This All-Black Boerum Hill Firehouse Has a Live-in Archery Range | Interior Lives

“The original firehouse was built in 1836,” says Julian LaVerdiere, production designer and artist. “We wanted something that would have felt like it worked its way into the original architectural history.”
LaVerdiere and his wife, Erica Hohf, who also works in set design but primarily in feature films, have transformed the space, renting out the first floor (now a Stumphouse Coffee), while turning the second story into their all-black home, sanctuary and workspace, with an archery range, Japanese soaking tub, and terrace.
In this episode of Interior Lives, our design editor Wendy Goodman takes us inside the couple’s beautiful, set-like home, where we met their pet snake and learned the importance of getting materials from the source, and why black plays such an important role in their approach to design.

[@samorman1356]

when two Slytherins get married and live undercover as muggles.

[@NewYorkMagazine]

lmao

[@arinaz318]

Lol so true tho

[@sadbunny3479]

You nailed it. lol......

[@Cyndy101]

Perhaps he is Regulus Black!?

[@phillipahorton5346]

best youtube comment ever

[@pastoral_landscape]

what happens when goths hit the top tax bracket

[@bk4of4]

PS5K love it!

[@Petervincentbeas]

Can’t wait!

[@LaLunaLaMuerte]

And that’s exactly where I strive to be one day :)

[@ThePricipleOfParsimony]

LOL!

[@prettypuffprincess]

🤣🤣🤣

[@chs75]

I'm glad Wednesday Addams is living her best life.

[@jja1483]

chs75 that's who she looks like🤔👍modern day Adams fam😅

[@nylabo]

Omg that's funny!!

[@sandramalone3522]

Hahaha, that's funny...

[@whateverLolitawantsLolitagets]

Lol

[@wendymills4693]

chs75 😆😆😆

[@kaniaanantadewi]

i mean of course they would have a pet snake

[@janackova]

Kania Anantadewi hahahahah

[@seacyren161]

HOUSE OF SLYTHERIN!!!!

[@dylansoyyo]

I was kinda ok. But then the snake appeared and I just said fuck off.

[@Appolonia1964]

….and it is white so it is easy to find….. 🤍

[@gabrielfreire4997]

They look like the kind of people who would adopt the Baudelaire orphans

[@patriarcha8760]

Children are the last thing on these people's minds.

[@ephemeral783]

Patriarcha no, the color white is

[@missmatch9058]

Omg yes!!

[@thecitizenjoan]

Love this comment so true

[@annaibanez2499]

Oh my god, yes

[@wayawuffin]

like two very stylish bats took human form

[@rhondamoore3821]

maya I’m dying🤦🏾‍♀️

[@jodrew1845]

Perfect analogy.

[@jodrew1845]

@AA K No, if you look carefully their home is immaculate.

[@kb-ih7ni]

Jo Drew it was a bat joke

[@shasasartin8266]

lmfaooo!

[@unicorn_bread]

I'm so glad people like this exist.

[@willmercury]

Really? People like this make me so glad that cancer exists.

[@terrycullen3302]

@@willmercury That's kind of a dickish thing to say.

[@star16me]

Fagus Grandifolia what does someone’s wealth have to do with you? That’s one. And I am sure OP is talking about how dark their aesthetic is, that’s two.

[@CamCadie]

willmercury I’m glad people like you exist, more aesthetics and art for the rest of us who understands it while people like you can live your boring lives.

[@Mirandasung2009]

@@willmercury woaaahhh... what an asshole....

[@veganmantis8364]

When people say “there’s someone for everyone”.

[@yvonnecampbell7036]

We always say "Every Jar has a Lid" xD

[@sophien5416]

I literally said the same thing while watching

[@mickjen]

I mean, I'm glad they found each other, but the matching sunglasses is when I lost it.

[@isadoradurso9491]

rotfl, me too!

