To call Tunde Oyeneyin a multi-hyphenate would be an understatement. The fitness instructor and New York Times best-selling author spends her days doing everything from grabbing coffee and walking her beloved dog, Cesar, to speaking candidly about self-confidence, purpose, and empowerment to massive audiences.

So when she set out to redesign her Brooklyn brownstone, she wanted it to be equally as multi-faceted. “I’m kind of everything; my life is eclectic,” she tells Havenly. “I’m a fitness instructor, Nike athlete, motivational speaker, host, and author, and my home is many things as well.”

Tunde, who rose to fame as a Peloton instructor, ultimately found a design partner in Havenly’s Kelsey Fischer. “I really wanted to create a space that felt like a reflection of Tunde’s personal style, but also served as a true refuge where she could relax, be herself, and entertain guests,” says Kelsey. “Her style is so curated, yet eclectic and unique — I wanted to make sure her home felt true to her taste and full of life!” 

The two got to work designing a comfortable, aspirational, and functional space that complemented Tunde’s busy lifestyle. “I work a lot — my job is physically demanding,” adds Tunde. “I couldn’t wait to create an atmosphere that would allow me to put my feet up after a long day.”

Marrying old & new

Kelsey’s design focused on expertly mixing old and new pieces to create a dynamic, interesting space. She complemented the exposed brick, arched windows, and ornate chandelier with more classic pieces, like the gilded mantel mirror, while adding contrast with modern furniture, like the leather sofa, sculptural side tables, and burl wood sideboard.

“I wanted it to feel both masculine and feminine; bold and intentional; comfortable and functional,” notes Kelsey. “Ultimately, this curated mix feels true to Tunde’s lifestyle and personality.”

Making it personal

With the design set, Kelsey and Tunde focused on adding personal touches to the space, like the painting Dinka by Ingrid Baars that hangs above her dining table. ” I feel like the energy of the entire space evolves around [this painting,]” says Tunde. “It’s one of the most striking pieces in my home.”

“Tunde has such a specific eye for accent pieces,” adds Kelsey. “From her amazing collection of artwork and affinity for saturated color to her appreciation for bold textiles and rare vintage finds, I really had some great pieces to work with.” 

Coming home

With the design complete, Tunde feels right at home in her new space. “I love how my home mirrors my eclecticism as a person,” she notes. “There’s very subtle African elements. It’s glam, but it also has a lot of charm and character. It’s polished, but there are holes and knicks, which gives it a very grounded feeling. We found a perfect in-between, and I love spending time here.”

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