photo: Travis Mark
“The stair design was a major factor in opening up the space and gaining more natural light,” Fennoy says. “Instead of the stairs being stacked one on top of the other, we made them switchback on the second floor, creating storage space as an added benefit.” The Mercer chair tucked in the corner of the landing is from Desiron. Photo: Travis Mark
The rooftop skylights and windows allow for natural light to filter through the house during the day. Photo: Travis Mark
There are four bedrooms. This one, on the second floor in the front, has a Grove bed from Desiron and table lamps from Artemide. Photo: Travis Mark
The rooftop, surrounded by trees, may be right in the middle of Greenpoint, but it feels worlds away. Photo: Travis Mark
How an 1899 Townhouse Tripled in Size But Kept Its Charm