In the Carroll Gardens historic district, we completely renovated and added a new rear yard extension on an existing 1878 brownstone that was once occupied by the last queen of Sikkim. The three-bedroom private residence includes two working fireplaces, a large sliding panel in the library built with salvaged pine, FSC-certified Douglass Fir veneers and Pietra Cardosa stone countertops in the kitchen, a basaltina stone and fresco plaster master bathroom with an open shower and underfloor heating, new wood floors on the garden level reclaimed from barn timbers, and central air conditioning. Additional living space was created by excavating the cellar three feet to create a recreational room, work area, storage, and a laundry room. The palette of rich materials combined with the craft of J Thomas Construction and the client’s demanding sustainability goals resulted in a beautiful, responsibly designed home that embraces its history.