Jenna Lyons, tastemaker, fashion maven and now reality star, has a home to match her impeccable CV<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/flatplan-plus-content.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/11\/JENNA_LYONS_GRAZIA_169_v2-v5-1.jpg” title_text=”Jenna Lyons Grazia Magazine” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]
Because I have been watching the new series of The Real Housewives Of New York City (RHONY) \u2013 in which former J Crew creative director and president Jenna Lyons is an unlikely cast member \u2013 I can\u2019t help but feel a bit starstruck when I walk into her light-filled loft apartment in SoHo, Manhattan, and see her unlacquered brass splashback.<\/p>\n
Lyons is impressive herself, obviously: she looks chic even in a green striped bathrobe, getting her hair blow-dried, wearing her trademark dark-rimmed glasses, with her little dog Popeye on her lap. But the splashback, which runs the length of an entire wall in her kitchen and gleams at me, seductively, has become almost as famous. I\u2019ve seen it on Pinterest and interior design TikTok, and it served as the setting for an on-screen RHONY cocktail party, which degenerated into reality TV-appropriate bickering and weeping. <\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/flatplan-plus-content.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/11\/JENNA_LYONS_GRAZIA_622_v2-1.jpg” title_text=”Jenna Lyons Grazia Magazine” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text module_class=”custom-quote” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”Libre Bodoni|||on|||||” header_2_text_align=”center” header_2_text_color=”#333333″ header_2_font_size=”40px” header_2_line_height=”1.2em” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]
Lyons is one of our era\u2019s pre-eminent tastemakers, best known for her longstanding, high-profile role at cult American store J Crew. During her tenure, the company captured the zeitgeist: Michele Obama wore the brand frequently, while Lyons became a high priestess of high-low street style (if you\u2019ve ever worn a fancy skirt with a striped T-shirt, or sequins in the daytime, you\u2019ve felt her influence). She also introduced this stylistic tension to interiors by juxtaposing old and new, traditional with modern, in the J-Crew stores, helping to forge the eclectic look that is now the norm.<\/p>\n
Since leaving J Crew in 2017, Lyons has launched a raft of projects, including a fake eyelashes business, LoveSeen, and an interior-design consultancy. Joining RHONY was an unexpected swerve for someone whose business is taste and refinement. She did it, she says, because her lashes weren\u2019t selling as well in the US cities where she was less well-known. The supplier, Target, told her to do something to drive awareness. RHONY was not on her bingo card, but when an offer came in for a rebooted series, with a diverse cast that aimed to reflect New York City more accurately, she realised, \u2018this is an advertising campaign that I could never afford.\u2019 She adds, laughing, \u2018I did have to sacrifice my soul \u2013 but I can buy it back!\u2019 <\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/flatplan-plus-content.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/11\/JENNA_LYONS_GRAZIA_282-v5FINAL.jpg” title_text=”JENNA_LYONS_GRAZIA_282-v5FINAL” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text module_class=”custom-gallery-caption” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Akshar|600|||||||” custom_margin=”-15px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]
KITCHEN <\/strong>The brass kitchen sink was inspired by Dimore Studio, who had used unlaquered brass in an old Italian apartment in Architectural Digest. \u2018It was stunning,\u2019 says Lyons. \u2018I didn\u2019t want to do the same thing, obviously, but I wanted to incorporate the material.\u2019 Her countertops comprise three different materials, including three-inch thick marble from a California courthouse. \u2018I want it to be completely unusual.\u2019<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”] She says shooting the show was pretty baffling. \u2018The closest you can come to Close Encounters Of The Third Kind. All of your social cues, all the ways you\u2019ve moved through the world, do not apply.\u2019 She was worried about her image from the outset. \u2018I was guarded. I was careful. That, I think, comes across,\u2019 she says. The other cast members, who put themselves out there more \u2018are the show \u2013 I\u2019m an annex. If the show was just me, people would have been asleep.\u2019 For all her modesty, though, the critical consensus is that she played a blinder \u2013 just interesting enough to cause friction in subtle ways, without embarrassing herself.<\/p>\n The show exposed a new generation to her aesthetic (\u2018I\u2019m making Jenna Lyons\u2019 apartment my vision board for life,\u2019 says a typical fan post on Tiktok). Many are drawn to the personality of her apartment, with its mishmash of colours, materials and textures. \u2018I\u2019ve been told I have sort of idiosyncratic taste,\u2019 says Lyons, with customary understatement. \u2018I look at developing a room with the same principles as putting an outfit together \u2013 mixing textures, colours, elements of shine versus matte… I think it feels like someone actually made these choices; it doesn\u2019t necessarily feel like a showroom.\u2019<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/flatplan-plus-content.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/11\/JENNA_LYONS_GRAZIA_14-1.jpg” title_text=”Jenna Lyons Grazia Magazine” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text module_class=”custom-quote” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”Libre Bodoni|||on|||||” header_2_text_align=”center” header_2_text_color=”#333333″ header_2_font_size=”40px” header_2_line_height=”1.2em” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″] When Lyons bought the apartment 10 years ago, she was in another time of change, moving out of a brownstone in Park Slope, Brooklyn, where she had lived with her husband of nine years, artist Vincent Mazeau. She had felt isolated there, with a punishing commute on top of long hours. \u2018I did not do well,\u2019 she says. \u2018The day I got divorced I looked for apartments in the city.\u2019<\/p>\n Originally an artist\u2019s studio with no interior walls, and a collapsing ceiling, the loft was a true blank canvas. The interior design was inspired by items she had seen and loved over many years: the huge, faded salmonpink couch, for example, was inspired by the colour, but not the shape, of Mick Jagger\u2019s couch, which she saw in a newspaper. The huge sink in her powder room was inspired by another gigantic sink, in Italian print house Ratti, where she used to buy fabrics when she worked for J Crew, though that was marble and hers is onyx.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/flatplan-plus-content.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/11\/JENNA_LYONS_GRAZIA_451-1.jpg” title_text=”Jenna Lyons Grazia Magazine” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text module_class=”custom-gallery-caption” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Akshar|600|||||||” custom_margin=”-15px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”] LIVING ROOM <\/strong>An eclectic mix of eras and colours is typical of Lyons\u2019 aesthetic: a leopard-print pouffe next to a green goatskin Aldo Tura box and faded pink sofa; a jungle-motif Herm\u00e8s screen in the corner. The art \u2013 including a Cy Twombly drawing \u2013 is often hung off-centre, or rests on the floor or mantelpiece.