Lighting designer Michelle James’ 1890s brownstone in Brooklyn is like the perfect pared-down wardrobe: a little black dress; a crisp white shirt; a touch of velvet; and, of course, a bit of jewelry-like glitz via her own glamorous fixtures (made, surprisingly enough, from parts scavenged on eBay).
A former fashion stylist, James has an eye for finding the exact piece that will make an ensemble–or, in this case, a room–special. She spends several hours a day on eBay foraging for vintage glass globes and brass hardware, which she collects and reconfigures in her basement workroom. For more information on her lighting fixtures, go to Michelle James.
Photography by Nicole Franzen for Remodelista.
![At Home with a Brooklyn FashionistaTurnedLightingDesigner portrait 3](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/fields/Michelle-James-Remodelista-11.jpg)
Above: The classically detailed entry hints at the glamor to be found within.
![At Home with a Brooklyn FashionistaTurnedLightingDesigner portrait 4](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/fields/Michelle-James-Remodelista-8.jpg)
Above: The walls ceiling, and trim on the parlor floor are painted in Benjamin Moore’s Simply White.
![At Home with a Brooklyn FashionistaTurnedLightingDesigner portrait 5](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/fields/Michelle-James-Brooklyn-Living-Room-Remodelista.jpg)
Above: James found the pair of vintage chairs on eBay and had them recovered in gray wool.
![At Home with a Brooklyn FashionistaTurnedLightingDesigner portrait 6](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/fields/Michelle-James-Remodelista-15.jpg)
Above: The sectional sofa is custom from Swaim Furniture of North Carolina upholstered in Chocolate Martini mohair from John Hutton Textiles.
![At Home with a Brooklyn FashionistaTurnedLightingDesigner portrait 7](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/fields/Michelle-James-Remodelista-2.jpg)
Above: James painted the existing glass-fronted cabinets white and added a marble slab to the island countertop. (For more on marble slabs, go to 5 Favorites: Marble Boards in the Kitchen.)
![At Home with a Brooklyn FashionistaTurnedLightingDesigner portrait 8](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/fields/Michelle-James-Remodelista-1.jpg)
Above: The glass-paned doors leading from the dining area to the living room are original to the house. The marble-topped table is from Williams-Sonoma Home and the chairs are from Spanish company Andreu World.
![Michelle James Kitchen Black Tiles](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/fields/Michelle-James-Kitchen-Black-Tiles.jpg)
Above: A glossy black tiled backsplash adds a hint of disco glamor to the kitchen.
![At Home with a Brooklyn FashionistaTurnedLightingDesigner portrait 10](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/fields/Michelle-James-Remodelista-14.jpg)
Above: The top floor landing with a wire tray propped on a stool and James’ Globe Chandelier.
![At Home with a Brooklyn FashionistaTurnedLightingDesigner portrait 11](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/fields/Michelle-James-Remodelista-12.jpg)
Above: A closeup of James’ Globe Chandelier.
Above: Michelle’s seven-year-old son, Gray, lives in one of the more sophisticated boy’s bedroom we’ve seen. A BluDot Modu-licious bed and side table pop against the walls painted in Benjamin Moore’s Hale Navy.
Above: Michelle’s attic office features a shelving wall painted Benjamin Moore Whale Gray; she found the vintage Italian light fixture on eBay.
![At Home with a Brooklyn FashionistaTurnedLightingDesigner portrait 14](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/fields/Michelle-James-Remodelista-4.jpg)
Above: A marble mosaic floor and ebonized wood sink cabinet are softened by a fur-covered stool.
![At Home with a Brooklyn FashionistaTurnedLightingDesigner portrait 15](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/fields/Michelle-James-Remodelista-5.jpg)
Above: A guest bedroom with vintage globe chandelier.
Have a Question or Comment About This Post?
Join the conversation