
For the seventh consecutive year, we invited a selection of our favorite designers to take on an exciting renovation project—a stunning 1890s brownstone in Brooklyn, New York. Explore the transformation!
Begin Your Tour
No need for a flight to visit the 2024 Mytour Home—simply watch the 360 video above for a guided tour of each room, hosted by our editor-in-chief, Lauren Iannotti. Spot something you love? Discover the entire home for sale here .
Are you in the New York area or planning a visit to the city? Register today to experience this Brooklyn brownstone up close! Tours are available from September 12-15, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tickets are $25, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Win NYC.
Styled by Kelly Marshall, with design direction by Sophia PappasLiving Room & Lounge Area
Barry Bordelon and Jordan Slocum, also known as the Brownstone Boys
Meet the local legends who kicked off this entire project! Barry and Jordan, renovators and designers based in Brooklyn (and also bloggers and authors), helped us discover this incredible space by connecting us with developer Adam Dahill and architect Alexandra Burr. Having restored over 20 homes like this one, Barry and Jordan were the perfect choice to design the entire first floor, including the living room, lounge, kitchen, pantry, vestibule, and powder room. (They sure did a lot!) Their main challenge was balancing the bold antique woodwork—beautiful, but it could easily overwhelm the space. “To offset the heavy wood tones, we selected furniture in soft, romantic colors, creating a welcoming atmosphere,” says Jordan. In the living room, they added subtle pops of color with a pink sofa, burgundy chairs, and floral pillows they picked up during a recent trip to Paris. For the lounge, they chose grass cloth wallpaper for the walls. “We were inspired by murals and discovered this wallpaper that felt like a modern abstract take,” says Barry. “I can totally picture myself relaxing on the fainting couch with a martini in hand.”

Kitchen & Pantry Area
Styled by Kelly Marshall, with creative direction by Sophia PappasThe Brownstone Boys and Architect Alexandra Burr
The kitchen retained some beautiful original features (more woodwork!), but it was clear it needed a refresh. So, the Brownstone Boys collaborated with Alexandra to create a design that is both modern and timeless. "We introduced sleek design touches that enhance the historical essence of the space," says Jordan, referencing the Fisher and Paykel appliances and the sculptural chandelier above the kitchen island. The team also brought in bold veined marble, a major trend. The pantry features a red-toned marble that complements the painted cabinetry, while the island showcases green-veined marble, reflecting the nearby marble fireplace. "We wanted to honor the evolution of the kitchen island, from a workstation to a gathering space," says Alexandra. "Two-thirds of the island is dedicated to storage and appliances, with the remaining third offering plenty of seating."

Guest Suite & Patio Area
Styled by Kelly Marshall, with design coordination by Sophia PappasJasmine Roth
Designing an older home presented a unique challenge for HGTV star and designer Jasmine, who is used to working in California and Utah. "Everything in the West is so new compared to New York City, so I really wanted to embrace the chance to adopt a more traditional design approach," she explains. "I selected patterns and colors that felt old-world, but paired them with modern furnishings." In the guest room, she combined a timeless trellis wallpaper and a Turkish rug with vibrant blue walls and a bold, modern nightstand, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a luxury vacation. On the adjacent patio, she added a simple sofa (with green cushions that complement the natural surroundings) and a charming bistro table, with a couple of bottles of bubbly. "Every patio, in my view, should have a little touch of café-style flair," she adds.

Kids Room
Kelly Marshall, Styling by Sophia PappasJessica Davis
A restful night’s sleep is guaranteed in this imaginative bedroom, created by Atlanta-based designer Jessica Davis. 'My vision was to craft a whimsical children’s room that felt like stepping into a modern fairy tale,' says Jessica. In this small 14 by 6 feet space, she ingeniously created two distinct zones. One side is dedicated to sleep, featuring a wood-painted platform bed, a kid-friendly gallery wall (including a playful UFO print!), and a nightstand that also doubles as a storage space for books. A theatrical curtain separates this cozy nook from the rest of the room, perfect for quiet moments or impromptu performances. On the other side, a uniquely designed dresser adds storage space, while a table lamp adorned with a floral design by Jessica adds a touch of charm. This room blends whimsy with functionality, and most importantly, it’s an inviting space for play.

Primary Bedroom
Kelly Marshall, Styling by Sophia PappasMikel Welch
Welcome to a spacious city bedroom filled with abundant natural light. Mikel Welch, always aiming high, set two key goals for this room: first, to blend the home’s vintage charm with his modern style; second, 'I wanted to design a calming retreat that felt like a hotel suite, a place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city,' Mikel explains. To achieve this, he chose a neutral color palette that complemented the home’s existing wood details. He added a contemporary touch with furniture featuring curved edges and layered lighting, including bronze sconces, wicker lamps, and a striking art-deco chandelier. Mikel also took a bold step by painting the ceiling (often forgotten as the 'fifth wall') in a rich red-brown hue called Potter’s Rock by Valspar, bringing warmth and an unexpected twist. For that extra hotel-luxe vibe, he divided the room into distinct areas, transforming a window nook into a chic seating space, and turning an otherwise empty wall into a functional 'office,' complete with a slim console table and a rolling chair that doubles as a lounge seat.

