Farrow and Ball’s Calke Green, a bright, cheerful, and on-trend hue, makes this 130-year-old home’s kitchen stand out. It’s also the perfect fit for homeowners Laura Higby and Rebecca Stubbs, as it is one of their favorite colors, but also acts as an homage to memories they’ll forge in their forever home. The couple dreamed of restoring the grand Bed-Stuy brownstone to its 19th century beauty, and with the help of The Brownstone Boys’ Jordan Slocum and Barry Bordelon, they did just that. 

Looking to the Future

They purchased the 2,400-square-foot property and quickly hired Slocum and Bordelon, whom they discovered via Instagram, to make over the sub-divided layout. “Our jaws dropped to the floor. It was the biggest mess we had ever seen,” Slocum said upon first visiting the space. 

It had been separated into three apartments with a layout “that made no sense.” “We had to reconfigure the building into something that was appropriate with their lifestyle [and growing family],” Slocum adds. The couple welcomed twins during the renovation.  

Restoration at Its Finest

The Brownstone Boys rehabbed the home with new plumbing and electrical, as well as extensive wood, plaster, and stained glass restoration, the latter which took nearly a year to complete. From stripping 20 layers of paint, straightening doors, and the living room’s crooked plaster tapestry, which has since been restored, the final design showcases original features at their best. 

A Timeless Palette

When it came to the palette, green seemed like an obvious choice to complement the home’s oak flooring and white walls. “We wanted to do something bright on the cabinets,” Bordelon says. “The bold, saturated green color looks beautiful with everything else.” Calke Green ended up being the perfect shade for the cabinets, which was selected for Semihandmade’s DIY Shaker fronts, as well as highlighting the custom, curvaceous hood. “It just makes us happy every time we are in there,” he adds. Green makes another appearance in tile form in the primary bathroom. 

Playful Storage

When it came to designing the kitchen, storage was a top priority, especially now that the couple was welcoming twins. “Brownstones are long, narrow spaces, and while a lot of people think they often have included storage, we had to get creative,” Slocum says. 

Floor-to-ceiling storage is key to maxing out space and keeping the countertops clean. On the left side near the window, the pair broke up the design with a base cabinet, a 20-inch wall cabinet, and upper cabinet to give the look of an elongated volume without blocking light. Additionally, they brought in another top row of cabinets with Semihandmade’s Glas-Ready fronts with reeded glass. “The reeded glass obscures what’s inside,” Bordelon adds.

Furthermore, the island features Semihandmade’s Supermatte Slab fronts in white for sleek, concealed storage.

Getting Personal

For the backsplash, The Brownstone Boys looked for something to contrast the bright green cabinetry and found Chaine Homme tile in Magnolia from Fireclay. “It’s glazed, crackled look works perfectly against the marble,” Slocum says. The countertop, marble from Walker Zanger, pairs with Rejuvenation hardware and Fisher & Paykel appliances. 

More Semihandmade To Love

The homeowners had a large wish list when it came to their primary bathroom The space, which was initially a small kitchen, would have to include an overhead shower, soaking tub, and double vanity,” Slocum says. 

‘It was tight; we really stretched it,” Bordelon says. To make the layout work, they purchased a 48-inch double vanity from IKEA and outfitted it with Semihandmade’s Walnut fronts. Clover Fireclay tile, a Wyndham Collection tub, and Rejuvenation light complete the luxe bath, which was all completed on a budget.