DECEMBER 2018 • LONGISLANDPRESS.COM 67
INSIDE JOB
MODERN REVAMP IN OLD BROOKVILLE
The design pro and
her clients joined forces
and created beautiful
(fireplace) focal walls for
both the 35-foot by 60-foot
living room and 30-foot by
40-foot family room.
The more formal
living room was completely
transformed when dark
mahogany wood panels (48-inch
squares) with a distinct grain were
used on the fireplace, adding depth,
balance and height to the already largescale
ceilings. The stain, in an ebony
tone, matched the existing dining
room table (from Swaine) and
newly purchased Baker
furniture.
For the new Swaim sofa
the designer outsourced
and customized fabric from
Kravet – a performance velvet
in a beautiful cobalt blue tone.
The jolt of color was just what
the boring beige family
room needed.
For that space, the
clients chose a brass
and wood cocktail table from
Vanguard, and armchairs from
Lazar that boasted custom upholstery
and finish options. Baumgarten kept
that fabric simple to showcase the blue
sofa and allow the fireplace wall to
take center stage. The custom faux
finish on the wall creates a
subtle feel of movement.
To make a
statement in the
family room, Baumgarten
sourced 24-inch by 12-inch
custom porcelain tiles for
the fireplace wall, which
added definition.
A simple black
metal surround
on each now modern
fireplace contrasts
with the new
materials.
similar in their modern simplicity
but different in their varying materials
and execution.
“While construction was taking
place, Aline and I hit the ground
running with our design ideas,” says
Baumgarten, who always works on a
room from the floor up and usually
sources and shops for a rug with her
clients as one of their initial meetings.
“This way, they pick out a rug
style that defines their personality
and then I continue to build the room
around it.”
Their hunt for new rugs took them
to Stark Carpet, where they chose
two that had unique tone-on-tone
geometric patterns that would surely
spruce up both the living and family
spaces.
After completing those common
areas, Baumgarten and her team
moved their design focus to the firstfloor
master bedroom.
“Like all good husbands, Kevin let
his wife take direction on the design
here,” says Baumgarten. “Being from
Brazil, Aline loves color and lilac is
her favorite.”
So, they ran with it.
For the perfect finishing touch in the
boudoir, the designer chose a beautiful
piece by local artist Anahi DeCanio.
Photo by Jump Visual
“I am a big believer in details,
artwork being a large focus in all my
projects,” says Baumgarten, whose
inspiration for the space echoed
Kevin’s passion for collecting and
customizing great pieces of art. “As it
turned out, this reno went smoothly
and was a win-win for everyone. And
most importantly, we had a lot of fun
together.”