The couple who bought this Brooklyn home immediately envisioned a dramatic transformation to make it the right home for their family, which includes two young boys. Organised as a long, free-standing rectangle, the four-bedroom property comprises two levels plus a full basement.
The narrow and long shape of the building created a space planning challenge. “For example, we asked ourselves how to minimize the long hallway effect and create rooms of functional proportions,” says Jessica Helgerson, founder of Jessica Helgerson Interior Design (JHID). The firm, which is based in Portland, Oregon (in the United States), recently opened a second office in Paris.
“We did this by breaking up the hallway with a series of cased openings that allowed us to change finishes and paint colours, which helped delineate different spaces. Fortunately, some rooms have extra-wide openings that create a connection with the adjacent area, making them both feel more spacious.”
Located in the residential neighbourhood of Manhattan Beach, in Brooklyn, New York – which is flanked by the Atlantic Ocean – the original house was built in the 1930s as a top/bottom duplex without much architectural character. The JHID team had their work cut out for them: They set out to define a theme that they could draw upon as the main inspiration. “The clients love French design, but (to create something) more authentic, we (together with the homeowners) decided on the French Quarter in New Orleans as the guiding light for the project,” remembers Helgerson. “My architect husband, Yianni Doulis, helped us bring our vision to life. He designed the decorative cornice on the exterior, which adds such a beautiful dimension to the facade.” Infusing New Orleans allure, the home unfolds vibrant colours and modern glam seamlessly.
Adding further complexity to the project: The design team never set foot on-site until the very end since the majority of the work took place during the pandemic. “We worked entirely long-distance, conducting all meetings and ‘site visits’ virtually, over three years,” says Helgerson. The results, however, couldn’t have been better. Every corner is perfectly balanced. The calming palette of neutrals is complemented by a few rooms in deep hues that add drama throughout.
Most colours are Farrow & Ball, such as Jitney for the entry, coat room and upper hall; Hardwick White for the living room; Inchyra Blue for the office; Dead Salmon for the powder room, main bedroom office and main bath; French Gray for the kitchen and main bedroom; and Blue Gray and Stony Ground for the boys’ bedrooms. Two Benjamin Moore tones were also used: Tarrytown Green for the foyer and butler’s pantry; and Overcast for the lower and upper hall and main closet.
“The homeowners have a love of bright colour edged with modern glam, so we wove those elements in through the furniture, lighting and accessories,” says Helgerson.
For the materials, too, the selection was broad and dictated by the different areas of the Brooklyn home with a mix of black-and-white limestone tile in the entry and kitchen; oak floors in a herringbone pattern, Rojo Alicante marble surrounding the fireplace, painted custom woodwork, Porter Teleo hand-painted wallpaper in the dining room; different types of marble (Calacatta Venato in the main bath, Calacatta Manhattan in the kitchen and Ann Sacks marble mosaic floor tile in the bathrooms); as well as stain-grade walnut for the custom sofa and island in the kitchen/family room.
"The last area draws all family members, especially while dinner is being prepared. Our intent was to create something sophisticated and vibrant but not chaotic, and, above all, livable and functional for a family,” concludes Helgerson.
