Clinton Hill
A Brooklyn designer used the layering prowess she’d honed over time to transform a “stark white box” into a sanctuary of serenity and warmth.
For interior designer Lexi Brandfon, a student of history, refurbishing historic homes is second nature. After all, the native of Tuxedo Park, New York, grew up in one herself.
Lexi knows their storied details bring lived-in comfort, an aesthetic she desired as she pivoted to a new client’s just-built townhome on a historic Clinton Hill street.
Lexi’s design approach to the empty canvas involved creating layers of texture, fabric, and wood anchored by beautiful, curated furniture. “To transform the stripped-down space and create a dynamic environment, I used a variety of elements, like drapery, lime wash, sculptural furnishings, and big chandeliers. I brought in earth tones, greens, greys, and blues, using natural materials and textured pieces,” Lexi told us of the project for an international family of four with two teenagers and dogs.
Lexi’s vision for a warm yet modern space inspired the selections her design partner, Renata Luigi, made for the dining area – a narrow, family-centric space off the foyer adjacent to a glass panel that opens to an outdoor deck and barbecue.
Renata grew up in Brazil, studying architecture and design. With an eye for the skill it takes to create structurally pleasing pieces with clean lines, Renata sourced a dinner table, then curated chairs to complement it. In her search, she thought of the well-crafted Giulia chair by Aristeu Pires she’d seen in Sossego’s NYC showroom. “Brazilian design can be minimalistic, but Sossego furniture transitions beautifully between modern and layered.”
Renata’s choice of dark walnut Brazilian jequitiba wood for the dining chair added warmth, and the black faux leather seat lends durability. “I love the structure and exquisite craftsmanship; its smooth, wide, slightly angled back pitches away from the table, offering a gentle recline,” Renata says. The Giulia has personality. It embodies warmth and modernity, adding a lovely layer to the family’s new dining space.”
A perfectly imagined space for a busy family to gather, share stories, and write the next chapter in their history.
For each Giulia chair delivered, Sossego funds the planting of a tree in Brazil to replenish the resources and ensure the long-term well-being of the planet.
