The arrival of large, custom-cut mirrors into Joeonna Bellorado-Samuels’ Clinton Hill apartment was an undertaking that mirrored the intricate challenges often encountered in the art world. Requiring the last-minute erection of scaffolding to maneuver approximately 10-foot glass panes through a window due to mismeasured stairwells, the installation was a testament to the vision behind the space. Bellorado-Samuels, a senior director at the esteemed Jack Shainman Gallery and formerly of the Studio Museum in Harlem, approaches her home with the same discerning eye and appreciation for considered complexity that defines her professional trajectory. This apartment, transformed over four years, is not merely a residence; it is a curated environment designed to enhance and engage with the art it houses, prioritizing the viewing experience above conventional notions of comfort.
A Curated Space: Art as the Central Tenet
Bellorado-Samuels’ career has been steeped in the art world, from her early days at the Studio Museum in Harlem to her current role as a senior director at Jack Shainman Gallery. This deep immersion has cultivated an appetite for the conceptual and the visually impactful, a sensibility that has profoundly shaped her living space. Her itinerant gallery project, "We Buy Gold," which critically examines the intersection of art and commerce, offers a parallel to her home’s design philosophy. This inclination towards the unconventional is evident in her deliberate eschewal of traditional sofas, opting instead for sculptural, "funky" chairs that offer both seating and artistic statements. This choice underscores a design ethos where even the simple act of sitting becomes a dynamic visual experience, a playful tension between repose and aesthetic engagement.
The apartment itself, a renovation that consolidated two smaller units into a cohesive whole, is a masterclass in prioritizing artistic display. In the living area, a strategically placed wall of mirrors, installed by HMH Architectural Metal and Glass, amplifies the sense of space and reflects the curated collection, turning the entire room into a dynamic canvas. Extra bedrooms were reconfigured, sacrificing storage in favor of expanded wall space for artworks. Bellorado-Samuels’ personal sanctuary, her bedroom, sees the television discreetly stowed beneath the bed, allowing pieces by artists such as Barkley Hendricks, Sadie Barnett, and Charisse Pearlina Weston to command attention. The second bedroom has been transformed into a dedicated library, featuring a custom bookshelf that was ten months in the making, a collaboration with millworker Paul Finsterwald, whom she met through her gallery connections.
Echoes of Heritage: Growing Up with Art
Bellorado-Samuels’ profound connection to objects and their inherent meaning is deeply rooted in her upbringing in San Francisco. Her father, Joe Sam, was a politically engaged artist who championed the use of found materials. "We would go to the train tracks and collect things for his art that would end up on the kitchen table," she recalls, highlighting a childhood steeped in the tactile and the transformative. This early exposure fostered a unique appreciation for the care and consideration that goes into living with art and objects of significance. "There’s a certain practice of care you develop in just loving objects and the things that you live with," she observes. "All you need is a little bit of restraint and you’re golden." This philosophy permeates her current residence, where each piece, whether a significant artwork or a cherished memento, is given a prominent and considered place.
A Building with a Past: Layers of History in Clinton Hill
The apartment building itself, with its layered history, adds another dimension to Bellorado-Samuels’ curated environment. The front of the structure dates to approximately 1850, while the rear was added around 1900. Originally serving as a women’s home, the rear section was later constructed as an infirmary. After years of vacancy, it underwent a transformation, becoming the Bull Shippers Inn before falling into disrepair, developing an almost spectral reputation. The property was eventually acquired, renovated, and divided into 26 individual apartments. Bellorado-Samuels was drawn to these historical remnants, the "traces of previous lives," as she describes them. The original façade, an enigmatic small window whose purpose remains a mystery, and even the imperfect, "ragtag and random" exposed brickwork, which she might otherwise dislike, contribute to the apartment’s unique character and texture. This appreciation for architectural imperfection further underscores her embrace of the complex and the historically resonant.
A Strategic Renovation: Four Years in the Making
The four-year renovation process was marked by a consistent commitment to the overarching vision. Bellorado-Samuels’ decision to prioritize wall space for art meant that in some areas, functional storage was consciously minimized. This is exemplified by the living room, where the placement of mirrors and art takes precedence over extensive shelving. Her own bedroom exemplifies this, with the television cleverly concealed beneath the bed to ensure that the artworks on display remain the focal point.
The library, a sanctuary for contemplation and study, features a custom daybed and bookshelves designed in collaboration with millworker Paul Finsterwald. The meticulous craftsmanship of the bookshelf, a project that spanned ten months, speaks to Bellorado-Samuels’ dedication to bespoke elements that serve both aesthetic and functional purposes within her art-centric home. Pillows from Muji add a touch of comfort to the library’s daybed, while the artwork by Jordan Casteel anchors the space.
