Name: Yolande Gagnier
Location: Fort Greene, Brooklyn
Size: 1000 sqft. 2-bdrm rental
Years lived in: 7 years
"I like to keep things to a minimum," says Yolande. Yolande is an incredibly talented prop stylist which may be why she prefers less adornment than more in her home. "Propping gets you overwhelmed with things," says Yolande. Simplicity is key.
The space is a renovated armory, so there are great architectural details and higher than average ceilings. To create a lofty feeling, Yolande thought it best to keep the walls white, and the furniture low-lying.
Some elements come and go. Yolande often finds stuff on the street, inherits items from friends or buys designer pieces on ebay, but nothing stays if it doesn't fit into the larger vision Yolande has for her home. She is conscious of being too beholden to one style for fear of eventually getting bored by it. Her mixture of styles along with a few rotating, carefully curated decorative pieces keep things simple, inspiring, and beautiful.
AT Survey:
Style: Mid-century modern mixed with ecclectic personal pieces (antiques, country, found objects, few ethnic pieces....)
Inspiration: Danish furniture, french country, contemporary, baroque interiors, minimal interiors, antique stores, prop houses. Magazine references: World of Interiors, British Elle Decor.
Favorite Element: Lounge chair Mulhauser for Plycraft and my collection of french books from the 40's.....book bindings with cool graphics by Bonet and Prassinos for NRF Gallimard.
Biggest Challenge: Kitchen...(linoleum and cabinets are not of my taste, no window and neon lighting). I have an african colorful mat to hide ugly floor and bright color palette of kitchen pots, clocks etc.
What Friends Say: People appreciate the lofty minimal feel. I think they find it peaceful and restful.
Biggest Embarrassment: Not that serious about my interior so I cant say.
Proudest DIY: Pieces I designed and have friends (set builder and sculptor) build for me. Cases to display my collection of books. Two months ago I had a friend design for me 2 coffee tables covered with felt (see slide #10). They can be used as ottomans as well as they are the perfect height. They are not totally finished yet......trays will be inserted in the felt. People really like them and we are considering making new pieces to sell.
Biggest Indulgence: Cherner pretzel chair....found on ebay.
Best Advice: Avoid clutter, total look. Modern is nice but more interesting to bring contrasting elements (personal pieces....a little bit of old pieces to give more warmth, more cultural too :) .
Dream Source: I love french art deco industrial.....Prouve, Royere, Perriand, Pierre Chareau....contemporary italian furniture ( Poltrona Frau, ....etc....) Richard Schulz Petal dining table......unfortunately I don't own any of those pieces.
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
Wow! So meticulous but looks utterly casual--I'll certainly be bookmarking this tour!
This is probably the first of a zillion sourcing questions to follow in this thread, but where did you find that wood bookshelf that appears to be on casters? (The one with the books stacked horizontally.) Is this one of your custom pieces?
view edieb's profile
Perfect...love the white backdrop with all the subtle pops of color. Your job really influences your home...your restraint with the amount of items, how nothing sits against a wall, layout is friendly and nothing looks permanent-more transitional. Good for you Yolande. Thanks for sharing.
BTW: Huge space! 2000 sq feet, I am jealous. :)
view 335ktt's profile
It's a beautiful house but it is hard to concentrate and appreciate in this slideshow format. The slideshow does not work on my computer and when I click from photo to photo I have to adjust the page each time. I like the old format better.
view art's profile
Beautiful.
The apartment is nice too.
view coyotejed's profile
I'm crazy about that blue chair in the bathroom!!!
view rhiana's profile
Mmmm nice and airy! I love it!
view darcidoodle's profile
amazing space -- artful but inviting! I agree though about the slideshow format... I'm not sure whether it's a matter of getting used to change, but it feels a bit more awkward to me.
view selena's profile
that is one gorgeous place
view terka27's profile
Absolutely stunning! It's been a while since I've been compelled to post, but this space manages to be magazine-ready and completely personal at the same time. Kudos.
view Randi in BK's profile
Really amazing place!
view danze's profile
i'm pretty sure that shelf on casters is a vintage baking rack. i've seen a few go up on craigslist and ebay.
very nicely well edited place.
view pinstripeprincess's profile
The slideshow does not work on my computer either.
However, I love this space. It seems so clean and bright, but there are also so many personal touches. I love the bookshelf.
view Briannelee's profile
Gorgeous!!! Where did you get your desk chair? I absolutely love it.
view PhillyLass's profile
You have created a very serene, relaxing environmant. I love that you used your creativity (instead of just a wallet) and kept the look spare and clean. Also, this is an excellent use of white with dark woods. The whole thing is lovely.
view Chris in Seattle's profile
Love all of it.
view Seaside's profile
What color paint did you use for your walls? It is stunningly white!! Truly amazing space...your talent shines through!!!.
view d20's profile
This is why I love white walls. There are at least twenty pieces here I would love to have. Beautiful.
view citygirlincountry's profile
Every piece is fits perfectly in a real sort of way. Thanks for sharing!
view nikko's profile
I'm a-lovin' that black leather and plywood chair. It's a real thing of beauty.
view Blandwagon's profile
I totally love this house.
view bloobrey's profile
Can you say who made the black leather/plywood chair in the living room? Thanks! Great place.
view Inza's profile
This is one of the more original spaces I have seen in NY!
You have a great look Yolande!
Merci for sharing with us!
view tdosurfs's profile
Love your space! Isn't ebay awesome? You've done a wonderful job putting it all together.
Nia Knowles
view Nia Knowles's profile
Where did you get the shower curtain and the sconces in the bedroom? Are they vintage?
view adetoth's profile