Exit to Brooklyn

For years, Alayne lived in a sprawling loft in New York’s edgy Bowery neighbourhood while not traveling the world styling shoots for iconic photographer Bruce Weber and other big names in the business. When the area got gentrified several years ago and Alayne had to leave her loft, she discovered a whole new side of New York across the East River in Brooklyn. Her apartment in the Carroll Gardens neighborhood is an oasis of tranquility, an urban sanctuary that is the opposite of her old loft.

Alayne fell in love with the apartment’s original details, especially the classic tin ceiling and the double wide porcelain sink in the sun-splashed kitchen. She knew that with a few cosmetic touches, the place would be the perfect home for her. Alayne loves the exuberance of colors that she found in India, but she also wanted a sense of serenity in her apartment. She also filled her garden with vibrant colors, planting rose bushes and flowers in a wide range of deep purples, reds, and pinks. In spring and summer, friends are treated to regular dinner parties in the garden.

Alayne covered her antique cane-sided daybed and Victorian chaise in neutral linen, setting the stage for the colourful silk cushions and Indian textiles. On the floor is a simple cotton stripe carpet she designed herself. The paintings are flea-market finds. Added in the mix are a hot pink armchair.

Guests are treated to dinner parties under a canopy made of pink saris tied with velvet ribbons. Alayne also made the cushions for the chairs and sofa.

left Alayne covered her antique cane-sided daybed and Victorian chaise in neutral linen, setting the stage for the colourful silk cushions and Indian textiles. On the floor is a simple cotton stripe carpet she designed herself. The paintings are flea-market finds. Added in the mix are a hot pink armchair.

right Guests are treated to dinner parties under a canopy made of pink saris tied with velvet ribbons. Alayne also made the cushions for the chairs and sofa.

left An old stove with vintage kettle and a collection of spices and oils.

right Colourful Chinese towels are piled on the white double-wide sink. The open shelves show off Alayne’s eclectic collection of china.

A vintage bench covered in antique Indian fabric serves as both extra seating and gallery. The painting is by Alayne’s friend, artist Jasiu Krajewski, who uses seaweed-based pigments.