Designer Visit: Scott Newkirk in Brooklyn

Meet Scott Newkirk: A Fashion Eye in a Brooklyn Firehouse

From Manhattan to Fort Greene (and into a building with serious history)

In the Remodelista feature, Newkirk describes moving from Manhattan to Fort Greene and settling into a two-floor
apartment in an early-1800s firehouse. That detail matters because the home doesn’t feel like a blank, modern box
it feels like it already has a past. And Newkirk’s whole approach is basically: make the past look cool again,
without turning it into a museum.

“Organic modern” isn’t a trend hereit’s a personality

Newkirk’s styling lands in that sweet spot where modern lines meet natural texture: rough, earthy, a little imperfect,
and somehow still sharp. Think: midcentury silhouettes, flea-market oddities, handmade details, and textiles that look
like they came from a chic cabin in the woods (which, fun fact, is also very on-brand for him).

The Tour, Room by Room: What Makes This Space Work

1) The “plaster finish” trick: matte white that makes anything look intentional

One of the most repeatable ideas from the Remodelista visit is how Newkirk uses matte white paintaiming for a plaster-like
lookon found pieces like mirrors. That single move does a lot of heavy lifting: it unifies mismatched objects, softens shiny
surfaces, and adds that chalky, architectural calm that makes a room feel edited (even when it’s full of stories).

Try it with: a thrifted mirror, a dated frame, or even a small lamp base. The point isn’t perfection; it’s the
“I’ve always been this cool” finish.

2) Found objects with backstories (the secret ingredient is meaning)

The space is packed with objects that aren’t just “pretty”they’re personal. A carved cow skull sourced during travels.
A small metal bridge from an old train set as a nod to his father’s work. These are the kinds of details that make a room
feel lived-in in a way you can’t buy in one cart checkout.

Translation for the rest of us: if your shelf is full of objects that could belong to anyone, it will look like a showroom.
If you add even two things with a story, it will look like a life.

3) Books stacked like architecture (a shelf system for people who hate shelves)

One of the most memorable visuals is the ad-hoc “display shelf” made from stacks of books against the wall. It’s part storage,
part styling, part “I definitely meant to do that.” It also fits the organic modern mindset: practical, sculptural, and a touch
imperfect in the best way.

• Pro tip: stack by size for stability, then break the grid with one object per stack (a bowl, a vase, a small lamp).
• Bonus: it’s an easy way to add height and texture without committing to built-ins.

4) Happy accidents as decor (aka: the best kind of “installation art”)

Newkirk leans into the kind of styling that starts as a practical leftover and becomes a feature. In the Remodelista story,
a rope strung across the ceiling (originally from a party) becomes a structure for lightscasual, graphic, and slightly nautical.
It’s the opposite of precious, which is why it works.

If your home ever looks “too done,” add one element that feels improvised: a leaning artwork, a draped textile, a basket of
firewood, a single oversized branch in a vessel. Organic modern loves a little nonchalance.

5) Flea-market edge: the “sculptural chain” moment

The tour also highlights how Newkirk treats utilitarian objects like artspecifically, a chain picked up because the shape felt
liquid and sculptural. This is a great lesson: you don’t need more stuff; you need better eyes.

Look for: old hardware, pulleys, clamps, industrial hooks, oversized keys, antique tools. Display them like sculpture, not clutter.

The Anchor Pieces: Midcentury Icons That Keep the Room Grounded

The Danish “Hunting Chair” flex (but make it relatable)

A standout detail from the feature is Newkirk’s pair of Danish Børge Mogensen Hunting Chairsclassic, low-slung, and built like
they could survive both a design critic and an actual hunting lodge. He bought them decades ago for comparatively little,
and they’ve since become highly valuable collectibles.

Even if you’re not shopping for iconic chairs (most of us are shopping for “something under $200 that doesn’t squeak”),
the principle is gold: one or two truly strong silhouettes can carry an entire room. Then you can layer in thrift,
handmade, and personal pieces without losing the plot.

