Industrial Loft Retrofit, Apt A
A dramatic transformation in South Williamsburg
We love watching dramatic transformations of spaces unfold around the city –so imagine our excitement when our friends at GSDO invited us to check out an adaptive reuse project they were working on in S. Williamsburg. When we started following the project last summer, the 7,000 sqft, former paper doily factory was still under construction, but the ground floor was already well on its way to becoming the new Williamsburg Neighborhood Nursery School. Today we’re inside one of the building’s upper level apartments to see what Adam Glickman & Lauren Schlesinger of GSDO came up with for this Brooklyn retrofit.
Here’s what the site looked like before construction began. The factory had been left vacant for several years after Brooklyn Lace Paper Works relocated their doily mill to Connecticut.
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And here’s what it looks like now. This 1,725 sqft, 2-bedroom apartment is the larger of the two new apartments that share the top floor of the old factory.
Looking through the open living, dining & kitchen spaces: GSDO’s design is clean and refined but still plays up the building’s industrial charm.
We love the blue kitchen –by only using under-counter cabinets, the designers were able to create an oversized backsplash that draws us in and makes the kitchen appear larger & less cluttered. The blue tiles are by Ceramica Bardelli.
The kitchen cabinets are ikea, topped with grey lava stone countertops from Mondial Tiles in Brooklyn.
A custom, walnut built-in desk & bookcase are tucked neatly into this corner of the open kitchen.
In the master bathroom, more blue tiles & custom walnut millwork; the vanity was designed by GSDO to work with sinks that the homeowner had already chosen.
Like the main living space, the kids’ bedroom has its own operable skylight and showcases the building’s old timber structure (–just can’t help but wonder if it’s always this clean!).
The kids’ bathroom is playful yet sophisticated with the help of these bright yellow tiles.
We’re so impressed with GSDO’s transformation, and we can’t wait to share the neighboring apartment (which comes with a little surprise) soon!
Many thanks to Lauren Coleman Photography, and to Adam, Lauren & their team at GSDO.
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