Downstairs, Upstairs

I've always loved the historic charm of brownstones but often the kitchens are retrofitted at the garden level while the main living spaces remain upstairs. The kitchen in this Brooklyn brownstone, the home of Pilar Guzman, editor at Martha Stewart Living, and family proves otherwise at the heart of the home's parlor level. And so stylishly, too. 

Most of the appliances and dishware are housed in what resembles a historic, built-in cabinet accompanied by a large, serviceable island. Not usually a proponent of dark cabinetry, I'm actually loving this look of the stained wood and carrara counter. It only adds to the kitchen's edwardian feel. 

While the architecture and kitchen fittings retain their historic foundation, the rooms modern furnishings such as the light fixture, saarnien table, galvanized stools and pop-art prints keep it fresh, preventing it from feeling overly stuffy. 

{Images via Matthew Hranek}