Tour a Brooklyn Townhouse by Celebrity Designer Jenny Wolf
Every so often we come across a design project that stops us dead in our tracks. Such is the case with Decorist celebrity designer Jenny Wolf's own newly renovated Brooklyn townhouse. Recently featured in Vogue, this vibrant, charming and eclectic home is full of antique treasures, vintage pieces, and artwork that Jenny collected over the years.
Nestled in the heart of the charming Cobble Hill neighborhood, the entire townhouse was thoughtfully renovated to leave interesting period details intact. With a love for architecture and design, Jenny was adamant about maintaining its integrity and using the traditional architecture, such as the original stone fireplaces, the tin ceilings, and even the clawfoot bathtub in the second-floor bathroom, as a backdrop.
For the interiors, she wanted a cozy, eclectic look with decorative treasures that evidence a distinct fondness for vintage pieces, found objects while mixing in colorful, modern touches.
We pored over the gorgeous images and were chomping at the bit to learn more about this project. We sat down with Jenny to get the scoop on her incredible townhouse. Read on for our interview and get some great tips along the way!
What was the history and the inspiration behind the townhouse?
This late 1800’s townhouse is located in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn. While it was a complete renovation, it was more like a restoration. We added 1500 square feet to the back of the home, replaced all the floors, doors, finishes throughout and moved the kitchen to the garden level. It's a magnificent family home, housing years of our collected furnishings and objects.
What where your main goals for your renovation?
The main goal when designing the home, was bringing it up to date, while maintaining its historic charm. It houses a mix of old and new, which gives it an eclectic feel. We wanted to preserve this feeling of old, while giving it a slight twist of modern. Each room tells a story with its history of items collected over time.
What did you try to achieve with the furnishings and interior design?
Perhaps the most important things was to ensure that our new home conveyed a welcoming and cozy vibe for my family. We moved from a loft in Manhattan, and were excited about the extra space—and also about having a place to showcase all the items we have collected along the way. I love furnishings that tell a story. Our townhouse is a family place we can call home.
Here are 7 tips to help you get this look with your own home renovation:
1. Play up your architecture
When you have an old home you want to let the charm of the existing architecture shine through. Your home's own personality and authenticity should guide your interior design. Modernize with new finishes and make it more functional by updating an existing layout.
2. Mix modern and traditional design
Even if you have a traditional home, don't be afraid to add in modern furnishings. The mix of styles, textures and materials makes a home more interesting and gives it a collected, designer look.
3. Showcase your ceilings
A statement ceiling can entirely transform a space—and instantly make it feel unique and memorable. If your room is already decorated but missing a little something, try a statement on the ceiling!
4. Make it yours
Personalize your room with monogram pillows, family heirlooms and found objects. Be sure to fill your space with objects that show who you are while creating that beautiful space with interest and character.
5. Don't forget about your stairs
Nothing updates a staircase faster then a runner. Striped or patterned options are great for heavy duty traffic staircases. Also, don't forget about your banister. Make an impact on your staircase by painting the banister a bold color for impact and style.
6. Closet envy
Not only does an organized closet make for a more visually appealing (and less stress-inducing) space, but it also makes getting dressed and ready more efficient. Paint or wallpaper, add a beautiful rug, light fixture and now you've got a space that is functional and visually appealing!
7. Choose the right color
Color is the thing people struggle with the most while sprucing up a space. When thinking about your palette focus on the classics. Use color in bedrooms, home offices and even laundry rooms for that unexpected pop. For windows or other trim, use a dark semi-gloss finish for that extra impact.