Name: Alarick and Kristine, designed by Alarick's sister, Arden Myrin
Location: Brooklyn, New York
Years lived in: 2
Our tours generally fall into one of two camps, both of which are enlightening for those of us who love interiors. Some feature photos that really portray a lifestyle, a glimpse at how a person or family uses their space, while others lean more toward the tasty treat of pure eye candy. This quick look inside a "glass box gone cozy" in Brooklyn is firmly in the latter, it's straight up all about the exuberance of pattern, color and following your (design) heart.
Arden is a multi-talented woman, an actor, comedian and, as you can see, designer. The project was a long distance makeover of this apartment for her brother Alarick and his wife, Kristine. In just about a month, from the West Coast, she managed to pull together this engaging, upbeat space. The direction from her not-really-into-minimal-and-modern "clients" that guided her? A request for a home that was all about three words: Bright, Happy, and Family. I think you'll agree that the design brief was successfully met.
The apartment has taken a huge leap - before Arden worked her magic, it was a simple, new construction blank box. And, while this tours photos are all about the furniture and pattern and color, now that the whirlwind makeover has added personality and style, we're sure that the layering of real life will take this space to the next level - this is truly a home for creating happy memories!
Apartment Therapy Survey:
My Brother's Style: Alarik and his wife Kristine wanted "Bright, Happy, Family"
Inspiration: I wanted it to feel like they had moved into the most fun spread Domino Magazine ever did, and for them to feel relaxed and comfortable at home.
Favorite Element: The wallpaper and the original art
Biggest Challenge: Making a glass box cozy. Kristine doesn't love modern, so working with the fact that it is a very modern glass box, with very high ceilings, but making it bright, cozy and warm. My style is also not very modern, so learning what I could love about a more modern look.
What Friends Say: My brother's friends love coming over - they love the bright colors and the wall paper. It makes it very comfortable for everyone.
Biggest Embarrassment: We bought a big black headboard that did not work out as well as we thought it would. It looked a little like a dungeon.
Proudest DIY: he fact that I had one month to design and execute everything, I was 3,000 miles away and Alarik and I did it all over the phone. The most fun part was that my brother and I designed a lot of it together. We had a blast picking out the art and the wallpaper, and Alarik was really brave and trusted me on some elements that had a bit of swagger. Also, Kristine was so trusting and let us decorate sight unseen. Alarik wanted to do a big "reveal" for her when we were done. She was so cool, and loved it!!
Biggest Indulgence: All of the fabulous wallpaper from Walnut Wallpaper
Best Advice: Don't be afraid to take chances and have a sense of humor with design. To not be afraid of patterns and bold pops of color. We used neutral couches to help balance the art and the wallpaper. Original art does not have to be a fortune! There is a lot of great stuff on Etsy. When you have high ceilings, own it. Use large pieces of art at dramatic lighting fixtures to pull the eye upwards.
Dream Sources: Jonathan Adler, ABC Carpet , Most of the Artwork is from Tinlark www.tinlark.com
Resources of Note:
PAINT & COLORS
• Benjamin Moore : Spectra Blue (Living Room)
• Benjamin Moore : Simply Irresistible (an off-white that we use throughout)
ENTRY
- • Table- street in Chinatown
• Mirror Pier One
• Umbrella stand Jonathan Adler
• Embroidered Artwork by Maggie Hiltner
LIVING ROOM
- • Chairs, side table and lamps by Jonathan Adler
• Couch by William Sonoma Home
• Coffee table from Wisteria
• Art- The Animals set from Catherine Ledner (Tinlark)
• Succulent Wallpaper from Walnut Wallpaper
•
DINING ROOM
- • Acacia Wood table from Room Service in LA
• Danish Modern chairs from 1st Dibs
• Pendant Lamp CB2
• "Pushpop" painting Maria Britton (Tinlark)
KITCHEN
- • Subway Scroll Artwork
BEDROOM
- • Bedding by John Robshaw
• Paintings by my Grandpa Harold Olsen
• Dressing Table- Ikea
• Loveseat- Macy's (Chloe Velvet Metro Living Love Seat)
• Lamps and throw pillows for the loveseat from Home Goods
• Pavilion Birds Wallpaper by Walnut Wallpaper
OFFICE
- • Blackbird Snow wallpaper by Walnut Wallpaper
• Danish modern table and chair from my Grandpa's 1950's office
• Couch by William Sonoma Home
• Cabin Drawings by Sam Watters
• Desks from Ikea
• Danish Modern Chest- Horseman Antiques Brooklyn
Thanks, Arden, Alarik and Kristine!