Laundry Room
Kelly Marshall, Styling by Sophia PappasAmber Guyton
More like a laundry lounge, this practical space embraces vibrant patterns and colors, while still featuring all the essentials like a washer and dryer. We challenged Amber to incorporate as much storage as possible without making the room feel like a utilitarian locker room. Her personal challenge? To make it fun! 'I wanted every corner to be filled with inspiration: the grape and chartreuse giraffe wallpaper on the ceiling, the tortoiseshell hardware, the artwork, the purple cabinetry, and the geometric tiles,' she shares. A stone countertop sits above the appliances, offering ample space for folding, while floating oak shelves hold everything from cleaning supplies to books—and even cocktail glasses. 'I wanted to encourage people to linger a little longer,' she says, knowing that laundry can take a while—and why not relax while you’re at it, enjoying the spin.

Den
Kelly Marshall, Styling by Sophia PappasJessica Davis
Is this space ringing a bell? It’s the room featured on the cover of our October 2024 issue. Jessica refers to it as a 'snug,' a British and Irish term for a small, cozy room designed for relaxation. She achieved a Victorian-meets-modern style by creating two main focal points: the classic fireplace and the diverse gallery wall over the console. She also embraced bold colors, including a marigold yellow to complement the earthy wood tones, and a soft blue ceiling that accentuates the room’s height. 'The space feels warm, layered, and firmly rooted in tradition—but it’s also fun and funky,' she says.
Organization
Neat Method

This home isn’t just beautiful; it’s also meticulously organized, all thanks to our partners at Neat Method. Across the brownstone, they neatly arranged essentials in baskets, grouped similar items together, organized supplies on trays, and more. Their top tip: Every item should have a specific spot—whether that’s on a shelf, in a drawer, or tucked into a bin or basket. No exceptions!
Kelly Marshall, Styling by Sophia PappasBedroom and Bathroom
Kelly Marshall, Styling by Sophia PappasHema Persad
In an unexpected twist, Hema drew inspiration from Barbra Streisand when designing this glamorous bedroom and bathroom. 'Much like the extravagant movie sets and costumes in Funny Girl, I wanted my spaces to have an opulent, art deco vibe with an eclectic twist,' she explains. In the bedroom, Hema chose a tone-on-tone color scheme with mauve bedding, curtains, and walls, creating a calm yet refined backdrop for floral accents like the lotus light and a dried floral arrangement, alongside animal touches such as a tiger pillow and a snake table. She carried the same palette of pink, purple, red, and tan hues into the adjoining bathroom, tying the two spaces together. Hema also took a hands-on approach by crafting her own mosaic pattern using four-inch tiles in four colors on the floor and walls. 'Designing your own mosaic is an excellent way to add personality to plain tiles,' she says. A sculptural arch, painted with cranberry trim, adds a dramatic touch to the bathroom, making the entire space feel lively and fun. We’re sure Babs would approve!

Basement
Kelly Marshall, Styling by Sophia PappasKate Pearce
Before Kate worked her magic, this basement was a dark, musty space you’d definitely want to avoid. But with no natural light, the Chicago-based designer didn’t try to battle it. Instead, she embraced the darkness, transforming the space into a 'moody speakeasy.' 'That was the vision,' she explains. She covered the ceiling in drywall for a more polished look, then painted the walls and exposed stone a rich brown to evoke the vibe of a glamorous Prohibition-era bar. To keep things comfortable, she included plenty of textured seating—bouclé benches, hide chairs, and cane stools. For the bar, the centerpiece of the room, she went for a custom design featuring a ceramic tile facade, and wallpapered the shelves behind it, stocking them with vintage barware she’d collected around New York City.

Backyard
Kelly Marshall, Styling: Sophia PappasBrooklyn Grange
It would be an understatement to call this yard an urban jungle. Fortunately, the experts at Brooklyn Grange tamed the overgrowth, transforming it into a beautiful and functional space. They designed four distinct gathering areas, using curving lines to keep the eye moving throughout the landscape. They also added plenty of hardscaping—TimberTech decking and pea gravel paths—to define the different zones. 'The boldness of the decking, fencing, and steel edging complements the delicate leaves of the native plants, such as sweetbay magnolia and alumroot,' explains lead landscape designer Travers Martin. Who needs a trendy home when you have a yard like this? Just kidding—both are a must!

Kelly Marshall, Styling: Sophia Pappas





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