“My pace changes in Brooklyn a little bit,” says
Delia Brennen, an interior designer who moved from Washington Heights to an heirloom brownstone in Clinton Hill with her husband, artist Júlio Leitão, and two teenagers five years ago. “It’s slower and a lot greener, and the vibe is much more relaxed.”
In place of expected framing and refurbished wood, Brennen’s brownstone touts clean lines, is delineated by bold black and white interiors, and is filled with African art pieces. But as our homes continue to evolve as spaces where we study, work, gather, and graze, she realized it was time for her furniture to expand beyond its designated labels. Gone are the days of the reading chair or working desk—instead Brennen looked to custom furniture brand
Maiden Home’s Fall 2020 Collection for handcrafted luxury statement pieces with multidimensional purposes.
“Home is one of the most important places for me,” says Brennen. “It’s where I can feel safe and recharge. Investing in my home is my form of self-care. I hold myself to a certain standard of excellence, so that’s why well-made pieces matter to me. Maiden Home allows me to have quality furniture that looks and feels good.”
It’s always been a dream of hers to have a white sofa—but while they tend to look good, they’re hard to maintain, especially in busy homes. Maiden Home’s Performance fabric, which Brennen selected in the crisp Polar Bouclé that she says “reminds her of snow,” repels liquids and can be cleaned with a damp cloth. "I tend to not gravitate toward white furniture, because I want my family to live and enjoy—this is a no-plastic-cover home,” she says. “With this fabric, water and spills just bead off and I can spot treat it. Plus the Performance Bouclé is on trend without feeling trendy; it looks classic and feels luxurious,” adds Brennen.
For Brennen, different textures add dimension to a room. In the living space, the Bond Chair’s soft curves lend a contemporary
feel. And though the oversize silhouette is a presence, the mohair fabric in Almond offers movement. “Mohair is a classic luxury, and when I have an opportunity to use it, I do. It feels good to the touch, and it is thick, elegant, and durable. I love how mohair’s smooth texture is a contrast to the sofa’s nubby bouclé. Also, because I chose such a neutral color palette, texture play was important to add interest—I wanted the furniture to provide a visual as well as a tactile experience.”
When considering the new focal point of her living room, flexibility was key—the space is where her family enjoys lounging, her children do their homework, and Brennen works on photo shoots. Kicking back as a group warranted a larger, uniformed seating area, while pull-apart seating was necessary for hosting guests in the future.
Brennen chose Maiden Home’s Jones Modular Sofa—in contrast to the room’s white walls and original earth-tone sculptures created by her husband—because it offers that versatility while still maintaining the minimalist aesthetic of the space thanks to its low, modern silhouette. “This piece allows us to embrace that Brooklyn laid-back feel indoors,” she shares. “It’s become the place everyone gravitates to for lounging with a book or napping.
This sofa is as comfortable as it looks, and the seat is just the
right depth. Plus the down-filled arms have enough cushion to rest your head, while still maintaining their shape. No more constant fluffing!”
How designer Delia Brennen modernized her 1880s Brooklyn brownstone.
of STYLE
laid-back feel indoors.”
PHOTOGRAPHY BY Sean Litchfield
WORDS BY Shanika Hillocks
PRODUCED BY Megan West
ART DIRECTION BY Brit Ashcraft
FOUNDATIONS
In her bedroom the mood is moodier, with dark paint and wood floors. To balance things out—and make the home’s traditional accents, like the stone fireplace, pop—she opted for lighter, airier pieces. “I went with the Thompson Canopy Bed to try something out of my comfort zone,” she says with a smile, noting she chose the piece in a buttery leather. “I love the drama of a canopy bed, and when you have high ceilings, it forces the eye up. With handcrafted upholstery and a hand-carved wood base, the bed offers contrast against black bedroom walls and brings in an organic feel. The leather, like the wood, is smooth to the touch and will patina well.” In front of the bed, the Mott Stool in Almond Mohair with a natural ash base is a conversation piece that can easily be moved throughout the room—or home—and used for different things: It’s sturdy enough for holding a beverage or coffee-table books, and comfortable enough for propping your feet up and relaxing.
“The benefit of COVID-19 has brought us moments of stillness to stop, appreciate, and invest in our residences,” concludes Brennen. “Sustaining that principle through design allows us to take the time to truly enjoy the places—and pieces—we love.”
embrace that Brooklyn
“This piece allows us to
eye up.”
high ceilings, it forces the
bed and, when you have
“I love the drama of a canopy
Jones Modular Sofa,
by Maiden Home
Thompson Canopy,
by Maiden Home
Mott Stool,
by Maiden Home
Hover
for products and tips
Bond Chair,
by Maiden Home
Bond Chair,
by Maiden Home
Jones Modular Sofa,
by Maiden Home
Jones Modular Sofa,
by Maiden Home
Mott Stool,
by Maiden Home
Jones Modular Sofa,
by Maiden Home
Bond Chair,
by Maiden Home
Thompson Canopy,
by Maiden Home
A famously free spirit and voice of optimism since she first graced the big screen at 5 years old, Drew Barrymore has evolved into a super-successful actor, producer, director, and author—as well as the design mind behind Flower by Drew (with home, beauty, and eyewear collections available at Walmart that radiate sunny vibes and color, always). It’s no surprise a daisy has become her unofficial signature—Barrymore brings joy and curiosity to every project she touches, including being mom to Olive (8) and Frankie (6).
