< img src
=”https://pyxis.nymag.com/v1/imgs/012/f66/aee20e6c917b4bb49b91f9d4d785519096-0626STR-DH-250926-Shot-02-105-v2-A.1x.rsocial.w1200.jpg” alt=”” > Terrific Rooms A visual diary by Style Editor Wendy Goodman. The Living Room Designer Danielle Colding reupholstered the Bolier chairs, originally produced the St. Regis, in a Gert Voorjans material for Jim Thompson. “The framed wallpaper panels from Voutsa were a smart, budget friendly service for a wall that needs large-scale art on a budget plan,” she states Image: David Land
The author Rumaan Alam and the photographer David Land raised their children in a Brooklyn townhouse for 14 years. They built up a lot of things, and the kids got tired of sharing their space as they aged. When Alam’s sibling saw an opening in his apartment building in Fort Greene, Alam and Land made an offer on the 1953 three-bedroom with a view of the park right now. They were scaling down, but their teenage boys would have their own spaces.
” It was basically prepared to move into, and we could have,” Alam says, “if we weren’t so fussy about style.”
The couple called on interior designer Danielle Colding and her contractor other half, Fred Troadec, for the upgrade. “They wanted it to be fun and cool, and they wanted to take it up a level from what they could do on their own,” says Colding. In the living-room, 2 columns were refinished with tiles. In the galley kitchen area, Troadec retrofit existing cabinets, included brand-new hardware, and custom-built a banquette with extra storage. Still, the toughest part of the move for the family was deciding what to leave behind. The art collection included them, but Colding changed most of the furniture with classic pieces she reupholstered with brand-new materials. Wallpaper, wild and chintzy, would play a starring role– everywhere.
Alam and Land’s boys, Simon, 16, and Xavier, 13, likewise had strong feelings on the renovation. Land states, “Simon was like, ‘I desire an all-white bedroom.’ We stated, ‘Well, we aren’t going to do that, but we’ll make a compromise.'” That suggested a textured white wallpaper Colding found at Thibaut paired with a paint-splatter pattern for the ceiling. Xavier’s walls, on the other hand, are breaking with bright stripes. His only demand: a loft bed.
Being in their living room, which has actually semolina- colored walls, Land and Alam, who is working on his 5th book, confess they had been looking for a brownstone before this apartment or condo turned up. “We desired the marble mantle,” Land states. They had actually even extended an offer on one, once they discovered what bringing it up to code would entail, they backed out.
” It scared us straight,” adds Alam. They will eventually be empty nesters and figured it was the correct time to reduce without the hassle of a significant construction task. “We wanted to live with less things however no less sense of color and vigor,” Alam says.
The Entry Hall Rumaan Alam and David Land commissioned Cecilia Roberts for a portrait of their sons, Simon and Xavier. The wallpaperis Stones of Venice by Madeaux. Photo: David Land
Xavier’s Bed room The wallpaper is by Christopher John Rogers for Farrow &
Ball. Image: David Land< img data-src=" https://pyxis.nymag.com/v1/imgs/9e3/397/327cef77e3a6787a0b71395e73ce31635e-250926-Shot-12-316.rvertical.w570.jpg" width= "570" height=" 712 "src =" https://pyxis.nymag.com/v1/imgs/9e3/397/327cef77e3a6787a0b71395e73ce31635e-250926-Shot-12-316.rvertical.w570.jpg"/ > Simon’s Room The Spatter Dash wallpaper is by Peter Fasano for John Rosselli. The vintage Basquiat exhibition poster is from the books and ephemera dealership Geoff Snack. Image: David Land
The Moms and dads ‘Bed room The wallpaper is Tortoise by Schumacher. The bedspread, headboard, and window shade remain in the Canton Corbett material from Clarence House. Colding set up the bed inside a former closet and moved the storage to the opposite wall. The painting is by Robert Colescott Photo: David Land
The Powder Space The wallpaper is Limerence by House of Hackney. The blush-colored sink is from Dyke & Dean. Picture
: David Land< img data-src =" https://pyxis.nymag.com/v1/imgs/f17/7ae/f84e801f002f48424908d459805787cb66-250926-Shot-21-628.rvertical.w570.jpg" width= "570" height= "712 "src =" https://pyxis.nymag.com/v1/imgs/f17/7ae/f84e801f002f48424908d459805787cb66-250926-Shot-21-628.rvertical.w570.jpg"/ > The Main Restroom The wallpaper is Empire by Home of Hackney. “Who does not love sloths?” states Colding.” We didn’t renovate the full bath, so it was important to make it fun and match the spirit of the rest of the home.” The light is from Schoolhouse. The striped Missoni towel is from ABC Carpet. Image: David Land
The Seating Location The Edward Ferrell couch is upholstered with pinstripe material from Malabar. The Dunbar chartreuse leather armchair is from Auctions at Showplace. The gallery wall includes art work by Patrick Eugène, Kara Walker, and Gretchen Scherer.” The bust of Jean-Jacques Dessalines is papier-mâché that David purchased on a trip to Haiti in 2012,” says Alam. The graffitied bust is by Kelly O’Nea Image: David Land
The Cooking area The cabinets were painted in Arsenic by Farrow & Ball, and the manages were changed with horn pulls from San Diego Hardware. The window cornice is covered in Voutsa’s Poppy Linen with woven ivory fabric tones by Natasha Baradaran. Picture: David Land
The Nook Land and Alam with their boys, Simon and Xavier. The customized cabinet and banquette seating were constructed by Atelier Troadec and painted in Benjamin Moore’s Alligator Street. Land’s grandfather’s work holds on the wall covered with Voutsa’s Fiona wallpaper. The classic dining chairs by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti are from Etsy, reupholstered in Milton Textiles. The pendant lights are from The SkLO Studio. Photo: David Land
Thank you for subscribing and supporting our journalism. If you prefer to read in print, you can likewise find this short article in the March 9, 2026, issue of New York Publication.
Want more stories like this one? Subscribe now to support our journalism and get endless access to our protection. If you choose to read in print, you can also find this article in the March 9, 2026, issue of New York Publication.
Sign Up for the Design Hunting Newsletter
Design editor Wendy Goodman takes you inside the city’s most amazing homes and style studios.
By submitting your email, you consent to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive e-mail correspondence from us.
See All