“I’m a collector,” says Jenna Chused, the interior design expert who is behind Chused & Co. and a treasure hunter vintage: “I’ve been buying antiques and going to garage sales since I was eleven years old.” No wonder that skill came in handy when it came to decorating her own home, a charming Italian style house located in the leafy neighborhood of Fort Greene, in Brooklyn. Chused, whose client list includes actress Michelle Gomez, chose this home for its “expansive layout, 12-foot ceilings, clean lines and elegant style.” And, by sheer chance, he finished the renovation six months before the start of the pandemic.
During the remodeling period, Chused enjoyed making his own selections without having to wait for the approval of the interior design by the client. Opening up the rooms, moving the mantelpieces, and imbuing the space with an overall atmosphere of pleasant elegance were all relatively quick decisions. (Other renovationssuch as adding windows to provide the structure with more natural light, were not so easy).
One notable change is at the entrance, where Chused removed the original arch and replaced it with an older one. With its recessed doors, the diameter of the area was enlarged by half a meter. Sheer curtains and reflective oak flooring served to further lighten the interiors of the ground floor.
As for the furniture, the chairs vintage, bespoke sofas and exquisite chandeliers contribute to a decidedly European atmosphere. In the kitchen, Chused added open shelving to better present collectibles of the house But, without a doubt, the high-gloss burgundy varnish and the Lacanche range are the two most striking elements in the room. In the dining room, originally part of the kitchen, an antique Belgian tapestry is complemented by Angelo Mangiarotti dining chairs.
Despite these enticements, Chused’s favorite room might be the master dressing room-turned-living room. A beautiful wallpaper by Anabo wraps the interior, while a hanging lamp by Flos Viscontea, a green velvet armchair by Cassina and a sofa designed by Chused contribute to creating a cozy atmosphere. In the master bedroom, Chused got a chance to show off his ability to combine seemingly disparate elements. (Interestingly, the marble mantel was taken from the kitchen fireplace, now clean and minimalist.) Elsewhere, the children’s room is a cohesive interpretation of streamlined colors and textures that allude in part to the time Chused spent working in fashion at Donna Karan. Since the children play the piano and Chused’s husband is a composer, the music room was practically a requirement.
With the renovation and décor complete, it’s clear that Chused has masterfully wrought the spaciousness and sense of family life in a house apparently narrow city. Nothing less than the definition of luxury in a city.
Article originally published in AD US.