For the Love of Renovating: How the Brownstone Boys Built a Brand Rooted in Authenticity and a Creative Life from the Ground Up
Release Date: 10/29/2025
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Margo sits down with artist, writer, and creative director Amy Lohr to talk about the nonlinear, magical, and sometimes messy journey of reclaiming your creative voice. Amy shares how a personal “creative awakening” helped her move through body dysmorphia and social anxiety, and how painting, writing, and photography became tools for healing and deeper self-understanding. They explore the spiritual and practical sides of creativity—from living off-grid in Hawaii, to writing her book Like the Sun at Midday, to embracing curiosity in all its unexpected forms (yes, including papier-mâché...
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For the Love of Renovating: How the Brownstone Boys Built a Brand Rooted in Authenticity and a Creative Life from the Ground Up
Windowsill Chats
Margo sits down with Barry Bordelon and Jordan Slocum—better known as The Brownstone Boys—a Brooklyn-based couple, award-winning interior designers, and renovation experts known for their ability to breathe new life into historic homes while keeping design fresh, livable, and true to their roots. What began as a shared passion project to restore their first brownstone quickly became a creative business built on authenticity, approachability, and an unshakable belief in learning by doing. Without formal design training, Barry and Jordan leaned on curiosity, community, and sheer persistence...
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In Part 2 of a special Dawn Dusk series, Margo sits down with designer and maker Chelli Look, whose story is at the center of the documentary Dawn Dusk. Directed by Jason and Blue Gerber, the film follows Chelli’s journey through grief and healing after the devastating loss of her sister to domestic violence. In this conversation, Chelli shares how creating leather handbags under her brand CHC became both a lifeline and a language for navigating profound loss. She offers her perspective on how the documentary came to be, what it means to create beauty amidst grief, and how creativity...
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Margo is joined by the ever-creative and generous Tamara Honaman. Tammy is a passionate jewelry artist, educator, mentor, and connector who has spent more than 30 years inspiring others to explore their creativity. From publishing and television to workshops, books, and now her own podcast and maker community, Tammy’s career has been defined by helping others feel empowered to make something beautiful. As the host of Heart & Hands of a Maker and founder of the Mixed Media Makers community, Tammy shares stories, resources, and techniques that make art more approachable for everyone....
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Why Sensitivity Is a Strength: Nervous System Tools for Fear, Visibility, and Creative Freedom with Anna Holzman
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Margo is joined by Anna Holzman, a therapist-turned-coach who helps sensitive creatives and entrepreneurs move through the fear of visibility and launch the work that feels most true to them. After 15 years in TV and publishing—and many false starts on her own creative dreams—burnout and chronic pain led Anna to discover nervous system tools that helped her unblock her voice and show up for the work she loves. Now she helps others melt through imposter syndrome, bring their creative visions to life, and share them boldly. She also hosts the podcast How to Trust Yourself. Margo and Anna...
info_outlineMargo sits down with Barry Bordelon and Jordan Slocum—better known as The Brownstone Boys—a Brooklyn-based couple, award-winning interior designers, and renovation experts known for their ability to breathe new life into historic homes while keeping design fresh, livable, and true to their roots.
What began as a shared passion project to restore their first brownstone quickly became a creative business built on authenticity, approachability, and an unshakable belief in learning by doing. Without formal design training, Barry and Jordan leaned on curiosity, community, and sheer persistence to grow their brand into one of the most trusted names in renovation. Along the way, they’ve worked with clients like Kerry Washington and Peloton’s Anna Greenberg, launched collaborations with brands like Blueprint Lighting, and released their debut book For the Love of Renovating.
Together, they share what it means to build a business (and a life) together, how to stay grounded in your values, and why the most beautiful spaces often come from imperfect beginnings.
Margo, Barry and Jordan discuss:
- How a bike ride through Brooklyn led to a shared dream of restoring a brownstone—and building a creative business from the ground up.
- The early days of The Brownstone Boys and how posting their real-life renovation journey online unexpectedly launched a design career.
- Learning by doing—why neither formal training nor perfectionism are prerequisites for success.
- The power of authenticity on social media and how showing the real moments built their loyal community.
- Finding balance and clarity in a creative partnership—how Barry and Jordan divide roles, communicate, and keep their vision aligned.
- Their signature design philosophy: honoring history while adding a clean, modern touch.
- How playlists and personal stories inspire their design process and make every project feel soulful and lived-in.
- The importance of humility, collaboration, and staying curious in creative work.
Connect with Barry + Jordan:
https://thebrownstoneboys.com/
https://www.instagram.com/brownstoneboys/
https://www.tiktok.com/@brownstoneboys
https://www.pinterest.com/BrownstoneBoys/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5OJXUbPjR8JqoE099QwUOw
Connect with Margo:
www.windowsillchats.com
www.instagram.com/windowsillchats
www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill
https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry