Brownstone Boys | Collector Profile
Photography by Gloria Kilbourne
The Brownstone Boys - designers, DIY-ers, renovators, and restorers Jordan Slocum and Barry Bordelon - recently updated their Brooklyn brownstone. Focusing on color and luxury upgrades, the duo chose to commission a work from Tappan artist Tadahiro Gunji to be a cornerstone of their living area. Their passion for old homes and everything that comes along with them shows in the details. See the special work from Gunji and learn more about the art that inspires this design duo.
Artwork by Tadahiro Gunji
Photography by Gloria KilbourneQ&A:
What inspires you to collect the work of emerging artists?
We’re drawn to emerging artists because their work often feels deeply personal and of-the-moment—there’s a vulnerability and experimentation that really resonates with us. Collecting early on feels like supporting a conversation as it’s still forming, not just acquiring something “finished.” We love knowing the story is still unfolding.
What is your earliest memory of art, and what led you to start collecting it?
Our earliest memories of art aren’t from museums, but from lived-in spaces—homes where walls told stories through family photos, framed ephemera, and collected objects. When we started renovating and living in our first brownstone, art became a way to anchor those spaces emotionally. Collecting felt like a natural extension of building a home with intention.
How has the sentimentality of your collection evolved over time?
Early on, sentimentality was tied to milestones—our first piece, our first renovation, our first “real” purchase. Over time, it’s shifted toward meaning and memory. Now, many of our favorite pieces are connected to people, places, or chapters of our lives, and they’ve become part of our daily rituals rather than precious objects.
Is there a particular type of art you are drawn to collecting?
We’re especially drawn to work with strong texture, depth, and emotion—pieces that feel layered rather than overly literal. Abstracts, figurative work with restraint, and art that plays with materiality tend to find their way into our home. We gravitate toward pieces that can live quietly but reveal more the longer you sit with them.
Photography by Gloria Kilbourne"We are influenced by pop culture and of course by Brooklyn! We are always thinking about the city when we make decisions.”
Where and when do you feel most creative?
Honestly, at home—early in the morning or late at night, when things are quiet. Creativity shows up for us in the in-between moments: walking through a space mid-renovation, rearranging furniture, or seeing how light hits a wall at a certain time of day.
Where do you get creative inspiration from?
From everywhere—travel, old buildings, lived-in homes, flea markets, conversations with artists and makers, and the way people actually use their spaces. We’re constantly inspired by history layered with modern life, and by environments that feel collected over time rather than designed all at once.
For new collectors, do you have any advice to impart? Do you have a collecting ethos or philosophy?
Buy what moves you, not what you think you should own. Start small, trust your instincts, and don’t rush to fill walls. A collection should grow alongside your life. We believe art should feel approachable and lived with—not intimidating or untouchable.
Describe your collection in three words?
Collected. Emotional. Evolving.
Name three people in the creative space that are inspiring you right now.
Right now, we’re especially drawn to people who value process, imperfection, and narrative over polish alone. Dots by Design, Paul Thomas Anderson, Coleman Domingo
