For the Love of Renovating

April 15, 2024
Brownstone Boys bloggers Bordelon and Slocum debut with a rewarding manual that walks readers through how to refurbish their homes. To prepare for renovations, Bordelon and Slocum recommend getting three to five quotes from architects and contractors and creating a “lookbook” (“Organize your inspiration for each space first by floor and then by room using something like Pinterest”). Detailing what to consider when working on each room, they suggest that “the stove, sink, and fridge should make a triangle” in the kitchen and outline the pros and cons of various kinds of stone countertops. For bedrooms, they encourage readers to buy throw pillows in a contrasting color to the walls or drapes, and for bathrooms, they describe how to save money by refashioning a credenza into a vanity. The guidance is chock-full of useful rules of thumb (“The minimum clearance that you need to maneuver around in any space is 36 inches”), and the authors place a welcome emphasis on trusting one’s gut (“Think about how you want the space to feel, not just how you want it to look”). The result is a comprehensive overview on revamping one’s home.

May 10, 2024

Even minor home improvements can bring major stress, so naturally, large-scale projects can feel overwhelming. This book aims to make the process less daunting for homeowners. Bordelon and Slocum, a.k.a. the Brownstone Boys, began their renovation journey in 2018, when they purchased and rehabbed their 130-year-old house. Since then, they've honed their expertise and become passionate preservationists of the beloved Brooklyn brownstone. This beautifully photographed book opens with the pros and cons of buying a fixer-upper: understanding the value and investment, knowing what professionals to include, and deciding when to walk away. After an elaborate and extremely helpful explanation about budgets and scheduling (including clear examples of costs in a range of projects and information on the billing process of architects and contractors), the authors describe how to select a team to design and execute a project. Each chapter then takes readers on a room-to-room tour of their work and provides a checklist of tasks, tips, and inspiration for lighting and decor, and thorough sections on flooring, windows, and preserving architectural accents. VERDICT A comprehensive and highly enjoyable guide to restoring old homes; while the coveted Brooklyn brownstone might not be accessible to all, the fundamental ideas can apply to any project.--Erin Dagenais

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