[@J_T_B]

im paused at that exact moment to check comments out. thanks for not letting me down on this specific instance

[@portknoxx7]

Eh let everyone enjoy themselves

[@sashanoel8766]

Omg 😂😂🤣😭

[@destinyquiroz914]

@@portknoxx7 exactly

[@th3azscorpio]

I am absolutely in love with this. In a sea of bleach white kitchens, and minimalism, this is such a breath of fresh air. There's nothing morbid about this house at all. The darker interior actually has a very warm, and cozy feel. The plants are the perfect splash of color for the kitchen as well! I don't know why folks in these comments are calling this couple pretentious. Pretentious about what? Because they have money? A beautiful house? Know a lot of information about a lot of classical, and historical things? These folks are just very eccentric, creatives who found each other, and built a life around that.

[@Skillmatic323]

Yes!

[@WhirlOmar]

I don't think this is considered minimalism.

[@taschak3889]

I love black, but I'm still surprised how bright and warm it becomes in this house. Amazing!

[@MissRandomComment]

Spoken like a true scorpio lol I completely agree sis it looks cozy and authentic. And I think we all know those generic appartment tours with sterile kitchens and hotel-like bedrooms where the owner didn't even really make any decisions in the interior but just payed someone else to figure it out. That's what I would call pretentious, these people are just rich eccentrics like you said. But at least they put some thought and energy into their living space and that's what this is about for me, I come to see other people's creative interpretations of a comfortable living space.

[@95victorian]

FAKE!

[@tiffytattoo2450]

Being shot down by a bow during morning coffee is my favourite 2020 version of the Addams family.

[@elizabethnarwastu9523]

They look like the characters i would make in the sims

[@garciaelisha8300]

What do u mean by "would make in the sims" im sorry im not an english speaker..would love to know what it means as im trying to learn english in the soonest time possible.Thanks!

[@valnerei9067]

Garcia Elisha sims is a video game. Where you create characters and have them live in a House you make

[@garciaelisha8300]

@@valnerei9067 thanks a lot💝

[@tomgwerzman3644]

Y e s

[@eueaaoaey]

Elizabeth Narwastu omg accurate 💯😂😂😂😂😂

[@MaryMarisen]

I love it! Their vibe is like a modern version of the Addams Family

[@angelspikes]

MaryMarisen My favorite the Adams’s Family 🕷🖤🖤🖤🖤

[@Anna-zz5wx]

Exactly

[@willmercury]

I hate it! The vibe is the same as all pretentious, decadent trash. Narcissistic, self-indulgent parasites with nothing to offer the world but affected displays of their own self-satisfaction. Nothing a guillotine or COVID cocktail wouldn't cure. Now there's an Addams family vibe for you.

[@hedheiclark6048]

@@willmercury why are you so bitter?

[@vaderladyl]

@@willmercury What a bitter, jealous sorry ass you are. Hope what you wish comes back to you threefold

[@OliviaSlusher]

Did I just watch a Tim Burton teaser.

[@JBO2493]

God this is GLORIOUS! Works well because they have great lighting/books/plants and natural daylight where it matters. Not creepy or morbid at all!!

[@bk4of4]

JBO2493 agree

[@loboestepario2424]

I love the message that you can do whatever you want to your house, because it is YOUR house. People in general get too easily manipulated into adhering to the latest decoration trends (minimalism, the blinding all white, those gigantic abstract paintings), but never stop to think that living in a pale copy of a boutique hotel is so terribly uninspiring. So... numbing.

[@vaderladyl]

Only weak minded follow trends.

[@adlcnyc]

You just said people can do whatever they want to their space, while at the same time criticizing people for wanting that "minimalism, the blinding all white, those gigantic abstract paintings." People, yes get influenced rather than trusting themselves, but if copying the same old trends is their style, then so be it.

[@swilhelm3180]

That was marvellously expressed!

[@cor8129]

Well......This is NOT my style, but I really do applaud them for their sense of design, which is really well thought out and represents their taste, style, ideology and commitment to being true to self. And it WORKS for them. Very well done.

