Outfitting a Bedstuy Brownstone with A Series of Concrete Accents
Bed-Stuy is one of the most historic neighborhoods, not just in Brooklyn but all of the greater NYC area. In the almost 20 years that we have been in business, we completed dozens of installs and customs builds for people in this area.
For this latest project, we were tasked with creating a series of concrete architectural elements for a couple that had just purchased a home in the area. In order to keep a thematically consistent color story, the couple opted for a very light, yellowish, off-white concrete that we matched and mixed in-house.
For the kitchen, they envisioned cast-in-place countertops with waterfalls on both ends of the island, as well as the inside back wall, which would create space for counter stools to be used. This island also would be cast around a gas cooktop for some added utility, while still providing enough counter space for multi-use prepping and eating.
Accompanying this concrete island countertop, is a second long run, cast-in-place counter on the back wall with an integrally cast sink. Moving towards the bathroom, we also used the same creamy concrete to create a series of troweled surfaces including the floors and walls and we also cast a floating sink.Despite being a nearly all concrete space, we managed to make it feel airy and welcoming with clean lines and a smooth hand troweled finish.
As is true with many charming, yet older brownstone homes, the space was not without its quirks and idiosyncrasies. The kitchen was part of a very old space, so there were instances where walls were not level or square and we had to provide a little bit more tender love and care. Despite these leveling challenges however, we were able to leave the island looking crisp, square and level.
Once complete, the clients were thrilled with the way their new home looked. With a baby on the way, the two were anxious to see that everything would be completed and ready by the time the baby arrived. Thankfully, despite the short-time frame, we were able to deliver exactly what they wanted.
After the project was completed, we followed up to check in with the client and we were thrilled to hear how happy they were with their new home: “We are doing well and we love our kitchen so much! Really really have been so happy with it.”
