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When entrepreneur and strategist Shanika Hillocks first went to see a potential Brooklyn rental in early 2024, located simply east of Prospect Park in Little Caribbean, she swore she’d been on the block earlier than. As if kismet was tugging her alongside, it will definitely dawned on her {that a} pair of cousins had grown up just some doorways down.
After years of dwelling on the Upper West Side and in Harlem, and spending countless commutes shuttling over the East River to family and friends, Hillocks resolved to discover a dwelling within the borough the place she was spending most of her time. Plus, she’d outgrown her place in Sugar Hill, needed room to host, and was craving a spot to domesticate group long-term. As with so many condominium searches in New York City, there was some extent when issues began to really feel determined—and Hillocks turned to her social community for a hail Mary. An acquaintance tipped her off to an expansive two-bedroom, one which she’d have the ability to put her personal stamp on, and the remainder fell into place.
Little Caribbean is dwelling to what’s thought-about the biggest Caribbean inhabitants exterior of the West Indies; it touches components of neighborhoods like Prospect Lefferts Gardens and Flatbush. It made Hillocks, raised partially in Florida by her Guyanese and Vincentian grandparents, really feel instantly at dwelling. (Not to say that the homeowners of her new constructing are additionally Guyanese.) “There are a lot of stores that have things that I grew up seeing in my pantry,” Hillocks says affectionately of the world. “Being here for the Labor Day parade was just incredible. It really felt like this is exactly where I was meant to be.”
Hillocks gave herself a deadline of six months to brighten the condominium. For help, she tapped Naïka Andre of NJA Interiors with the objective being to have the house swathed in heat and texture by the vacation season. Ahead, she offers us the news on how she remodeled the condominium right into a refuge awash in persona, vibrant art work, eclectic music, and markers of journey and household.
It was necessary for me to really feel a way of grounding in the lounge. When I noticed how a lot house I needed to play with, I leaned all the best way right into a moody really feel with Fox Hollow Brown by Benjamin Moore, which I had on a Pinterest board since 2021. This impressed me to lean into biophilic design. I’ve this nice sofa from Interior Define that was an enormous inspiration for the earthy colours. | Paint, Benjamin Moore; Sofa, Interior Define; Scalloped pillows, Garnet Hill; Rug, Jaipur Living; Drapes, CB2; Shades, Everhem. Trees convey an vitality and sure firm I respect. My Danielle Ficus, named Dani, got here with me to Brooklyn, and is now within the visitor room. [Wanting another indoor tree], I tapped my pal Chris Mullen, a inexperienced thumb and plantscaper behind Josie’s Garden, to discover curvier leaf shapes. He really helpful an Audrey ficus, and I fell in love. | Painting, Red Poppy Paint; Vintage Naga chair, Good Behavior; Sconce, In Common With.
The Rocco Super Smart Fridge complemented art work that I already owned—“Above All Else I Want to See” by Amy Amalia—and I actually needed that piece to be an announcement. I really like that the Vitsoe shelving can develop with me. I can reconfigure it in no matter place I find yourself. | Beverage fridge, Rocco; Vase, Originario.
I wanted a whole lot of rugs as a result of there’s a ton of house. I actually needed lovely, considerate flooring coverings, and Naïka launched me to Jaipur Living. The craftsmanship is unmatched. Interestingly sufficient, I had the pleasure of visiting Jaipur for the primary time final 12 months, which I discovered to be such a full-circle second. | Artwork: Ana Leovy portray sourced from Mooni, magic token from Benjamin Barnes, Turning Point print sourced from Spike Lee’s block occasion, Elizabeth Catlett print, and classic discover from The Antique Warehouse; Frames, Framebridge; Ceramic plate and vase, Elana Noy.
This is the biggest bed room I’ve had in my life. The limewash provides character, and the hue is a nod to the nice and cozy, soothing colours I’ve encountered throughout travels in Mexico City and Oaxaca. The ceiling and doorways are additionally painted in the identical coloration to have that uniform look. I haven’t determined if I even need to put artwork on this room—the customized, efficiency velvet headboard is that piece that catches the attention. | Paint, Color Atelier; Custom headboard, Little Joe; Upholstery, Opuzen; Bedding, Cozy Earth; Vintage Roland Carter facet tables, Chairish; Table lamps, Troy Lighting; Drapes, CB2; Curtain rods, West Elm; Shades, Everhem. I didn’t essentially need the home windows to be my viewpoint waking up, and I prefer to have the foot of the mattress towards the door, so it ended up figuring out to position it right here. | Vase, Meltz.
I’m at all times within the kitchen, and now with the winter season, I’m most likely right here greater than I’ve ever been. It’s good to have an eat-in kitchen, to have mates chatting and hanging whereas I’m cooking. | Water filter, Walter; Organizing, Prideful Spaces.
The tablecloth is from the Malcolm Shabazz Harlem market on 116th Street. The Sengalese influences are palpable there, and the print jogs my memory of kaftans I typically noticed gents carrying on the streets. My classic Barbie print from Never Lonely is at all times a dialog piece, as is the longer vertical piece from an vintage warehouse in Nicaragua. | Dining desk, Schoolhouse; candlesticks, Meltz.
My workplace is really a mirrored image of my left vs. proper mind. As a guide, I lead methods which are culturally clever, insight-driven, and actionable for my purchasers. With DJing, I’ve returned to one among my first loves: music. (I studied voice, performed piano, and was a music theater child.) I’m actually having fun with Amapiano, Kompa, Highlife Jazz, and Afro Soul tunes which are within the 113-116 pocket. | Self Portrait by Uzo Njoke; Standing desk, Branch; DJ gear, Pioneer.
It was an enormous factor to have a visitor room. I at all times discover when prolonged household go to, I need to have the ability to be that useful resource. If somebody involves city and my dwelling might be comfy for them, it may be an extension of group. | Quilt, Thompson Street Studio; stool, Past Lives.
Trinity Mouzon Wofford (the co-founder of wellness model Golde) and her associate Issey used to reside in Brooklyn earlier than they moved Upstate. She gave me the classic dresser free of charge; it was her grandmother’s. | Lamp, Estro.
In my “get ready” room, I purpose to dress on a regular basis—ideally in coloration. The girls who raised me positioned an emphasis on taking good care of oneself. This designated house actually helps me put on the garments I already personal, use my merchandise, and remix accordingly. There’s a picture of little Shanika on the wall—seeing her mirrored again at me affirms how far I’ve come. The wallpaper print is by one among my favourite artists, Uzo Njoku. I like that it’s referred to as Busy Street, and also you get an overhead view of ladies strolling. I assumed it will be intelligent to have it in a hallway the place I just do that. | Vanity set, Vintagerie Jaffa; Pendant, Ferroluce; Shades, Everhem; Removable wallpaper, Otto; Wallpaper set up, Happy Walls. This dwelling actually feels just like the image of my Brooklyn chapter. It’s helped cement so lots of my way of life routines. New York City, a spot I really feel so impassioned by and am infatuated with, has this fast-paced vitality, however I reside in a quiet half within the neighborhood. I’m truly such a homebody, I like one-on-one time with myself. It feels actually good to have the ability to have that right here. | Blouse, Christopher John Rodgers; Trousers, Dries Van Noten by way of Outline
