Simple, elegant, and with as much storage as possible was the mantra for actor Josh Brolin's living space, which showcases an exquisite example of bespoke joinery.
Designed by Pierce & Ward, the expert team behind Johnny Galecki, Dakota Johnson, and Emma Roberts's delightful homes, the dream duo wanted to not only maximize the living room storage but also make it a feature in its own right.
Without exquisite joinery, even the grandest room will be nothing more than a box. That’s what Bruce Hodgson, founder of architectural joinery specialist Artichoke, believes. ‘Beautifully crafted and conceived joinery can add drama to an interior, employing light and shade to lend depth, as well as framing openings and significant features,’ he says. ‘It can also play a vital role in manipulating proportions.
As we spend more time at home, we become more aware than ever of the need for space. 'Rooms that were once forgotten are being rejuvenated as tranquil spaces or multifunctional living zones,' says Simon Tcherniak, senior furniture designer at Neville Johnson. 'Homeowners are looking for dynamic spaces that allow them to highlight their decorative prowess as well as provide space to store essential items, such as glassware and serveware.'
This beautiful wall of bespoke joinery is hugely characterful and provides plenty of open and closed storage. In a conversation with the New York Times, designers Louisa Pierce and Emily Ward described Brolin's taste as a mix of 'nutty kaleidoscope' and 'Old World European busyness' – this quiet nook is the perfect example of this ethos. It's fun and playful, as all design should be. But it is also important to consider the practical elements too.
'Getting the configuration right is what makes or breaks the design and its functionality,' says Rachel Hutcheson, national retail manager at Sharps. 'A sensible place to start is by assessing your storage needs. Think about the volume of clothes and shoes that you have, whether you might need areas for books and artwork and how much space you might need in the future. You can combine hidden storage with open living room shelving to maximize space,' she adds.
Uniform-sized shelves are fine for libraries but less so for a home environment. When commissioning bespoke joinery, be sure to request a mix of heights to accommodate different sizes and shapes of tomes and objects. Go one step further and break up the shelves with a dedicated space for favorite pieces of art or sculpture; take this into consideration from the beginning to ensure your pieces have space to fit comfortably. If the shelves are deep enough, use them to display curios and items amassed from travels.
Whatever the size of your home, it's important to create a quiet living room corner that can serve as a retreat from the noise of daily life.
Shop the look
Bespoke storage simply cannot be bought of the shelf. It requires careful planning and is often expensive – though very much worth the investment. The simplest way to replicate this look, especially if you already have a dedicated open storage area, is with decorative accessories. Below I've listed a curated selection of my favorite designs.
This statement check design is very much on-trend for 2024 and 2025, but I expect this classic look will endure forever. It is just so undeniably eye-catching.
I adore unusually-shaped objects and vases. They add such a decorate delight to bare shelves and tables. This gorgeous marble bowl is a surefire crowdpleaser and one that will last forever.
I have an obsession with buying beautiful, decorative vases for display. They also make the perfect birthday and Holiday gifts – and this one is already on the way to me.
