Brooklyn Rose By Alyssa Owens Design
Designed by Alyssa Owens Design, Brooklyn Rose is a bespoke, art-filled interior that features a distinctly Australian warmth, effortlessly at home in Brooklyn, NYC.
Words HANDE RENSHAW Photos KATHLEEN FITZGERALD Interior Design ALYSSA OWENS DESIGN
Rug by Eny Lee Parker, Muse Sofa from Ellison Studios, artwork above sofa by Amy Wright, artwork above dining table by Ruby Bateman.
‘My client wanted a modest place to gather. But once we swagged a clay pendant over a sculptural table and brought in Australian dining chairs, the nook took on a presence that surprised both of us–it’s become a lovely focal point,’ says Alyssa Owens.
‘Several of the artworks in the apartment are by Australian makers, and that influence anchors the project. It was important to me that even in New York the home carried traces of the creative culture I’m connected to in Australia,’ shares Alyssa Owens.
A vintage painting sits above the Cami Bar Cabinet designed by Eny Lee Parker from Lulu and Georgia.
‘The bedroom tends to get the most attention, which I understand as it’s quite immersive. ‘
“The apartment is a highly bespoke, art-filled space that feels distinctly Australian in its warmth and lived-in elegance, yet entirely at home in Brooklyn.”
Chair by Michael Paynes via Piscina, lamp from Arrange Studios and artwork by Nataliia Brichuk
Bedroom details include floral and striped patterned bed linen, timber bedside tables, and wall-to-wall pink semi sheer curtains.
Brooklyn Rose is a 700–square–foot rental apartment in Brooklyn, New York City, reimagined by interior designer Alyssa Owens of Alyssa Owens Design as a layered home despite the limitations of distance and a strictly no-paint lease.
The apartment itself began as a blank canvas in the truest sense, a newly built, bland space defined by white walls, clean lines, and little personality. Rather than resisting the constraints, Alyssa leaned into transformation through atmosphere. Light became an anchor, texture replaced colour on walls, and furniture placement carried as much narrative weight as decoration. Every decision aimed to build atmosphere without permanence, proving that rental living can feel deeply personal.
‘Even though the palette is bold, the overall approach feels liveable, which reflects the way many Australian interiors manage to feel expressive without becoming overwhelming,’ shares Alyssa. ‘We chose pieces with a relaxed quality – nothing felt forced or trying too hard, which helped create this lovely casual elegance throughout.’
The project unfolded almost entirely remotely while the client was away filming a reality television series, turning the design process into an exercise in trust, instinct, and creative momentum.
Planning moved quickly before the client’s departure, with key pieces selected in advance and deliveries coordinated from afar. Collaboration took place across time zones through late-night messages, shared mood boards, and instinctive decision-making. Without the luxury of endless revisions, choices were made confidently, allowing the apartment to evolve organically rather than feel overworked. By the time filming wrapped, the home had taken shape.
The layout challenged traditional ideas of space and functionality. A king-sized bed was positioned in front of the windows, turning what could have been a spatial compromise into a defining focal point. Wall-to wall pink curtains softened the uneven architecture while casting a warm glow across the apartment. Lighting played a crucial role in shaping zones within the compact footprint, with suspended fixtures and plug-in sconces subtly delineating areas for living, dining and rest without the need for walls.
Layering became the project’s defining language. Australian designers and artists, including works by Amy Wright, Hattie Molloy, Sarah Ellison, and Rachel Donath, sit comfortably alongside vintage New York finds. Rich materials such as velvet, marble, and aged brass introduced depth and tactility, counterbalancing the apartment’s polished surfaces. Each object was chosen not only for beauty but for emotional resonance, allowing the home to feel collected rather than styled.
Personal history threads through the space in unexpected ways. References to the client’s years spent in New Orleans appear through vibrant keepsakes, and Mardi Gras costumes add whimsy, colour, and storytelling.
‘The bedroom tends to get the most attention, which I understand as it’s quite immersive,’ says Alyssa, ‘But the feature I’m most proud of is actually the small dining nook carved out of what was previously circulation space. My client wanted a modest place to gather. But once we swagged a clay pendant over a sculptural table and brought in Australian dining chairs, the nook took on a presence that surprised both of us. It’s become a lovely focal point.’
Project: Brooklyn Rose
Interiors: Alyssa Owens Design
Location: Brooklyn, NYC
Photography: Kathleen Fitzgerald
