The owners of this Williamsburg townhouse initially tapped Anna Kroesser and Amelia Strat of Kroesser + Strat Design for a light refresh. What started as a kitchen and bath remodeling project evolved into a larger renovation of the 2,800-square-foot, four-level residence. “The overall vision for the townhouse was to create a family-friendly home with plenty of storage, while still maintaining a fun, edgy Brooklyn design,” the designers share. View photos of the final results and read more about the transformation below.
The stone throughout this Brooklyn townhouse is sourced from Banda Stone Gallery. “They are female founded and they have the best selection!” the designers share.
“Each time you look at it, you discover another unique element,” the designers say of the kitchen quartzite.
“We originally had big dreams for the fireplace—custom raked plaster, a feature marble surround—you name it. But it started to feel like too much for a room that already had to serve multiple functions, so we simplified,” the Kroesser + Strat Design team shares. “We went with a chunky double bullnose edge that was lime-washed along with the rest of the walls, and we love how it turned out. It took a lot of time to get just right, but the result was worth it.”
“Storage was a top-tier priority,” the designers share. “Luckily, our client is a professional organizer with incredible spatial awareness and ideas for optimizing space. It was such a lovely collaboration.”
The primary bedroom is among the designers’ favorite spaces.
“In the primary bathroom, we went a bit bolder, but the way the marble blends with the tile makes it one of the most beautiful bathrooms we’ve ever done.”
“In the primary bathroom, we went a bit bolder, but the way the marble blends with the tile makes it one of the most beautiful bathrooms we’ve ever done.”
What were your goals in the kitchen?
The original layout was very different—the island ran perpendicular to the living area, which really closed the space off. Townhouses are generally narrow, so you have to carefully consider the layout to ensure a nice flow. Turning the kitchen, so it ran the length of the townhouse, created more storage and allowed for a proper dining area. Beyond functionality, we and the client agreed it had to be gorgeous, of course. We went slab shopping with the client and her eldest daughter—it was such a fun day. The quartzite we all wholeheartedly agreed was the one was wildly special, with flecks of pyrite and crystal throughout. Each time you look at it, you discover another unique element.
I love the mix of seating in the kitchen—the dining chairs, bench, and counter stools. What inspired this combination?
Our clients are a family of five, and we wanted them to have a comfortable place to gather for meals. There isn’t much space between the dining table and kitchen, or between the table and living room, so doing all chairs would have made things feel tight. We love playing with scale, and the chunky bench made by Stitchroom, paired with the equally substantial counter stools, created a nice juxtaposition against the slimmer lines of the table and kitchen elements.
Can you share details on the light hanging above the table?
At the beginning of this project, we found a stunning floor lamp we loved for the living space—but it was quite expensive and not the best use of budget. Our client then found the Atelier de Troupe chandelier, which had a similar feel with its wavy, bent metal design. The option of perforated metal made the fixture feel that much more unique.
The rounded edges in the living room really make a statement. What went into that decision?
There was really no way to do anything but rounded here and still maximize seating. We printed out the size and shape of the sofa on paper and laid it out on the floor to make sure there was enough walking space in and around it. We did the same for the rug—we debated whether it could be rectangular, but round felt off. Ultimately, an asymmetrical shape felt most organic.
How did you balance an elevated look with functionality?
Kid-friendly was the name of the game in every space—performance fabrics, rounded edges, and even the kitchen counter material were all chosen with family in mind. Originally, the client wanted to use quartz, which is great for durability, but we also love natural materials that can handle high-traffic areas—quartzite in particular. Natural stones with lots of variation hide wear beautifully. We’re lucky the design world recognizes that no one is covering their living room furniture with plastic anymore—people want homes that feel lived-in but elevated. Almost all of our clients have young children, so durability and style always go hand in hand in our designs.
I love the upholstered bench with the matching backdrop. Can you share details about this?
We needed to incorporate mudroom-style storage on the main level near the entry, so walling off the stair area allowed for tons of usable storage. Each family member has their own spot for coats, shoes, and more, and we loved the idea of integrating a bench. We’ll always take the opportunity to upholster a wall when we can—Stitchroom created this bench and the matching wall treatment in a beautiful Nobilis fabric.
What role do stone and tile play in this project?
They’re everything—the jewels of the project. We and the client were perfectly aligned on marble selections. Once we determined we could use natural stone in the kitchen, it was a party! We wanted something unique but not loud—quiet luxury, right?
Do you have a favorite aspect of this project?
From a design perspective, we’d say the primary bedroom and bathroom. The bathroom is such a delight—you feel instantly happy and calm when you step in—and the bedroom is serene and enveloping without being dark. From an execution standpoint, there wasn’t a dedicated general contractor on this project since the original scope was much smaller. As the project evolved, we took on a lot of that role ourselves. It wasn’t easy (and probably not something we’ll do again soon!), but it allowed us to flex a different set of skills and really drive the project home. We’re proud of that.