A Brooklyn Heights Home Transformed into a Timeless Sanctuary
Jessica Sailer and her family undertook a monumental seven-year endeavor to transform an historic 1870s Italianate residence in Brooklyn Heights into a personal sanctuary. Despite enduring significant renovation delays, which included living in cramped rental spaces and even confining themselves to the top floor of their unfinished home, the Sailer family remained steadfast. With the discerning eye of designer Remy Renzullo, their initial minimalist leanings evolved into a deep appreciation for timeless elegance and collected interiors, ultimately resulting in a home that truly mirrors their unique personalities and lifestyle.
A Journey of Transformation in Brooklyn Heights
In the vibrant heart of Brooklyn Heights, a significant architectural undertaking recently concluded, marking the successful transformation of an 1870s Italianate building. This ambitious seven-year renovation project was led by jewelry entrepreneur Jessica Sailer and her husband, who collaborated with renowned designer Remy Renzullo. Their shared vision was to create a home that resonated with a sense of history and lived-in charm, moving beyond a purely minimalist aesthetic.
The journey was not without its challenges. The family, including their three young children, navigated through a series of temporary living arrangements, even residing on the top floor of their unfinished home at one point. Sailer, who was recovering from a broken ankle, humorously recounted descending four flights of stairs while seated, highlighting the commitment and patience required during the extensive renovation. Meals were prepared on a hot plate in the laundry room, a testament to their perseverance.
Renzullo, known for his passion for 18th-century houses and layered interiors, guided the couple in embracing a more classical approach. Through a meticulous process of sifting through archival imagery and identifying shared appreciation for architects like Bill Blass and Axel Vervoordt, a harmonious design direction emerged. Renzullo emphasized that the design must be a reflection of the clients' personalities, not solely his own.
The structural enhancements were managed by Ingui Architecture and American Contractors, which included adding an extension to the rear of the house. The parlor floor was artfully divided into three grand entertaining areas: a sophisticated living room, an elegant gallery, and a formal dining room. Here, a rare Jansen dining table, a prized find from the Paris flea market, now sits beneath a majestic 17th-century Frans Snyders hunting painting, creating a focal point of timeless grandeur.
While the upper floors exude refined elegance, the garden level offers a more relaxed ambiance. This space features a plush Jacques Adnet daybed, making it a comfortable hub for the children. The adjoining kitchen, inspired by a home the couple admired in Portugal, boasts a striking palette of black, white, and crimson, complemented by a substantial La Cornue range, a surprise gift from Sailer's husband. Handcrafted Dutch tiles and an antique marble floor add a rich patina, harmonizing with crisp white millwork and glass doors that open onto a meticulously designed garden by Nathalie Pierrepont Danilovich, which mirrors the interiors with its symmetrical, French-inspired layout.
The upstairs study, a personal retreat for Sailer where she cultivates her high-jewelry brand, LaPietra, is a celebration of history and art. Adorned with a Braquenié floral print on the drapery, it houses objects and artworks spanning four centuries, including an 18th-century Roman specimen table, a shield-back chair crafted for Napoleon Bonaparte, and a relief by Jasper Johns. This space, influenced by Renzullo's fascination with the Grand Tour, embodies a curated evolution rather than a rigid adherence to a single era.
The bedrooms continue this thoughtful approach. The primary suite features mid-century Klismos chairs by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, complementing 1810 Neapolitan marquetry commodes and artworks by Robert Ryman and Andy Warhol. For their son Nico's room, Renzullo embraced his own childhood aspirations, furnishing it with a vintage English iron four-poster bed, a Victorian bedside cupboard, and custom stripe fabrics. Despite initial skepticism about some of Renzullo's bolder choices, Sailer found that once installed, every element contributed to the home's cohesive and deeply personal narrative.
Seven years after its inception, the Sailer family reflects on their home with immense satisfaction. Jessica Sailer expresses profound gratitude, noting that the house genuinely feels like 'them,' a testament to the collaborative spirit and shared vision that guided its creation. It stands as a beautiful illustration of how patience, partnership, and a keen eye for timeless design can transform a historic structure into a cherished family home, rich with personal history and refined taste.