When entrepreneur and strategist Shanika Hillocks first went to see a prospective Brooklyn rental in early 2024, situated just east of Prospect Park in Little Caribbean, she swore she’d been on the block before. As if kismet was tugging her along, it eventually dawned on her that a pair of cousins had grown up just a few doors down.
After years of living on the Upper West Side and in Harlem, and spending endless commutes shuttling over the East River to friends and family, Hillocks resolved to find a home in the borough where she was spending most of her time. Plus, she’d outgrown her place in Sugar Hill, wanted room to host, and was craving a place to cultivate community long-term. As with so many apartment searches in New York City, there was a point when things started to feel desperate—and Hillocks turned to her social network for a hail Mary. An acquaintance tipped her off to an expansive two-bedroom, one that she’d be able to put her own stamp on, and the rest fell into place.
Little Caribbean is home to what is considered the largest Caribbean population outside of the West Indies; it touches parts of neighborhoods like Prospect Lefferts Gardens and Flatbush. It made Hillocks, raised in part in Florida by her Guyanese and Vincentian grandparents, feel immediately at home. (Not to mention that the owners of her new building are also Guyanese.) “There are a lot of stores that have things that I grew up seeing in my pantry,” Hillocks says affectionately of the area. “Being here for the Labor Day parade was just incredible. It really felt like this is exactly where I was meant to be.”
Hillocks gave herself a deadline of six months to decorate the apartment. For support, she tapped Naïka Andre of NJA Interiors with the goal being to have the space swathed in warmth and texture by the holiday season. Ahead, she gives us the scoop on how she transformed the apartment into a refuge awash in personality, vibrant artwork, eclectic music, and markers of travel and family.
It was important for me to feel a sense of grounding in the living room. When I saw how much space I had to play with, I leaned all the way into a moody feel with Fox Hollow Brown by Benjamin Moore, which I had on a Pinterest board since 2021. This inspired me to lean into biophilic design. I have this great couch from Interior Define that was a big inspiration for the earthy colors. | Paint, Benjamin Moore; Sofa, Interior Define; Scalloped pillows, Garnet Hill; Rug, Jaipur Living; Drapes, CB2; Shades, Everhem. Trees bring an energy and certain company I appreciate. My Danielle Ficus, named Dani, came with me to Brooklyn, and is now in the guest room. [Wanting another indoor tree], I tapped my friend Chris Mullen, a green thumb and plantscaper behind Josie’s Garden, to explore curvier leaf shapes. He recommended an Audrey ficus, and I fell in love. | Painting, Red Poppy Paint; Vintage Naga chair, Good Behavior; Sconce, In Common With.
The Rocco Super Smart Fridge complemented artwork that I already owned—“Above All Else I Want to See” by Amy Amalia—and I really wanted that piece to be a statement. I love that the Vitsoe shelving can grow with me. I can reconfigure it in whatever place I end up. | Beverage fridge, Rocco; Vase, Originario.
I needed a lot of rugs because there’s a ton of space. I really wanted beautiful, thoughtful floor coverings, and Naïka introduced me to Jaipur Living. The craftsmanship is unmatched. Interestingly enough, I had the pleasure of visiting Jaipur for the first time last year, which I found to be such a full-circle moment. | Artwork: Ana Leovy painting sourced from Mooni, magic token from Benjamin Barnes, Turning Point print sourced from Spike Lee’s block party, Elizabeth Catlett print, and vintage find from The Antique Warehouse; Frames, Framebridge; Ceramic plate and vase, Elana Noy.
This is the largest bedroom I’ve had in my life. The limewash adds character, and the hue is a nod to the warm, soothing colors I’ve encountered during travels in Mexico City and Oaxaca. The ceiling and doors are also painted in the same color to have that uniform look. I haven’t decided if I even want to put art in this room—the custom, performance velvet headboard is that piece that catches the eye. | Paint, Color Atelier; Custom headboard, Little Joe; Upholstery, Opuzen; Bedding, Cozy Earth; Vintage Roland Carter side tables, Chairish; Table lamps, Troy Lighting; Drapes, CB2; Curtain rods, West Elm; Shades, Everhem. I didn’t necessarily want the windows to be my viewpoint waking up, and I like to have the foot of the bed toward the door, so it ended up working out to place it here. | Vase, Meltz.
I’m always in the kitchen, and now with the winter season, I’m probably here more than I’ve ever been. It’s nice to have an eat-in kitchen, to have friends chatting and hanging while I’m cooking. | Water filter, Walter; Organizing, Prideful Spaces.
The tablecloth is from the Malcolm Shabazz Harlem market on 116th Street. The Sengalese influences are palpable there, and the print reminds me of kaftans I often saw gentlemen wearing on the streets. My vintage Barbie print from Never Lonely is always a conversation piece, as is the longer vertical piece from an antique warehouse in Nicaragua. | Dining table, Schoolhouse; candlesticks, Meltz.
My office is truly a reflection of my left vs. right brain. As a consultant, I lead strategies that are culturally intelligent, insight-driven, and actionable for my clients. With DJing, I’ve returned to one of my first loves: music. (I studied voice, played piano, and was a music theater kid.) I’m really enjoying Amapiano, Kompa, Highlife Jazz, and Afro Soul tunes that are in the 113-116 pocket. | Self Portrait by Uzo Njoke; Standing desk, Branch; DJ equipment, Pioneer.
It was a huge thing to have a guest room. I always find when extended family visit, I want to be able to be that resource. If someone comes to town and my home can be comfortable for them, it can be an extension of community. | Quilt, Thompson Street Studio; stool, Past Lives.
Trinity Mouzon Wofford (the co-founder of wellness brand Golde) and her partner Issey used to live in Brooklyn before they moved Upstate. She gave me the vintage dresser for free; it was her grandmother’s. | Lamp, Estro.
In my “get ready” room, I aim to get dressed everyday—ideally in color. The women who raised me placed an emphasis on taking care of oneself. This designated space really helps me wear the clothes I already own, use my products, and remix accordingly. There’s an image of little Shanika on the wall—seeing her reflected back at me affirms how far I’ve come. The wallpaper print is by one of my favorite artists, Uzo Njoku. I like that it’s called Busy Street, and you get an overhead view of women walking. I thought it would be clever to have it in a hallway where I do just that. | Vanity set, Vintagerie Jaffa; Pendant, Ferroluce; Shades, Everhem; Removable wallpaper, Otto; Wallpaper installation, Happy Walls. This home really feels like the symbol of my Brooklyn chapter. It’s helped cement so many of my lifestyle routines. New York City, a place I feel so impassioned by and am infatuated with, has this fast-paced energy, but I live in a quiet part in the neighborhood. I’m actually such a homebody, I like one-on-one time with myself. It feels really good to be able to have that here. | Blouse, Christopher John Rodgers; Trousers, Dries Van Noten via Outline
