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Beautiful Lightness to Get a Brooklyn Apartment

From the unit only upstairs from her primary apartment in Brooklyn, New York, Aya Yamanouchi Lloyd has produced an additional lovely, airy living space. Lloyd awakened with Nadia Yaron and Ry Scruggs of Nightwood to style the space with a female vibe that honors her Japanese origins. Together they reimagined flea market finds, setting them from whitewashed walls to create an idyllic escape.

at a Glance
Who lives here: Aya Yamanouchi Lloyd
Location: Boerum Hill neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York
Size: Around 1,100 square feet; 1 bedroom, 1 bath

Chris A Dorsey Photography

“We went a little backwards when we began this project,” Lloyd says. “It all began with the carpets” Lloyd discovered these light pink, lavender and light blue rugs before the restoration, and Yaron and Scruggs utilized them as a starting point.

Cabinets: Kea Carpets and Kilims

Chris A Dorsey Photography

Most of the furnishings in Lloyd’s flat are one-of-a-kind pieces from Nightwood. Yaron and Scruggs re-covered this classic chaise in textured linens. “When we locate things that have potential, it’s second nature for us to cope with what we’ve or redo items that we know aren’t right,” Yaron says. A mirror at a flea market framework leans against the wall.

Chris A Dorsey Photography

A secondhand coffee table feels new with a custom marble top. Kimono-covered stools pay tribute to Lloyd’s Japanese tradition, while framed classic Asian art prints hang inside original wall molding pieces.

Chris A Dorsey Photography

The subtle pinks, lavenders and light blues mesh perfectly with all the bright whitewashed walls and the warm raw-wood details.

Ladder, artifacts: neighborhood classic market

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The downstairs apartment has a clearly darker texture, which encouraged Lloyd to create this distance lighter.

“I knew when it came time to overhaul this distance, I truly wanted to bring in a light airiness that would benefit from their high ceilings and abundance of natural light,” she says.

Chris A Dorsey Photography

Initially a classic piece in orange tweed, this daybed got an update in a new fabric. Its extra length makes it a perfect place for relaxing or using as a guest sleeping space.

Chris A Dorsey Photography

A repurposed vanity table from a neighborhood market today functions as Lloyd’s dining table.

Chris A Dorsey Photography

Made with a stencil directly on the wall, the shadow painting in this corner is one of Lloyd’s beloved features. “it’s so simple but really produces a wonderful effect that looks subtle and lovely,” Lloyd says.

Chris A Dorsey Photography

More classic finds from a local flea market accessorize the office.

Chris A Dorsey Photography

The threesome was always on the lookout for pieces to add character to the space. Pillows, art, flowers and vignettes add character to every room.

Painting: Tonie Yaron; Cloud cellular, nightstand: Nightwood

Chris A Dorsey Photography

Group searches for the perfect piece occasionally led to accidental finds, such as this decorative column at the entryway.

Chris A Dorsey Photography

Hand-woven bath mats made from fabric scraps warm up the toilet. A hemp linen shower curtain from Gaiam completes the look.

Chris A Dorsey Photography

Sanded, repainted and reimagined, this grim classic cabinet adds color to the simple kitchen. Reupholstered cushions grace the dining table set.

Chris A Dorsey Photography

Chris A Dorsey Photography

Light from a window matches the galley-style kitchen. Glass cabinetry makes it feel much more open.

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