Brooklyn Home Restored by Local Contractors

The Brownstone Boys, a design firm run by Jordan Slocum and his husband Barry Bordelon, recently restored a late 1890s brownstone in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn. Jordan Slocum describes the neighborhood as “one of those neighborhoods that perfectly captures old New York charm while still feeling livable today.”

Boerum Hill is known for its tree-lined streets, historic architecture, and strong sense of community, with a mix of old and new, including classic brownstones and independent shops.

The Restoration Project

The Brownstone Boys’ approach to restoration involves preserving historic homes with functional, modern touches, rather than replacing everything with new materials.

Barry Bordelon notes that this approach is evident in the Brooklyn brownstone, which features soulful design details that call back to the 1890s architectural charm.

The home had undergone many alterations over the decades, but the original craftsmanship was still intact, and they saw an opportunity to uncover and celebrate that history.

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Meeting the Clients’ Needs

The clients, a young family, wanted a home that felt warm, functional, and connected to the building’s history, with features like an open kitchen, strong indoor-outdoor flow, and ample storage.

Jordan Slocum explains that the clients wanted a home that could evolve with their family and be a place for gathering and entertaining, with a dedicated office, nursery, and modern amenities.

They reimagined the home as a triplex residence with a separate garden rental, redesigning the layout for modern living and restoring historic details.

The project included architectural planning, custom millwork, kitchen and bath design, lighting, material selections, furnishings, and decor throughout.

Timeless Interiors

The interiors feature timeless materials, including warm woods, veined stone, and patinated metalwork, which strike a perfect harmony with the architectural details.

A mix of custom millwork, vintage finds, and contemporary pieces creates a sense of harmony and balance in the home.

Related: Historic Portland home marries old-world charm

One of the biggest challenges of the project was the structural work.

Barry Bordelon recalls that a huge amount of effort went into leveling the structure and stabilizing the original curved staircase and bannister without losing their historic integrity.

The project took a little over a year to complete, from construction to final furnishing and styling, and the result is a home that feels historic and soulful but also completely functional for modern family life.

Jordan Slocum says that seeing the clients walk through the finished home for the first time was incredibly rewarding.

The transformation was about making the house feel whole again.