A sense of expansion is evident in nearly every space of the finished brownstone. The effect was achieved not so much by moving walls (although there was a little of that), but a carefully curated color palette of soft butters, vanillas, and creams complemented by similarly toned, textured textiles like cashmeres and wools. But the collaboration between Del Piero and the Heywards is perhaps best exemplified by what the couple refers to as their prayer room, a lounge that often serves as a wind-down space for their two boys at the end of the night. “My main inspiration for that room was pulling from my Muslim roots,” Vedrana says. “It’s very Middle Eastern in there, we have beautiful art of old mosques and you can sit on the floor.” Del Piero brought in cozy textiles like an alpaca fur rug from Oscar Isberian, custom modular seating in a variety of neutral fabrics, and sheer, breezy drapes from Mark Alexander, all of which convey serenity and comfort.
A similar theme is also found in the primary suite, which encompasses the aforementioned bathroom, plus a bedroom, home office, and oversized closet. “It’s very spa-like in there,” says Vedrana of the space, which is a study in creams. One of the most striking corners is the office, which is surrounded by windows on three walls, plus a subtly pyramidal ceiling to add a sense of towering space. To counteract all the rectilinear angles (and for nighttime privacy), Del Piero added Mark Alexander fabric drapes, as well as an eye-catching bespoke Carine Boxy rug in sheepskin and cowhide.
Custom pieces, both in furniture and art, are another hallmark of the project. Bespoke elements range from the Carson Maddox Studios bathroom mirror to the couple’s upholstered bed frame, and even one of the most notable artworks in the home. “I love nude female art. But when I saw this painting, I was like, ‘How am I going to sell this to Jason?’” Vedrana says of the old-world-inspired Seth Fite piece that was the original inspiration for what now hangs in the abode’s foyer. The solution? Fite crafted a new painting, this time with the model now loosely draped with a piece of fabric.
Like in so much of this home, choices like these were a true collaboration. “Design is a dialogue,” Del Piero says. “It’s a conversation between the art, the furnishings, the architecture, and the clients’ desires.” And as it turns out, you don’t necessarily need to be in the same place at the same time to communicate through the language of color, shape, and style.
