For Nicole Eckstrom and Carlos Saavedra, searching for a family home in Brooklyn was a bit different than finding a space to meet their personal needs: In 2019 the duo, who have backgrounds in design and real estate, respectively, bought a townhouse with the idea of fully renovating it, then living in one unit while renting or selling the others. The only catch? When they found the perfect building—a detached townhouse in Cobble Hill—they couldn’t decide which unit they would keep. “We love the penthouse, and we love the garden level,” laughs Eckstrom. “We keep going back and forth between the two of them!”
So, they redid the entire townhouse in a style that balanced their needs with what would make for an appealing real estate listing.
“Working in real estate, you really get a sense of what people want and what’s important—where to allocate the budget,” explains Saavedra, who had worked in real estate for nearly two decades before meeting Eckstrom and joining forces to, as he puts it, “make it a family business”—now known as Eckstrøm NYC.
For the townhouse project, located at 314 Degraw Street, the couple were enticed with a promising floor plan that was hidden under blah finishes. “Honestly, there wasn’t really much to write home about, in terms of details,” says Saavedra. “But the thing that was really special was the size and floorplan.”
As he notes, “most townhouses have windows in the front and the back and are attached to other houses,” leading to the classic layout of a living room in the front to capitalize on light and longer walls with no windows. This building was completely detached, providing valuable light that serves as a key ingredient to the couple’s comfortable, modern design style. Tour the completed townhouse below.
Living Room
Courtesy ECKSTROM NYC
“We try and keep the base very neutral and keep it as warm and inviting as we can by using lots of textures,” says Eckstrom of their style, on display here in the velvet upholstery and cozy, muted-hued rug that bring in just the right amount of color. “We like to have that that feeling of calm so it’s not too crazy,” she explains. “I mean, I do love color, but when you’re looking at a broader population you want to be able to appeal to more people.”
Kitchen
Courtesy ECKSTROM NYC
The neutral palette carries over into the finishes in the kitchens, which the couple completely gutted to give a modern look. The streamlined style is inspired by architect John Pawson, who is known for a sense of warm minimalism. “When we are wondering how to do something, we often ask ourselves, ‘what would John Pawson do?'” quips Saavedra.
Garden Living Room
Courtesy ECKSTROM NYC
One frequent drawback of more minimalist homes is a lack of storage space—so in their renovations, Eckstrom and Saavedra were vigilant about squeezing it in wherever possible. “Every nook and cranny we could find, we put in storage,” laughs Saavedra. Here, it’s in the form of a storage shelf/bench between the fireplace and the window. “There’s not really much you could do with that space,” he explains. “So why not put some storage in there?”
Bedroom
Courtesy ECKSTROM NYC
The townhouse’s many outdoor spaces—allowed for by its historic, grandfathered floorplan—are one of its most valuable assets, especially right now. “You know, not everyone can afford a whole house with a yard,” says Saavedra. “So having an apartment with these spaces is a really big thing.”
Penthouse
Courtesy ECKSTROM NYC
Eckstrom incorporated pops of color in the living room of the top-floor penthouse, grounding the airy space. “It’s just a magical view,” she says of the upper apartment. “You’re right among the treetops, it’s almost like you’re in a treehouse—you don’t even need art.”
So, which apartment would you choose?
Love this townhouse? See all the units for rent and sale here.
Senior Editor Hadley Keller is a writer and editor based in New York, covering design, interiors, and culture.
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