George and Amal Clooney's former dining room turns a presumed dated look into a chic and timeless feature

The SoHo townhouse where the power couple once lived turns a surprising feature into a beautiful way to elevate the space – designers explain how it works

george and amal clooney
(Image credit: Getty Images)

We have long been fans of the Sullivan Street Townhouse, once rented by George and Amal Clooney. The gorgeous property is the perfect combination of modern and mid-century design, sophistication and liveability, and formality and warmth. The White Arrow, the designers who created the project state: 'The series of richly appointed spaces act just as much like as a gallery as they do a home, while still feeling very comfortable and family-friendly.'

No space better embodies these juxtapositions than the Clooney's former dining room. A garage door wall floods the industrial chic space with light, while natural hardwood floors bring in a polished feel. Original Pierre Jeanneret cane dining chairs complement the dark-stained dining table. Accessories include a matte black vase and Picasso painting bring in simultaneous warmth and sophistication. One of the best features in The White Arrow designed space is the painted brick wall.

'Amal and George Clooney's former dining room is an excellent example of the impact of thoughtful design. What could have been a "dated" white painted brick wall is instead a chic, timeless feature that elevates the entire space,' says Westchester-based interior designer Nina Lichtenstein of the dining room wall. She continues, 'The designer's skillful balance of elements creates a dining room that is both sophisticated and inviting.'

What's the best way to recreate this industrial-style look? Kathy Kuo, acclaimed NYC-based interior designer advises Homes & Gardens: 'As long as the paint job is flawlessly executed, a painted brick wall, like the one in the Clooneys' former dining room, has all the potential to look extremely chic! In this particular space, I love how there's a really beautiful contrast between the painted and unpainted brick that mirrors the contrast between the sleek black dining table and the more rustic warm-brown wood and cane chairs.'

kathy kuo home
Kathy Kuo

Kathy Kuo is a celebrated interior designer and international guru within the home and lifestyle space. She has 20+ years of experience in the design industry.

Lichtenstein further recommends: 'The key to making white painted brick walls timeless lies in the styling. In this dining room, the white brick serves as a neutral backdrop, allowing other design elements to shine. The large abstract artwork on the wall is a perfect example of this. The colorful painting, framed in light wood, introduces vibrant hues and dynamic energy to the space, making the white brick an integral part of the room's sophisticated aesthetic rather than an outdated relic.'

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Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but with the right direction, anything can become beautiful. Under The White Arrow's careful direction, a risky feature in Amal and George Clooney's former townhouse is transformed into one of the most striking parts of a modern dining room.

Sophie Edwards
News Editor

Sophie is a London-based News Editor at Homes & Gardens, where she works on the Celebrity Style team. She is fascinated by the intersection of design and popular culture and is particularly excited when researching trends or interior history. Sophie is an avid pop culture fan. As an H&G editor, she has interviewed the likes of Martha Stewart, Hilary Duff, and the casts of Queer Eye and Selling Sunset. Before joining Future Publishing, Sophie worked as the Head of Content and Communications at Fig Linens and Home, a boutique luxury linens and furniture brand. She has also written features on exciting developments in the design world for Westport Magazine. Sophie has an MSc from the Oxford University Department of Anthropology and a BA in Creative Writing and Sociology from Sarah Lawrence College.