Osso Architecture was brought into the project by New York City-based interior designer Jessica Whitney Gould of JWG Interiors, whom the homeowners had contacted initially and who immediately realized a total overhaul was in order. "We did a complete gut, removing three structural columns floating in the middle of each floor, and found ways to open up the space," Otten recalled. "We brought in a lot of steel."
When she moved to New York City six years ago, she quickly realized it's "a very crazy place." So she would fly off to Bali twice a year to find some solace and to design collections for her celebrity-beloved fashion brand Bronx and Banco. In her search for a creative retreat a bit closer to home, she soon landed on the east end of Long Island.
In a character-filled cul-de-sac of Colonial Revival dwellings, this early 20th century Flatbush row house has been updated with central air and a new kitchen, but there are still some period details to see. The single-family at 12 Martense Court has wood floors, a mantel, a beamed ceiling, and some stained glass. The Martense Court development was the work of Charles Goell, a developer who was active in the area in the early 20th century.
When you own a glorious redbrick in Brooklyn's Boerum Hill, any renovation demands considerable care. The renovation began with architectural updates, including a 10ft extension and a redesigned rear façade. From there, White Arrow brought its signature vision to life, starting on the parlour floor, where moody walls and custom millwork set the tone. A dramatic bar, clad in Waterworks marble with Classic Brass hardware, is lit by sculptural Sophie Lou Jacobsen sconces.
Project to project, the two endeavor to build conceptual through lines, referencing past successes without resting on repeats. "We always want to create new recipes, but we have ingredients that we know work," reflects Giancarlo. "Maybe we'll add a new spice here, a new sauce there. In this field, you create your own rules, but you can also break them."
The homeowners had no desire to drastically reimagine the floor plan. "They didn't want to do a complete gut," said Eva Dornstreich, TBHCo.'s design director, who worked with Style Director Holly Waterfield to reorganize the space and furnish it with sophisticated style. "Our strategy was to break through the laundry area of the smaller apartment to create a pass-through between the two units."