Why “investment pieces” matter in an organic modern home

Organic modern style is often described as “minimal, but warm.” In practice, that means fewer itemsso each one needs to earn its
space. A chair with a sculptural frame, a substantial lamp base, a table with honest patina: these do more work than ten small
accessories ever will.

Art That Lives with the Room: A Mural Painted Directly on the Wall

When the wall becomes the canvas

Another tour highlight: a mural painted directly onto the wall by artist Michael Capotosto using walnut oil (a traditional oil-paint
medium). It’s a bold move, but notice the logic: the mural isn’t loud for the sake of being loud. It’s integratedpart of the room’s
atmosphere, not a “look at me” moment that fights the furniture.

How to steal this idea without repainting your whole life

• Try a removable version: hang a large textile or use a peel-and-stick mural panel in one section.
• Go tone-on-tone: organic modern murals often work best in earthy, softened shades rather than high-contrast graphics.
• Think “background,” not “billboard”: let texture and scale do the talking.

The Signature Move: Burlap Curtains That Turn One Room into Two

Why curtains beat drywall (especially in city living)

If this tour has a headlining trick, it’s the dramatic floor-to-ceiling burlap curtains Newkirk used to divide the living area from
the bedroom. Curtains are a classic small-space strategy because they add privacy without the permanence (or cost) of building walls.
They also soften sound, add warmth, and introduce a huge swath of textureinstant coziness.

Why burlap works here (and how it avoids looking like a potato sack)

Burlap is rough, yesbut in the right context, it reads as earthy and tactile, not rustic-themed-party. The key is scale and styling:
tall panels, generous folds, and a palette that stays in the warm-neutral family. Paired with midcentury shapes and plastery whites,
burlap becomes unexpectedly luxe. (The design equivalent of wearing sneakers with a suit and somehow pulling it off.)

Make it practical: a quick “copy this” checklist

• Hang high: mount your track or rod close to the ceiling to make the room feel taller.
• Go wide: use more panels than you thinkfullness makes it look custom, not skimpy.
• Add weight: weighted hems help curtains hang cleanly and feel more architectural.
• Balance texture: pair rough fabric with smoother surfaces (painted wood, plaster finish, leather).

Small Details, Big Personality: The “Styled, Not Staged” Formula

Lighting with a wink

Newkirk’s lighting moments in the tour lean playful and repurposed: vintage parts, rewired finds, and shades that feel handmade.
It’s a reminder that lighting doesn’t have to match to look cohesiveit has to share a mood.

Desk and tabletop styling that actually helps you live

A John Derian decoupage tray as a pen holder is a small example of a big principle: elevate the boring stuff.
Organic modern interiors thrive when everyday objects are contained, edited, and a little beautifulso the room feels calm even when life isn’t.

Textiles: rumpled linen, earth tones, and “comfort that looks cool”

The bedroom styling leans into relaxed linen in earthy shadesexactly the kind of material that reads organic modern: breathable,
natural, quietly luxurious, and better with age. Add one accent textile (like a patterned fabric repurposed into pillow covers)
and you’ve got warmth without visual chaos.

Steal the Look: 12 Ideas You Can Copy (No Firehouse Required)

1. Paint one thrifted piece matte white for a “plaster finish” unifier.
2. Use curtains as architecture to divide a sleeping nook or office corner.
3. Stack books like a built-in when you need storage and texture.
4. Mix one iconic silhouette (chair, lamp, table) with secondhand supporting pieces.
5. Display one meaningful object with a story (travel find, family artifact, handmade item).
6. Lean art instead of hanging everything for a relaxed, layered look.
7. Choose warm neutrals (cream, taupe, clay, charcoal) and vary texture, not color.
8. Let imperfections show: patina beats polish in organic modern spaces.
9. Use industrial leftovers (chains, hooks, hardware) as sculptural accents.
10. Go big with one statement wall moment (mural, textile, oversized art).
11. Keep surfaces edited: fewer objects, better objects, more breathing room.
12. Make comfort look intentional with rumpled linen and soft, natural light.