[@wholesome122]

cor8129 I could do maybe one room like this

[@gggggggggggggggggg161]

I wouldn't call a slightly goth vibe an "ideology" but yes^^

[@vaderladyl]

@@gggggggggggggggggg161 Not everything painted black is goth.

[@kathurtado13]

I don't care what any one has to say, that woman is GORGEOUS. And the house is elegant, like black. Black has always been ELEGANT.

[@ArijitBiswasMakeup]

I agree. I am just like her. I wewar black all the time and find it's timeless. I just need a perfect black home. I don't want any brown or white in it. Black fur, silk, cashmere, shiny black lacquered walls and funriture few matte black pieces! Lots of rose gold and brass! And intense blood red velvet and dark ruby red silks, few deep navy and magenta holographic pieces and a little undone but perfectly done garden!

[@isadoradurso9491]

she doesn;t have a beard though

[@aarovision.]

They are like something out of a Wes Anderson movie

[@dustyblue2ify]

Spot on!!

[@J5L5M6]

haHA! This is the comment I was hoping to see! Wes Anderson characters stuck in a Wachowskis Siblings set.

[@phoenixfritzinger9185]

I was going to say Tim Burton

[@HisameArtwork]

ok ok, sooo if wes anderson and Tim burton somehow had kids. everybody is happy now XD

[@dustinnelson3078]

If Wes Anderson designed the Addams Family remake.

[@turquoisegreene9625]

"We don't want the house to be shadowy and dark, we want it to be filled with glowing gems." YES PREACH! Dark interiors are so underrated. I want to paint my walls black so they can fade into background and don't distract from the things that matter.

[@garciaelisha8300]

How they manage to meet each other is nothing short of a miracle.People like them are rare to come by

[@yumekai1]

This is so goth and I'm LIVING for it. What a beautiful, unique home. It warms my heart to see two people who were able to join their interests and knowledge to create something so tasteful.

[@vaderladyl]

Not all black is goth.

[@PaolaEnergya]

The plants and books look gorgeous against the black walls!

[@indiepunkftw]

I love the aesthetic. If you know about interior design and color theory you'll know that Black isn't just ominous and sullen; it's moody, sexy, and sophisticated.

[@dragonscorpio2864]

Beautiful home!!! Beautiful Japanese maples and ferns!!!!A soaking tub!! Beautiful clothes,Beautiful EVERYTHING!!!Beautiful silk prints!!!!

[@anmnou]

As he corrected her so sweetly on camera: They are silk paintings.

[@lushbIood]

Dude, their table is literally identical to Voldemort's table.

[@sarabenincasa8556]

This is the only thing I will ever watch ever again, on repeat, until the sweet embrace of death. Thank you, New York Magazine.

[@mando1964]

I love these instances when a house, having turned into a home, turns then into an art-form! This place is magnificent.

[@skellymom]

Like The Addams Family, Lydia Deitz's parents, The Matrix, Harry Potter, Frank Lloyd Wright, and the Ghostbusters firehouse got put in a blender together. Love it!

[@MrMyYoyo]

This home has soooo much damn character. It's inspiring

[@landerson9828]

After looking at a bunch of tasteless, boring 50 million dollar mansions here on KZbin, this was absolutely wonderful. The lit book shelves look so F***ing classy and I just LOVE how tasteful the kitchen is.

[@punkrocker1220]

What I would picture as the home of Severus Snape.

[@QueenCNow]

I love this. I want to find a partner to be weird normal together with, like them 😍.

[@th3azscorpio]

Collyre same.

[@Magicpoppy]

@Scott Riverwood 😂funny comment👍

[@dragonmartijn]

A lot of these relationships fail because these people are really ... weird.

[@vaderladyl]

@@dragonmartijn Same as many more normal ones will fail.

[@blackhaze8233]

@@dragonmartijn na there's will last while u wait for ur wife to come home from her boyfriend.😘

[@SFAG12]

I want their home!!!!! I painted half of my living room black too, and it's right, when you have a dark muted backdrop all your stuff pops perfectly. Also is great when you wake up and don't have to face the harsh light of the morning.

