17 Stunning Before-and-After Transformations From This Year's Mytour Home

This marks our seventh annual ideas home, and it’s our most ambitious project to date! The journey began with an extensive renovation, collaborating with developer Adam Dahill and architect Alexandra Burr from AlexAllen Studio to revitalize a 1890s brownstone in Brooklyn, New York. Walls were demolished, windows replaced, plumbing and electrical systems overhauled, and original woodwork restored. Once the heavy lifting was complete, we enlisted top interior designers to handle the enjoyable phase—decorating. The entire endeavor spanned months, and at times, meeting the deadline seemed uncertain. Some “before” shots were captured mere days before the October magazine photoshoot. Yet, as the results show, we pulled it off! Scroll through to witness the remarkable before-and-after transformations. If you’re nearby and wish to explore the space in person, tickets are available here.

Center Room

Upon closer inspection, you’ll notice this is the very same space. A wall once concealed the stunning staircase ascending to the second floor, but Adam removed it and redesigned the initial steps—unveiling the room and allowing the exquisite woodwork to stand out. Now, it’s an elegant lounge crafted by the Brownstone Boys, adorned with botanical wallpaper and complete with a fainting couch!

Living Room

This living area was already airy and luminous, owing to the windows and a vintage mirrored console that bounces natural light around. The Brownstone Boys embraced the antique woodwork, introducing soft pinks and reds that complement the existing tones. 

Dining Room

The bay windows in this home stand out as one of its most breathtaking features (not to mention the exquisite stained glass!). After refinishing the floors and wood trim, the Brownstone Boys introduced a neutral-toned dining table and cane-backed chairs, creating a cozy nook perfect for gatherings.

Kitchen

This kitchen is now a dream come true, but it wasn’t always this way! Adam and Alexandra completely redesigned the layout, equipping the wooden alcoves with Fisher & Paykel appliances and adding a spacious marble island to craft a contemporary hub for gatherings. The previously boarded-up windows? They’ve been replaced with Pella doors opening to the verdant backyard. 

Powder Room

Powder rooms have evolved into the spot to make a bold style statement, and the Brownstone Boys delivered with this gem of a space adjacent to the kitchen. They incorporated wainscotting to echo the architectural details found throughout the home, painted the walls a rich burgundy, and adorned them with a Morris & Co.–inspired print from Spoonflower. The standout feature? A stunning floating Calacatta Viola marble sink.

Den

This third-floor space had endless possibilities—a bedroom, an office, or more—but Jessica Davis envisioned it as the perfect cozy den. She painted the walls a vibrant golden yellow and the ceiling a soft sky blue, then assembled an eclectic and playful gallery wall. 

Primary Bedroom

Even in its original unfinished state, this room showcased excellent structure and immense potential. It required significant floor refinishing and a fresh application of Valspar paint. Designer Mikel Welch opted for beige walls and a rich red-brown ceiling to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. He adorned the space with textured elements, including a bouclé bed frame, a sheepskin rug, and wicker lamps. 

Primary Bathroom

Naturally, a breathtaking primary bedroom deserves an equally stunning bathroom. Mikel began with what was essentially a blank canvas, eventually incorporating Fireclay tiles, a double sink, mirrors, and ample vanity storage.

Bedroom

The bathtub eventually found its place in the adjacent bathroom, but for a time, it was the sole feature of this third-floor bedroom. Drawing inspiration from Funny Girl, Hema Persad painted the walls in an elegant mauve and layered the space with rich pinks and reds using velvet bedding and pleated curtains. She completed the design with sculptural brass accents, including a lotus pendant light and a snake table (can you ssspot it?).

Bathroom

The ultimate destination for that relocated bathtub! Though this compact space initially appeared unremarkable, Hema saw its potential. You might wonder, Where did that archway come from? We constructed it! Hema then adorned the perimeter with hand-painted floral details to make it a standout feature. She also designed a custom mosaic using four shades of Fireclay tile, achieving a bespoke aesthetic without the high cost, she explains.  

Guest Room

The second-floor guest suite includes a bedroom, bathroom, and a private patio, presenting a challenge for designer Jasmine Roth. She began by crafting a tranquil sleeping area, painting the walls a soft blue and adding wallpaper to one wall as a striking accent. A low-hanging chandelier above the nightstand introduces an element of surprise and elegance. 

Guest Room Balcony

That private patio we mentioned? It began as a neglected rooftop. TimberTech installed decking and railings, completely transforming the unused space into one of the home’s standout features. Jasmine furnished it with a sofa, a café table, and a few bottles of champagne.

Guest Bathroom

Jasmine opted for calming tones in the bedroom and decided to make the bathroom the vibrant focal point. She adorned one wall with a trellis-patterned wallpaper, echoing the bedroom’s design for cohesion, and covered the walls with striking red tiles.

Kids Room

Jessica envisioned transforming this compact room into the most adorable kids' space. To maximize the sense of space, she divided it into two zones: a raised platform for the bed and nightstand, and a dedicated area for getting ready. A custom scalloped valance along the ceiling supports a curtain, allowing the two spaces to be separated or combined as needed.

Cellar

This once gloomy cellar, previously a storage space for leftover lumber and construction materials, was transformed into a stylish speakeasy by Kate Pearce. Builders added sheetrock to the ceiling and repaired the stone walls to give the space a refined feel. Kate then painted the entire area a rich brown to enhance its moody ambiance. With no natural light, she incorporated numerous sconces, chandeliers, pendants, and cordless lamps. Additionally, she installed a custom bar to complete the speakeasy vibe.

Laundry Room

While laundry rooms aren’t usually known for being exciting, designer Amber Guyton aimed to redefine that with a chic laundry lounge. She highlighted the room’s skylight (a rare feature for laundry spaces) by surrounding it with a custom giraffe-print wallpaper on the ceiling. She also added ample cabinets to store laundry essentials and even cocktail supplies. Cheers to that!

Backyard

This backyard was in dire need of attention, and the team at Brooklyn Grange stepped up to the challenge. They cleared out the overgrown weeds and debris, then redesigned the space with metal edging and TimberTech decking. The result features pea gravel pathways, several cozy seating areas, and vibrant garden beds filled with native plants.