Last updated on · ⓘ How we make our designs
Check out our New York–style house designs that show how classic stoops, cornices and brick can feel not only iconic but fresh too.
These New York–style homes are our love letters to stoops, cornices, and brick that’s seen a thing or two, blending 19th‑century Italianate and brownstone heritage with cleaner lines and quieter ornament.
As you move through the designs, notice how the windows stack in calm rhythms, how the cornices “wear the hat” for each facade, and how a single bold door color or bay window can shift the whole attitude of a house.
We had a lot of fun pulling inspiration from classic blocks—those high stoops, arched entries, and long-legged facades—but we kept trimming and sharpening until each townhouse felt current, not like it’s auditioning for a period drama.
Look for the way railings, stoops, and front gardens act like small stages for daily life, setting up that moment between the sidewalk rush and the quiet inside.
And pay attention to the green bits, because they’re doing more work than just looking pretty. Vines softening strong brick grids, planter boxes turning formal fronts into actual homes, little forecourts and garden levels taking the edge off all that stone.
Stoopside Garden Brownstone Revival

This townhouse leans into classic New York drama with its high stoop, deep black doors, and a cornice that practically wears eyeliner. The warm brownstone facade is kept calm and orderly by perfectly stacked windows, each one framed like a portrait and softened with trailing greenery that takes the edge off all that city stone.
We designed the black railings, trim, and shutters to play off the sandstone color, so the whole corner feels sharp but still cozy, kind of like a tailored coat that’s secretly lined in cashmere. Planter boxes and the small front garden punch in that hit of green, turning a strong, almost formal facade into something that feels lived-in, welcoming, and just a bit proud of itself.
Skyward Arches Brownstone Facade Story

Those tall arched windows stack up like a quiet rhythm, framed by slender moldings and keystones that give the whole facade a calm, confident face. The warm brownstone pairs with that deep green entry door and sturdy stoop, so the house feels both a little grand and still totally neighborly.
Up top, the bold black cornice is doing a lot of heavy lifting, visually capping the building and drawing your eye up without feeling shouty about it. The raised base, iron railings, and neatly carved stonework ground everything, a reminder that details like these are what make a simple rectangle of rooms feel like a real New York original.
Terracotta Stoopfront Brownstone Daydream

This brownstone leans into its terracotta color like it woke up and chose timeless charm, pairing that rich façade with tall, delicately framed windows that feel almost theatrical. The classical cornice and chunky window pediments give the streetfront real weight, so the whole place looks like it’s been holding court on the block for generations.
We played up the entry as a little architectural handshake, with the arched double doors nestled into layered moldings and flanked by slender pilasters that make you slow down on the stoop. Soft green plantings spill from the window boxes and stair planters, taking the edge off all that stone and quietly reminding you this is still a home, not a museum piece.
Cornice Crown Brownstone Stoop Classic

This brownstone leans into symmetry like it’s a love language, stacking tall windows in neat rows under that bold, black cornice that feels almost theatrical. The warm stone, deep-set sills, and slightly arched ground-floor openings give it that quietly confident look, like it’s seen a century of neighbors and is still not impressed.
The twin stoops and sculpted railings are all about ceremony, turning the simple act of coming home into a tiny daily procession. We kept the detailing crisp but not fussy—clean moldings, subtle ironwork, and restrained ornament—so the house feels timeless, not like it’s trying on a costume from 1890.
Evening Glow Stoopside Brownstone Ensemble

Tall, slim windows stack neatly above the grand stoops, giving the facade that classic long-legged New York look we all secretly adore. The carved brackets, deep cornices, and precise stone trim borrow from 19th-century Italianate townhouses, but we softened the details so it feels more neighborly than museum-piece.
Those sweeping stoops are designed as little stages for daily life, wide enough for a couple of chairs and the sort of gossip that only happens between the front door and the sidewalk. Iron railings, planted forecourts, and that subtle shift in tones down the row keep everything elegant but not stiff, like the building decided to dress up but not brag about it.
Urban Cadence Redbrick Stoopscape

This townhouse row leans into a clean redbrick rhythm, with tall black-framed windows stacked neatly like a very stylish grid. The raised stoops and carved stone bases give each entry just enough drama, so walking up to the front door feels a little like making an entrance every single day.
Our team loved how the dark metal railings and lantern-style lights sharpen the classical details, making the whole facade feel tailored rather than fussy. Subtle cornice lines, trimmed window surrounds, and those tidy front planters keep the design grounded in traditional New York charm, while still looking fresh enough to have been finished, well, yesterday.
Charcoal Facade With Sunburst Entryway

This design leans into a deep charcoal skin that makes the crisp window trim and classic cornice feel almost theatrical, like a brownstone that discovered black-tie dressing. The perfectly stacked window rhythm keeps everything calm and orderly, while the raised stoop and slim railings give that familiar New York arrival moment without feeling stuffy.
We pushed the bold yellow door as a little jolt of joy on an otherwise moody facade, and it honestly steals the show in the best way. That pop of color anchors the entry, guides visitors straight up the steps, and keeps the whole townhouse from drifting into “too serious” territory, which the city really doesn’t need more of.
Grand Bay-Front Brownstone Parkside Retreat

Those deep bay fronts lean out just enough to catch the park light, turning the main rooms into little sun lounges without ever leaving the stoop culture of the block. The facade keeps a calm rhythm of stacked windows and subtle stone banding, so it feels grand but not show-offy, more like a very confident neighbor.
Up top, the dark, oversized cornice is doing the hard work of visually “capping” the whole composition, almost like a hat that was tailored in the 1890s and never went out of style. Carved stone details around the windows and entry are intentionally crisp, because that fine ornament is what makes the building feel handcrafted, human, and just a bit romantic when you walk by.
Manhattan Manor With Curved Portico

