- Date published: 26.02.25
- Category: Home Tours
- Author: Nicole Kliest
Serena Goh’s Home in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn Is a Tranquil Charmer
Awash in natural tones and textures, time stands still in this peaceful oasis.
Editor's Note
With the buzz of Brooklyn below her window, Serena Goh’s Bed-Stuy apartment is more than just an aesthete’s dream — it’s a haven where the outside world melts away. Bathed in earthy tones and filled with vintage treasures, her elegant townhouse reflects a deep appreciation for beauty and ritual. We’ve adored Serena’s ethereal, filmic content for a while — and as you might imagine, her home exudes that same cinematic quality.
Whether she’s cooking, travelling, or making art, Serena is always on the go. Stepping inside her home reminds us of the importance of stillness and sanctuary when life is constantly in motion.
We hope you love it just as much as we do,
Genevieve Rosen-Biller, Co‑Founder, Bed Threads.
S erena Goh can recall the gut reaction she had when first stepping foot inside her soon-to-be home in Bed-Stuy. “It had all the original charm,” she says. Despite the walls being a rather unfortunate shade of dark purple (likely the result of a straight man, she suspects), the bones of the historic townhouse were still intact. “The original mouldings and mantels were still there, and when he opened that door I just remember being like, ‘Oh my god, it’s perfect,” she says. A resourceful creative and fierce aesthete, she was more than up to the task of giving the interiors a refresh. “I ended up redoing all of the popcorn ceilings in the apartment, as well as painting and installing new light fixtures.”
Goh, an avid traveler, runs a consulting agency where she collaborates with brands across the lifestyle landscape (a role in which she’s been sought after since 2016). “I’m such a workaholic so I think for me, my personal space is about escaping from the world,” she says regarding the mood of her interiors. “It’s the moment where I get to step into peace and quiet and let the whole world kind of fall away. It’s the quietest reflection of who I am when no one’s watching.”
Her home is a mix of old and new, with a heavy emphasis on natural tones and textures. “My dining table is travertine, but I’ve mixed and matched it with these modern chairs,” she says. Then there’s her incredible Carrera marble coffee table, a gorgeous piece that required three people to transfer into the space. “Oh yeah, that can’t be moved again,” she laughs. The 80-20 rule is also a philosophy she tries to abide by (80 percent vintage items, 20 percent new), which manifests in her home through sentimental decor accents. “I love collecting vintage trinkets and artwork,” she says.
The colour scheme throughout the different rooms in her home is woven together through a palette of calming earth tones, whether it’s the Crème tablecloth with Olive napkins in her dining room, or the Forest and Crème linens in the bedroom. “I just love linen,” she says. “It mixes with other textures in my home, like the lime washing on the walls and my Beni rug. I don’t really do patterns too much, so I especially lean in when it comes to playing with texture.”
Goh is also known for her social media content creation, particularly when it comes to entertaining (home cook is another role on her resume). “Food is the vehicle,” she says. “It’s the glue that holds things together.” The ways she embraces community are diverse and far-reaching, ranging from volunteer groups to dinner parties held in her home. “I love bringing everyone together and feeling the energy,” she says. Naturally, an open and relaxed environment was a prerequisite for cultivating this atmosphere for guests. “It’s really important to me to have a space where people can come and feel at home and have a good time.”
My personal space is about escaping from the world.
When she’s not entertaining, Goh relishes the opportunity to unwind at home. Despite a chock-full travel and social schedule each month, she still manages to hold on to a few rituals that ground her in her personal space. “My coming home ritual is taking a really nice long shower and basically turning my bathroom into a sauna,” she says. And, of course, sleeping in her own bed is the crown jewel of post-travel experiences. “I love coming home and having my bed perfectly made,” she says, adding that the ritual is less about coming home but making sure it’s in pristine condition before she leaves. "Maybe this is morbid and weird, but I’m always like, ‘If I die tomorrow, no one will think I’m a hoarder. At least it will all be neat,’” she laughs. “Dying is not my worst fear, it’s dying when my house is a mess.”
As she looks forward to the year ahead, Goh reflects on 2024 as being an era of saying yes to projects and travel. “I like to think that opportunities are always a chance for the universe to guide you in a direction,” she says. “I think last year opened a lot of doors, so this year I’m trying to find a way to harness that energy while still staying grounded.”
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Credits
Photography by Seth Caplan
Styling by Kathleen Jerry
Video by Hayden5
