Over in Carroll Gardens, we were taken aback by the attention to detail that has gone into designing this nineteenth-century brick home. There's a strong cohesion between the modern furnishings, from the transparent dining set and bold pieces of artwork to the statement lighting fixtures hanging from the ceiling. The black kitchen is relatively simple in comparison, but no less stylish. The overall effect is helped by the fact that it's an innately bright space thanks to the large windows letting in copious amounts of natural light — this is seen best in the bay-style cove where the main table sits. The local neighbourhood has a strong Italian-American lineage and there are plenty of restaurants and cafes nearby where you can see this culture still thriving. The area is also rich with art galleries, with seven alone to be found within a fifteen-minute walk. Home truths: *The home is split across three floors, so it might not be suitable for guests with reduced mobility *There's no private parking space, but Bergen St subway station is only a minute's walk around the corner