This stately townhouse leans into that old New York confidence, with a perfectly symmetrical redbrick façade that feels both formal and surprisingly welcoming. The rounded portico with its paired columns gives the entrance a soft, almost theatrical moment, like it’s rolling out a quiet red carpet every day.
Tall bay windows punch out from the corners to pull in light and lend the house its graceful, almost ship-like profile, while the slim iron balconies add just enough drama without shouting. Up top, the slate roof, chimneys, and petite rooftop terrace tuck in those Gothic-inspired dormer windows, a little nod to European townhouses that makes the whole composition feel layered, intentional, and frankly a bit fun.
Symmetry-Focused Brownstone Stoop Retreat

Perfectly lined-up windows stack like a quiet little grid, giving the brownstone a calm, almost soothing rhythm on a busy street. The warm sandstone facade softens the sharp geometry, while the crisp black trim and door keep it feeling tailored instead of fussy.
That generous stoop, framed with wrought-iron railings and potted greenery, turns the front steps into a kind of outdoor foyer, half social stage and half grand entrance. Tall, narrow windows pull in light while preserving a sense of privacy, a detail we love because it keeps that classic New York feel but still works for modern living.
Brick Arcades With Crimson Welcome

This design leans hard into those big Romanesque arches, turning the front façade into one dramatic brick proscenium for everyday life. The deep black trim frames the red entry like a picture, so the door doesn’t just say “welcome,” it basically shouts it from across the block.
We pulled in generous window boxes and chunky planters to soften all that crisp masonry, because even strong architecture needs a bit of green to relax. The careful brick detailing along the cornice and around each arched opening keeps the whole thing feeling crafted and intentional, like the building’s wearing a tailored suit instead of a hoodie.
Shingle-Clad Crowned Stoopsider Cottage

This little facade leans hard into its crisp white cornice, with chunky brackets and dentil detailing that feel almost oversized for the one-story profile, in the best possible way. The gray shingle cladding softens the look, giving a kind of city cottage vibe while the red brick base keeps it firmly grounded on the block.
We played with contrast everywhere: dark iron railings and grilles against bright trim, smooth concrete stoop against the texture of shingles, classic wood at the entry framed by sculpted surrounds. Those choices aren’t just for show, they help the low-rise home hold its own next to taller brick neighbors while still feeling warm, secure, and honestly, a bit proud of its good side.
Sunlit Archway Brick Rowhouse Charm

This brownstone leans into symmetry, then quietly breaks it with that tall arched window that feels almost like a modern cathedral for city views. Black-trimmed windows slice cleanly through the brick façade, giving the whole front a crisp frame that makes the warm masonry feel even richer and a bit more tailored.
We layered the classic raised stoop with lush planters and low railings so the entry feels welcoming instead of formal-and-frowning, more “come on up” than “ring and wait.” The rhythm of stacked windows, slim mullions, and that central glass column was inspired by old townhouse blocks, but tightened up to pull in more light, more sky and honestly just a nicer mood when you walk inside.
Brickfront City Rowhouse With Poise

This design plays with that classic uptown form, but keeps everything crisp and almost quietly confident. The tall sash windows line up like soldiers, while the black front door under its fanlight feels just a bit dramatic, in a good way.
We pulled in traditional townhouse cues—the stoop, the wrought-iron railings, the brick cornice line—but kept the detailing lean so it doesn’t look fussy. Those slim Juliet balconies, the clean stone lintels, and the tidy roof railing all add little moments of character that make the facade feel graceful instead of heavy.
Slate Mansard Brownstone With Regal Stoop

This townhouse leans into that classic brownstone presence, but the mansard roof and wrought-iron cresting push it gently toward Paris, or at least a New York daydream of Paris. The big arched doorway with its chunky pilasters frames the entry like a little stage, so arriving home feels a bit like making an entrance, even on laundry day.
We kept the brick elevations clean and rhythmic, letting those tall black-framed windows do the talking while the deep cornice quietly flexes in the background. That slate roof with crisp dormers doesn’t just look sharp, it tucks in extra living space under the eaves and caps the whole facade with a tailored, almost tailored-hat kind of finish.
Rainwashed Brownstone Lanternlight Welcome

Tall, even windows march across the brownstone facade, giving the whole place that quietly confident New York posture, like it’s seen a lot and isn’t bragging. The raised stoop pulls you upward toward the arched doorway, where warm wood doors and soft lantern light make the entrance feel almost like a little stage for everyday life.
Up top, the deep cornice in rich, dark trim crowns everything, adding a bit of drama and shadow play that keeps the elevation from feeling flat. Wrought-iron railings, finely carved stone frames, and that tucked-away garden level all nod to 19th-century townhouses, but the crisp detailing and careful proportions keep it feeling fresh instead of fussy.
Shingle Gable Haven With Twin Chimneys

The design leans into a calm coastal vibe, with warm cedar shingles and crisp white trim keeping everything feeling light instead of stuffy. We played up the symmetry on purpose, letting the twin chimneys and stacked gables give the house that quietly proud, “I’ve been here forever” posture.
Out back, the long pergola and deep porch turn the rear façade into an outdoor living room, stretching the house into the garden without making it shout for attention. Full-height French doors, gridded windows, and the stone porch steps all work together so inside and outside feel like one big space, which honestly is how people actually live when the weather finally behaves.
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