The Insider: Designer Conjures Sophisticated Salon in Park Slope Prewar

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At a certain point, the charms of living in a walk-up faded for designer Jennifer Morris’s client. So she bought a bright two-bedroom apartment in an elevator building near Grand Army Plaza, a former senior residence recently redeveloped as condos, with glamorous public spaces by Workstead, a Brooklyn-based design studio.

The new homeowner was the first to live in the newly renovated space. Hence, Morris’ busy boutique firm, Park Slope-based JMorris Design, didn’t have much of a hand in things like finishes and flooring. Instead, said Morris, “I leaned into wall coverings, furniture, and light fixtures to personalize it. No heavy lift. We built millwork in the office, but didn’t touch the bath or kitchen.”

The vision Morris had for her client, a writer and director of development for art magazines, was of a sophisticated, serene salon. “You can imagine an evening of candlelit dining for intimate groups, with a quiet vibe, which is how she likes to entertain,” Morris said. There was also the matter of working in family pieces the client had recently inherited, like the grandfather clock in the foyer. Such heirlooms, she said, instill “a feeling of a home that has been there for a while.”

With this grownup concept in mind, Morris conceived a palette of subtle blues and roses, and furnished with pieces that “have a generally modern feeling, with patterned fabrics and collected objects to give it richness and depth.”

As much as possible, Morris prioritizes sourcing from local designers, makers, and suppliers. All painting was done by Red Poppy Painting, a female-owned concern.

An heirloom grandfather clock has pride of place opposite the apartment’s entry door, standing out against green Sarkos wallpaper, hand decorated with gold wisps, and an abstract floral rug from Emma Gardner.

Grasscloth wallcovering with a metallic sheen in the adjacent foyer “really leans into this soft, feminine pink,” the designer said. The clean-lined wood bench was sourced from Fern Furniture of Hudson, New York.

Creamy blue tones dominate the living room, furnished with curvy, sculptural pieces. These include a sofa and coffee table from Brooklyn-based Egg collective, a furry ottoman, and a blue suede armchair from Dennis Miller. The lustrous silk shag rug, with threads of copper, silver, and cream, “ties everything together,” Morris said.

The drapes are fashioned from a paisley fabric that “has been on my wish list for over a decade,” Morris said. “Paisley has a ‘70s connotation a lot of people don’t get, but this client appreciated it and loved the color.”

In the dining area, besides park views, is a table made in Brooklyn by Wüd Morris and chairs from De La Espada covered in a metallic Fortuny screen print. The gilded mirror is a family piece. Above hangs a fixture from Giopato & Coombes, an Italian lighting manufacturer.

The pink powder room still retains its prewar wall paneling; the sink was existing. On the walls, Morris went with glossy pink paint.

The bedroom is a cocoon of soft, dusty pink. Against wallpaper from Philip Jeffries stand a bed from Dmitriy & Co., a venerable New York upholstery house, and a handcrafted armoire with arched leather panels, sourced from Brooklyn-based Volk furniture. A reupholstered vintage chair and striped bedding were both created with fabric from Eskayel, yet another local business.

The handblown glass pendant and sconces also came from Giopato & Coombes, the rug from Art + Loom of Miami.

A rug and new light fixtures were all that was needed in the already spectacular primary bath.

In the apartment’s second bedroom, used as a home office and for TV watching, Morris designed custom millwork storage and an oversized desk. Another rug from Emma Gardner — whose bold pattern was inspired by Japanese pottery — a West Elm sleeper sofa with custom-made cushions, and an inherited occasional table kit out the space.

[Photos by Jacob Snavely]

The Insider is Brownstoner’s weekly in-depth look at a notable interior design/renovation project, by design journalist Cara Greenberg. Find it here every Thursday morning.

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