Interior Design Is Jenna Chused’s Fourth Career—And She’s Killing It
Words by Morgan Goldberg
Photography by Jeff Holt; Design by Chused & Co.
Jenna Chused has lived many professional lives.
The interior designer started her career in fashion, working at Donna Karan before transitioning to the editorial side of the industry. She served as a stylist for publications like Italian Vogue, Vanity Fair, and Elle, then made her next move: she helped build a lifestyle brand. Jenna spent 13 years at DwellStudio, touching every aspect of the company as it grew from a small wholesale operation to an internationally-recognized decor label.
When DwellStudio was sold to Wayfair in 2013, Jenna decided to enter her own entrepreneur era and founded Brooklyn-based interior design studio Chused & Co. “I am very proud to have successfully started my own firm that now employs six people and to have recently opened a retail store, Antik, in Brooklyn Heights” she says. “My past experience in business and my creative vision have attracted clients that allowed me to get to this point. I really feel a sense of accomplishment and take pride in what I’ve achieved in my fourth career.”
The Expert’s own brownstone, featured in Architectural Digest, cemented her title as a New York townhouse whisperer. Here, Jenna shares the design secrets behind her success, from the item she always buys vintage to the trend she’s ready to see retired.
If my design style was a fashion icon, it would be
Françoise Hardy. She was a French singer, actress, and fashion icon in the ‘60s and ‘70s. Her style was a mix of bohemian, mod, and vintage. She was both chic and sophisticated. Her style blended different eras and artistic elements, much like my eclectic taste in interiors.
I’m dying for a client to request
A custom eglomise panel.
Photography by Jeff Holt; Design by Chused & Co.
The design era that inspires me most
French designers in the late Art Deco period. Art Deco embraced modernism, geometric patterns, luxurious materials, and a fascination with surreal and abstract elements. Designers at the time used a lot of oak that incorporated carvings and motifs. I now find these pieces to embody the perfect blend of modernity and antiquity, which is one of the main themes in my work.
My biggest architectural pet peeve
Added moldings and details that are not period-appropriate for the house.
A design trend that needs to be retired
I’ve utilized fluting in both glass and wood, but it now seems to be everywhere and I think it is time to give it a break and explore new textures.
My go-to finishing touches in a room
Sculptures and curiosities on top of stacks of books.
Every great kitchen needs
The utensil drawer across from the dishwasher. And generally well thought out interior storage solutions.
What I always buy vintage
My very favorite thing to do is reupholster an old frame with unexpected textiles, so you will find a lot of vintage chairs with fantastic fabrics in my interiors.
Photography by Jeff Holt; Design by Chused & Co.
Where I save versus where I splurge
I splurge on great fabric. I save on side tables.
The hotel that represents ultimate luxury to me
Quinta Da Corte in Portugal’s Douro Valley. It’s a seven-room hotel with multiple small sitting areas and a communal dining table inside the kitchen. It is the most perfectly blended interior of eclectic antiques and custom details designed by the amazing Pierre Yovanovich. To me, a small, unique, exquisitely-decorated inn that serves gorgeous, delicious food is the ultimate luxury.
My favorite lighting trick
Articulating wall sconces in reading corners.
At home, you’ll most often find me
In my TV den, where we splurged and installed a large screen with a projector, binge watching shows and decompressing from the day!
What’s next
Having developed wholesales in the past, I have relationships with many manufacturers. Currently, I am developing products that establish a consistent visual language with my brand with the goal to sell both to clients and other designers. My core custom rug collection will include an edited line of solid mohairs in inspiring hues and various woven rugs that utilize interesting textures.
Want personalized design advice from Jenna Chused? Book a consultation.