Kelley Carter’s Fashion Forward Interior
Photographs by Genevieve Garruppo
In past lives she has been a home decor editor eyeing the latest design trends, a fashion editor perusing the scene at New York Fashion Week, and even at the helm of assisting Oprah in curating her favorite things. There is no doubt that stylist, editor and creative director, Kelley Carter, knows style, and she brings an abundance of it to her home in Brooklyn, New York. Her small railroad style apartment has benefited from ingenuity born from Kelley’s creative mind. A mix of vibrant textiles, customized pieces and rare art make this Brooklyn apartment a stunning space full of well-curated design ideas.
Kelley is a proponent of breaking the rules, and opted to paint her apartment a cool off-black shade. The color absolutely works as a strong backdrop for the myriad of beautiful elements that this editor and creative director has brought home. In the dining room, a beautifully textured porcupine quill mirror pops against the dark black wall. The hand-painted piece has a sculptural quality, as do many of the pieces that Kelley has in her home.
The living room is divided by the built-in bench that Kelley designed, designating both the living and dining area. The upholstered bench provides adequate seating for when friends and family come to visit. The wall showcases a gallery of some of Kelley’s favorite pieces. The Loves Neon Light from CB2 adds a glow to the gallery wall. It sits next to one of her favorite pieces, “Karl Legofeld”.
The dining room was designed by Kelley herself. A wood bench was installed, neatly dividing the living and dining area. Upholstered cushions were placed to create a dining nook centered around a Saarinen-style table. The cushions add a colorful display to the dining area. Kelley upholstered them and the bench cushions in fabric from a collaboration between SUNO and KNOLL. The upholstery-grade pieces were inspired by traditional fabrics in Kenya, India and beyond.
Through french doors, and you enter the bedroom. The off-black wall color continues. Inside is another built-in designed by Kelley. A shelving unit the divides the home office from the bed. The shelving offers an abundance of storage for Kelley’s collected pieces. Below, drawers have been installed as additional storage for clothing and accessories. Jewelry, like necklaces and bangles, are easy to see and grab from a display piece on the shelf. Below, shoes and boots can be seen and easily matched to any outfit when they’re out in the open. For a little bit of kitsch style, Kelley has incorporated some pieces she made herself on the shelf - glass figurines made at a glass blowing class she’s been taking.
The bedroom is all about the mix. The mix of fresh patterns and colorful textiles create a cozy, comfortable and beautiful place to sit back and relax. A headboard was installed using left-over yardage from a project. The close-knit chevron pattern creates an unexpected headboard for the bed. The black and white pattern is a complement to the black and white knit pillow that Kelley likes to cozy up on. At the foot of the bed, Kelley has incorporated a textile from her travels. Fabric from the Philippines that adds a vibrant display to the bed. The patterned textile is filled with meaning, a reflection of Kelley’s own Filipino heritage.
Kelley has made every room in this home work, with no space left unused or unoccupied. In the bedroom, a home office has been carved out. A writer and editor who works from home, the office was a necessary space. Kelley made it her own with a custom piece that makes an absolute statement. The desk was a design by her and a friend. Powder coated in hot pink, the thin modern legs are a beautiful touch. The additional furnishings create a mix of genres, with a Louis XIV chair and a gold baroque mirror that hangs above the ultra-modern desk. Kelley opted for painting the desk a vibrant hot pink. The shade really pops against an industrial brick wall in the bedroom. To finish the piece, black paint was added to the glass top. The desk is accessorized with favorite pieces for organization and some priceless works of art. The ceramic ashtray is by the father of the Japanese neo-Pop movement, Yoshitomo Nara.
Even in the kitchen, art is on display. A pop art vignette in primary colors of red, blue and yellow makes a statement in the kitchen. The bust is a feminine piece of art. Directly adjacent to it, a rare work, a pitcher by Kara Walker made in collaboration with Bernardaud is on display. A finishing touch, The I Love New York Ceramic Cup, is a celebration of the work of Milton Glasser who first developed the logo for the city in 1975.