With The Drew Barrymore Show, her newly launched daytime talk show on CBS, she’s flipping the script and guiding the cultural conversation on topics meaningful to her (Mister Rogers’ Neighborhoodwas an inspiration). Topping Barrymore’s list of favorite collaborators is 12-year-old crochet pro Jonah Larson of Jonah’s Hands, whose vibrant pieces (the blanket featured here was made specially for “Auntie Drew”) help support his philanthropic work. So it only made sense that the duo connect on a Zoom call and chat for Domino’s first-ever Kids issue.
I’m so excited about your questions. They’re so good and thoughtful and cool, just like you.
Thank you very much. I
wanted to not ask what everybody else would—but those deeper questions where you have to stop for a moment and think and have your own point
of view.
Having been an interview subject my whole life, you sort of get a format given to you and you have to give your answers within that context. I want to set the rule book on fire. So I am with you, Jonah. Take it away!
“My pace changes in Brooklyn a little bit,” says Delia Brennan,
an interior designer who moved from Washington Heights to an heirloom brownstone in Clinton Hill with her husband, artist Júlio Leitão, and two teenagers five years ago. “It’s slower and a lot greener, and the vibe is much more relaxed.”
“This piece allows us
to embrace that
Brooklyn laid-back
feel indoors”
Jones Modular Sofa,
by Maiden Home
Jones Modular Sofa,
by Maiden Home
In place of expected framing and refurbished wood, Brennan’s brownstone touts clean lines, is delineated by bold black and white interiors, and is filled with African art pieces. But as our homes continue to evolve as spaces where we study, work, gather, and graze, she realized it was time for her furniture to expand beyond
its designated labels. Gone are the days of the “reading chair” or “working desk”—instead Brennan looked to custom furniture brand Maiden Home’s Fall 2020 Collection for handcrafted luxury statement pieces with multidimensional purposes.
“Home is one of the most important places for me,” Brennan says. “It’s a place where I can feel safe and can recharge. Investing in my home is my form of self-care. I hold myself to a certain standard of excellence, that’s why well-made pieces matter to me. Maiden Home allows me to have quality furniture that looks and feels good.”
When considering the new focal point
of her living room, flexibility was key—the space is where her family enjoys lounging, her children do
their homework, and where Brennan does photo shoots. Kicking back as
a group warranted a larger, uniformed seating area, while pull apart seating was necessary for hosting guests in
the future.
A contrast to the room’s white walls and original earth-toned sculptures created by her husband, Brennan chose Maiden Home’s Jones Modular Sofa because it offers that versatility while still maintaining the minimalist aesthetic of the space thanks to its low, modern silhouette. “This piece allows us to embrace that Brooklyn laid-back feel indoors,” she shares. “It’s become the place everyone gravitates to for lounging with a book or napping. This sofa is as comfortable as it looks, and the seat is just the right depth. Plus, the arms have enough cushion to rest your head, while still maintaining their shape. No more constant fluffing!”
eyes to look up”
when you have high
a canopy bed and,
“I love the drama of
ceilings, it forces the
It’s always been a dream of hers to have a white sofa—but while they tend to
look good, they’re hard to maintain, especially in busy homes. Maiden Home’s Performance fabric, which Brennan selected in a crisp Polar Bouclé that she says “reminds her of snow,” repels liquids and can be cleaned with
a damp cloth. ”I tend to not gravitate towards white furniture because I want my family to live and enjoy—this is a no plastic cover home,” she says. “With
this fabric, water and spills just bead
off and I can spot treat it. Plus, the Performance Bouclé is on-trend
without feeling trendy; it looks classic and feels luxurious.”
For Brennan, different textures add dimension to a room. In the living space, The Bond Chair’s soft curves lend a contemporary feel. And though the oversized silhouette is a presence, the Mohair fabric in Almond offers movement. “Mohair is a classic luxury and, when I have an opportunity to use it, I do. It feels good to touch, and it’s thick, elegant, and durable. I love how the Mohair’s smooth texture is a contrast to the sofa’s nubby Bouclé.
Also, because I chose such a neutral color palette, texture play was
important to add interest—I wanted
the furniture to provide a visual, as well as a tactile, experience.”
Jones Modular Sofa,
by Maiden Home
Bond Chair,
by Maiden Home
Bond Chair,
by Maiden Home
Bond Chair,
by Maiden Home
Thompson Canopy Bed,
by Maiden Home
Thompson Canopy Bed,
by Maiden Home
Mott Stool,
by Maiden Home