RECIPE FOR SUCCESS

This Brooklyn house had all the ingredients that food writer Julia Sherman and her husband Adam were looking for

Decorative textiles and tiles have given this Brooklyn brownstone an eclectic flavour

Aproperty with character, in the part of New York where most of their friends lived: this 1890s Brooklyn brownstone fulfilled both criteria for Julia Sherman and her husband, Adam Katz. But it took a leap of the imagination to visualise how the derelict house could be transformed. ‘The fact that it was a wreck partly worked in our favour,’ says Julie. ‘It had been neglected in such a big way that all its original features remained.’

As well as renovating, the couple reconfigured the layout, placing the bedrooms at garden level and the sitting room above, with the top two floors rented out. The kitchen demanded the most attention, not only as the hub of the home, but because it is where Julia develops recipes for her blogsite @saladforpresident.

The practical aspects came first: Carrara marble worktops, a large island and a hanging rack above it for pots and pans. The fitted units are bespoke, but they presented their own problem. ‘The ceilings here are so high that I couldn’t reach the upper cabinets without clambering on the worktops,’ Julie says. ‘So we found and restored an old library ladder, which proved the perfect solution.’

Next came the decor. ‘I love colour, but Adam prefers minimalist schemes, so I chose the well-established pairing of yellow and blue,’ says Julia. This is particularly striking on one of her favourite features, the arched splashback. ‘The

DINING AREA ‘I painted the walls pale grey for a calming effect,’ says Julia. Walls in Beachcomb Grey diamond matt, £42.84 for 2.5ltr, Dulux. The Jerry stool, £335, Finnish Design Shop, would suit this scheme

GARDEN This secluded space at the back of the house comes into its own in summer. Yellow chair (on balcony), £54 a pair, Maisons du Monde

KITCHEN The library ladder is attractive and practical. Rolling ladder, £375, Ladderstore, is similar. For Moroccan ceramic wall tiles, try Otto Tiles & Design