What The Brownstone Boys Are Shopping Right Now

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Shop & Tell features thoughtfully curated home finds from designers and House Beautiful editors. Every week we’ll take you inside our carts and dish on what we’re buying—and why you should be reaching for your wallet too.

One of our favorite places to get inspired is scoping out the shopping carts of interior designers. But we don’t just stop at furniture, we want to know their go-to light fixtures, door knobs, everything! And The Brownstone Boys are some of our favorite people to follow for historic renovation ideas.

Barry Bordelon and Jordan Slocum, the Brooklyn-based duo behind The Brownstone Boys, have a true passion and talent for restoring brownstones, helping their historic features shine and seamlessly blending modern touches with new decor. (Fun fact, they even got engaged on an episode of House Beautiful’s My Better Half series!) The couple is so enamored with renovating that they decided to compile all their love and advice into their first book, For the Love of Renovating, released on June 4.

They know the renovation process can be a little trial and error. The book contains everything they wish they knew when beginning their journey in one place, plus some inspiring pictures of interiors. It is possible to create a beautiful space, even on a tight budget, and a major part of that is knowing what purchases make your home feel more curated.

For this week’s Shop and Tell, we asked the Brownstone Boys to share some of their favorite pieces they’ve used in renovations, and go-to styles for updating a home. Browse some of their standout picks from recent renovation projects, including where they stand on the bar cart debate, their thoughts on curved sofas, and their love of paper lanterns.

Check out our other Shop and Tell guides:

Multi-Lite Pendant

“We first found these pendants when we were designing a modern French kitchen. We were drawn to the funky shape and gorgeous shine. Plus, this sleek pendant boasts moveable shades, so you can reposition the light flow.”

Clarkdale Channel Tufted Ottoman with Wood Base

“In our opinion, every bedroom needs an ottoman. It’s the perfect accent for a plush chair, a vanity, or just at the foot of the bed. In particular, we like the soft material and color of this pick from Studio McGee. The wood base adds an elevated touch.”

Red Marble Side Table

“Sometimes, a room needs a little slice of drama. This side table has the most gorgeous veins and variations. Designing a room is all about balance and this piece brings a touch of unique flair without being over-the-top.”

Willoughby Chair

“One of the greatest challenges of renovating older homes is finding new furniture pieces that complement their history. We think this chair has a great balance between vintage style and contemporary comfort. The shape has an antique look while the fabric and solid color make it timeless.”

Ripple Mirror by Sarah Sherman Samuel

“We recently used two of these mirrors in a project above a double vanity. The warm wood tones contrasted beautifully with the cream walls and picture frame moulding, giving it a fresh, organic feel.”

Bedside Table, Carrara Marble

“This is one piece of furniture you’ll definitely want to pass down. Solid oak and Italian marble are the perfect materials to pair with this elegant nightstand’s rounded edges. Even the feet have a unique, spherical shape.”

Neptune Travertine Wall Sconce Light

“This sconce is all about texture: you have the pocked surface of the travertine and the smooth glass globe. If you look from the side, you get an entirely different view–the travertine really cradles the light. We love these on their own or stacked on top of one another.”

Rigdon Brass Knob Tube Latch Interior Door Set

“Sometimes we forget that the door is the first thing someone sees when they come into your home. Especially if you don’t love the look of your front door, a new knob is a super simple way to give your entry a refresh. This brass knob has an old world feel without any of the ‘quirks’ of ancient hardware.”

The Chelsea Sofa

“People are always asking us how we feel about modern design in historic spaces. Truthfully, we think there are so many instances–like this curved sofa–where sleek, modern shapes actually elevate the historic element of the home.”

Castiglia Small Round Side Table

“This accent table has a retro, chic look that stands out in a room. The walnut top is perfect for a small lamp or a stack of your favorite books. It reminds us of a classic smoking lounge and would fit great in a moody den or office.”

Hanging Paper Lanterns

“Give paper lanterns their flowers! They are affordable, aesthetically pleasing, and don’t require a ton of structural support to hang. This design comes in multiple sizes and we like the idea of grouping them in a cluster as a chandelier.”

Astrid Mid-Century Dining Chairs

“We honestly gasped when we saw these because we have almost identical dining chairs in our house! This design feels elegant and super classic, so these chairs would go well with different types of dining tables–glass, wood, stone, et cetera.”

Victoria Bar Cart

“Whether you’re a certified mixologist or you prefer a mocktail, bar carts are versatile and compact. This model has an architectural feel that would be at home in any modern or historic house.”

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