In the midst of a gas emergency in her newly purchased Manhattan co-op, actress Keri Russell urgently called craftsman Shane Deary for help. Responding swiftly, Deary, a contractor, skillfully resolved the issue by moving a massive stove, saving the day and earning Russell’s gratitude. This unconventional incident led to the actress confessing her love to Deary after just six months of dating. The couple’s love story began in the West Village brownstone, where Deary’s quick thinking spared Russell from the potential wrath of fellow co-op members. They met through friends after Russell’s move to New York City in 2002, following her successful four-year run as Felicity on the television series of the same name.
Shane Deary’s resourcefulness and knack for hands-on solutions deeply impressed actress Keri Russell, creating memorable moments in their budding relationship. Notably, during one of their initial dates, Deary ingeniously crafted a Rube Goldbergesque contraption to prevent Russell’s cats from accessing the kitchen cupboards, using everyday items like a rubber band, paper clip, and string. This practical and inventive approach reflected Deary’s upbringing as the son of a respected contractor on Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts. Growing up in a house his father built, Deary was exposed to the construction world from a young age. His inclination for using reclaimed materials and building, evident in his high school days when he and his brother constructed a farmhouse, reflects his hands-on approach to life. The couple playfully acknowledges Deary’s penchant for collecting treasures, with Russell teasing him about his basement studio, where he stores his finds.
TAKE A TOUR OF KERI RUSSELL’S BROOKLYN BROWNSTONE
1. The Living Room: 
The living room showcases linen-upholstered armchairs by Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, a Shaw Floors rug, and an Ochre light fixture. Shane Deary’s craftsmanship is evident in the side table and mirror, both crafted from reclaimed wood. Noteworthy pieces include a tufted ottoman and a Hugo Guinness drawing from John Derian Dry Goods.
2. The Family’s Hands-On Approach: 
Keri Russell and Shane Deary actively participate in creating their dream brownstone, emphasizing a hands-on approach to shaping their living space.
3. The Kitchen: 
The kitchen features cabinetry and an island made of espresso-stained reclaimed fir. Appliances include a Sub-Zero refrigerator and Viking range and vent hood. Sink fittings by Grohe and a light fixture by Rejuvenation complete the space.
4. The Dining Room: 
Wire chairs from ABC Carpet & Home surround a pine table in the dining room. Curtains crafted from Larsen wool complement the original pine floors.
5. Main Bedroom: 
In the main bedroom, the headboard fabric and bedding are by Matteo, complemented by a sheepskin rug from IKEA. Deary’s craftsmanship is evident in the bedside table, while an antique-fair find serves as the chandelier. The walls are painted in Benjamin Moore’s Stone Hearth.
6. Main Bath: 
The main bath boasts a Victoria + Albert claw-foot tub with fittings by Samuel Heath, adding a touch of vintage elegance to the space.
7. Dressing Room: 
Deary’s hand-built shelves adorn the dressing room, featuring a Shaw Floors rug and a linen-upholstered chair from John Derian.
Marriage, Parenthood, and the Move to Brooklyn: Following their union and the arrival of their son, Keri Russell and Shane Deary decided to make a move to Brooklyn. Although they considered a loft in TriBeCa, the allure of a whole house with a backyard proved irresistible. Russell’s upbringing in big-sky states like Colorado and Arizona, coupled with Deary’s outdoor island childhood, made the prospect of a house with more space appealing.
Choosing the Perfect Project: After evaluating more than two dozen houses, ranging from dilapidated structures to fully renovated homes, the couple settled on a challenging project—a brownstone dating back to the 1860s that required substantial work. Deary, whom Russell affectionately calls her MacGyver, embraced the opportunity to start from scratch, asking, “Why buy someone else’s renovation if you’re going to redo it anyway?”
Deary’s Hands-On Approach: Shane Deary took on the ambitious task of gutting the brownstone down to its brick and studs, personally moving walls to create a more open layout. Notably, the master bath underwent a transformation with the removal of all walls. Deary preserved the original pumpkin-pine floor by carefully lifting, numbering, restoring, and reattaching each plank. Despite the challenges, four 40-foot Dumpsters later, he successfully transformed the space from a series of cramped rooms into a luminous, open shell.
