The Caribbean is a huge source of inspiration when it comes to decorating her 2600-square-foot Brownstone she’s owned for 12 years. “It’s really an extension of my personality and definitely an expression of culture and heritage,” she explains of her home in their video house tour above. Her garden, one of her favorite spots, provides herbs, veggies, and beautiful bird songs. The dining room is the perfect backdrop to the dinner parties she enjoys throwing. But perhaps most of all, their home is both an energizing place for the couple to work from (along with her work in the Caribbean community, Shelley is also head of community partnerships for the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration, as well as sits on the boards of organizations like NYC & Company, Prospect Park Alliance, and more), but also as a place to retreat and recharge in.

My Style: Caribbean x Chic = STUSH

Inspiration: Caribbean, Travel, Community, and Brooklyn

Favorite Element: I love and enjoy my garden for many months of the year. During the winter months, I plan out my annual and vegetable gardens while feeding the cardinals, blue jays, and others. I also use this time to plan edits I want to make come spring. Naturally, one of my favorite elements is the picture window overlooking my back garden where I can look out onto the beds and birdwatch. I also love taking naps on the couches and hosting dinner parties. 

Biggest Challenge: My home was done on a budget for sure. It’s literally a labor of love. My uncle replastered the entire house as well as stripped all of the moldings, something I could never afford to do otherwise. I would say the challenge was learning to live in an old home with its many imperfections, much like being an immigrant or daughter of.  

Proudest DIY: What’s NOT?!! The whole house is DIY. I never worked with a designer or architect so for the most part I designed everything with the loving assistance of my mother, Janluk, and Uncle Brian. The entry door, shutters, kitchen, spa bathroom, stripping, plastering and gardens were all DIY projects.

Biggest Indulgence: My biggest indulgence was buying the house. It has four bedrooms and we live in three stories and I purchased it as a single Black woman, daughter of immigrants from the Caribbean and have truly made it…

Is there something unique about your home or the way you use it? My most unique space is the staircase leading up to the bedrooms. Mostly because not only does it have a  large Caribbean map, it also houses family passports of my parents, grandmothers, aunts, uncles, cousins, and I see it as a passage to my life here in the United States. 

I’d say the most unique thing is I have a garden apartment that I rent on Airbnb. My father always dreamt of us having a house together and him living there, which I am happy to report we did. I’ve met so many friends via home sharing and something that once felt foreign now feels very familiar. 

What are your favorite products you have bought for your home and why? I really love my couches because that’s where I recharge my batteries, aka take naps. I also love my apothecary, aka self-care cabinet because each of the products are made by artisans I love. The DWR Wishbone chairs are super luxe and versatile. And the salvaged doors. 

Finally, what’s your absolute best home secret or decorating advice? Fill it with things you love.  

• Door —  Architectural Salvage
• Paint —  Fine Paints of Europe
• Mat —  Chilewich

• Couches —  Antique
• Pillows —  Tamar Mogendorff and ABC Carpet & Home
• Coffee Tables —  Anthropologie over Vintage Pier 1 Imports

• Chairs —  Yard Sale and Anthropologie
• Fireplace —  Terraflame
• Lamp —  Schoolhouse

• Table —  Converted door with custom glass
• Wishbone Chairs —  Design Within Reach
• Lamp —  Antique

• Cabinets —  IKEA
• Runner —  Chilewich
• Pots —  Staub

• Table and Chairs —  Vintage Pier 1 Imports, a gift from mother
• Standing Desk —  The Container Store
• Sideboard —  Mid-century thrifted
• Studio Roller —  George & Willy
• Light —  Design Within Reach
• Plants —  The Sill

• Table and Chairs —  Design Within Reach
• Landscape Design —  Matt Muscarella for Terrain

• Bedside Tables, Lamps and Ceiling Fan —  Design Within Reach
• Linens —  Schoolhouse

• Couches —  Mid-century modern
• Bookshelf —  Custom
• Magazine Rack —  Schoolhouse
• Apothecary —  Antique
• Lamps —  Schoolhouse and Vintage
• Plants —  The Sill
• Paint —  Benjamin Moore “Aruba Blue”

• Lights and Mirrors —  Antique
• Soaps and Apothecary —  Kadalys
• Shower Curtain and Mat —   Quiet Town
• Plants —  The Sill

• Soap and Hand Lotion —  Osea
• Body Brushes —  Terrain
• Bath and body —  A Life Balanced, Kadalys, Tatcha

Thanks Shelley and Janluk!

This submission’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.

Share Your Style: House Tour & House Call Submission Form

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

Correction: An earlier version of this post referred to Shelley as the founder of the Little Caribbean neighborhood. She led the initiative to designate the Little Caribbean neighborhood. We’ve updated it to be more accurate.