Spacious old houses are few and far between in dense urban areas. Consider New York City, where the standard brownstone has a notably narrow staircase and postage-stamp entrance hall. Mila and Tom Tuttle, however, got lucky. Planning to start a family and craving more space than their two-bedroom apartment in Chelsea afforded, the couple went house hunting. Just a few blocks north they found an architectural rarity -- a four-story, double-width brick mansion built in 1836. It is one of only two remaining freestanding homes erected as part of an upscale neighborhood development by Clement Clarke Moore, author of The Night Before Christmas, before the venture shifted its focus to more economical rowhouses.

A vintage desk attributed to Jacques Adnet, brass lamp by Restoration Hardware, and iMac computer in the master bedroom; the drawing was purchased in France. La chaise et le fauteuil jurent trop, même pour un mélange de styles, surtout que cela n'a rien à voir avec la chambre...

The master bedroom's Swedish clock is from Evergreen Antiques, the headboard upholstery and canopy are of a Scalamandré striped silk, and the window pelmet and curtains were designed by Miles Redd; the wallpaper is by Farrow & Ball. Je n'aime pas le lit, trop massif , les chevets trop proches ainsi que le banc devant...

In the master bath, wallpaper by De Gournay and Kohler sinks with Barber Wilsons & Co. fittings. J'aime le papier peint grisaille, le motif hindou repris par la chaise indienne et le chic d'une salle de bains blanche, grise et argent.

Viking Professional kitchen appliances and a pot rack by Urban Archaeology. Une cuisine de rêve pour qui cuisine...

The dining room walls are covered with De Gournay's Sans Souci, and the curtains are of a Brunschwig & Fils silk; the seat cushions are upholstered in a Clarence House animal print, and a vintage suzani serves as a tablecloth. Je n'aime ni les chaises, ni le tissu qui les recouvre, ni le suzani en nappe, pas du tout l'urne et la colonne. Il n'y a pas d'unité dans cette pièce !

A Jacques Garcia ceiling light fixture by Baker hangs in Mila's study; the painting of the Chrysler Building is by Colin Brown, and the wallpaper is by Farrow & Ball. J'aime l'allure de ce coin mais je n'aurais pas encombré le manteau de la cheminée d'un autre cadre, ni d'une grande feuille verte... Une orchidée et une paire de statuettes blanches apporteraient plus de légèreté...

The overmantel mirror is by Thomas O'Brien for Hickory Chair Co., and the custom-made banquette is upholstered in Edelman Leather's Royal Suede. Je n'aime pas la banquette d'angle, la glace ronde en trumeau et les 4 vases bleu et blanc sur la cheminée. J'aurais mis un trumeau rectangulaire comme les toiles et posé les vases différemment. Une garniture doit être en nombre impair ! C'est une règle ! Il vaut mieux dans ces cas là, les disposer par paires et de façon asymétrique.

In the living room, an Andrew Wyeth nude, a cocktail table from Mrs. MacDougall, an oval-back fauteuil from Todd Alexander Romano, and a Luther Quintana armchair in a Clarence House wool; the bronze table is by Craig Van Den Brulle, and the rug is an antique Oushak.

The library features a 19th-century mahogany secretary from Niall Smith Antiques and a painting by Javanese artist Karyanto. J'aime bien l'ambiance de ce coin, seul hic: la plante verte sur la table...

The custom-made sofa is upholstered in Edelman Leather's Royal Suede, and the Dorchester sconces are by Visual Comfort. La biliothèque est réussie. En revanche, je n'aurais pas mis un tapis bleu !

The entrance-hall light fixture is by Visual Comfort, the 19th-century mirror and sideboard are from Niall Smith Antiques, and the painted floor is inspired by one of inlaid stone at Château de Groussay. L'entrée est assez réussie. En revanche, j'aurais mis cette glace dans le salon au dessus de la cheminée et la ronde, ici...

In the music room of Mila and Tom Tuttle’s 1836 Greek Revival townhouse in Manhattan, designed by Miles Redd, photographs by Pieter Hugo (left) and Andrew Moore flank the fireplace; the leather settee is by Jasper/Michael S. Smith, and the walls are painted in Benjamin Moore’s Santorini Blue. Pas de faute, ici, à part les cadres blancs des deux toiles qui tranchent trop. Dorés, ils apporteraient une touche supplémentaire de préciosité ...

Mila Tuttle and her sons, Kiran (left) and Rana.

This article was featured in the ELLE DECOR January 2009 issue. Written by Mitchell Owens • Photographed by Simon Upton.