The June issue of Elle Decor showcases a beautiful spread of Keri Russell’s Brooklyn brownstone. Unlike most celebrities, Keri and her husband took a hands-on approach to creating their stunning yet modest dream home. Keep reading to see how they literally rebuilt their house, combining neutral colors with reclaimed pieces to create rustic charm.
Labor of love
Ever since we got to know Keri Russell from the hit television series Felicity, she has charmed us with that girl-next-door persona. So it seems fitting to see that the star has settled into conventional family life.
After moving to Brooklyn with their son, River, Russell and her husband purchased an 1860s brownstone that was a total fixer-upper. Fortunately for Russell, her husband, Shane Deary, is a craftsman and carpenter, whom she lovingly refers to as “MacGyver.” The two joined forces to take on the extensive renovation job that the house required — Russell sketched room layouts and hand-picked fabrics and furnishings, while Deary gutted the house to the bare bones, moved and rebuilt walls, and refinished floors, all with his own two hands.
Salvaged beauty
In addition to his renovation duties, Deary fashioned beautiful furnishings out of reclaimed and reusable materials he collected from his previous worksites and even a dumpster or two. The kitchen and bathroom cabinetry was constructed entirely from a dismantled post-and-beam house. He dug joists out of a dumpster to create the perfect kitchen table and even crafted a bedroom nightstand out of a golden block of reclaimed pine flooring — is there anything this man can’t do?
Soothing neutrals
“With so much wood in the equation, it could have turned into a cliché of farmhouse chic,” Russell tells Elle Decor, “so I stuck with a neutral palette, kept it spare and worked in as many textures as I could without straying into girly territory.” We don’t think there’s anything cliché about this home’s color palette — from the warm tones in the kitchen to the more cheerful whites in the living room, the neutral colors blend to produce a plush yet cozy feel throughout the home.
See more celebrity homes here >>
More home dÉcor tips
Feeling inspired to do it yourself on your next project or looking for tips on how to go green with your home décor? Check out these helpful articles:
How to make your own headboard
Tips for accessorizing your walls
5 eco-friendly home design tips
Energy-efficient green home plans
Leave a Comment