20 DIGS.NET | 1.28.2022
A
R
C
H
I
T
E
C
T
U
R
E
+
D
E
S
I
G
N
P R O F I L E | J E N N I F E R B U N S A
RIGINALLY BUILT IN 1790, the John Lord House has
aged gracefully, but not always cohesively, given its many
changes in ownership over two centuries. Recent times,
however, have seen the structure truly come into its
own, made possible by a painstaking interior overhaul
by designer Jennifer Bunsa of Miami-based Bunsa Studio, which
worked to recreate and reconnect the original assemblage of homes
on the property. That the past is prologue in this house—but only
in shades, so as not to feel of another time but decisively of this
moment—is due to the designer's thoughtful decorative choices
and implementations, and the fresh and fullness of her perspective.
"My ethos as a designer is to first and foremost create comfort-
able and liveable spaces for my clients, and to create a functional
plan that is spatially effective and serves to enhance the experi-
ence of being in each space," says Bunsa. "Second to that, I like
to use natural materials and derive as much inspiration from the
locale as possible." For the John Lord House this meant using
"shiplap material to bring the outside in, and exposed wood posts
O
and beams that were buried under years of additions, allowing
these to add texture and warmth to the space." The mostly neutral
color palette, meanwhile, was selected to "serve as a foreground
to the beautiful views of nature outside" and to allow the "natural
beauty and texture of the materials to shine."
Bunsa brought all this to bear for the clients of this project—a
town-and-country family with a flair for entertaining and a good
eye for design who fled Tribeca for a life outside the city—design-
ing what she describes as a "warm, engaging environment with
spaces of all scales." For cozying up on movie night. For throwing
parties and hosting company. A home that, while comfortable, was
"elevated with collectible design elements throughout."
That John Lord House is highly intentional about contrast
speaks to Bunsa's impulse to create decorative tension, here
with shiplap, marble, and leather in striking coexistence with
(FROM LEFT) THE MUSIC ROOM FEATURES A FINN JUHL SOFA AND 46 SOFA,
CREATED USING TONE-ON-TONE FABRICS TO MATCH WITH THE FARROW & BALL
HAGUE BLUE WALL PAINT; THE MASTER BATHROOM SHOWCASES HAND-PAINTED
WALLPAPER FROM PORTER TELEO AND APPARATUS LIGHTS
