It takes a certain amount of courage to embark on the refurbishment and renovation of a New York City brownstone without so much as a glance in the direction of an architect, designer, or contractor. In fact, most people would shudder at the mere thought of it. But then again, not everyone has the innate sense of creativity as fashion stylist Roxane Danset and her husband, musician Pat Mahoney of the band LCD Soundsystem. Confident that they could transform the circa-1890 residence into a chic and comfortable respite for their family of five, the couple dove in headfirst. “The house spoke to me immediately,” recalls Danset of the first time she toured the 2,500-square-foot four-bedroom property. “It was bathed in sunlight, and all the original details made it feel like home. I grew up in France, so I’m used to being surrounded by history.”
In the kitchen, which opens up to the backyard, the couple salvaged the original pine flooring and two pantries. Open shelving holds china passed down from Danset’s grandmother, and Thonet chairs surround a custom table. The artwork is by Rob Reynolds.
Luckily, because the property had remained intact as a single-family residence throughout its history, it was in fairly good condition—although it was calling out for some touch-ups in the way of plastering, painting, and wood restoration (there are original floors, molding, fireplaces, and etched-glass pocket doors), as well as more involved updates to the kitchen and baths. But even in those rooms, the couple showed great sensitivity and restraint, choosing to salvage as much as possible. “We tried to respect the original details and embrace what the place had to offer,” says Danset, whose favorite area of the home is the master bath, whose pine flooring, clawfoot tub, and early-20th-century sink still hold court. Of course, a few liberties were taken here and there—such as painting the room’s window trim pink—in an effort to imbue some personality into the home. “We fixed what we needed to, restored some things, and played around with what was there,” says Danset.
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From the start, the couple took a laid-back approach and got to know the house before committing to anything too permanent. “We lived in it for a while to get a feel for it,” recalls Danset. “We didn’t even have a functioning kitchen at first.” Eventually, the pair settled on a plan for the garden-level kitchen that included plastered walls and an open shelving system “reminiscent of Greek country houses,” says Danset. Fortunately, Mahoney had some past construction experience to draw on, having helped some friends renovate their apartments. “Pat and I were partners in crime: I’d have an idea, and he would figure out how to make it happen,” she says. “I taught him about detail, and he taught me how to look at things in a more practical way. And if we didn’t agree on something, it meant that it wasn’t right for the house and we’d simply move on to the next thing.”
When it came time to furnish the rooms, the couple culled mostly vintage and antique pieces—which they either refurbished or reworked in some way—along with a few family heirlooms and items custom made by Mahoney. “It’s our interpretation of classic style,” says Danset. “I’d find things organically, staying away from any expected brands. Doing a project like this by yourself, without a contractor or architect, can be overwhelming because it becomes a full-time job,” says Danset. “But you learn a lot along the way, and in the end the result is extremely fulfilling. Creating a home is a beautiful experience.”