Two Designers Share the Affordable Tips That Helped Them Pull Off Their Own B&As
It’s not hyperbole to say we love pretty much everything that both Katie Zamprioli and the Brownstone Boys design. In New York, the Brownstone Boys (aka Jordan and Barry) restore the city’s iconic architectural style and add vintage-inspired touches for modern living. In Los Angeles, Katie uses her richly layered aesthetic to create delightfully maximalist spaces full of wit and charm. So when both of these designers wanted to play with 1970s style — one of this season’s biggest trends — we knew two things: Each look would be distinctive, and both would be amazing.
They did not disappoint. Neither did their source for all this retro revelry: Katie, Jordan, and Barry all shopped the latest home finds from Walmart. The quintessential one-stop shop also has some of this season’s most stylish furniture and decor, all at affordable prices. Katie found all the accents to give her entryway a glamorous update, and Jordan and Barry checked everything off their list for a captivating conversation corner in their office.
Both Katie and the Brownstone Boys recently shared B&As from their own homes that show us how stylish this collection is — Katie’s beautiful entryway and the chic conversation corner in the Brownstone Boys’ office. Here, we look at both of these projects and pull out how these two designers used elements of a trendy style to create timeless spaces.
Embrace Nature
The earthy ethos of the ’70s is especially resonant this time around, with natural materials and textures adding instant warmth. A ribbed ceramic vase in a rich rust hue lends depth to Katie’s sideboard, while a similar style in creamy white brightens the Brownstone Boys’ space. Other natural materials — like the blown glass in Katie’s vase of faux eucalyptus and the marble-top end table outfitted with a hand-lathed wooden vase in the Brownstone Boys’ conversation corner — are subtle ways to bring the outdoors in.
Stay Soft
The ’70s vibes this season are huggable, and that goes for both fabrics and shapes. Anything with organic curvature — like Katie’s cuddly bouclé chair and the Brownstone Boys’ buttery soft, cloud-like futon — will usher in warm, welcoming energy. A round pedestal coffee table hits the mark too, with bonus points for its warm-hued solid wood. And always say yes to touchable textures, whether soft faux-suede throw pillows or a cozy chenille throw — or both!
Mix in Some MCM
We love an era overlap, and there’s something about the crispness of mid-century modernism against the organic shapes of ’70s style that just works. Katie and the Brownstone Boys both used furniture to play with this pairing. In Katie’s entryway, this two-toned sideboard has smart modern touches like a slatted facade and minimalist drawers, while the rich walnut stain grounds the piece within the room’s earthy vibes. The Brownstone Boys’ mid-century sideboard features retro cabinet hardware and natural rattan detailing, for statement storage that suits the couple’s signature mix of vintage and modern style.