For many New Yorkers, the aspiration to live in a SoHo loft is driven by an unmitigated love of brick. In fact, the more exposed it is, the more desirable it seems. That was not the case for macro-influencer, blogger, and fashion designer Danielle Bernstein (whose popular clothing line We Wore What has drawn recent controversy for allegations of copying). When she and her boyfriend decided to move in together this past year—into a SoHo loft—they knew they wanted something “that really felt unique from New York City.” So, with the help of Lauren Piscione of LP Creative, Bernstein devised a plan to completely cover her new home’s industrial-looking brick walls with pressure-fitted walls with a “Venetian plaster vibe.” Bernstein wanted something that felt super lived-in, I wanted these wabi-sabi soft, neutral vibes.

Achieving that “lived-in” look was no small order given the project’s abbreviated timeline. Bernstein worked with Piscione over a period of four months, almost entirely remote (Piscione was based in L.A. during the pandemic). Thankfully, the two clicked immediately as there was truly no time to waste. As a designer, you dream about finding these clients that are deeply in sync with your own aesthetic. It’s so exciting to create something that you don’t have to necessarily push so hard for, Piscione says. A shared love for rustic simplicity, loads of texture, and warm, naturally-derived tones bonded the two in a flurry of Zooms, inspiration boards, and late-night texts.

The pair also discussed how important it would be to create a space that was not only a respite from the chaos that can be New York City but also the cluttered life of a social media influencer. They focused on calming palettes, lots of organic materials and shapes, and even a decidedly tight edit of wall art. Bernstein Being an influencer and having my own brands, She live with a lot of stuff at all times. She really wanted the space to feel minimalist, safe, and Zen-like.”