Brooklyn Loft Renovation | 70 Washington St

As Midcentury Modern As You Can Get

It quickly became apparent that midcentury modern was the prevailing aesthetic for this Brooklyn loft kitchen renovation. Some elements are more straightforwardly modern, such as the functional modular four-in-one kitchen sink that’s also a cutting board, vegetable prep station, and colander, while the patterned ceramic tiles are a classic midcentury modern motif. Custom cabinets take advantage of the naturally tall loft ceilings, with pure white Caesarstone quartz countertops to balance the design.

Built-Ins to Last

Another important goal was to enhance the kitchen’s functionality through strategic built-ins that are virtually hidden into the design. A favorite is a little stand we built right into the island, containing extra outlets to charge iPhones or other devices. Custom hooks were also built into the sides of the cabinets for additional hanging storage. The pantry at one end of the kitchen is anchored by the refrigerator on the other side, opening the design up into the entire space.

Grout Be Gone

In the master bathroom, a 5-piece, the design aesthetic took on a more decidedly modern approach. The client wanted to avoid grout, so we chose really large porcelain tiles that resemble slabs of marble. The large tiles eliminate grout for a sleek look, while the porcelain offers the luxe look of marble without the heavy-duty upkeep. To break up the veining a bit, a section of the shower wall was covered with subway tiles for clean contrast. We continued the sleek and modern look in the powder room, with natural stone onyx floor tiles bringing in a touch of visual interest. ‍

Learn the lingo: an X-piece bathroom refers to the amount of plumbing points, so a 3-piece is typically a toilet, vanity, and one shower/tub/combo; a 4-piece is a toilet, vanity, separate shower, and separate tub; and a 5-piece is a toilet, shower, tub, and dual vanity.

The COVID Factor

Construction on this project was set to begin at the end of March last year, so you can imagine what happened: of course, it didn’t. During the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic, maintaining consistent communication with our clients became more important than ever.

In the case of this project, all the design work was completed, materials purchased, and permits pulled, so there was absolutely nothing we could do but wait. We were then and are now always committed to seeing our projects through, but the worldwide uncertainty at the time was itself a challenge. Luckily, we were able to promptly begin construction on this project in July and finished only a few months later.

Some Highlights

• Modular four-in-one Julien SmartStation sink
• Custom built-ins to maximize functionality and provide additional storage
• Unique ceramic patterned tile kitchen backsplash
• Dual vanity with a walnut finish in the master bathroom
• Wall-mounted, high-efficiency Toto toilets with automatic open-and-close lids and self-cleaning features in both bathrooms

‍Considering a loft renovation in NYC? View our portfolio of loft renovation before and afters, learn more about Gallery, or simply contact us today.

We are an award-winning design-build firm in New York City with a full-service approach to residential renovations in Manhattan and Brooklyn that includes everything from interior design and architectural services to facilitating building management and board approval, to construction and construction management. We’re experts in renovating kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, millwork, and all that falls in between. Let Gallery bring your dream loft renovation to life.