The Brooklyn Brownstone That Made Me Stop and Look Twice

Sometimes when I am surfing the internet late in the evening, usually after washing the dishes and settling into the quiet part of the night, I come across a home that makes me slow down and look a little longer than I planned. 

This week it happened while I was scrolling through different design articles, and a feature about a brownstone in Fort Greene, Brooklyn suddenly pulled me in. 

The home belongs to interior designer Jenna Chused, and even though it is far away from my fixer upper here in Georgia, something about the way she put her rooms together felt warm and steady in a way that stayed with me.

I learned that Jenna has been gathering vintage pieces since she was eleven, which explains the way her home looks like it has been shaped by many small moments over time instead of one big plan. 

She is the founder of Chused & Co., and her style mixes old treasures with newer touches so naturally that nothing feels forced or overly styled. 

Her rooms look like they grew step by step, with decisions made slowly and with care, and I think that is why I liked them so much.

A Closer Look at the Living Room

Looking at the photos, I found myself studying the fireplace first, because it holds the whole room in such a peaceful way. The carved stone has soft lines that settle into the wall rather than jump out from it, and the art above it adds a quiet character without feeling heavy. 

I liked how the colors in the space were gentle, almost like the kind of tones that make you breathe easier when you walk in after a long day. 

The large windows let in so much light, and it made me imagine how this room must feel on a slow morning when everything is just waking up.

The chairs caught my attention right away because of their shape. The curved wooden arms look comfortable in a very simple way, and the neutral fabric makes them easy to place in a room without fighting for attention. 

I kept thinking about how chairs like these could work in almost any home, even mine, if someone was willing to wait for the right pair instead of rushing into a quick purchase.

The Kitchen That Feels Both Modern and Warm

When I moved from the living room photos to the kitchen shots, I felt that same sense of calm, but with a brighter energy. 

The tall windows let in a soft daylight that makes the brass fixtures shine without feeling loud, and the marble countertops have gentle gray lines that look natural and unpolished. 

I loved the ceiling medallion above the pendant light because it added something classic to the space, and it reminded me how a single detail can change the feeling of a whole room.

The island stools with woven backs looked like pieces you would want to sit at for hours while talking or cooking or simply being together. 

The mix of deep cabinet tones with the red glossy finish of the refrigerator wall added personality without pulling attention away from the rest of the kitchen.

The Dining Room With a Story on the Wall

The dining space surprised me in the best way because the first thing your eye meets is the large tapestry hanging behind the bench. The colors are rich but not too dark, and the design looks like something that belonged to a different time but still finds its place today. 

I loved the simple black table in front of it because it grounded the whole area, and the mix of chairs and soft bench seating made the room feel comfortable instead of formal.

There was something meaningful about the way the tapestry brought warmth to the wall, and it made me think about how sometimes the right art piece doesn’t ask for attention but gives the whole room a deeper feeling.

A Quiet Corner Filled With History

One of my favorite shots was the small corner with the wooden cabinet, the soft lamp, the antique chair, and the painting above it. 

The whole setup felt like a quiet moment frozen in time, the kind of corner you would walk past many times a day but always notice in a gentle way. The textures were simple but rich, and the lighter tones around the fireplace balanced the darker wood of the furniture so well. 

This corner made me think about how a small space can hold a lot of heart when it is shaped slowly with pieces someone truly loves.

The Hallway Art and Gentle Details

There was a hallway with a portrait hanging at the end, and even though the colors were deeper and the figure in the painting looked a bit serious, the space around it stayed soft because of the light wall color and the gentle curve of the stair rail. 

The hanging light overhead added just enough shine to lift the area without distracting from the art. It felt like a small reminder that hallways can be places of beauty too, not just places we pass through quickly.

The Bedroom With a Lived-In Calm

The bedroom felt cozy in a simple, honest way. The wooden nightstand, the soft lamp with dark shade, the textured bedspread, and the gentle mix of pillows all worked together to make the room look warm without feeling crowded. 

The blue curtains added a bit of cool tone that balanced the warmer colors on the bed, and I could imagine this being a space where someone could rest easily at the end of a long day.

The Bathroom With a Bold Touch

The bathroom stood out because the vanity was a rich red tone that added a friendly burst of color to the simple white tile walls. 

The brass fixtures tied it together in a calm way, and the long mirror helped open up the space. It looked modern but still kept a softness that connected back to the rest of the home. 

I liked how the room didn’t feel afraid to have a little fun while staying practical and easy to maintain.

I Really Wanted to Share This Home With You

Here are the key things we can learn from this style:

• Mix old and new without worrying too much about matching.

A vintage chair beside a modern sofa can create a warm balance, and the contrast adds personality without extra effort.

• Let one or two bold pieces guide the room.

In this home, the Ochre sofa and the large paintings carried a lot of visual weight, while the rest of the room stayed calm. It’s a reminder that we don’t need many standout items, just one or two that feel right.

• Use soft, neutral backgrounds to make the treasures shine.

The quiet wall colors and light wood floors allowed the artwork, lamps, and furniture shapes to feel important without making the room busy.

• Choose lighting that adds warmth instead of brightness.

The palm tree lamps, brass sconces, and soft-shaded lights created a gentle glow that made each corner feel welcoming, and it showed how lighting can shape the mood of a whole room.

• Bring texture into the space instead of patterns.

The rugs, pillows, and fabrics in this home were mostly simple, but their textures added depth. This is a helpful approach for creating interest without overwhelming a room.

• Let art tell a story instead of filling every wall.

A few large pieces were used instead of many small ones, which kept the rooms calm and gave the artwork space to breathe.

• Keep the kitchen practical but warm.

The tall windows, brass hardware, and marble counters created a functional space with a peaceful feel, and it showed how a kitchen can stay simple without losing charm.

• Add one unexpected element.

The red vanity in the bathroom was playful but still grounded, proving that a single bold choice can brighten a space without taking over.

These small ideas work in any home, and they remind me that style doesn’t need to be complicated. Sometimes just a few thoughtful choices can make a room feel settled, warm, and loved.