SNOOP: Cramped Cottage Expanded

Seven years after falling for a 2,000-square-foot 1940s Cape in Greenfield Hill, this Brooklyn couple found themselves wanting more space…but not a different house.

Rather than trade charm and history for square footage, they partnered with designer Jillian Puglisi of CETTA Design Studio to expand thoughtfully, building gently around what already made it home.

Watch the evolution of this beloved cottage below, and wait until you see what used to be a garage!

Wherever possible, original details were restored. For example, the brick fireplace was uncovered and celebrated, adding texture and a subtle nod to the homeowners’ Brooklyn roots.

With the home’s newly opened layout, the sitting room now flows seamlessly into a long dining table perfect for entertaining; now there is a space for everyone at the table.

One of the most dramatic shifts? The kitchen.

Formerly a one-car garage, it’s now the heart of the home. Shaker-style cabinetry, soapstone countertops, and a beadboard backsplash set a classic tone, while a sprawling honed quartzite island anchors the room beneath antique French pendant lights sourced from 1stDibs. Drawing from the soapstone, designer Jillian paired Chantilly Lace walls with Pale Oak trim for a look that feels timeless yet softened. See the transformation below.

Contrast trim throughout adds depth and quiet definition, an old New England detail that feels newly relevant.

In the mudroom, brick-inspired floors ground the space in durability and warmth. Homeowner Jenny’s favorite part is the powder room wrapped in woodland print from Anthropologie. It’s playful, nostalgic, and just unexpected enough.

Bathrooms throughout the home feature natural stone, lending each space a refined, organic feel.

Expanded, yes. But still very much the cottage home that Jillian and her family love. Sometimes the best move isn’t moving at all.

See more pics of the Cape below.

Photography by John R. Gruen

Interior Design: Jillian Puglisi, CETTA Design Studio
Contractor: Dierna Construction

Resources:

Paint (Benjamin Moore):
Walls: Chantilly Lace
Trim & Doors: Pale Oak
Front Door: Tricorn Black
Mudroom: Trout Gray

Kitchen & Bath Fixtures: Waterworks
Antique French Pendants: 1stDibs
Powder Room Wallpaper: Anthropologie
Dining Table: Restoration Hardware
Chairs & Styling: Pottery Barn
Family Room Rug: Etsy