Magnolia Anniversary

Architecture geeks will note the neo-Grec and Queen Anne influences on the exterior of his Brooklyn brownstone, which was built back in 1899. However, anybody will be able to see that a considerable amount of work has been done to the interior in the century and a bit since, but it's been tastefully done in a way that adeptly balances modernity and heritage. Inside, you'll be wowed by the rooms' lavish proportions, artwork-covered walls and the bountiful natural light from the tall windows, which dances pleasingly off the smart hardwood floors. There are plenty of period features to spot and many of the furnishings bear a distinct mid-century influence, but other spaces belong well and truly in the 21st century – the deliciously sleek quartzite-surfaced kitchen and chic marble bathrooms are prime examples. In a city in which outdoor space can be hard to come by, this home more than delivers on that front. As well as a peaceful terrace on the first floor, there's a flower-filled garden with more seating on the ground level that is especially pretty in the springtime when the magnolia tree comes into bloom. You will have had to have been sleeping under a rock for the past couple of decades to not know that Brooklyn is now home to some of New York's buzziest restaurants and galleries, many of which sit within easy walking distance from this home. That being said, the nearby AC line means that it's a breeze to get into Manhattan, too.