Layla Zulfa
The collectible design gallery Somerset House, situated in Queens, has long been a destination for connoisseurs of vintage furniture and rare, curated objects. However, a recent project involving a 3,600-square-foot Brooklyn residence serves as a testament to the gallery’s evolution from a specialized source for decor into a comprehensive residential design firm. The homeowners, a couple working in the music and fashion industries, initially entered the gallery with the modest intention of browsing for furnishings. They departed with a collaborative partnership that would eventually redefine their living space.
The project began when the clients realized that their newly purchased, expansive Brooklyn home—despite its high ceilings and abundant natural light—suffered from a lack of architectural identity. While the property provided the square footage necessary for a growing family, the gut-renovated interior felt stark and uninviting, a common issue in modern developments prioritizing open floor plans over distinctive design. Alan Eckstein, co-founder of Somerset House alongside his wife, Haley Loewenthal, was tapped to address these deficiencies.
The Philosophy of Architectural Warmth
Eckstein’s approach to the project was rooted in a rejection of the minimalist, cold aesthetic that currently dominates high-end interior design. Drawing inspiration from the 1920s work of Jean-Michel Frank, specifically his interiors for the de Noailles town house in Paris, Eckstein proposed an ambitious use of unadorned maple plywood wainscoting. This material choice was initially met with hesitation by the homeowners, who were concerned that the extensive use of wood might overwhelm the space.
The implementation of this vision required a rigorous six-month process. Plywood, while accessible, is notorious for its inconsistency in staining; early attempts at achieving the desired hue resulted in variations that were either too yellow or too red. Through close coordination with Studio BAD, the team managed to refine the finish, incorporating rounded bullnose trim to soften the edges. This wainscoting now runs throughout the primary living areas and clads the staircase, serving as the structural anchor for the home’s personality.
Chronology and Collaborative Process
The relationship between the designers and the clients evolved quickly, characterized by a shared aesthetic language. The collaborative nature of the project was perhaps best exemplified by a Father’s Day weekend during which the design team and the homeowners worked together to install key pieces, punctuating the day with a communal brunch. This level of engagement suggests a departure from traditional, transactional designer-client relationships, moving instead toward a more integrated, lifestyle-focused approach.
The design timeline spanned several months, necessitated by the custom nature of the interventions. Key milestones included:
- Initial Consultation: The homeowners visit the Somerset House gallery to source furniture, sparking the conversation regarding a full-home design.
- Architectural Overhaul: The installation of the custom maple plywood wainscoting, a process lasting six months due to material testing and finishing adjustments.
- Kitchen and Structural Refinement: The application of Farrow & Ball’s "Minster Green" to kitchen cabinetry and the complex integration of the staircase support column, which required multiple iterations of plywood bending to match the surrounding cladding.
- Textile and Lighting Curation: The final phase involved layering vintage lighting—including 1930s "PH3" copper pendants by Poul Henningsen—and bespoke furniture to complete the home’s interior narrative.
Design Details and Curated Objects
The home acts as a gallery of midcentury and contemporary design. In the dining room, a 1950s Ico Parisi table is paired with Dutch oak chairs upholstered in mohair, creating a bridge between different eras of design. The lighting choices are equally intentional; the PH3 pendants, sourced from a home where they had resided for nearly a century, provide a historical weight that balances the modernity of the architecture.
In the kitchen, the use of handmade Cemento Collection zellige tile provides a textural contrast to the Minster Green cabinetry. The inclusion of In Common With’s "Saga Duo" pendant light adds a contemporary flair, while the modification of vintage Danish teak stools—adding custom iron feet—demonstrates the Somerset House team’s commitment to bespoke tailoring of existing pieces.
Strategic Use of Color and Monochromatic Spaces
The home features distinct, intentional shifts in color palette. The dressing room, a space the homeowners envisioned as a "tonal fantasy," is finished in Benjamin Moore’s "Bluebelle." The room features a wall-to-wall Patterson Flynn "Miro" carpet and enamel cabinetry, creating a monochromatic environment reminiscent of high-end retail displays.
In contrast, the guest room—which doubles as a home office—is a bold, saturated red. The decision to commit to such a strong color reflects the couple’s desire to avoid the "empty bed" syndrome, transforming a space that would otherwise be underutilized into a high-impact, cozy environment.
Market Implications and Professional Assessment
The success of this project highlights a broader trend in luxury residential design: the move away from "minimalist playgrounds" toward spaces that prioritize human comfort and historical resonance. Industry analysts note that homeowners are increasingly seeking designers who can act as both curators and architects, providing a "total look" that feels both authentic and highly personal.
The use of plywood in this residence is particularly significant. Once considered a purely utilitarian or temporary material, its elevation to a decorative feature reflects a shift in contemporary design sensibilities toward "honest" materials. When executed with high-quality craftsmanship, such as the rounded bullnose trim seen in the Brooklyn project, these materials can bridge the gap between historic charm and modern utility.
Future Outlook for Somerset House
The transition of Somerset House from a gallery to a full-service design firm positions it uniquely within the New York market. By leveraging their existing inventory—roughly 80 percent of the home’s furniture is vintage, with half sourced directly from their own collection—Eckstein and Loewenthal are able to maintain a level of control over the aesthetic outcome that is difficult to replicate through traditional sourcing channels.
The homeowners’ feedback, particularly their observation that the home is "immaculate but not untouchable," underscores the primary goal of the renovation: to create a space that accommodates the realities of family life while upholding a high standard of design. As the firm takes on more projects, this focus on durability and "life-ready" luxury will likely remain a hallmark of their work.
Ultimately, the transformation of this Brooklyn property serves as an case study in the power of professional design to elevate standard architectural footprints. Through a combination of historical research, material innovation, and a collaborative spirit, Somerset House has demonstrated that a home’s character is not inherent to its construction, but is rather a reflection of the narrative built within its walls. The project concludes as a successful synthesis of personal taste, technical precision, and the art of the vintage find, proving that even a "cookie-cutter" home can become a singular, deeply resonant sanctuary.
