Long before Brooklyn's Williamsburg neighborhood became the happening place to be, designer Joseph Foglia was creating notable spaces there.
Known for designing watering holes—New York magazine referenced him as a local designer "whose distinctive work you might know from Dressler"—Joseph Foglia began in construction, a background that has given him a great appreciation for materials. He relies upon upon a coterie of neighboring craftsmen and fabricators, whom he often commissions for restaurant designs with large budgets, but whom he can also turn to to give even a small project a special touch. "Unlike commercial spaces, homes are very intimate places," says Foglia. "I try to be a conduit and help clients articulate what it is that they are seeking in a space."
Above: Foglia's own home on Grand Street was once a dark warren of rooms. He replaced the floors with maple, opened up the space, and painted it white. The table is his own design, as are the black framed sculptures on the Nelson bench.
Above: The fireplace surround is covered in hand-troweled cement with a wax finish. A rustic wreath that was once a Christmas decoration has become a permanent installation.
Above : The credenza is a local find. Foglia often barters and trades with friends to procure art and other objects.
Above: His desk sits next to a white-washed brick fireplace.
Above: The Hope Street Residences is an 8-unit building that was renovated by Foglia. A kitchen in one unit features a wall finished with hand-troweled cement.
Above L: Foglia added custom shelving, building it into a post on the wall. Above R: A small kitchen features a butcher-block counter and simple stainless steel shelving from Ikea.