Preservation and Provocation

In the transformation of this late 1900s brownstone, Ajentse pursued a calculated tension between preservation and provocation—respecting the structure's Pre-War bones while introducing Old World European sensibilities with contemporary maximalist energy.

The residence exists in a deliberate state of beautiful decay. We preserved original plasterwork and employed specialized finishing techniques to maintain areas of authentically peeling paint—creating surfaces that tell their own temporal stories rather than masking the building's age. This controlled patina provides a sublime backdrop for the home's collected furnishings and thoughtfully curated art program.

Throughout the home, we commissioned hand-painted scenic walls that reference French decorative traditions while incorporating modern motifs. The jewel-box powder room features silver hand mirrors while the adjacent kitchen has a backdrop of Fornasetti plates. The deep malachite green parlor embraces old-world grandeur with richly painted ceiling treatments complemented by velvet upholstery in saturated hues.

Bedrooms oscillate between chromatic boldness—as in the guest suite with its vivid yellow wall and gallery-style art presentation—and meditative restraint seen in the separate guest quarters' textural white-on-white approach. The kitchen juxtaposes clean modern lines with decorative classical elements, centered around a dramatic brass light fixture that anchors the space.

Architectural moments were meticulously preserved, from the sweeping staircase with its original balustrades to the fireplace mantels that serve as focal points for layered vignettes of objects and ephemera. The bathrooms blend vintage sensibilities through fixture selection with contemporary functionality, featuring dramatic shower curtains that recall proscenium drapes.

The result is a home that feels simultaneously discovered and designed—a space where each room offers a distinct emotional experience while maintaining a cohesive narrative of elevated domesticity with European resonance.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​