Sunny rooftop patio with wicker chairs, beige cushions, a coffee table with potted plants and a tray of drinks, under a wooden pergola covered in vines. This inviting space, reminiscent of an arts and crafts townhouse retreat, offers views of city buildings with red brick and colorful facades in the background.

arts and crafts townhouse

After a decade of designing numerous improvements and new constructions on her country estates in North Salem NY, and North Haven Island, Maine, Anik Pearson Architect was commissioned again by their client to work on a new project, a historically significant Arts and Crafts townhouse in the Upper East Side Historic District of Manhattan.

While the last proprietor of this townhouse left every original period detail of Harvey Stevenson’s 1937 remodel untouched, much was in dire need of restoration and repair after eight decades of ownership. The front and rear masonry facades were restored, along with their pocketing oversized bay windows, turned steel trelliswork, and a counterweighted ship’s ladder. Cleverly accessible from the kitchen via a hidden stair, a small pair of disused staff rooms on the second floor were purposefully reconfigured into an embellished dining room. Navy velvet panels were framed in gilded fluted trim, and hand-painted chrysanthemum blossoms on Verre églomisé magically shift and flutter with the light. The roof, previously a sea of reflective asphalt covered in random pipes and leaking skylights, was transformed into a lush urban rooftop garden with vegetable patches in elevated planters, espaliered apple trees within beds of companion strawberry plants, culinary herbs mixed in with sedum live roof modules, and a grape arbor for some dappled shade. The performance of the overall building envelope was dramatically improved without altering the historic façade and its decorative elements; a high-efficiency mechanical system was designed not to disturb the historic rooms. For sustainability, exterior paved and asphalted surfaces, including the public sidewalk, were replaced with planted areas designed to passively cool the building envelope and to filter rainwater. Overflow stormwater was recaptured for use in garden irrigation.

Anik Pearson Architect’s next project for this client is to design a new solar-powered, water-recapturing, fossil-fuel-free pool and greenhouse building on North Haven Island Maine.

Sunny street view of an arts and crafts-inspired tan townhouse with green-trimmed windows and a green door. The door, numbered 119, has a white decorative frame. Small plants grow beneath the windows, and shadows from trees fall across the facade and sidewalk.
Two side-by-side architectural drawings of a narrow townhouse: left in pencil, right colored, with green accents and lush vines climbing the facade, a green door, large windows, rooftop greenery, and small shrubs by the entrance. Both show classical detailing.
A classic hallway with a patterned rug, wooden stairs with black railings, and a framed painting on the right wall. The hallway leads to a room with blue and gold walls, a window, and a wooden bench. Light streams through the window.
A townhouse dining room with a round wooden table, four wooden chairs, a blue patterned rug, navy and gold paneled walls adorned with landscape art, a brass chandelier, row of windows with greenery outside, and a white flower arrangement on the table showcases timeless Arts and Crafts-inspired design.
A cozy library with a red sofa, striped armchairs, and a round coffee table sits below a tall window with teal curtains. Bookshelves line one wall; a desk with flowers, a lamp, and a globe is under the window. A black chandelier hangs from the ceiling.
A cozy living room features a wooden fireplace with a sailboat mural, patterned wallpaper, a round glass coffee table with books and flowers, striped and cream armchairs, a wrought iron chandelier, and a world map border along the upper fireplace wall.
Cozy wooden room with a small bar area, sink, bottled drinks, and glasses under stairs. Wooden stairs with iron railing lead up. Large window lets in light. Vintage world maps and floral wallpaper decorate the walls. Patterned pillows on a yellow couch.
Two wooden double doors with diamond-patterned glass panels and dark round handles stand closed. The doors are framed by matching wood. Reflections and light suggest a hallway beyond, with cream-colored walls and simple modern decor.
A galley kitchen with wood cabinets, a gas stove, and a stainless steel range hood. Colorful tile backsplash, pots and utensils by the stove, a striped towel on the oven handle, and natural light from a nearby window brighten the space.
Two ornate armchairs with floral upholstery flank a small glass table holding a vase of white flowers, set in front of a large bay window with sheer curtains. Sunlight filters through, illuminating the wooden floor and interior.
Two upholstered armchairs face each other on a blue rug in a sunlit townhouse living room. French doors framed by blue curtains open to a brick patio with metal chairs and a large tree. Books and artwork inspired by arts and crafts decor add character to the cozy, inviting space.
A leafy courtyard features a patio with a blue-patterned tablecloth, metal chairs, potted plants, and a tree. Behind, tall windows and a brick exterior lead indoors. Sunlight filters through the branches, creating a peaceful, inviting space.
A sunny courtyard with green grass, potted topiary, a beige sofa, wood deck, and a wall covered with climbing plants creates an inviting arts and crafts atmosphere. Green double doors lead inside the townhouse, while an upper terrace holds more greenery. Buildings are visible in the background.

arts and crafts townhouse

  • Interior Design by Shaun Jackson Inc.
  • Landscape Architecture by Garden 26
  • Photography by Eric Piasecki
  • Featured in Hive, Connecticut Magazine, and 6sqft