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/flatplan-plus-content.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/11\/JENNA_LYONS_GRAZIA_688_v3-1.jpg” title_text=”Jenna Lyons Grazia Magazine” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text module_class=”custom-gallery-caption” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Akshar|600|||||||” custom_margin=”-15px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”] BEDROOM <\/strong>With a huge print by photographer Candida H\u00f6fer over the bed, this wood-panelled room is one of Lyons\u2019 favourite spaces. \u2018I have a thing for sheets and pillows and I really like sleeping,\u2019 she says. Her bespoke brass bedside tables were inspired by Donald Judd\u2019s art. There is art of differing dimensions and styles propped up everywhere, including a Nine Swimming Pools print by Ed Ruscha on the bedside table.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”] Looking back now, she wonders if she went a bit over the top with the renovation. So much of it \u2013 the light switches, the doors \u2013 is custom-made that \u2018I feel like an asshole!\u2019 At the same time, it was freeing to create something that was hers at a time when she was so linked with J Crew that \u2018I almost didn\u2019t know what was my own. People used to call me Jenna Crew, which is hilarious.\u2019 It was also the first time in her life that she had \u2018the time and the finances\u2019 to do everything she wanted with a renovation.<\/p>\n She is stepping into another new era now: season two of RHONY is not confirmed but seems likely; she has been in a new relationship with the photographer Cass Bird since at least the summer, having spoken \u2013 albeit briefly and obliquely \u2013 about a break-up on camera during RHONY. Recently, she posted a romantic black and white photo with Bird on Instagram; Lyons wore a giant gobstopper diamond ring; congratulatory comments flooded in from followers. So, is she engaged? Well, she says, \u2018It was\u2026 I think it was confusing. I don\u2019t think we realised that people\u2026 I think people made assumptions. It was just us like, being cute and in bed, just like laying there, and everyone like just jumped to conclusions. We are very happy \u2013 we\u2019ll say that,\u2019 she says, a bit vaguely. Though there is definitely a huge ring on her engagement finger, I realise later; I ask her about the ring, just to make sure that I haven\u2019t misunderstood, and she shrugs and smiles, almost shimmies, creating a pleasing little mystery \u2013 demonstrating that she hasn\u2019t gone full reality-TV overshare, thank goodness, and probably never will.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/flatplan-plus-content.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/11\/JENNA_LYONS_GRAZIA_704-1.jpg” title_text=”Jenna Lyons Grazia Magazine” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text module_class=”custom-gallery-caption” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Akshar|600|||||||” custom_margin=”-15px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”] BATHROOM <\/strong>Lyons\u2019 \u2018over-the-top\u2019 marble bathroom is a spectacular space accessed via glass doors from the bedroom. The veined marble was inspired by the Gritti Palace hotel in Venice. The bronze legs of the vanity were custom-made by jeweller Philip Crangi. Lyons, who is obsessive about patina (she left her herringbone floors unsealed so they would look more lived in) spray-painted them with saltwater so that they didn\u2019t look too perfect.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/flatplan-plus-content.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/11\/JENNA_LYONS_GRAZIA_725-1.jpg” title_text=”Jenna Lyons Grazia Magazine” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text module_class=”custom-gallery-caption” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Akshar|600|||||||” custom_margin=”-15px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”] WALK-IN WARDROBE <\/strong>Where the magic happens: there are around 330 pairs of shoes, running the gamut from Prada to Nike, and a deep walk-in closet, as well as stacks of paperbacks, pictures on the walls and a Goyard trunk. Lyons\u2019 regular clothes tend to be from one particular section: jeans (\u2018I have 35 pairs \u2013 they\u2019re all different!\u2019), white shirts \u2018(I have about 50\u2026 they\u2019re all different!\u2019) and grey sweatshirts.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”#111111″ divider_position=”center” divider_weight=”2px” module_class=”custom-divider” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text module_class=”credit-texts” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|||on|||||” text_orientation=”center” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″] PHOTOGRAPHS:<\/strong> KELLY MARSHALL WORDS:<\/strong> HANNAH MARRIOTT HAIR:<\/strong> ASHLEY PERSON. MAKE-UP:<\/strong> KASEY SPICKARD AT THE ONLY AGENCY<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Jenna Lyons, tastemaker, fashion maven and now reality star, has a home to match her impeccable CV<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":996,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-992","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-feature"],"acf":[],"modified_by":"akindell","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/grazia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/992","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/grazia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/grazia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/grazia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/grazia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=992"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/grazia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/992\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1314,"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/grazia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/992\/revisions\/1314"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/grazia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/996"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/grazia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=992"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/grazia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=992"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/grazia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=992"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}\u2018I look at developing a room with the same principles as putting an outfit together\u2019<\/h2>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/flatplan-plus-content.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/11\/JENNA_LYONS_GRAZIA_41-1.jpg” title_text=”Jenna Lyons Grazia Magazine” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/flatplan-plus-content.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/11\/JENNA_LYONS_GRAZIA_501-1.jpg” title_text=”Jenna Lyons Grazia Magazine” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]