(Images: Arden Myrin)
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Both 'bird' wallpapers are lovely.
Love the animal prints with the wall paper background. Very cute!
Many moons ago, I wrote on a show that Arden was on called On The Spot. I have to say that this decor job is as bubbly and charming and stylish and delightful as she is.
How lucky her brother and sister-in-law are! This home is a dream! Xo.
Love, Love, Love!!!
I am soooooo jealous. I wish Arden lived near me and was my friend!
lovely!
She definitely has talent. I think I like her style and personality more than some of the hosts on HGTV.
This home is DELICIOUS -more photos!!
Wet blanket, here, I hate the wallpaper, a lot! I love the colors and the furnishings and the art. But the wallpaper is too frenzied for me. (Fortunately, not where I live, so basically doesn't matter!! But I thought an alternate take was valid...)
I agree with Nonie. I love wallpaper with large, strong designs, but I can take it in maybe one public room...and perhaps a bedroom, at most.
That yellow and gray wallpaper brings back memories, though. When I was a young child In the 1960s I was allowed to choose wallpaper for my bedroom. I chose yellow roses with gray outlining and leaves, against a pale gray stripe. I thought it was sophisticated. Of course, since it was the mid 1960s, the rose petals were highlighted with the odd flocking. Yes, flocking.
Love it, so happy and colorful and doesn't look like another page ripped from someone else's playbook. The wallpapers are beautifully done imho, but I'm a fan of anything that delights my eyes!
that's a lotta pattern going on!
i would like it for a few days, but not to live in.
good choice on those orange chairs - they pop.
It is very pretty but not sure it really looks like a family lives there. I was going to mention that someone stole your headboard but then I read that the headboard didn't work out.
I am officially back in love with wallpaper. Only on one wall, though, not an entire room.
That living room/dining area? Amazing. Love the artwork, wallpaper, table...it's all fab.
it says bad gateway on the house tour link and won't take me to the housetour :(
What is the source on that living room rug? It's so pretty-soothing.
The apartment is nice enough but I found the post itself very strange. The apartment was described as being a "glass box" and the whole point of the post seemed to be to demonstrate how one turns a "glass box" into a "bright," "happy," "family" home and yet —not a single window was visible!
"We bought a big black headboard that did not work out as well as we thought it would. It looked a little like a dungeon."
I think "a little dungeon" might be a nice contrast... and a little excitement in the bedroom.
Sorry another wet blanket here, just found all the patterns to be over whelming in what seems a not so big space. Though individually they're fine if they're your taste.
The yellow grey wallpaper seems to cover too much of the area, but overall, a good melding of '50s '60s that also looks contemporary.
Lovely! Definitely more photos, please! And perhaps some pics to illustrate the 'glass box'. I understand how it's like a glass box, having seen apartments like this, but a shot or two of the windows would be cool.
Really, though, it's very generous and open of people to let AT photograph their homes in detail for the world to see. As beautiful & inspired as my home is (in its stages of de-cluttering), I would NOT do it. ;-)
Overall, I like it...but there's something I don't like about light blue. No matter what, it reminds me of a nursery or a child's room.
Absolutely lovely. The wallpaper looks wonderful and it looks and feels like a home in which I would be very comfortable.
I just see giant dollar signs over everything. <sigh>
I'm curious about the rug too- any thoughts on a source?
One of the best house tours ever posted.
I've enjoyed Arden Myrin as a performer. Had NO IDEA she was also a designer and artist.
While it's not necessarily my taste, I think it's beautifully done and it's very atypical...definitely a look you don't see too often. Kudos.
I absolutely adore this apartment! Kudos to the owners for creating such a perfectly wonderful home and for making all those bold patterns work together.
Love the tree wallpaper , and the dining room.
Very pretty but waaaaaaaaay to much wallpaper for my tastes