My Houzz: In Brooklyn, Family Heirlooms and a Global Perspective
Family keepsakes, African art and black walls add character to a couple’s New York apartment
Jeanine Hays and Bryan Mason, founders of the AphroChic website, designed their apartment in Brooklyn, New York, as a showcase for their signature modern, soulful style. The design is inspired by the historic features of the apartment, and reflects the blend of the couple’s African-American heritage and contemporary design influences.
“We think of this space as having a grown-up AphroChic vibe with a New York twist,” Mason says. “To get that feeling, we wanted to start with a subdued palette accentuated with pops of color. Dark aubergine curtains literally frame the living room,” Hays adds.
The couple’s affinity for global pieces allowed the soft Persian rug to easily find a home in this room. It grounds the apartment in soft shades of camel, pink and navy blue.
Fog Kendall sofa: Cost Plus World Market; Morrison credenza: Design Within Reach; curtains: The Shade Store; rug: Medallion Rug Gallery
The couple’s affinity for global pieces allowed the soft Persian rug to easily find a home in this room. It grounds the apartment in soft shades of camel, pink and navy blue.
Fog Kendall sofa: Cost Plus World Market; Morrison credenza: Design Within Reach; curtains: The Shade Store; rug: Medallion Rug Gallery
During the day, the living room is used to host meetings, hold presentations with designers, write articles and plan projects. The circular table that’s a daytime desk becomes the couple’s dining table at night. “Every space works overtime in New York, just like the people,” Hay says.
Dawson pedestal table: Pottery Barn
Dawson pedestal table: Pottery Barn
Neutral pieces like the black-and-white prints are balanced with the soft lines of accents like the pillows. “We focused on finding unique ways to marry the two all throughout the apartment,” Hays says.
Vince metal-clad accent stool: Pottery Barn; Leona console table: Pottery Barn; pillows: AphroChic for Guildery
Vince metal-clad accent stool: Pottery Barn; Leona console table: Pottery Barn; pillows: AphroChic for Guildery
For the couple, personal touches help to tell a story. “We believe in fitting in heirlooms for a bit of personal history. The carved chinoiserie vase in the living room belonged to my grandmother,” Mason says.
Wall art: Leigh Viner
Wall art: Leigh Viner
Leona cube table: Pottery Barn
The couple uses the living room hallway that leads to the bedroom to display more meaningful objects.
The framed black-and-white photograph, taken by Gregory Prescott, hangs next to a collection of batik-printed textiles. One of the couple’s favorite art books, The Gift, featuring photographs by Brooklyn-based friend and photographer Delphine Diallo, is displayed on a shelf.
The framed black-and-white photograph, taken by Gregory Prescott, hangs next to a collection of batik-printed textiles. One of the couple’s favorite art books, The Gift, featuring photographs by Brooklyn-based friend and photographer Delphine Diallo, is displayed on a shelf.
“We went for drama in the bedroom, using a matte black paint to create a moody yet cozy feel,” Hays says. “This was an intentional contrast to the living room that is mostly white. We wanted the bedroom to be enveloped in color, and painted the walls and doors in the shade.”
Bedding: DwellStudio
Bedding: DwellStudio
“For some color, we installed a wall of baskets that we had made in Rwanda as part of a new product line for our L.A. pop-up home,” Hays says. “The colors and design were inspired by the Solange Knowles spread in Lucky magazine last year. We thought that they looked absolutely stunning against the black wall.”
The couple set up their compact kitchen to resemble a small cafe. “The kitchen is full of beautiful details, one of our favorites being the large brick wall that dominates the room,” Hays says.
Plants hung on the brick wall add character to the small kitchen. “Bry is the perfect soundboard, and he has an editorial eye when it comes to the design process. He homes in on what’s truly necessary for the space, and together we pare down the vision until we get to the ideal design with just the feel that we’re looking for,” Hays says.
“We’re proud of all of it,” says Mason, pictured with Hays. “It’s wonderful to create a beautiful space to call home in our new city.”
“We’ve been here for 16 months,” Hays says. “This is absolutely our dream space. We know this is the place that we’ll be calling home for many years to come.”
Tripod side table: Anthropologie
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
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“We’ve been here for 16 months,” Hays says. “This is absolutely our dream space. We know this is the place that we’ll be calling home for many years to come.”
Tripod side table: Anthropologie
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
Browse more homes by style:
Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
Who lives here: Jeanine Hays and Bryan Mason
Location: Crown Heights, Brooklyn, New York
Size: 1,200 square feet (111 square meters); one bedroom, one bathroom
Gelsenkirchen club chair: Impacterra via Wayfair