Organic Modern, Brooklyn Edition: The Deeper Design Lessons

Lesson 1: “Curated” doesn’t mean “new”

The most compelling thing about this home is that it looks assembled over timebecause it was. Organic modern style often gets reduced to
a shopping list (linen! wood! neutrals!), but the real secret is pacing: collecting slowly, keeping what lasts, and letting the room evolve.

Lesson 2: Texture is the new color

Instead of relying on bright paint or busy patterns, Newkirk builds interest through texture: burlap, leather, matte paint, aged wood,
books, rope, and layered textiles. When you stack textures, you can keep the palette quiet and still make the room feel rich.

Lesson 3: The “ordinary” becomes special with placement

A chain becomes sculpture. A smock becomes wall art. A stack of books becomes a display system. This is styling as re-framing:
you’re not buying magicyou’re reassigning it.

FAQ: Quick Answers for Copying the Vibe

Is burlap a good idea for curtains?

It can beif you prioritize texture and mood over crisp formality. Choose panels with enough fullness, consider lining for softness and privacy,
and keep the rest of the room balanced with smoother finishes.

How do I get that “plaster finish” look on a mirror or frame?

Use a flat or matte paint and embrace subtle unevenness. Light sanding between coats can help, but the charm is in the slightly chalky, not-too-perfect vibe.

What’s the easiest way to start an organic modern room?

Start with a calm base (warm white, soft taupe, or greige), then add two textures (linen + wood is an easy duo) and one strong silhouette
(a sculptural chair or lamp). Edit down what’s on surfaces so the textures can read.

Extended Experiences: of Real-World Takeaways Inspired by This Tour

If you’ve ever walked into a home that instantly makes you exhaleshoulders down, jaw unclenched, brain no longer screaming “WHERE DO I PUT MY SHOES?”
you already understand the emotional power behind Newkirk’s Brooklyn look. The lesson isn’t “buy burlap” or “find rare Danish chairs.”
The lesson is how the space behaves.

First, there’s the experience of texture. In a lot of city apartments, surfaces skew hard: glossy paint, slick floors, metal and glass,
and the occasional over-achieving acrylic side table that looks like it’s trying to get into a museum. Here, texture softens everything.
Curtains don’t just divide a room; they change the acoustics and the mood. Books don’t just sit on shelves; they become a kind of wall cladding.
Matte finishes absorb light instead of bouncing it around like a spotlight. The result feels quietervisually and mentally.

Second, there’s the experience of permission. The tour quietly gives you permission to stop treating your home like a showroom.
A rope leftover from a party becomes a lighting moment. An old garment becomes wall decor. A stack of books becomes furniture-adjacent.
This is liberating, because it shifts your mindset from “I need to buy the right thing” to “I need to see what I already have differently.”
That’s a huge upgrade in both creativity and budget.

Third, there’s the experience of collecting over time. Homes like this don’t feel “designed” in a one-weekend shopping spree way.
They feel earned. You can almost sense the years behind a good objectthe flea market mornings, the “maybe this will work” experiments,
the slow edits, the one perfect chair that anchors a whole corner. If you’re building your own version, the most realistic (and satisfying) approach
is to pick one small zoneyour bedside, your reading chair, your entryand make that area feel finished first. Then expand.

Finally, there’s the experience of contrast. Organic modern is basically a balancing act: clean lines + lived-in softness; minimal color + maximum texture;
iconic pieces + ordinary objects; vintage + handmade; “this is art” + “this used to be a tool.” The contrast keeps the room from feeling sterile,
but it also keeps it from sliding into chaotic maximalism. If you’ve tried to decorate and ended up with either “hotel lobby” or “yard sale,”
contrast is the bridge between those extremes.

The most practical takeaway? Choose one “hero” element that changes how your room functions (like curtains that create privacy),
then support it with texture (linen, wood, leather, matte paint) and one personal object with a story. Do that, and you’re not just copying a look
you’re recreating the feeling that makes this Brooklyn tour so memorable.