[@RatTaxi]

I always have some magazine ghoul in the back of my head yelling that it will make the room look small. Am I the only one who can unequivocally choose what houses I love or hate, but when it comes time to decorate my own house I hear buzz saw cicada sounds and it all ends up safe zone puke beige shit?

[@greporia99]

For anyone educated in the esoteric history of humanity these two and time magazine knows exactly what they are doing and promoting! Earth will never be Saturn no matter how hard you try!

[@clairebrumlik5595]

this is absolutely insane, i thought that the whole black idea would be dark and depressing but they found the light in the dark and it’s absolutely gorgeous i love them and i wish we could be friends

[@darlenecuker9711]

They have excellent taste and style. Not everyone is able to design and decorate a life in all black. It's not just painting and wearing everything black. This is a well designed and styled life.

[@Teetee554]

Reminds me of modern day Adams Family, with nice style. Love the black on black!

[@Quandaledingleberg]

Ppl like this give me faith that humanity isn’t as boring as society is

[@AraneaBlack]

Love how they designed the house so black but still filled with light making it clear that they want their living space black, not dark. Big difference, I get it. 🖤

[@justtubingby129]

This is what discipline, education, and hard work looks like.

[@winolalobo1595]

I agree with you. Individuals like them are often misunderstood, but I appreciate the dynamic between both of them.

[@reggieInside2023]

Also, inheriting Mom's house.

[@justtubingby129]

tina pittaway, I hope your children will be blessed by inheriting your house or, family photos, or your love.

[@reggieInside2023]

Of course. But defining what they have accomplished with that home without acknowledging the huge advantage that inheriting the home provided is silly.

[@Gay-Icon]

@@reggieInside2023 exactly.

[@aledgodoy]

Hey don´t be too scorpio Me:

[@NewYorkMagazine]

yessss, this is Scorpio HQ

[@th3azscorpio]

LOL, as a Scorpio, this is my exact aesthetic.

[@tdsims1963]

@The alien in your backyard Aquarius, maybe, but several of my double Scorpio friends would take to this apartment like a duck to water...or should I say...a bat to the ceiling?

[@s.a.626]

Lol

[@Ms2cents]

Yep, this me! Yey for Scorpios!

[@rawlawgirl]

I LOVE folks who hold steadfast to their aesthetics no matter how quirky!

[@ceeceet.2346]

I’m an Edgar Allen Poe fan, and this home glows with a macabre yet inviting transformation. A perfect place for Poe fans to sit around that beautiful table, with food and wine, and consider his many fascinating, stories and poems. Well done, indeed!

[@remek_ember]

I would visit them wearing my golden embroidered, pink cashmere Versace sweater with distressed jeans, drinking tiki cocktail from a hollowed out pineapple, high on acid

[@larrynintendo6838]

Establish the rivalry right off the bat, nice. Lol

[@pussycat3982]

So this is how the world ends, huh?

[@debshreebasu8137]

😆👍👍👍

[@MrKarmapolice97]

Love it!

[@shotbypop7391]

hilarious >_

[@ZaraAllegra]

Gosh, those bookshelves. I love it!

[@grayskylightning]

Must be so cool to find someone who likes what you like and gets you

[@katiegladman]

When he starts to fire the arrow out the kitchen window I am crying hahahaha

[@maniatissa]

I love their house, their clothes and their whole aesthetic. They also seem extremely interesting people. I don't find their monochromatic approach morbid or depressing, seeing that I love the color black as well.To me, this color acts like a canvas with which I can draw attention to anything I want, whether it is a piece of furniture, decoration or jewelry. Having it as a background creates the maximum effect on even the most plain items.

[@baxterandcotton]

She reminds me *so much* of Parker Posey's character in best in show. It's spot on.

