Before & After

Transformations

Many brownstones were designed nearly 200 years ago and have beautiful bones, but were rarely built for the way we live now. To meet today’s demands, these homes frequently require substantial structural, mechanical, and electrical work, which is why spaces can be taken down to the brick and studs before being rebuilt.

EGC Design approached each room to honor the history, while designing for how people live now. Repurposed materials, healthy interiors, and energy efficiency weren’t afterthoughts. They were the foundations for bringing these historic spaces into the present, ready for the next chapter of their story.

Kitchen

The parlor level before work began, an empty room that would become the kitchen Before
The same room during construction, stripped back to exposed brick and bare studs During

Before. Nothing about this room said “kitchen.” It was simply a large space at the back of the house. It held one gem: an original stained glass transom that would eventually inspire the entire color story to come. We completely reimagined the space.

The finished kitchen: marble island, black stools and pendants, and the restored stained-glass transom After
The finished yellow picket-tile backsplash, with three white open shelves holding glassware, plates and framed art After

After. The kitchen was relocated from the ground floor to the parlor level to become the heart of the home. A vibrant yellow backsplash glows with its own light. An enlarged, glazed opening leads out to a deep deck overlooking the reimagined backyard, lush with native plantings, a bluestone patio, and flowering trees.

Parlor and Living Room

The two front windows in their original dark carved surrounds, a cast-iron radiator between them and bare pine floorboards underfoot Before
The same room during construction, the ceiling stripped back to its joists During

Before. This was not a room that invited you to gather, linger, or dream. It was tired, drab, and cut off from the rest of the parlor floor. We had to start anew.

The finished living room with navy velvet sofa, geometric rug, and the original soapstone mantel After

After. We opened the space and layered in color, texture, and moments of visual pause. The original sculptural window trim and soapstone mantel were brought forward as focal points, while smoothed walls gave the room a more continuous, modern feel. A blue-hued ceiling draws the eye upward.

The result is a living room that welcomes guests, hosts celebrations, and still feels like home on an ordinary Tuesday. It’s gracious, yet cozy.

Kids’ Bath

The top floor before work, looking out the back window toward what would become the kids’ bath Before
The same top-floor space taken down to the bricks During

Before. This small room once served as an office and was forgettable. Once cleared out, the possibilities felt endless.

The finished children’s bathroom in turquoise penny tile with round mirrors and a double vanity After

After. Now it’s the perfect kids’ bathroom. A wall of cheerful blue penny tile and a double vanity with mirrors provide ample space for tooth-brushing time.

Kid’s Bedroom

The back bedroom before work began Before

Before. The room’s wooden mantel with green tile is an authentic antique. Existing heavy, dark trim and low ceilings kept it from shining.

The finished child’s bedroom with its antique mantel and green tile surround After

After. This room has been reimagined for a new generation while honoring the past. The original mantel has been lovingly restored. An antique four-poster bed anchors the opposite wall. Oversized window wells, graced with Bianco Missoni marble sills, flood the room with light, while added insulation keeps temperature swings at bay year-round.

Stair Landing

The second floor stair landing before work, dark and closed in Before
Looking up the stair from the second floor toward the third before work Before

Before. Once dark and drab, this was a space you rushed through without a second glance.

The finished landing with a restored carved interior window, glass sconce, and red Eames armchair After

After. Now it’s a light-filled moment of its own, which has been brought to life with color, thoughtful seating, and just the right lighting.

Library Den

The room that would become the den, before work, looking toward the front of the house Before
The same floor stripped to bricks and studs During

Before. Exposed brick and a dated ceiling fan gave you no reason to stay. Once the wall came down, the room’s potential finally had room to breathe.

The finished den with a red velvet sofa and a wall of Visplay shelving full of books After

After. Today, the library is a light-filled sanctuary lined with books and cherished objects. It’s equally suited to quiet reading or curling up for movie night.

See these rooms finished →