Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
In this Open House TV tour, designer Jonsara Ruth introduces her renovation of an 1899 townhouse in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn. As founder of Salty Labs Design Collective and co founder of Healthy Materials Lab at Parsons School of Design, she brings a clear point of view to the project. Her work focuses on creating interiors that reduce exposure to harmful substances while honoring the character of older homes and the needs of contemporary families.
The tour begins on the parlor floor, where the vestibule leads into a front hall, living room, staircase, office nook, kitchen, and terrace. The living room anchors the project. Vintage pieces guide the design, including a piano that remained from the previous owners, an antique Moroccan Berber rug, a period mantle, and a hearth that retains the original presence of the house. Shelves made from reclaimed hemlock beams, rescued from the former Domino Sugar Factory, introduce a distinctive touch of Brooklyn history. Natural fibers appear throughout the furnishings, with linen on the sofa and wool on the chair and stool. Each piece avoids added stain repellents and flame retardants, supporting healthier indoor conditions.
As for the impressive staircase, it illustrates the core of Ruth’s approach. The original structure remains intact, while a new wall carved through CNC technology follows a silhouette drawn specifically for the home. A second wall constructed from studs salvaged during demolition avoids unnecessary waste and brings past and present into direct conversation.
Moreover, the stunning kitchen continues this commitment to materials that support well being. The maple countertop receives a light application of wax. The cabinets use formaldehyde free plywood finished with linseed oil paint. Handmade ceramic tiles with lead free glazes serve as the backsplash. The limestone counter remains untreated, and the walls and ceiling are finished in lime plaster, which absorbs odors and allows the space to breathe. A custom cork table brings a renewable material into daily use, and a built in banquette upholstered in linen creates a comfortable and durable seating area.
To support indoor outdoor living for a family arriving from California, the flooring extends from the kitchen directly onto the terrace to create a unified surface that carries the interior into the garden.
Overall, as can be seen throughout this lovely townhouse, Ruth preserves the cultural spirit of the original structure while demonstrating how thoughtful design can reduce environmental impact and create warm, healthy, and practical spaces for a young family.
Subscribe to Open House TV on YOUTUBE: bit.ly/openhouseyoutubesub
Open House TV INSTAGRAM: bit.ly/2T0aorL
Open House TV TWITTER: bit.ly/2szkqEX
Open House TV FACEBOOK: bit.ly/2TXSztC
In this Open House TV tour, designer Jonsara Ruth introduces her renovation of an 1899 townhouse in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn. As founder of Salty Labs Design Collective and co founder of Healthy Materials Lab at Parsons School of Design, she brings a clear point of view to the project. Her work focuses on creating interiors that reduce exposure to harmful substances while honoring the character of older homes and the needs of contemporary families.
The tour begins on the parlor floor, where the vestibule leads into a front hall, living room, staircase, office nook, kitchen, and terrace. The living room anchors the project. Vintage pieces guide the design, including a piano that remained from the previous owners, an antique Moroccan Berber rug, a period mantle, and a hearth that retains the original presence of the house. Shelves made from reclaimed hemlock beams, rescued from the former Domino Sugar Factory, introduce a distinctive touch of Brooklyn history. Natural fibers appear throughout the furnishings, with linen on the sofa and wool on the chair and stool. Each piece avoids added stain repellents and flame retardants, supporting healthier indoor conditions.
As for the impressive staircase, it illustrates the core of Ruth’s approach. The original structure remains intact, while a new wall carved through CNC technology follows a silhouette drawn specifically for the home. A second wall constructed from studs salvaged during demolition avoids unnecessary waste and brings past and present into direct conversation.
Moreover, the stunning kitchen continues this commitment to materials that support well being. The maple countertop receives a light application of wax. The cabinets use formaldehyde free plywood finished with linseed oil paint. Handmade ceramic tiles with lead free glazes serve as the backsplash. The limestone counter remains untreated, and the walls and ceiling are finished in lime plaster, which absorbs odors and allows the space to breathe. A custom cork table brings a renewable material into daily use, and a built in banquette upholstered in linen creates a comfortable and durable seating area.
To support indoor outdoor living for a family arriving from California, the flooring extends from the kitchen directly onto the terrace to create a unified surface that carries the interior into the garden.
Overall, as can be seen throughout this lovely townhouse, Ruth preserves the cultural spirit of the original structure while demonstrating how thoughtful design can reduce environmental impact and create warm, healthy, and practical spaces for a young family.
Subscribe to Open House TV on YOUTUBE: bit.ly/openhouseyoutubesub
Open House TV INSTAGRAM: bit.ly/2T0aorL
Open House TV TWITTER: bit.ly/2szkqEX
Open House TV FACEBOOK: bit.ly/2TXSztC
