AD Italia: Inside this Brooklyn loft, every room tells the story of its interior designer’s journey.

Designer Laurie Blumenfeld’s Brooklyn loft is a gallery of objects and works of art collected with her partner Robert Russo from all over the world.

by Sonia S. Braga

Soaring ceilings with exposed beams, oversized industrial-style windows, and graffitied concrete columns frame a gallery-like interior featuring natural materials, collectible artwork, and rooms that each have their own distinct identity. This New York penthouse, owned by interior designer Laurie Blumenfeld and her partner Robert Russo , is located in Red Hook , Brooklyn , and exudes the unmistakable rugged attitude of the Big Apple . Originally settled by the Dutch in the 17th century, Red Hook owes its name to the reddish clay soil that juts out toward the harbor.

“Today, the neighborhood has established itself as one of Brooklyn?s most captivating waterfront enclaves: off the beaten path, yet undeniably creative and culturally rich,” says Laurie. “Its history blends with a vibrant arts and culinary scene, with former warehouses now transformed into art galleries, studios, and cutting-edge spaces. Sweeping waterfront views, a close-knit community, and stunning sunsets define the neighborhood, offering a rare sense of openness to the metropolis. It’s a place where past and present effortlessly coexist, and where design, culture, and a coastal pulse converge.? In 2018, the property was completely reimagined into loft-style residences, carefully preserving its industrial heritage. “We are the first residents to inhabit this newly renovated space,” says Laurie.

“Industrial yet elegant architecture has become a fundamental source of inspiration”?- Laurie Blumenfeld

A loft with an artist’s soul

The creative concept behind the project is clear: “My goal was to create a modern yet soulful home that would tell our story through texture, warmth, and scale, while fully embracing the architecture of this iconic building, one of the first steel and reinforced concrete structures in the United States,” Laurie explains. A personal space, shaped by Laurie’s travels around the world and realized through custom furniture and custom wood finishes, all designed in her studio. “Each room showcases one of my original pieces,” she says. “Many elements draw inspiration from the international boutique hotels we’ve stayed in.” Some examples? A hotel in Barcelona for the master bed and the One&Only Mandarina in Nayarit, Mexico, for the waxed wood desk that hugs the window.

This 1,700-square-foot single-level New York penthouse, with a living room, dining room, kitchen, two bedrooms, and three bathrooms, is adorned with design and artisanal objects from around the world. Highlights include large-scale commissions discovered in Paris and objects from Africa, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Turkey, Mexico City, and Italy. A defining moment for the designer was a visit to the Jean-Michel Basquiat and Andy Warhol exhibition at the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris, which led her to commission a large-scale artwork for the living room from artist Alex Mitrecey.

The house is also influenced by nature, as evidenced by the integration of trees and plants, inspired by travels in India and South America. A design that pays homage to the loft spirit. The residential complex itself guided the interior designer’s choice of color palette, materials, and overall vision. “Its industrial yet elegant architecture became a key source of inspiration,” says Laurie. The atmosphere is airy, spacious, artistic, and eclectic. “The Bauhaus movement continues to inspire me, particularly in its use of clean lines and geometric shapes,” explains Laurie.

A boutique hotel atmosphere

A palette that harmonizes with the character of the building. The neutral palette of black, dove gray, white, gunmetal gray, and ivory creates a warm and understated foundation that harmonizes with the rest of the space. Strategic pops of color punctuate the space, enhancing its art gallery feel, particularly through large-scale works and a concave mirror in the master bedroom. Drawing inspiration from the traditions of Italian marble and Mexican terracotta, the powder room features walls finished in Farrow & Ball’s Paean Black limewash and the custom-made vanity unit is in Cipollina Ondulato Rosso marble.

The space was conceived as a captivating and enveloping retreat, lush and atmospheric, offering a stark contrast to the airy and bright openness of the rest of the loft. The materials often echo the architecture: black powder-coated metal, inspired by windows, recurs throughout the kitchen, office, and bedroom. The dining room chandelier references the graffiti on the building’s original columns. The interior designer also used waxed wood, glass, and sheepskin. The selections come from platforms like 1stDibs and Chairish, as well as pieces from various countries.

Additional touches include family heirlooms from India and works by Brooklyn artists. Custom-made elements define the interiors, particularly a large-scale kitchen storage system that’s both functional and sculptural. “It provides useful storage,” the designer concludes. Other notable features include a cantilevered marble, glass, and brass coffee table; a walnut dining table with powder-coated metal accents; a large custom desk and shelving system; and hand-painted Japanese rice paper wallpaper in the guest bathroom. Simply iconic.

– as featured in AD Italia, “Dentro questo loft a Brooklyn ogni stanza racconta un viaggio della sua interior designer” by Sonia S. Braga