My Goal Is to Upgrade the Corner of My Kitchen Into a Space as Beautiful as Robert Downey Jr.'s Breakfast Nook – Shop the Look From $7

Designed by Fox-Nahem Associates, the actor's banquette-style seating is a masterpiece, and some elements are surprisingly simple to recreate

Robert Downey Jr.
(Image credit: Getty Images / JC Olivera / Stringer)

Living in a tiny apartment comes with its challenges, but it also offers opportunities to get playful with awkward nooks and corners. To help inspire, I find myself returning to the same photo that I first bookmarked last year, hidden in Robert Downey Jr.’s home.

Designed by New York studio Fox-Nahem Associates, the actor's home is a trove of clever yet stunning quirks, starting with his clever kitchen seating idea. The nook features a bespoke corner banquette that's perfect for socialising while also ideal for a peaceful breakfast or coffee.

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One last lesson from Robert's space? You also shouldn’t worry about using unexpected colors like pink. Robert embraces this hot hue in his breakfast nook, and you can do the same with pillows, just like these from Amazon. When included thoughtfully, they will not disrupt the inviting atmosphere.

At the same time, avoid too much stark white because it can feel harsh and work against the welcoming, social energy you are aiming for.


Megan Slack
Head of Celebrity Style News

Megan is the Head of Celebrity Style News at Homes & Gardens, where she leads the celebrity/ news team. She has a history in interior design, travel, and news journalism, having lived and worked in New York, Paris, and, currently, London. Megan has bylines in Livingetc, The Telegraph, and IRK Magazine, and has interviewed the likes of Drew Barrymore, Ayesha Curry, Michelle Keegan, and Tan France, among others. She lives in a London apartment with her antique typewriter and an eclectic espresso cup collection, and dreams of a Kelly Wearstler-designed home.

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