This Contemporary Brooklyn Brownstone Is an Explosion of Color

Although architect Talia Braude (of Braude Pankiewicz Architects) initially found it challenging to fill the 1,200-square-foot Brooklyn brownstone she bought last year, since she had previously been in a small apartment. But, she’s managed to do a fantastic job of putting a bold and personal stamp on the space. She did so by including fun items from friends and family… and by going all out when it came to her home’s color scheme.

An example of how Talia likes to go big? The main floor’s half bathroom is covered in floor-to-ceiling bold blue patterned wallpaper. And the living room features a rainbow of colors. The dining room is dramatic and exciting. And her bedroom is perhaps the most energetic of all the rooms.

The best thing about Talia’s home is that she is so totally and completely unapologetic about her use of color throughout. She realizes this much color may not be for everyone, but she’s found a style that she loves…and it works beautifully for her home. “Buy what you love — if you put yourself into your space all the pieces will work well together,” she advises.

My Style: Colorful contemporary eclectic.

Favorite Element: My home is full of stories and memories — artwork by friends, objects from home or from vacations, things made with love.

Biggest Challenge: This is by far the largest apartment I have lived in and it was hard to suddenly have so much space to fill.

What Friends Say: “I would never use that color, but…”

Biggest Embarrassment: My houseplants: Between me forgetting to water them and the cats thinking they are scratching posts or dinner… they are pretty sad looking.

Proudest DIY: The living room mirror and the quilts.

Biggest Indulgence: The Wegner shell chairs.

Best Advice: Buy what you love — if you put yourself into your space, all the pieces will work well together.

Dream Sources: I’m most envious of friends who inherited rooms full of gorgeous mid-century modern furniture from parents or grandparents with impeccable taste. Lacking that option, I love the annual ICFF furniture fair in New York City each year — it’s a great chance to find new designers, sometimes before you can no longer afford them.

PAINT & COLORS
Benjamin Moore Aura Paints throughout:
Decorator’s White with accent walls as below
Living/Dining fireplace wall — Benjamin Moore Trout Grey 2124.20
Dining room niche — Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron 2124.10, in chalkboard finish
My bedroom — Benjamin Moore Pink Peach 2009-40
Kid’s bedroom — Benjamin Moore Eccentric Lime 2027.30, in chalkboard finish
Kid’s fireplace niche — Benjamin Moore Blue Lagoon 2054.40

LIVING ROOM
Arm chairs — Wegner shell chairs with Maharam fabric from DWR
Sofa — Blu Dot One Night Stand
Cushions — Ikea sanela covers
Quilt — by me
Planters — West Elm
Stools — Eames walnut stools
Bookshelf — Ikea
Beanbag — Fatboy original
Rug — Flor Urban Nature and Down to Earth

DINING ROOM
Table – West Elm Mid-Century Expandable Dining Table
Chairs — Bend Goods
Chicken prints — Tamara Staples
Light — Skybang by Stickbulb

POWDER ROOM
Wallpaper — by Heath Ceramics
Mirror — Hang one drop mirror by Blu Dot

MY BEDROOM & OFFICE
Stairway bookcases — CB2
Strut desk in watermelon — Blu Dot
Bed (with lots of storage) — BoConcept (discontinued model)
Carpet — Rake Me Over carpet tiles from Flor

KID’S BEDROOM
Rug — Spike from Angela Adams
Bed — Oeuf toddler bed
Art table and chairs — p’kolino little modern
Art cart — Ikea

⇒ House Tour & House Call Submission Form

See More:
⇒ Recent House Tours
⇒ House Tours on Pinterest