Go Inside the Beautifully Monochromatic World of Nannette Brown
Manhattan-based designer Nannette Brown is no stranger to the word illustrious. Prior to joining the design game, Brown undertook stints as a NBC anchor and producer and founded an NYC stationery boutique beloved for its hand-engraved luxury paper goods. Which is all to say, Brown was saddled with a treasure trove of knowledge when she made a career-defying leap and opened her own design firm, Nannette Brown. Well-versed in the art of drama (no surprise given her pre-design career), Brown has embraced a monochromatic palette that speaks to both modernist and romantic sensibilities. Her eye for avant-garde sculpture tempered with classical design principles has further endeared her to well-heeled New York City clients, as well as shelter mags like Elle Décor and Town and Country. Hot off a string of high profile projects, Brown recently took time to share some of her design favorites to go along with her collection of DECASO favorites. Read on to discover the oft-forgotten rooms Brown’s alway keen to splurge on, the daring ways she loves to pair high and low, plus a half dozen white paints this self-professed monochromist deems a ten-out-of-ten.
Design:
Favorite way to work a bit of vintage into a room: I start with vintage. My process always comes from an architectural reference point, so I tend to veer quickly toward vintage for architectural salvage, lighting. I’m inspired by objects that tell a story or strike me as an opener for a space so I integrate vintage elements.
Favorite way to add drama to a room: A strong visual point that stands proud--- which for me, is the interior architecture and finishes. You can’t band-aid bad space so drama to me is creating as flawless a backdrop as possible. This elevates everything, including the decoration. A fantastic fireplace mantel, a flawless plaster wall, great millwork can do wonders for a space. When I look at a room, I think what’s going to be the aha moment here, nine times out of ten, that moment is architecture and finishes.
Favorite way to mix high and low: For me, it’s about the juxtaposition of objects and finding the balance. It’s not about the price, it’s about the interplay. There are these beautiful striated rocks I collected hiking Mount Blanc between Chamonix and the Italian Alps a few years back; they are just the most beautiful objects in the world to me. I derive so much pleasure mixing in things like this. They sit proudly atop a very expensive table and they were free!
Favorite place to splurge and favorite place to dial it back? I mix it up. I often splurge on places you’d never think, like laundry rooms. They’re part of the engine of the house, just like the kitchen. I love to put service areas, even closets, on show. Clients initially think “What?!” but when we address these areas, there’s a lot of pleasure. I promise, you never go back! Another splurge: Soft furnishings. This is a category where I really don’t like to compromise- I like good, high quality upholstery and beautifully made window treatments. It makes a big difference.
Favorite decorating trick? “When it doubt, ebonize or strip it raw!” You can make bad things look great- by neutralizing them to an extremely dark or light tone.
Favorite design risk you’ve ever taken? Wow, too many to say! I assume design risk in every project I undertake. It’s important to feel uncomfortable sometimes. I don’t think you’re innovating if you’re not doing something that feels slightly foreign. My clients allow me the freedom to do that where it’s needed. And it’s sometimes a little scary, but also thrilling too. For example, I like to show the workings of things, so I interconnected an entire group of rooms with glass to accomplish two feats: to intersect the apartment with a ton of light and to define separate spaces because the clients liked to entertain both formally and informally. The design allowed them to do both. The kitchen, breakfast gallery, butler’s pantry, laundry are all on display--like a chef’s table in a great restaurant. I imagined these structures through the lens of grand British houses. The project turned out beautifully.
Favorite project in your portfolio (and why you love it)? My favorite project is always the most recent or current project I’m working on. I try to transcend each project by approaching the next with an entirely different point of view.
Favorite paint color: White. Seriously, what can’t white do? It’s clean, it’s modern, it stands down or up to most anything. Lots of favorites: Chalk, Super, Decorator’s, Cloud Nine whites by Benjamin Moore; Great and Wevet whites by Farrow & Ball; Donald Kaufmann DKC White Out.
Favorite pattern (and how you love to use): I like geometric grids-herringbone and chevrons. I like lots of different patterns and I use them most often with tile and stone patterns.
Favorite color combo: Black, brown and white. I love lots of colors, but my guess is that you’d never see me use a rainbow of mismatched colors in a room. I tend to use strong or bright color as a punch. It’s either the entire room in a monochromatic color to make a bold statement or one element in a room that pops.
Favorite furniture maker(s): My own custom designs. I also like DLV Design in Brooklyn and Seamus Fairlough for custom pieces.
Favorite room in your house: Kitchen because I love to cook and I love my La Cornue stove!
Favorite piece of art you own: A mid-century Parmagiana of a faceless woman that is an homage to Dutch portraiture
Most unusual piece you've ever sourced for a project? I’m not sure that I’ve ever had to source something so unusual as much as unique. My clients have me source all sorts of stuff from art works to properties and each search is unique. Is that unusual?
Tell us more about your experience with DECASO! (i.e. how has DECASO has made shopping for luxury antiques and modernist finds easier? What elements about the platform you especially love? Have you scored anything particularly special as of late, or discovered a dealer who's inventory you're particularly smitten with? Any special projects you're working on that you're browsing DECASO for?) the-vortex-dining-center-table-by-yann-dessauvages
My favorite thing about DECASO is that it’s visually arresting. It’s like stepping into the Virtual Museum of Modern Art! Should we rename the site? Things immediately pop and more easily catch my eye. When you’re shopping for lots of things you need great visuals. Images are easy to see and they have room to breathe. I also love the ability when using the DECASO app to preview items we’re considering for purchase in the space. It’s a great tool when working with clients. I really like being able to communicate directly with dealers too.
Lifestyle:
Favorite travel destination: Lech, Austria
Favorite hotel to check in to: Almhof Schneider Hotel Lech, Austria
Favorite way to treat yourself: By taking good care of myself. I’m much more intentional about my time, along with sleep, eating well, exercising, reading, meditation. Sundays are what I call my study days. I love to wake naturally, be quiet, peaceful and often just read. This is my most creative time and it comes because I’m simply being good to my nature. I go, go, go, so my treat is to just stop. If you are going to live well, you have to be well.
Favorite entertaining essential: Whiteware dishes and candles. Whether its a seated dinner or buffet, I love white.
Favorite artist: Mark Rothko. See, I do like color!
Favorite thing to collect: Rocks, shells, twigs, agate and sunglasses. Nothing to do with design, it’s a problem.
Your City: Manhattan
Favorite restaurant: Le Jardiniere. Joseph Dirand designs the most beautiful restaurants and they’re always delicious.
Favorite hotel to recommend to visiting friends: The Carlyle or The Four Seasons Downtown
Favorite local flea market/vintage hunting ground: Showplace Antique & Design Center, New York, Hudson, New York.
This feature was originally published on the DECASO Society Pages before the site’s migration to Chairish. Because the Society Pages are no longer available to view, I have added my features to my blog for portfolio purposes. All images have been approved for use by the featured gallery/designer for this particular feature.