Interior Design
Explore inspirational homes from across the African Diaspora and the stories of the people who give them life.
Paul Suepat: Color and Whimsy in Brooklyn
Kingston born and Brooklyn-based, artist Paul Suepat is a student of contrasts. Focused constantly on the nebulous space between ambiguity and definition, his art moves between sculpture and painting, whimsical figures and strong abstract shapes, specific emotions and imaginative contexts. His home too is a class in the power of opposites. Here, trend-forward rooms defined by bright splashes of color sit beside (or beneath) spaces where restrained motifs speak more of the past than the future. And everywhere there is art. Art that Paul creates and art that he admires; pieces gifted from fellow creatives and pieces left from his massive installations for public works and private galleries. The effect is magical, and each room, no matter how different, feels like somewhere that deserves further exploration.
The New Bohemian Home of Justina Blakeney
Author and designer Justina Blakeney knows all about decorating with feeling. As the founder of Jungalow and author of the New York Times bestseller, The New Bohemians, Blakeney is a go-to resource for decorating advice of all kinds. Her latest release, The New Bohemians Handbook inspires us to look past the nuts and bolts of design to create spaces filled with positive energy. Visiting the author’s home in the scenic Silver Lake area of Los Angeles is like walking through the pages of her book - full of breathtaking moments, daring design, and good feelings straight from the designer herself.
At Home With Fashion Designer Reuben Reuel
Reuben Reuel’s womenswear brand, DEMESTIK, is making waves in the fashion world. The designer has a celebrity clientele that includes Beyonce, Jill Scott, Tamron Hall and Andra Day, and is dedicated to creating culturally-inspired pieces that truly make women shine.
Designer Dani Arps’ Harlem Apartment
Designer Dani Arps remembers her move-in day like it was yesterday. “When I first moved into my space I had very little,” she recalls. “Just the few pieces that I'd permanently 'borrowed' from my parents, a couple of pieces of artwork from my love, Billy Ruiz - an extraordinary artist - and some artwork I'd created myself.” But even without an abundance of furniture, Dani, a former art and music major, looked at the space that would be her home and saw nothing but opportunity. “I like to think of my home, and spaces in general, as artwork we live in,” says Arps. “I can look around the room and tell the story of how each item came to my home. It's important to appreciate each piece and let it tell it's story. I think that the feeling I have about the pieces in my home is what gives my apartment life.”