Summer Cottage in the City

When you look at this beautiful home with it's recycled ceiling beams and white painted floors, you'd be forgiven for thinking it was somewhere in Scandinavia. In fact, it's in Brooklyn, New York! I know, you never would've guessed. Owners, Lyndsay Caleo and Fitzhugh Karol, both grew up in the country, and they designed the house to be an escape from the city. Their home was the first project they worked on together after graduating from the Rhode Island School of Design.

What is so impressive is the fact that much of the furniture was made by the couple using mostly salvaged materials. They built the dining room table together; the downstairs couch was made from recycled ceiling beams; the fireplace sculpture from wood scraps; Lyndsay made the mahogany shelves downstairs; Fitzhugh made the island top, the stools, the bed, the stairs, the coffee table, the desk and so much more.

Contemporary pieces have also been mixed in alongside pre-loved items like the 1920's cast iron sink, kitchen lights from an Indian ship, and the old Indian daybed. Lyndsay and Fitzhugh discovered these on their many treasure hunts on eBay, and in flea markets and farms across the Northeast.

This beautiful mix has created a very special home with plenty of soul. You can see why family and friends love to visit and stay. Lyndsay designed the loft bed above the kitchen for guests, but with so many friends wanting to stay, they also had to add a guest bedroom, the "Captain's Quarters", downstairs. The downstairs couch is also made up of two mattresses for more sleepover guests.

A base of Benjamin Moore Super White paint is layered with lots of wood, leather, marble, linen, and soft grey stone to create a beautiful oasis in one of the world' busiest cities. To see and read even more about this home, pop over to Apartment Therapy.