Jennifer and Matt live with their two daughters in the Bushwick borough of Brooklyn. They wouldn’t have it any other way. “This is one of those neighborhoods where if you want to have a peacock, you have a peacock,” says Jennifer. Over the past five years, Jennifer’s done all of the design work to their large, bold home herself, one piece at a time.

They’re a dynamic couple. Jennifer’s a photographer that travels to Iceland at least six times a year and Matt is a tour guide by day, mixologist by night. Matt actually runs a speakeasy out of their home in Bushwick, called the Covert Cocktail Club. They were recently profiled in the NY Times. And boy, is their bar stocked!

Our Style: Minimalist, maximalist, cozy, crafty, and kooky

Inspiration: Eccentric artists’ homes à la Frida Kahlo.

Favorite Element: Rose’s bedroom. It’s dark blue. It took me four years to paint. Color for me feels like one of the biggest decision you can make. I originally brought home about seven little paint pots of totally different colors for her room. But, I saw that indigo blue and knew that was the color.

Biggest Challenge: We are really into feng shui—the intuitive flow of energy part of it. We had a feng shui master come when we first moved in and used a bagua map to focus our intentions for each area of our life: health, knowledge, ancestors, etc. Each area corresponds perfectly. The only hiccup was that our oldest daughter’s room was placed in a way that apparently means that she runs the show. So, we fixed that real quick!

What Friends Say: The house feels very cozy and welcoming.

Biggest Embarrassment: We don’t have any curtains, which our neighbors across the street always make fun of us for. But, I just love being able to look outside at the trees and the sky and all the people walking by.

Proudest DIY: We just re-did the kitchen with blush pink and smoked oak cabinets. We worked with Reform for the cabinet fronts. We love their product.

Biggest Indulgence: The wallpaper! It’s the original from the Beverly Hills Hotel. There are a lot of people doing knock-offs of that print, but I wanted to pay homage to the original artist. I paid full price (ouch!), but I don’t regret it. Oh, and the Tom Dixon lights downstairs. I walked into ABC Carpet one day to use the bathroom. I saw them and immediately bought them. That’s how it happens sometimes!

Best Advice: Live in the space, take your time, see what the space tells you. I don’t set out to design something. Try to consume less and only buy secondhand or trade or borrow things you need. I’ll definitely be spending more time thrifting. It’s more fun to find a treasure than to buy things online!

Dream Sources: I have been to India about 10 times, so I know all the great home shops there. I usually come back with two extra suitcases. Shout out to Fabindia and Anokhi in Mumbai!

• Most Walls — Farrow and Ball Wimborne White
• Bar Wall — Hague Blue
• Millwork — Lime White
• Lila’s Room — Red Earth
• Rose’s Room — Drawing Room Blue
• Master Bedroom — Setting plaster
• Front Door — Rectory Red

• Coffee Table — Found in the garbage!
• Side Table — Art Deco marble and brass piece made by my grandfather (who did most of the bronze work at Radio City Music Hall)
• Lamp — Also made by my grandfather
• Fireplace Mosaic — Manny Vega
• Painting — Ana Maria Velasco
• Bookshelves — Custom made by a friend
• Couch — Rejuvenation

• Pendant — Tom Dixon Melt Pendant
• Wallpaper — Martinique “A” Beverly Hills Wallpaper
• Home Bar — Custom made by a friend

• Cabinets — IKEA, with Reform CPH fronts
• Countertop — Caeserstone
• Fridge — Subzero
• Stove — Wolf
• Pendants — Tom Dixon

• Wallpaper — Maison C
• Rug — Aelfie
• Bedspread — Purchased in India

Downstairs Powder Room — Cole & Son
Kids’ Bathroom and Powder Room Tile — Cue Tile
Master Bathroom Tile — Mosaic House

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