Allegra O. Eifler
Parlor

Having grown up in Brooklyn, just a few blocks away, this 19th-century townhouse had an immediate familiarity that was quite personal. The first time I saw the parlor, it was bathed in eastern morning light, a quiet warmth that contrasted with the buzzy energy of Brooklyn waking up. My concept for this room is rooted in that duality that Brooklyn possesses— a space that can be both enveloping for intimate conversations and vibrant for joyful gatherings. 

The terracotta color of the walls references the 1848 Italianate architecture. A formal, yet cheerful hue, it has an intrinsic value as a backdrop for collected 19th-century furniture pieces. These pieces are then balanced by comfortable upholstery and layered floor coverings. The fabrics in the room, all sourced from independent women-owned lines, are made from natural fibers – linen that looks better with age, silk that reflects the light, soft, easily-draped wool, and friendly cotton. Playful Modernist accents reflect the ever-evolving nature of the borough and highlights include pieces from local purveyors of taste.