The Living Room: A Dynamic Spectacle
The living room is a testament to Bellorado-Samuels’ avant-garde approach to interior design. The expansive wall of mirrors, a key feature, not only enlarges the space but also creates an immersive viewing experience, reflecting the artworks and the surrounding environment in myriad ways. The daybed from CB2 provides a comfortable yet stylish seating option, while a vintage armchair by Rodolfo Bonetto for Driade adds a distinct mid-century modern flair. The artwork to the left, by Sadie Barnette, contributes to the eclectic mix of artistic styles. A side table, a former Brooklyn school classroom piece sourced from Bedford Galleries, is topped with an antique wedding veil from Papua New Guinea and a light sculpture by Nandi Loaf, demonstrating Bellorado-Samuels’ ability to integrate objects of diverse origins and histories into a cohesive narrative.
The Library: A Haven of Intellectual and Artistic Pursuit
The library serves as a more intimate space, dedicated to study and the quiet appreciation of art. A striking chair by Urs Fischer, crafted from urethane foam, wood, and steel, commands attention, its sculptural form a statement in itself. Adjacent to it, a side table by Saint Heron complements the artistic ensemble. The rich textures of a Turkish Kilim rug, sourced from Etsy, add warmth and depth to the floor. The walls are adorned with a diverse array of artworks, including pieces by Lorna Simpson, Gaetano Pesce, and a ceramic by Bellorado-Samuels herself, showcasing her multi-faceted engagement with the art world. The practicalities of light control are addressed with solar shades from The Shade Store, while the walls are painted in Benjamin Moore’s classic Decorator’s White, providing a neutral yet sophisticated backdrop for the vibrant collection.
Personal Touches and Cherished Objects
Beyond the prominent artworks, the apartment is replete with objects that hold personal significance. A sculpture by Bellorado-Samuels’ father, originally a Valentine’s Day gift to her mother, stands as a poignant reminder of her artistic heritage. "He would gift us art on Valentine’s Day and this was likely the last she received from him," she shares, imbuing the piece with profound emotional weight. Another significant acquisition is a wood carving by artist Toyin Ojih Odutola, brought back from Lagos, Nigeria, a tangible connection to her travels and artistic network.
In the hallway, a sheepskin from Guild adds a touch of tactile luxury atop a stool. Bellorado-Samuels also maintains a glass box filled with wishbones from every family Thanksgiving and a collection of rocks gathered from her travels, demonstrating a deep appreciation for the accumulation of memories and experiences. The hallway itself is a curated exhibition space, featuring a sculpture by Malick Sidibé and artwork by Kerry James Marshall, interspersed with Bellorado-Samuels’ extensive book collection, a testament to her intellectual curiosity and appreciation for literature.
Dining and Reflection: Spaces for Gathering and Contemplation
The dining area is anchored by a striking artwork by Lynette Yiadom-Boakye, which commands the wall above the custom-designed dining table. Bellorado-Samuels collaborated with millworker Paul Finsterwald on the table’s design, a piece surrounded by vintage chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa, sourced from 1stdibs. These chairs, with their timeless elegance, provide a sophisticated setting for gatherings. The wall features additional artworks, including a piece by Barkley Hendricks and a sculpture by Charisse Perlina Weston, demonstrating the seamless integration of art into every aspect of the home. The dining table itself is adorned with glassware from Saint Heron, stoneware from Japan, and an antique pitcher from Athens, each item carrying its own narrative and contributing to the rich tapestry of the space.
A Philosophy of Living with Art
Bellorado-Samuels’ approach to her Clinton Hill apartment is a deliberate and thoughtful proposition for living with art. It challenges conventional notions of home design by prioritizing visual impact and conceptual engagement. "I like that in this space you can see all kinds of different art," she states, articulating her belief in the accessibility and versatility of art. "People think they can’t live with sculpture—I love living with sculpture. Do you just want paintings of flowers? That’s fine, but there are other things." This sentiment underscores her desire to encourage a broader appreciation for diverse artistic mediums and to demonstrate that art, in all its forms, can be an integral and enriching part of daily life. The apartment, therefore, is not merely a backdrop for her collection but an active participant, amplifying, complicating, and occasionally challenging the viewer’s experience, much like a well-curated exhibition. The final flourish, a gentle reminder of the practicalities of installation and design, "Just remember to measure twice," encapsulates the blend of meticulous planning and artistic daring that defines Joeonna Bellorado-Samuels’ remarkable Clinton Hill residence.
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