I’m interrupting our holiday gift guides to share this charming Brooklyn Heights brownstone decorated by mother-daughter design team McGrath II (don’t fret, there will also be a more gift ideas up this afternoon!). Suzanne McGrath worked with her daughter, Lauren, to transform a young family’s Greek Revival townhouse into an oasis reminiscent of a an English countryside retreat. I’ve spied glimpses of the home on the McGrath II instagram account and was so thrilled to find the space published by Architectural Digest. Inspired by the Cotswolds and the cozy European bed and breakfasts, the design duo updated the circa 1846 brownstone with plenty of plaids, floral wallpapers, and framed botanical prints. With 6,000-square-feet spread over four stories, it was no small task. I love that despite there being five bedrooms, the home still has a distinct cottage-like feel–very sophisticated yet comfortable. My favorite space may be the children’s room with blue map wallpaper. Below, explore more of this charming slice of England in New York.
The library has silk wallcovering, jute carpeting, and gorgeous built-in bookshelves. I especially love the handsome blue plaid chair and firewood basket–classic English country house style!
The living room is a mix of American (to honor the home’s heritage) and European antiques. The antique Anglo-Indian chairs with sage green cushions are being added to my dream home file.
Prior to the renovation the living room had a black marble fireplace, but McGrath II replaced it with a white mantel to brighten up the space. I love the room’s green, blue, and red color scheme.
History lesson: the antique British trolley to the right of the fireplace is known as “a whatnot.”
An arched hallway leads to the dining area. The hallway walls were painted by Brooklyn artisan JJ Snyder to look like warm walnut wood.
I love red settee in this cozy seating area. The fabric is a geranium hue from Perennials.
The home was renovated to include a spacious eat-in kitchen in a timeless black and white palette. The upper cabinets are painted in Benjamin Moore’s Seapearl and the lower cabinets are painted in Benjamin Moore’s After Midnight. I especially love the Moroccan-inspired backsplash tiles and antique industrial pendants lights. Such a handsome space!
The master bedroom transports you to the English countryside complete with striped Sanderson wallpaper and curtains in a floral by Bennison Fabrics.
The family’s four-year-old son surely loves his playful bedroom with walls covered in Ralph Lauren’s “Expedition Novelty Map” wallpaper.
This guest bedroom feels timeless and inviting thanks to a natural fiber rug and antique American quilt. I love the bamboo nightstand and striped roman shade! I hope you’ve enjoyed this home tour. If you’d love to channel a similar English country style in your own home be sure to check out this post!
(Photography by Joshua McHugh)
I was looking for inspiration to help me decide on kitchen cabinets with After Midnight paint. So excited to see that Sea Pearl is the other color in this post- because that is coincidentally what I had put together. Definitely love this. I noticed the windows and patio door are trimmed in After Midnight. color as well. Now I am trying to decide whether to paint windows, 2 doors, patio door in After Midnight- or if that would look weird if one framed out doorway and base boards were white while 3 doors and 3 windows were After Midnight. Thoughts?