Frederick Tang Architecture Updates a Landmarked 1930 Home in Douglaston, Queens
Frederick Tang Architecture (FTA) has completed the multi-phased renovation of a landmarked 1930 Colonial-style house in the historic neighborhood of Douglas Manor in Douglaston, Queens. During a time when working and learning from home is more frequent, the latest phase makes selected areas of the interior more liveable for the homeowners and their two children. Throughout, common areas and offices have been revamped with a new jewel-toned palette and richly textured materials that fuse the cultural backgrounds of the husband, who has deep roots in the area, and the wife, who is Indian-American.
Most significantly, the project transforms the attic into a work-from-home office for the husband and converts two enclosed porches, which flank each side of the house, into winterized, light-filled living rooms. “We’ve essentially expanded the bulk of the house without adding to its footprint. Interior space extends up into the attic, and out into each flanking porch," says principal Frederick Tang.
The initial architectural renovation, which began in 2013, reconfigured the floor plan, renovated kitchens and bathrooms, and brought more light into the overall interior. Previously, the home had been owned by York College Law School, operating as the Dean's House. “It was pretty much a mid-century time capsule for entertaining,” says Tang. “There were two large caterer's kitchens—one upstairs and one in the cellar for college events.”
While the third floor attic and enclosed porches were left alone in the project’s first phase, this changed in 2020 as working and learning from home became a new reality. In early 2020, FTA had already begun the process of Landmarks filing for the replacement of 31 porch windows when the family asked for additional interior updates that would flexibly accommodate both parents and kids, creating more space for individual activities. In addition to replacing semi-frosted jalousie windows with new double-hung windows that offer more insulation and natural light, FTA transformed the porches from semi-enclosed patios into comfortable, plush spaces for working, lounging, and dining.
One side became a small living room/den with two textured seating areas featuring a reupholstered sofa, Belgian shag rug, Gubi brass lamp, and vintage Baxter and Leibchen chairs from the client’s collection of mid-century Danish furniture. The other porch brings together a Kigumi Walnut Dining Table (used flexibly as a breakfast nook or homework table) with a Poul Henningson pendant, Egg Collective sofa, Gabriel Tan coffee table, and Pauline Deltour rope rug. Warm, rich colors and textures draw from the family’s collection of Indian art and artifacts that suffuse the home.
Upstairs, the husband’s attic office has been completely transformed, optimizing for Zoom meetings and creating a range of new work surfaces in a palette of walnut, pale grey, and deep teal. "The second phase started with a call from the husband asking, ‘Can you help me look better on Zoom?’ We said, ‘Yes!’,” says Barbara Reyes, Director of Interiors at FTA. Mira and Milo calico wallpaper joins a panel of navy wainscotting as the backdrop, while new teal built-in millwork covers the front wall, accommodating file storage, a concealed radiator, and reading bench nestled against the large window. A walnut standing/sitting desk and a Nero Marquina round table offer different work stations; in particular, the table offers a space for the kids to do homework alongside their dad. Cognac-colored leather, black accents, and brass provide a touch of elegance across the room.
Elsewhere, a corner of the couple’s bedroom was converted into a bright nook with built-in shelves and a small desk, functioning as the wife’s work surface for her watercolor illustrations. "We saw this dead zone—formerly used as a dumping ground for random items—as an opportunity to carve out a private, more useful space for the wife,” says Reyes. The walls of the stairwell have also been recovered with a rich, graphic navy-and-copper wallpaper that ties together the latest phase of the renovation, which permeates all three floors of the home.
Material Used:
Furnishings and finishes by room:
Den
● Sofa, Client's reupholstered in Tokyo, Iris by Pollack
● Circus Velvet Pouf by Normann Copenhagen
● Vintage Danish Table
● Vintage Danish Leather Chairs from Baxter and Leibchen
● Belgian Shag rug
● Ottoman, Client's reupholstered in Wide corduroy, Sanguine by Maharam
● Bestlite Brass lamp, Gubi
● Vintage Danish side Table, from Baxter and Leibchen
● Custom Roman Shades in Envoy, Dew by James Dunlop Textiles
Porch
● Emmy Sofa with walnut trim by Egg Collective from DWR
● Port Walnut and Marble Coffee Table by Gabriel Tan for DWR
● Walnut Banded Barrel Back Chair by Moran Woodworked Furniture
● Ottoman, Client's reupholstered in Wide corduroy, Sanguine by Maharam
● Pauline Deltour Rope Rug by Hem
● Multi Floor Brass Lamp by Gubi
● Nelson Saucer Wall Sconce
● Kigumi Walnut Dining Table from DWR
● Wood and Cane Chairs by Adolini and Simonini from 1stDibs
● Vintage Side Table from Baxter and Leibchen
● PH5 Pendant by Poul Henningson for Louis Poulsen
● Frances Metal and leather Mirror from Pottery Barn
Living Room
● Raleigh Sofa in Coral Boucle by DWR
● Helix Walnut, Brass and Glass Coffee Table by Chris Hardy
● Vintage Side Table from Baxter and Leibchen
● Vintage Side Chair from Baxter and Leibchen
● Brass Bar Cart by Deschenes
● Overdyed Silk Rug from ABC
● Vintage Side Table from Baxter and Leibchen
● Rosewood Daybed made in India from ABC Carpet
● Large Indian Pichhavai Painting from Bermingham and Co/1stDibs
● Horse sculpture by Giancarlo Rossi from a shop in Cortona Italy
Stairs
● Strike Navy and Copper Wallpaper by Hygge & West
● Vintage Side Chair from Baxter and Leibchen
● Marble and Walnut drink table by West Elm
Sitting Room
● Vintage Danish Credenza from Baxter and Leibchen
● Custom Wardrobe Cabinet
● Vintage Chair by Ole Wanscher from 1stDibs
Office
● Custom Millwork in Walnut and Pacific Sea Teal by Benjamin Moore
● Wall Paint in Old Navy by Benjamin Moore
● Custom Miro and Milos Wallpaper by Calico
● Sit and Standing Walnut Desk by Uplift
● Line Walnut File Credenza by Nathan Yong for DWR
● Eames leather Executive Chair by Herman Miller
● Nero Marquina Table from Cité
● Henrik Tengler Leather and Brass Chairman Chair
● Custom Cushion In Anni Baltic by DesignTex
● Vintage Laurel Mushroom Floor Lamp from 1stDibs
● Champeaux Sconces by RH
● Black and Brass Shade Wall Lamp by Workstead
Vanity Nook
● Ling Wallpaper by Graham and Brown
● Nimbus Brass Mirror by Menu
● Custom ottoman in Vienna Velvet by James Dunlop Textiles
● Hampton tufted leather and brass chair from Mod Shop
