Kat Koutsantonis Chief People Officer | realtors.com
When a pet becomes an Instagram sensation, it might just influence more than social media trends. XJ Teo and Helen Chen found inspiration in their greyhound Dani's style for their home renovation project. The couple embarked on a $500,000 renovation of a brownstone in Brooklyn’s Bed-Stuy neighborhood, incorporating elements that echo Dani’s fashion sense.
Dani gained popularity with over 10,000 followers on Instagram, thanks to her faux-fur coats and urban-chic aesthetic. This style was mirrored in the design choices made by Teo and Chen during the renovation. "We kept it to her scheme," says Chen about using Dani's colors throughout their home.
The couple moved from Manhattan seeking more space for Dani near green areas where she could play. They purchased the house in 2021 after adopting Dani in 2017 following her retirement from racing. Despite not being successful on the track—“In the one race they saw on video, Dani came in dead last after tripping,” notes Chen—Dani found success as a doggy influencer.
Teo and Chen connected with other greyhound owners through Instagram, which led to creating an account for Dani. “Greyhound people love to stay connected with one another,” explains Chen.
The renovation focused heavily on design while preserving Italianate features of the facade and improving interior aesthetics like crown molding and baseboards. Architect Jon Powell noted that despite needing some work, “the guts of the house...were sound.”
Chen describes their aesthetic vision as “elegance and a fashionable N.Y.C. vibe,” aligning with Dani’s look. The color palette reflects this vision using tones from Dani’s fur coats.
During renovations, Teo and Chen paused posting updates on Instagram but have resumed sharing content now that their home is complete. The renovated house has attracted attention from neighbors such as Lakisha Hawthorne who believes it has increased local property values.
Despite admiring its impact, Hawthorne admits she isn't fond of all aspects: “I’m scared of Dani,” she confesses about the stylish greyhound.
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