Tour Casa Escondida: An Elegant 152 Year-Old Brownstone

The Vision

Originally built 152 years ago in 1871, the property has been a home for only three other families before its current owners moved in. At the time, large portions of the interior were covered in an ponderous oxblood lacquer, masking all the extraordinary details and original finishes of the home.

The garden-level was particularly dark, with small barred windows that looked out to their double-lot backyard. The oven in the kitchen was awkwardly placed inside the fireplace, and a bathroom was built right into the middle of the room, forcing everything else to be constructed around it. The owners knew they had their work cut out for them.

“We wanted to preserve and restore all architectural elements to their original state, blending in spare, monolithic additions where necessary to contrast with the Italianate details.”

A photo of the kitchen before renovations.

The Restoration

Starting with the front of the house, the couple kicked off the ongoing restoration of their mid-Victorian-era Brownstone by stripping and restoring the two 12’ Italianate double front doors. Carefully preserving each and every detail of the home and “respecting the house as we would a beloved elder,” the new homeowners slowly gave their house a new life.

The first space to fully transform was the eat-in kitchen. They had an ambitious vision for the dark and dingy room – to make this space the heart of the home. While aiming to maintain a degree of minimalism, they also wanted this to be a space that’s meant to be lived in. They broke down the walls to create a more seamless connection between the indoors and outdoors and outfitted the entire space in stainless steel appliances and finishes. The final touch was installing the floor-to-ceiling windows that instantly made the entire home lighter and brighter.

The reimagined kitchen, featuring the original fireplace with new finishes, stainless steel appliances and cabinetry throughout, and floor-to-ceiling windows that bring in natural light from their double-lot backyard.

Moving through the rest of the house, they restored one room after another and filled the spaces with their own stories, travels, and character. They had a strong vision for their home and were grateful to work with exceptional professionals and fabricators who respected their vision.

“Much of our furniture – and all of the art – was made or gifted by friends, and so we’re always surrounded by the spirit of people we admire.”

We love that every room, every piece, and every detail has a story of its own and we are so excited to invite you in to create your own memories in this home.

Advice for new homeowners?

“Let your house or your space dictate your design, and make the most of what’s already there; don’t rush; leave trendiness to others.”

Every corner of the home was thoughtfully curated and designed with intent and a personal touch.

The Name – Casa Escondida

As you explore the house, you will realize that there are no large screens mounted on the walls or placed on the tables; obvious pieces of technology are not prevalent in the home. This was intended through design to maintain peace and serenity throughout the property. “Escondida” means hidden in Spanish and illustrates the secluded experience of the home, where you are free to think, create, and be without the distractions of the outside world.

We invite you to embrace this sensation upon entering the home as well – whether you are here for a project or just for fun, we welcome you to fully immerse yourself in all that Casa Escondida has to offer.

Looking Ahead

“Next for the house: many years ago, the first thing we did when we moved in was to strip and restore the front doors; now it’s time to circle back and give them some more love and attention.”

We look forward to seeing the continued renewal of this incredible home!