Inspired :: Brooklyn Row House

Ahhh...New York City! When I was a teen, I would daydream of living in the Big Apple. Moving into my own (very tiny, no doubt) apartment...eating (real!) Chinese takeout...enveloped by the energy of the city and soaking in the experience of it all. As it turns out, NYC wasn't in the cards for me so every once in a while, my mind takes a little vacay and I live vicariously through my cousin who, for several years, has lived in Manhattan.

New Spacious Brooklyn Row Home

Recently, she, her husband and adorable twin toddlers moved in to their new row house in Brooklyn. Fortunately for them, the majority of the home had been tastefully renovated. The previous owners retained many of the original elements including lovely brick walls which gives the place a ton of character. Blending with that, the new elements lean toward the modern -- very livable, but a little colder than she and her husband would like. We're southerners, after all, and gravitate toward warm, comfortable spaces that say, "Welcome Home - Come on In!" Here's my take on a few furnishings that I think would be the perfect mix of NYC cool and southern charm...

3722 Sofa - Lee Industries :: Call for Pricing

I love this sofa from Lee Industries. It has just the right mix of clean lines and comfortable seating - plus the nail-head detail lends it an extra dose of style. The design is simple enough to retain a tidy appearance, but the 84" length and down wrapped cushions make it perfect for afternoon cuddles with the twins. Keeping the needs of a family in mind, I'd upholster the sofa in Lee's Arthur fabric in Cornsilk. Its a very durable, woven fabric that blends warm gold and gray tones.

Arthur Cornsilk - Lee Industries

I'd add a leather armchair and ottoman in the same style...

3722 Armchair in Nature Brass Leather - Lee Industries :: Call for Pricing

...then I'd place two of these armchairs designed by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin. This chair is available with several leg and upholstery options...for this room, I'd choose the bronze legs and a very durable wool tweed in a warm, dark charcoal color. I'll admit, they are pricey, but the design is timeless and they are an investment you'll enjoy for years and years.

Goodland Armchair with Bronze Legs - Design Within Reach :: $3,250
*Photo with correct fabric not available

Coal Lama Tweed - Design Within Reach
*This photo isn't necessarily the best representation of the fabric... I assure you its a fabulous charcoal colored tweed

Another, often pricey but worthwhile investment, is an antique rug in a pattern and colors that you love. Again, the designs are timeless and the superior craftsmanship means it'll be around long after the chicks have left the nest. I found this antique hand-knotted rug at Safavieh. It has all of the rich colors I wanted to infuse into the space and is large enough (13'4" X 18'5") to define a comfortable living space and plenty of seating.

Sultanabad Antique Wool Rug - Safavieh :: Call for Pricing & Availability

The last seating piece I'd add would also inject a shot of color, fun and modernity to the space. The iconic Egg Chair by Arne Jacobsen is perfect when upholstered in Ducale wool in a warm persimmon tone.

Arne Jacobsen Egg Chair - Design Within Reach :: $7,166

Ducale Wood in Persimmon

To anchor the seating area, I think the substance and warmth of this wood coffee table from Jayson Home is perfect.

Milo Teak Coffee Table - Jayson Home :: $1,395

To bridge the space between the sofa and leather armchair, I like this group of tables, also from Jayson Home. They are very versatile and the gold-tone of the base relates well to the bronze legs of the Goodland Chairs.

Sig Side Tables - Jayson Home :: Starting at $195 each

Between the Goodland chairs, I've chosen a Platner side table in a dark bronze finish with glass top.

Warren Platner for Knoll Bronze Side Table - HiveModern :: $1,078

To bring in a little more wood accent, I'd cozy one of these Eames walnut stools beside the Egg chair.

Eames for Herman Miller Walnut Stools (in three styles) - Design Within Reach :: $879

This home's main floor is open and spacious, so the dining space should be addressed at the same time. I love the traditional and family friendly trestle table design, but of course, I want to mix it up with modern seating. At the ends, I'd place two custom upholstered dining chairs. I'd cover the backs and sides in Robert Allen's Sasha Silk Velvet in Atlantis and the seat and inside back in one of my all-time-favorites, F. Schumacher's Chiang Mai Dragon in Aquamarine. This fabric features a wonderful array of colors and directly relates to the antique rug and the persimmon upholstery on the Jacobsen chair.

Cameron Trestle Dining Table - Ethan Allen :: $1,919

Grammercy Dining Chair - Ballard Designs :: $339 (COM)

Robert Allen Sasha Silk Velvet in Atlantis - OnlineFabricStore.Net :: $43.60/yard

F. Schumacher Chaing Mai Dragon in Aquamarine - To the Trade :: Call for Pricing

 For the side chairs, the iconic Wishbone Chairs designed by Hans Wegner in 1949 are a perfect complement, comfortable for guests and durable for children. I've chosen the black stained oak finish, which results in a softer black, almost charcoal color.

Hans Wegner Wishbone Chair in Black Stained Oak - HiveModern :: $599

To finish the space, I think this chandelier from Jayson Home brings just the right amount of sparkle and the antique brass relates well to several of the finishes in the living space.

Cosmo Chandelier - Jayson Home :: $2,195

Of course, the remainder of this little daydream involves days filled with shopping for the perfect accents, art, pillows, etc to make the room complete.

Psst...I realize I stayed on the high-end with this design, so I'll be following up next with a low-end version. It's my specialty!