Norah Jones in a Fight for Windows on Her Townhouse

I think people need to admit that just because something is old doesn’t mean it’s a work of art! Let’s not impede progress to preserve an ugly wall.

I think this is a good lesson, really, for folks interested in buying older homes in the Brooklyn Brownstone area. Before signing on the dotted line, check with any or all preservation societies and historic boards about the property. What they propose could be a deal breaker.

Honestly, if I could buy a brownstone in BK, the last thing I’d fret about would be my windows. See forest: what trees?

Homeowners throughout America’s history, including the antebellum period when Ms. Jones’ house was constructed, have been thrilled to embrace changes–whether functional (ex: Franklin stove v. open hearth–charming, but terribly inefficient and dangerous) or aesthetic (ex: homes of the Federal period modified to reflect the neo-’modern’ features of the Greek Revival period). This is a home; not a house-museum designed to capture a period in time. Privacy may have been a desired element in Greek Revival architecture, but the privacy fence clearly precludes that as a concern for the home owner today. The purpose of a historical review board is to assure that structural modifications and exterior color choices do not negatively affect the property value of nearby properties. I suspect that Ms. Efron has no desire to destroy the value of her home by installing mid-century modern windows, and that the exterior of this rowhouse could be significantly improved by whatever it is her designer has proposed. Let’s face it, even the White House has been modified significantly over time in ways that were “inappropriate” for its original architecture (ex: Truman portico, East Wing office complex, top story family quarters).

Sticky. If she has signed papers that allow the preservation society to “rule” over any changes, she’s stuck. If that’s the case, sell, and move somewhere where you can do what you want. If there is nothing in her paperwork that doesn’t allow her to make the changes, she should be allowed to do what she wants to her house.

Let’s also note that putting new windows in the (arguably ugly) brick wall would also ADD history to this building–years down the road people could look back at how celebrities influenced the place.

But if it’s a carrier wall and looking at the plan you can actually see it. Every single interference may destroy the house, just because she wants some windows there!