This Designer’s Brooklyn Home Will Give You Major Apartment Envy

Project by: Luna Grey Interiors LLC
Location: Brooklyn, New York

Interior design clients come with their own wish-lists and set of challenges, but what happens when the home you’re designing is your own? That’s what interior designer Luna Grey found out when she and her partner decided to make the move to an up-and-coming neighborhood in Brooklyn.

While the move did have its downsides (pricey apartments at half the square footage, brokerage fees, and parking), it definitely had its major perks (brand new building, sizable steel laden windows, and plenty of kitchen cabinets to go around). Let’s find out how Luna transformed the blank apartment into a swoon-worthy space.

From Luna:

“We basically started from scratch when we moved here; only keeping our mattress, artwork, and one chair. For all of my design projects, I create a collage of previous selections so I can visualize how items will look together and reference it when searching for new stuff, so I treated myself like a client utilizing that same method.

I did feel a sense of urgency to design my own space quickly. Without natural textures and warm materials, my apartment felt sterile with its concrete floors and bare white walls. I’ve worked on some incredible spaces in New York, and I felt desirous of my clients’ put-together and polished apartments. I also have clients and interns come over regularly, so I wanted to have a space that demonstrated my abilities and my own design philosophy.”

Here’s how the design came together.

First and foremost on Luna’s list was to tackle the public spaces. Upon entry what looks like a bar or buffet is actually a cabinet that houses the couples’ shoes. “We are shoes-off people to keep New York outside where it belongs,” says Luna.

In the living room, Luna dedicated a solid two weeks to assemble the IKEA media wall unit. It gives the illusion of an expensive built-in at a fraction of the cost and houses fabric, wood, and tile samples as well as unsightly electronics. A lift-top coffee table from West Elm makes life simpler when working or eating in front of the television and a durable, wool rug (also from West Elm) really livens the room up thanks to its textural and geometric appeal.

The dining room table, a Craigslist find, adds a 1960s vibe to the dining room and an oversized copper pendant hangs overhead, lending just the right touch of warmth to the minimalistic, clean space.

Once the public spaces were complete, it was time to tackle the bedroom.

“The bedroom design was a whirlwind 1.5-month long makeover that involved furniture research on weekends and at 2:00 a.m. on weekdays between my other interior design projects. One of my favorite clients and now close friend gifted me the Area Home Ines yarn-dyed linen duvet set because I’ve been obsessed with hers for three years. After getting the duvet, I realized that it didn’t go with anything in our room. None of our old furniture could hold a candle to the organic beauty of the light grey, blue, and charcoal linen, so everything had to go!”

“I limited the statement pieces in this room to the duvet and the dresser. Everything else took a step back in color and elaboration to make these pieces pop. For example, the colors and shapes for the bed and nightstand are very neutral and simple. The CB2 workstation is white to blend into the wall. I painted the watercolors myself and had them framed in a whitewashed maple to echo the serene feeling of the space.”

Throughout the entire home, Luna incorporated one-of-a-kind art and pottery from local artisans and utilized plants to help lend an organic feel to the space, preferring to showcase them in macramé hangers, floating terrariums, and pretty planters.

“I am a strategic shopper and very rarely buy something spur-of-the-moment unless it’s a small piece of artwork, pottery, or a plant. Furnishings need to coordinate with the environment that they will live in. That being said, an apartment doesn’t look unique unless it is a little offbeat. I don’t know anyone else who has a glitter painting of their cat or a rock collection in their gallery wall,” says Luna.

Thanks for sharing your home with us Luna!