Have you ever stayed in an unforgettable hotel and wished you could bring that feeling home? A couple in Williamsburg did just that: they bought a townhouse and asked the design team to recreate the warm, relaxed and plant-filled atmosphere they loved at the 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge. The brief was simple — make the house feel modern, casual and richly layered with natural materials, as if the comfort of a hotel had been translated into a family home.
The interiors were conceived and executed by INC Architecture & Design, a New York practice known for soft, elegant lines and a focus on authentic materials. Their approach here favors tactile surfaces and a restrained palette that feels both refined and lived-in. The result is a romantic minimalism that still reads as warm and inviting rather than austere.
A carefully curated neutral palette sets the tone. Hues range from deep, factory-inspired charcoals to pale, sun-washed creams — a spectrum inspired by the Williamsburg Bridge and the industrial fabric of the waterfront. Surfaces are layered: hand-troweled plasters, woven wallcoverings and upholstered linen panels give depth without relying on ornament. Furnishings follow the same philosophy, showcasing materials in their natural, unadorned state.
Natural materials take center stage. Linens are textured and substantial, often dyed with natural pigments that yield muted, organic colors. Rugs are hand-knotted in wool and silk, offering soft underfoot warmth and subtle sheen. Wood and stone finishes are left matte and tactile, emphasizing grain, veining and the irregularities that make them feel genuine. Accessories, art and abundant plantings form the final layer, adding life and personal character to each room.
The sequence of spaces is composed like a gentle sunrise. The ground floor reads as the deepest and most grounded level, anchored by richer tones and heavier textures. Moving upward through the house, the tones progressively lighten; by the top floor the palette is almost white, creating airy bedrooms and soft living spaces. Two generous terraces flank the top level, bathing the upper rooms in sunlight and extending the interiors into the open air.
To bridge indoor and outdoor, Brooklyn-based landscape designer Brook Klausing shaped the terraces and exterior spaces into layered, urban gardens. Using cleft bluestone, reclaimed wood and an assortment of soft plantings, the landscaping blurs the edge between architecture and nature. The planting choices and natural textures create a seamless transition, making the terraces feel like extensions of the living spaces rather than separate outdoor rooms.
Every material and finish was selected to support the project’s guiding idea: authenticity over artifice. The home reads as quietly luxurious because its elements are honest — textiles that reveal handwork, plasters that display craft, stone and wood that show natural character. The boldness of restraint, combined with lush planting and thoughtful lighting, produces an atmosphere that feels both restorative and sophisticated.
Images courtesy of INC Architecture & Design.
