1. RESPECT THE PROPERTY'S HISTORY
Respecting the house's origins is always the best starting point for a successful home renovation in an older property, and this was no different. The neo-Italian Renaissance townhouse was built by architect Montrose Morris and has real presence overlooking Prospect Park in Brooklyn. Jason Saft was not about to upset that heritage.
2. PRESERVE ORIGINAL FEATURES
Updating a period property is always about finding a balance. Sometimes, as in this hallway with its mirrored closets and stained glass windows, it's about preserving the original architectural features to highlight the character and history of the home. A modern painting was the only addition here.
3. FIND BALANCE IN THE COLOR PALETTE AND STYLES
Take inspiration from the property's surroundings when choosing room color ideas, but also think about how existing features will feed into the new look. As the house is located directly across the street from Prospect Park, Jason wanted to work in varying shades of green to play off the idea of the park. To lighten up the heaviness of the dark wood paneling that is consistent throughout the house, he also introduced a lot of creams, beige and white.
4. OPT FOR LIGHT-COLORED UPHOLSTERY TO MODERNIZE THE SPACE
The designer juxtaposed the weight of the wood paneling against all sorts of soft white upholstered items in his living room ideas. 'The most common feedback I've heard from people viewing historic homes is that they find the woodwork to be too dark for their lifestyle,' says Jason. 'The biggest challenge when designing the home was respecting and accentuating the original details while also modernizing, lightening the space and making it feel livable and less like a museum.'
5. CREATE AN ATMOSPHERE THAT FEELS COLLECTED
The magnificent original staircase is central to the home, one of many historical details, which can overwhelm some and create the perception of living in a museum. To counter that connotation, Jason chose lighter profiled pieces, like this console table and upholstered stool, that have a softness and modernity to them yet when paired together, and decorating with antiques, create a harmonious home that feels collected. He wanted to play off the home's grandeur but also make it feel welcoming.
6. CURATE VIEWS WITHIN YOUR HOME
The dining room ideas sum up the successful crossover of styles that Jason introduced with his quick-fire transformation. A custom dowel table from Century Furniture with Rodin dining chairs by Athena Calderone for Crate & Barrel fly the contemporary flag in this transitional scheme. The ceiling beams, dark wood paneling, and even the practical serving hatch, provide the traditional side of the look.
7. DRESS THE SPACE WITH WELL-CHOSEN PIECES FOR AN INSTANT UPLIFT
In a room that was dominated by its original fireplace and paneling, Jason leant into the period style for his home office ideas, but lightened the touch with a comfortable mix of midcentury furniture, and some well-chosen antiques and found objects. A Kittinger antique desk is at the center of the scheme, together with a vintage rug. Transitional design is not just about mixing old and new, but can blend a mix of different styles as well as eras.
8. CHOOSE TIMELESS, TRANSITIONAL PIECES THAT WON'T DATE
When choosing big ticket items such as beds and couches, it's a good idea to select timeless well-made designs that won't date, even in a traditional setting. Bedroom ideas for the primary bedroom include the clean-lined Tailor Stitch bed by CB2, and Stripe Rug by Colin King for West Elm. The mirror is an antique.
9. FIND SPACE FOR ART IN EVERY ROOM
Jason Saft brought in artworks and sculptures from contemporary artists including Simone Bodmer-Turner, but also mixed in traditional art and architectural prints. He suggests placing modern artworks in traditional frames to marry the two design styles.