Tour a 19th-Century Town House in Hoboken, New Jersey
Seth and Kristina Brookman had lived in Manhattan for more than 20 years, so it came as a surprise when they decided to go see a home for sale in Hoboken, New Jersey. When the parents of two young children first toured this property, they did so with the understanding that it could handle change too. “Town house living is exactly our style—intimate yet bustling,” Seth says.
The home was built toward the end of the 19th century, and had been a boarding house before it transitioned into a residence for two families. With this latest transformation underway, Seth and Kristina could envision their children growing up with more space on a tree-lined street. They just had to get through the renovation first.
“The house had tremendous curb appeal, but once we got a glimpse of the interior, it was clear we had a project on our hands,” Seth says.
The couple initially hired project manager Amanda Trochim and AD PRO Directory designer Joan Enger (the principal of J. Patryce Design) to do what Enger called a “handful of modifications,” but the job quickly turned into a full-scale production. The town house was 20 feet wide and had a garage, two attributes that are generous for its age and location; but it was stripped of its historical features some three decades ago. Furthermore, nothing seemed to be where it should.
“The improvements, which most likely happened during the ’90s, didn’t make much sense,” Enger says. “The kitchen, living, and dining spaces were on the garden level with the lowest ceilings and least amount of natural light, while the primary suite consumed the full parlor level but didn’t include closets or a proper bathroom.” The third floor had three bedrooms and a bathroom, while the fourth floor had an additional bedroom and bath that Enger describes as “eccentric.”
Aside from the mismatched layout, time had also impacted the home’s structure. Ridge Restoration was hired to level the floors, which had sunk by several inches. This made it possible to create the open floor plan on the parlor level that Seth and Kristina desired. The third floor was reframed to make space for a larger bathroom, closets, and laundry room, while the fourth floor turned into the primary suite and home office. Upon its completion, the residence would have two powder rooms, two full bathrooms, and four bedrooms in 3,600 square feet.
“We expanded the back of the town house and moved the kitchen from the garden level to the parlor level on the second floor,” Seth adds. “The living and dining rooms were also moved to the parlor level. And in a city like Hoboken, where parking is basically an extreme sport, we held on to the garage.”
When it came time to focus on the home’s interior design, Seth and Kristina worked with Enger and Trochim to balance traditional and modern details. Oak herringbone floors were paired with new moldings as a nod to history, while custom millwork—particularly in the kitchen—followed current trends. “The couple discussed replacing the original staircase, but we convinced them to restore the existing one and stabilize the treads and risers,” Enger notes. The door frames were given more height to better complement the existing high ceilings, which were outfitted with mostly sleek light fixtures at the owners’ request. And the overall feel of the rooms stayed at a neutral calm, as a soft backdrop to the energy of two little kids.
“We wanted cleaner lines, a contemporary vibe, and visually stunning elements to captivate the eye,” Seth says. “But it wasn’t just about making everything look good. We also had to think long-term: homework spots, play areas, and of course, spaces for adult time too.”
The entire project wrapped up in May after about two years of construction, and Enger and her team feel lucky to have helped this family begin anew in a place with steady roots. “They wrote the entire team a lovely note expressing how much they appreciated our hard work at the end,” Enger says. “It was a class act.”
1/14The primary suite used to be on the parlor level, and the renovation converted it back to a living space. The entryway mirror is from Colony Design. A custom L-shaped sectional sits above a C&C Milano rug. The coffee table was also made by Enger’s team, and a vintage lounge chair from 1stDibs sits beside it. An Apparatus chandelier is above. “The overarching goal was to bring the house into the 21st century, aesthetically speaking,” client Seth Brookman says.
2/14Custom bookcases unite a modern need for storage with a traditional aesthetic. “The use of millwork unified and enhanced the spaces throughout the home,” designer Joan Enger says.
Art: James O'Shea/Carrie Haddad Gallery3/14“Considering the parlor level was an open floor plan, we kept the walls fairly neutral and allowed the millwork, lighting, and 10-foot-long custom slab walnut dining table to be the hero,” Enger says. Jerry Nance and Kent Steel were behind the table, which has a steel base. A custom console was also fabricated for this room, and Kent Steel outfitted the hardware. A linear pendant from Brendan Ravenhill was installed above the table, and art from the James O’Shea and Carrie Haddad gallery hangs on the wall.
4/14Enger chose a “honed super-white” Calacatta marble for the powder room. A Kallista wall-mount faucet sits above the sink.
5/14Calacatta marble was used throughout the kitchen, from the range wall countertop and appliance closet counter, to the backsplash and island. “My team and I are drawn to more interesting natural stones, and thankfully our clients were on board,” Enger says. “They led the selection of the kitchen stone.” Allied Maker supplied the pendant lights and sconces.
6/14“We added an oak-trimmed opening between the kitchen and nearby dining and living spaces to create a bit of separation and visual interest,” Enger says. The kitchen has a full-height sliding glass door system with walkable skylights shipped in from California. McGee and Co. counter stools contrast black chairs from Design Group, while C&C Milano fabric was used to customize cushions for the banquette.
7/14A coffee bar sits between the primary suite and office, and is offset with a striking marble. “We found a lovely Breccia Capraia remnant from NY Stone for it,” Enger says.
8/14“The office on the top floor gave us the opportunity to be a bit bolder, because Seth wanted something handsome,” Enger says. “It’s still refined, but a bit more saturated.” Wall coverings from Phillip Jefferies envelop the room in blue, and Seth works on a desk chair from Hive Modern. Vintage art was bought at an auction.
Art: Donise English/Carrie Haddad Gallery9/14The primary bedroom was moved to the fourth floor and is anchored by a wool and cotton rug from Armadillo. A custom dresser and nightstands surround the bed, which is accented by an Arteriors custom bench covered in fabric from Claremont. An Allied Maker chandelier is overhead. Benjamin Moore’s Simply White was used on the walls, while Chantilly Lace was chosen for the ceiling.
10/14In the primary bathroom, Benjamin Moore’s Horizon was used on the walls, doors, and ceiling.
11/14Wall-mounted faucets from Phylrich were installed above Kohler undermount sinks in white.
12/14Another bathroom inside the home.
13/14“Kristina’s mother is a landscape architect, so she was called in to design the backyard,” Enger says.
14/14The backyard was finished after the home was entirely renovated, creating a complementary contrast between the indoor and outdoor spaces.
