3 Design Tips I'm Stealing From The Brownstone Boys

17.09.2024 - 20:33 / thespruce.com

Walking into the 2024 Real Simple Home, you are immediately greeted with stand-out hardwood floors, beautiful decor, and the stunning original accents of the home—and this is all in just the entryway and first room. 

The entryway, living room, kitchen, and dining room area—designed by The Brownstone Boys, Barry Bordelon and Jordan Slocum—were immediate stars in an incredible ensemble cast of newly-renovated rooms in this century-old Brooklyn home. 

I noticed a lot of small details in these spaces, so I spoke with the dynamic duo to get some insight into the inspiration behind the design and walked away with three major design tips that I'm taking with me into the new year.

The Brownstone Boys told an intricate color story from a single panel of stained glass in the living room of the space. The stained glass fit in so seamlessly with the rest of the space, it was almost too easy to walk by and I wouldn't have noticed it if not for Bordelon and Slocum pointing it out to me. 

The panel contains silver dollar-sized circles in reds, blues, and other colors that form the basis of the color story for the room. You can see the colors reflected in the soft seating, throw pillows, and even the area rug laid out in the living room. 

Want more design inspiration? Sign up for our free daily newsletter for the latest decor ideas, designer tips, and more!

For Bordelon and Slocum, the original features of the home are always the style of the home—so they try to maintain as many original aspects as possible. 

This tip was especially helpful for me as a long-term apartment renter who often has to navigate around older—or, as some would say, outdated—aspects of my home and make it work for my style. 

The pair left the original