A historic home gets the star treatment

The Brooklyn Heights Association kicked off its second showhouse located in the historic neighborhood. Continuing its mission to preserve old homes for 21st-century living, they invited 15 designers to lay their magic among the rooms in the wood-framed house. Tapped to help with two bathroom renovations—the powder room and kids’ bathroom—designer Kim Tomasino was matched with a general contractor from Sweeten, a free service connecting renovators and designers with vetted contractors. Scroll down to see the design candy she created or visit the showhouse in person through November 3rd. 

PROJECT: Remodel two outdated bathrooms in the Brooklyn Heights Designer Showhouse

LOCATION: 13 Pineapple Street, Brooklyn, New York 

RENOVATION TEAM: Sweeten general contractor and interior designer Kim Tomasino

INTERVIEW WITH: Interior designer Kim Tomasino

(Above) Befores of the powder room (left), and kids’ bathroom (right)

 (Above) Kids’ bathroom

Sweeten: Can you tell us about this year’s Brooklyn Heights Designer Showhouse?


Kim: This year’s showhouse is an early 19th-century Federal wood-frame home in Brooklyn Heights.

Sweeten: What were the spaces you renovated?

Kim: I worked on the ground-level powder room and top floor kids’ bathroom. They were rip-and-replace projects with new sinks, toilets, shower accessories, and tile, including floor tiles. They were both remodeled on a very short deadline.





Sweeten: What was your vision for the spaces?


Kim: I always want to achieve a clean look, with up-to-date designs that are stylish and have a bit of a wow factor. A thinly planked ceiling was something I kept seeing. I thought a fish and bamboo were an amusing combo for the kids’ bath! I also wanted to accentuate the scalloped ceiling fixture and by painting it white (high-gloss lacquer) and not leaving it natural, it stood out more. 

The existing powder room had built-in shelves that held towels but it was awkward fitting them in there. I wanted to keep towels behind the toilet, so I found chrome racks that lined up about six towels in a row. It was cute and effective.

Sweeten: Can you describe some of the materials you used?


Kim: Both bathrooms were small and making the baths feel larger is subconscious, in the colors I elect. All of the natural materials help to give it that breathability. In the powder room, minimal water is splashed, so one big sisal bath mat with a fun pattern wrapped around the toilet and sink worked great!

I had been using brass a lot recently and it was refreshing to use chrome in the bathrooms. The tiles were also a perfect option for keeping the kids’ bathroom looking clean. The biggest challenge was the bamboo ceiling. When it was finally installed it was very rewarding and a relief!

 (Above & Below) Powder room



Sweeten: How did your contractor help you get the project done?


Kim: My contractor’s tile work really revamped the entire space. He was great!

Sweeten: Do you have any renovation or design tips for future renovators?

Kim: Make sure to use recommended sources from your professional. It saves you a lot of grief.

The showhouse will be open through November 3, 2019. Click here to purchase tickets.

KID’S BATHROOM RESOURCES: Floor tiles, shower wall tiles: Walker Zanger. Fish School wallpaper, window treatment fabric: Schumacher. Shower fixtures: Ferguson. Ceiling covering: Forever Bamboo. Sink console, toilet: Signature Hardware. Ceiling light fixture: Soane Britain.  Art Deco shell sconces: 1stdibs.com. Vanity mirror/medicine cabinet: Serena & Lily. White lacquer gloss paint: Ressource.

POWDER ROOM RESOURCES: Bathroom sisal floor rug: Curran. Brighton Your Pavilion wallpaper, window treatment fabric: Meg Braff Designs. Ceiling wallpaper: Ionian Sea Linen by Ralph Lauren. Key West pedestal sink: Mirabelle. Mirror: Chairish. Toilet: Signature Hardware. Sconces: Soane Britain. Towel bar: Mirabelle. Paint in Terregone: Ressource.

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