See this rental home - and how these designers personalised it with simple tweaks

A rental home can still be stylish as the Novogratz' NYC Brownstone demonstrates

rental home
(Image credit: Novogratz)

Decamping to a rental home during a renovation might be a stopgap for most people, but it was no reason for interior design duo, Robert and Cortney Novogratz to relax their style standards. 

Fans of modern interior design may already be familiar with the husband and wife design team, whose previous homes and projects have featured in Livingetc.

Ok, so the Novogratz have style running through their veins, but whilst gutting their new home, The Pink House, a famous 200-year-old Brownstone in New York's West Village, the couple had to move into a second rental home, as the first was suddenly sold.

Undeterred by the upheaval, the couple saw this next rental home as another opportunity to personalise their space. 

With a few teaks and additions, including artworks and pieces from their own line of affordable furniture, which is now available in the UK at Wayfair and Amazon, this four-bedroom, old quirky carriage house soon became home.  

rental home

(Image credit: Novogratz)

Built 1928, the house still had its original floorboards and the walls were already painted white, which the couple left for simplicity.

Inside the front entrance, the hanging light fixture was switched out to their own design and a bold artwork greets the family and their friends.

rental home

(Image credit: Novogratz)

The Novogratz are known for mixing affordable pieces with expensive collectibles, antique treasures, and world-famous art pieces, and this house is no exception. 

rental home

(Image credit: Novogratz)

The living room features chairs from the Novogratz collection, as well as a leather sofa, one of their best-selling pieces. 

rental home

(Image credit: Novogratz)

A quiet corner becomes a cool place to work with a slimline desk, smart chair and quirky artwork.

rental home

(Image credit: Novogratz)

The dining area doubles as an office/work space for the family of nine.

rental home

(Image credit: Novogratz)

The dining area opens onto a backyard space, which has made into an outdoor seating area with the addition of stackable chairs and a fire pit.

rental home

(Image credit: Novogratz)

Artworks and interesting accessories immediately bring character to the previously bland bedroom.

rental home

(Image credit: Novogratz)

The bedrooms, used by all the kids for remote learning, are outfitted with beds, desks and chairs from the Novogratz collection.

rental home

(Image credit: Novogratz)

One of the boy's bedrooms was given a fresh look with a lick of blue paint, which perfectly offsets the modern furniture ideas and poster.

rental home

(Image credit: Novogratz)

A simple shower curtain brings a fresh feel to the colourful tiled bathroom.

rental home

(Image credit: Novogratz)

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Jacky Parker is a London-based freelance journalist and content creator, specialising in interiors, travel and food. From buying guides and real home case studies to shopping and news pages, she produces a wide range of features for national magazines and SEO content for websites


A long-time contributor to Livingetc, as a member of the team, she regularly reports on the latest trends, speaking to experts and discovering the latest tips. Jacky has also written  for other publications such as Homes and Gardens, Ideal Home, Red, Grand Designs, Sunday Times Style and AD, Country Homes and Interiors and ELLE Decoration.