@brownstoneboy
The Brownstone Boys, Jordan Slocum and Barry Bordelon, helped us find this year’s REAL SIMPLE Home. Thanks, guys! The couple bought their own house (shown above), a 130-year-old—you guessed it—brownstone in the Bed-Stuy neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, back in 2018. They’ve been blogging about the renovation and their many other projects ever since, always combining their love of preservation with functional, modern touches. In case they don’t sound busy enough, their book, For the Love of Renovating, is out this month. Back in REAL SIMPLE Land, they’re designing the entire parlor level— a big, open space featuring the kitchen, dining room, and living room.
THEIR PROBLEM
They have to turn one giant space into multiple rooms.
THEIR SOLUTION
Groupings of furniture! They plan to create vignettes throughout. “If it’s an armchair, a side table, and a lamp, you put those things together, and it becomes its own little space,” Barry says. They’ll also use rugs to anchor each area.
STUFF THEY LOVE
COURTESY OF THE BROWNSTONE BOYS (2); PRODUCT IMAGES COURTESY OF MANUFACTURERS
Here she is! A gorgeous, four-story 1890s brownstone in Brooklyn, New York. While the wiring gets updated, the wooden features and stained glass get cleaned up, and the plumbing gets plumbed, some of our favorite designers are mapping out their visions. As with any project, they’re running into obstacles, and that’s where their smarts and creativity come in handy. From now until the final reveal in October, each expert will take us through a challenge they’re facing and tell us how they plan to stylishly overcome it.
Follow us on Instagram (@real_simple) for weekly renovation updates!
@mikelwelch
Next up, Mikel Welch! Mikel is an interior designer based in Miami and New York City. You may recognize him from his regular appearances on The Drew Barrymore Show and the Netflix series Hack My Home. When he’s not beautifying spaces, Mikel loves to travel (his favorite city is London), enjoy a cocktail or two (Old Cubans are his go-to), and sing along with Beyoncé. He’s currently figuring out how to bring some English-countryside-inspired charm to the primary suite, where the bed shares the spotlight with a stunning fireplace.
HIS PROBLEM
He needs to style the fireplace without detracting from the rest of the room.
HIS SOLUTION
He’s going to keep it simple, with a mirror or artwork over the mantel. “Select a frame that complements the surrounding decor,” Mikel says, pointing out that something with ornate detailing can add just the right amount of character.
STUFF HE LOVES
FROM TOP: NATALIE GUISINGER; COURTESY OF MIKEL WELCH (2); PRODUCT IMAGES COURTESY OF MANUFACTURERS