[@voiceofreason1663]

I appreciate their uniqueness and freedom to have the house they desire. I

[@lynnshaffer5997]

You can say what you want about them but you really can’t deny how much of a genius they truly are 😍😍😍

[@juanita_piju]

This is what hard work and perseverance will get u the ability to live ur life how u want in the style that u want no matter what anybody says ❤️

[@isadoradurso9491]

yeah tell that to all the hard workers in china or africa

[@MrBarneyDinosaur]

He inherited the house from his mother. Coming out of someone's vagina is hardly much work on the child's part.

[@vaderladyl]

Hard work or not, they get to live how they like and not how others want them to. and that what matters.

[@GorgonDrageil]

It's their house they can do whatever they want with it. It's their lifestyle, they can live how they choose. And this is what they chose. Whether or not it works for you, or matters to you, it works for them and what they care about.

[@anmnou]

They are putting it on social media, so people are going to give their reaction/opinion...sort of the point of having a comment section, oh sanctimonious one.

[@GorgonDrageil]

@@anmnou Then consider this just another reaction/opinion in the comment section.

[@alexanderle1610]

These people are straight out if the Series of Unfortunate Events, I love them. This is goals.

[@thecitizenjoan]

Imagine the stares you would get showing up to their door step in all white...👀👀

[@FinhaBastos]

They're like a modern Addams family and i love it!

[@boribee4150]

This house is everythinggg!!! Are you kidding me?!?! From the entrance to the backyard!! OMG!!!! JUST STUNNING!! I would NOT mind waking up or retreating for the night in this masterpiece!! I STAN!! 😋😍😍😍

[@EvatheDiva00]

this is my goth fantasy

[@vaderladyl]

Not all black is goth.

[@EvatheDiva00]

@@vaderladyl but all goth is black

[@vaderladyl]

@@EvatheDiva00 There is a big percentage of goth that is black but that is not the only goth that there is, actually. And not every black decor is meant to be goth. Besides there are two main goths, the one invented in the 80's which has the cliche mostly black aesthetic, and the one invented in the 1195, which has nothing to do with black everything.

[@shawnstone72]

The snake is when I started laughing. Wow. That’s a lot of work to be so strange. I’m exhausted after watching this.

[@vaderladyl]

Ok go back to your run of the mill life.

[@shawnstone72]

@@vaderladyl run of the mill life. Ok. You haven’t a clue about my life but it isn’t anything close to run of the mill.

[@vaderladyl]

@@shawnstone72 Well so is this couple's life but you are talking without really knowing them either so there you go.

[@shawnstone72]

@@vaderladyl they just showed us their lives....Inside their home and their pet. So there you go. Also, why up my shit. All I said was I laughed when they showed the snake. Other people have called them Wednesday Adam’s.

[@vaderladyl]

@@shawnstone72 He he he I am making fun of all of you that get weirded out by the silliest things or see the lamest things as strange, Puhlese!

[@mahaliajackson2703]

I say to each his own, i like that they don’t conform to what other think, its your personal space do whatever makes you happy

[@femaletrouble]

Perilously close to tumbling through a black hole, into a Portlandia Sketch. It would be so easy for these two to be unbearable, but they actually seem like really lovely people. I'm really happy for them.

[@maddscientist3170]

refreshing alternative to the all white look...I LOVE IT

[@jodrew1845]

Their approach to design is very inspirational, I love the black surroundings.

[@cloudburstt]

Mock them as you may but they look super peachy!

[@krakenwife]

I love this house! Coming back to this video whenever I need decor inspiration.

[@butchlane4609]

The finishes are beautiful and meticulous. The different finishes and textures make a big difference, creating a space like this require considerable attention to detail to avoid it feeling depressing. The snake I could do without. But great space, they've done a wonderful job.

[@carlamcghee4155]

They seriously have so much swag.

[@camilacurtoni1739]

god, i want a soulmate so specific

[@dawnbugXXX]

that habitat for the snake seems small. love everything else though.

