Black interior designers

[BellesAndGraces]

I’m renovating my home and, as much as I love my grey, white, minimalist aesthetic, I think I would like a home with more personality. I no longer want my home to look like a hotel or fancy but inoffensive air bnb that could literally be anywhere in the world. Instead, I want my home to reflect my African heritage and British upbringing with a general vibe that I can only describe as “minimalist, but a black woman clearly lives here”. Can you recommend any black interior designers on instagram that have a similar aesthetic?

I have no helpful advice, but I'd love to see the finished work! I'm kinda similar but more English period style home with African accents.

https://www.facebook.com/share/g/47gn4yWBf2AJBNHp/

Afro Bohemian Homes on Facebook has a lot of inspiration.

If I can find it I think there were one or two on insta based on celebrity homes. All US though.

@WildBactrian it will be a work in progress for a while but I’m happy to share any interior designers I come up with outside of this group!

@Starterlocs thank you! I’ve just joined the group and the group rules cracked me up 😂

I like this one: https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/step-inside-emmy-raver-lampman-and-daveed-diggss-colorful-southern-california-home

And https://www.architecturaldigest.com/gallery/jon-batiste-suleika-jaouad-hom

Pretty sure Viola Davis has also done one.

I'm looking for wall art currently and massively struggling to find something appropriate for our living room!

I'd forgotten about those! 😂

Two instagram accounts that come mind are Grillo Designs and The Vitamin D Project.

Echoing recs on Insta for Africa at The Vitamin D (or Sea is her more house-related account) Project. Also Nads Bacchus (formally Rona Renovation)

Oh my! I absolutely devoured the photos of Emmy Raver Lampman and Daveed Diggss’ home. The wallpaper in the bathroom! The pale lavender - oh ma gaaad!

Added all of your recommendations to my Insta. I’m so looking forward to reshaping my feed with colour and character.

@Starterlocs The Cornrow is great for art pieces including sculptures and also coffee table books as they are a good source of inspiration. I have added some screenshots of things I have my eye on from my camera roll.

Sorry here are the photos.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Ck_ZRpVpurT/?igsh=ZDRyN3JnaTZpMmNl

Solange Knowles instagram - interior is mixed with African heritage

A few more.

First two photos are of pieces by a South African sculptor called Usha Seejarim. I’ve been looking for prints of them - “Sometimes I get my knickers in a knot” made from clothes pegs and “Angel of the house” (which is made from irons). The last one is a print I came across from Anthropologie.

For art, you might like to check out abeodedina on instagram

great thread!

This is thread is really interesting. I am buying my first home and definitely want it to be black inspired as I grew up with a lot of black architecture in my family Home.

I have already commissioned some art pieces of black people and Beyoncé to have in my home.

@BellesAndGraces I hope the renovation is going to plan!

Been checking out multiple sites/events for art work with no joy so far. Will keep looking.

Was reminded of this thread when I saw these videos:

Paula Sutton - Georgian home in Norfolk very vintage British countryside feeling

Carmeon Hamilton - I think closeish to your desired aesthetic? USA though

Eva sonaike - lots of patterns

The architectural digest I linked above a few posts back actually have the video tours, worth looking up on YouTube! Some very interesting homes and owners.

Shavonda Gardiner has an incredible eye & also Carmeon Hamilton. I’m more into Shavonda’s style though.

Loving the recommendations.
I live in a 1960s house and have a mix of interiors suited to that period alongside West African and Caribbean pieces.

I do love art and would love more space to showcase.

I've added a few of my own pics (which don't actually look that great in the isolated manner I've taken them in 🤣🫣) if that helps.

My brother in-law actually has an informal art gallery but in Maryland US.
If you're that way and still looking, let me know.

Thought I would update this with details of an incredible Zimbabwean photographer that I came across - Tamary Kudita. Her African Victorian series is magical.