Lyons vs Martin
A tale of one townhouse…
A few weeks back you indulged me, and let me swoon over the delightful Jenna Lyons. I mentioned that her townhouse she shared with her former husband was sold by Sotheby’s Realty in 2011. Well, I’ve discovered who moved in! Here is a little comparison of what the inside of the creative director at J.Crew’s house looks like now:
The new owners are also a creative pair: Tracy Martin of the Morbid Anatomy Museum and her twin sister Tonya Hurley. It seems as if the Park Slope townhouse has been turned into more of a cabinet of curiosities from it’s former life as a closet for Lyons’ luxury goods.
Jenna’s love of colour was ever apparent in these spaces. Bright pops of yellow (check out the striped ceiling of her sons room), hot pink area rugs and bold paint choices were the norm. It reflected her work for J.Crew, you could see her fingerprint on every element.
The new owners have turned Jenna’s former walk-in into a luxurious bedroom painted in a deep luxurious gray. Nineteenth century botanical prints now line the walls where vast shoe racks once stood. The space feels completely different, almost den-like compared to the bright airiness of the room’s former life.
One of the punchier changes might just be the kitchen. Jenna’s kitchen was an industrious space, with exposed ducts and practical surfaces. Everything was done in a minimal manner. Kitchen items had their place, and they were all on display. There were no upper cabinets, just exposed restaurant style shelves.
The remodel has added more warmth to the space. It’s more familiar in it’s new state. The cupboards are now a homier, warmer brown and the table is more farm house than modern art. If you’re interested in seeing more on this transformation, check out the before here and the after photographs here.