[@mariaestherrivas4988]

Its a fuckin snake for godsake

[@dawnbugXXX]

Maria Esther Rivas So? If you're going to have a pet you take good care of it. That habitat is not even big enough for a fucking hamster.

[@actontreadway1168]

They've had that snake for like two hours. They bought it for the video.

[@annalise5955]

Snakes actually prefer quite small living environments, too large can be too open for them, they prefer to hide in small places. Small snakes often start in just trays, and only as they grow do you start to expand. I'm not an expert but for the size snake that seemed to be it doesn't seem too small, it probably hides under a rock or such for an even smaller space in there. They're not a very active animal that needs a mile long walk every day.

[@MTMF.london]

Snakes don't need much space because other than searching for food (if they are in the wild), they pretty much sleep all day.

[@FixYourLighting]

The tip Wendy gives at the end of this video is the reason I love her so much.

[@sinbad22dc]

I love this episode of Portlandia.

[@AshleySJones887]

They are so creepy/cool I love it 🖤

[@TheSanarossOne]

This inspires me and most importantly, soothes me. I love the aesthetic and overall look of the interiors with black paint. Nice color.

[@jeanbastien9424]

Love it, all of my furniture in my tiny studio is black. Everyone said it would be too gothy, but I’d love to go as dark as they have!

[@stephf121]

Now I don’t feel so weird that I’m taking part in an archery course next month. I’m so excited, it’s calling my name.

[@reginaspanties]

Omg what a magnificent pair of weirdos! I love this!

[@jenniferredus3391]

im in looove with the entire house and the people!

[@rayarena879]

An absolutely exquisette sense of style. I love it!

[@brianewing5530]

Best Portlandia sketch ever.

[@iwasbornunderwater]

I love LOVE this house! Interesting and well matched couple as well.

[@shyamalasapra]

I want them to adopt me Finally some people who match my aesthetic

[@ArijitBiswasMakeup]

Same

[@OddWeird461]

Why yes, YT, this is exactly what i needed to see today. I love everything about this house and their clothes. They're a bit pretentious but I would be too if I were that cool and had that much money.

[@katehipkin1039]

Wonderful, my only criticism is that these videos are too short! Erica and Julian have made such a commitment to their particular aesthetic and I love it. Wendy - you share the most amazing homes with us and I bet you hear some fantastic stories, thank you. X

[@Estrellitawilliams]

That home is gorgeous!

[@anmnou]

My name is Nuni. Nuni? No, not Nuni: Nuni!

[@adoule89]

exactly my thought!

[@honil.]

LmfaOOOOO STOOOOP

[@kui_maina]

Nuñi😂😂😂

[@leonardogarrido]

Jejejjeje totally !

[@RatTaxi]

😀

[@therocksrighteyebrow2167]

this is my literal dream home

[@MR-tn5kv]

How gorgeous and unique - makes you want to explore every cranny + nook. And the archery option is fantastic.

[@gihankanishka]

LOVE the PLACE and the SPACE

[@cherish78748]

The homeowners: we want a live-in archery range, matching smoked glasses, and black japanese linen clothes Wes Anderson:

[@adlar2005]

I bet she's amazing!

[@lucorodrigues]

I simply love EVERYTHING about this!

[@sminer27]

As a Vermonter I knew that antique verde marble was from here immediately. Can only get it here and Italy!

[@mistertitanic33]

the ending felt really random but was interesting

[@bk4of4]

mistertitanic33 agree

[@nikki.mcqueen]

I saw this house in High Maintnence!

[@Appolonia1964]

Fascinating & beautiful 🖤🖤🖤

[@christopherbastas934]

This is the quintessential meaning of finding your soulmate.

[@migueltrujillo9200]

Wow that fucking house is gorgeous and Amazing I wish L.A Had that Beauty to surround ourselves with now it has Lost It's Genius Art Culture Feelings For Sure.

[@RealSalica]

Most beautiful house I've seen in my life ...I love everything .

[@kobesjoost9553]

Filled with glowing gems you take the words right out of my mouth