Julio and Kenza’s Modern Clinton Hill Brownstone
Photographs by Patrick Cline
“My life is art,” remarks Julio Leitao, upon entering he and his wife Kenza’s five-story brownstone in the Clinton Hill neighborhood of Brooklyn. The home that the Leitao’s have built is truly a work of art. A home that had been in the family for generations, the Leitao’s were tasked with a modern update. Transforming an outdated interior into a refreshing interior, perfect for them and their girls, Luena and Zeza.
Throughout the space you can find components of Julio’s art. A celebrated dancer, originally from Angola, Leitao immigrated to New York from Portugal, and founded Batotu Yetu (“our Children”), a dance company that has performed for the likes of Bishop Desmond Tutu and with the icons including Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston and Usher. His robust masks, statuary and costumes created for performances are part of this Brooklyn interior’s decor. The elements that speak to Julio’s Angolan heritage, are perfectly married with Kenza’s, who hails from Queens, love of modern design, and an eye for modern classic elements. Picking up pieces like Fritz Hansen chairs for the dining room, next to more modern pieces by local Brooklyn designers. The mix of classic architecture with modern design and bursts of color and culture throughout are what makes this home special.
Through a colorful doorway and past a tastefully appointed parlor a breathtaking living room sits quietly off to the right, just waiting to be discovered. The dark stained floors, which run through the entire house, were laid by Julio, who taught himself the skills he needed to accomplish the job well. The white masks that hang unobtrusively from the far wall are his creations as well. The masks offer a modern way to bring classic Angolan art home. The ornate fireplace, one of four hearths this home boasts, is original to the space, as is the decorative scrollwork that runs across moldings and ceilings in this room. The way that Kenza and Julio have maintained the architecture of the home, is a reminder not to remove or cover up original fixtures, but to instead accentuate them. Filling a traditional space with modern furnishings creates a unique contrast of styles that can add layers of sophistication to a room.
A classic black and white color palette characterizes the living room, from the walls to the massive overhead pendant light. The palette repeats throughout the home, providing the perfect canvas for the many pops of color that bring the combination of Angolan and African American cultures that characterize the family into the space. As a final touch, plants lend a colorful touch of life that makes the space even more inviting.
The living room is large enough to fit a full dining area that seats eight. On the wall, an image of young dancers from Batoto Yetu, taken by French photographer, Patrick Demarchelier is the perfect accent piece on the wall. The Drop dining chairs by Fritz Hansen continue the room’s dichotomy between modern and traditional aesthetics as they contrast the ornamentation in the doorway.
The kitchen in this home is expansive. A true luxury for New York living. The black and white color palette is perfect for kitchens with it’s clean and perennially on-trend look, especially when accented with warm metallic fixtures. The black kitchen island provides a streamlined and efficiently laid out space, perfect for preparing family meals. Behind the counter, a marble backsplash is another timeless touch.
The kitchen island was designed to include a sink and dishwasher. It helps facilitate movement throughout the room by dividing attention between the island and cooking surfaces while a line of bar stools provides seating for family, friends and guests.
On the other side of the room, away from the kitchen’s more functional areas, a nook is a study in comfort. A small bistro table flanked by chairs and built-in seating comfortably accommodates the family of four. A second fireplace features a collection of small busts and other elements set against the ultra-modern geometric wire hanging that adorns the wall. Once again, a large plant provides the final touch that makes this curated space feel like a home.
This house is full of wonderful and delightful details. Every opportunity to tell a cultural story at home has been found. At the ebony banister, original to the space, Kenza and Julio have turned a piece of art into a unique pommel. A gorgeous bust, intricately detailed, has been integrated in to the stairway’s design. This moment is just one more way that the Leitao family celebrates their culture at home.
Up the stairs and we’re on the way to the room of sisters, Luena and Zeza share. Both, accomplished gymnasts and dancers with their father’s troupe, their room is a reflection of their current and future endeavors. The girls’ room is an excellent example of how to design a kid’s room with a sense of style that any adult would love. When designing a room for kids there’s a lot to be said for keeping the overall aesthetic at the same level as the rest of the home. Instead of decorating with bright pastel colors that don’t reflect the rest of the home, but are more traditionally thought of as “kid colors,” Julio and Kenza have blended their grownup black and white color palette with fun elements like the heart polka dots on the sheets, typographic art and pops of orange in this kid-friendly space.
The girls’ bedroom is filled with unique, textural details. Above the twin beds, a woven metal pendant is a cool statement piece overhead. In the corner, a modern lucite chair is the perfect place to hang out. Atop it, a pillow featuring President Obama is a great accent piece.
This bedroom positively shines with stylish moments coming from all corners. The mantel is a great area for display, featuring a variety of the girls’ favorite accessories and even a few plants beneath a bright, neon sign, spelling out the words, Say What!. Most importantly, the room showcases the girls’ talents with their art and gymnastics medals on display.
Bedding in the home’s signature black and white color palette juxtaposes stripes and polka-dots for a very modern meeting of patterns. Pops of orange throughout the room liven up the space while giving it a warm yet youthful feel. Even more color finds it way in through the metallic side table and lamp, while leopard-patterned pillows on both beds tie the colors and patterns together.
The main bedroom is a beautiful, minimalist retreat. Black walls are on-trend, and envelope the space, creating a cozy vibe. The walls in Kenza and Julio’s room are also canvas for the art and architecture that truly stands out in contrast. Above the bed, another image by French photographer Patrick Demarchelier, of dancers from Batotu Yetu is is the perfect artistic touch.
What makes this room special are the small touches that connect the space to the stories of the people who live in them. The decorative mirror above the mantel is inscribed with the words, I looked at my hands to see if I was the same person. There was a glory over everything. The sun came up like gold. They are words of Harriet Tubman. The piece was sourced by Kenza at an art show in Manhattan.
Up to the fifth floor and Julio’s studio is an explosion of color. A man of seemingly endless talents, in addition to being a professional dancer, Julio creates large masks for productions of both his own Batotu Yetu company and even shows on Broadway.
The space is one where this artist can experiment with various materials and mechanisms in his continual efforts to perfect his creations. Color and inspiration fill the room with bright energizing shades that are perfect for getting the mind ready to work. Along with masks in various stages of completion the walls are adorned with images of his beloved dancers, past and present.
A stunning gallery wall in the studio features a mix of family photos and images from Batotu Yetu. A troupe focused on bringing dance to children, many of Julio’s dancers grow up to become instructors, sharing the wonders of music and movement with the younger generation as it was once shared with them.
