BLACK INTERIOR DESIGNERS NETWORK CONFERENCE

Black Interior Designers Network! This weekend was fun and much needed! I was a volunteer and a spectator, which was such a great decision. Not only did I learn from the awesome panel but I meet some phenomenal men and women in the interior design industry. The Black Interior Designer Network Conference is a conference to acknowledge and award black interior designers of their hard work. Mixed with awards and education, this conference had so much to offer and it was very empowering!

Day 1: Kicking off at ADAC (Atlanta Design Art Center) the conference started off with inspirational speakers on a panel. I loved the advice that was given to me about how to find a designer mentor and how to reach out to them. Beth Diana Smith kept it real on how to stay true to yourself and your design. Awards were given out in the trendy Martin Nash Showroom to BIDN's "10 Emerging Designers to Watch". Designers like Beth Diana Smith, Keia McSwain, Nicole White, and Dominique Calhoun, just to name a few were awarded for there commitment and styling stamp on the interior design industry. It was a great night for cocktails and inspiration!

Martin Nash Showroom

Martin Nash Showroom

Martin Nash Showroom

Beth Diana Smith and I

Day 2: Round 2! The Conference was now at Americasmart in Downtown Atlanta. Starting with breakfast, designers and business professionals were able to eat good and chit chat. The conference started in the Designers Marketplace, were networking was underway! Throughout the day, different showrooms had contest to get people more involved; from a Mitchell Black Wallpaper contest to JDouglas's instagram competition. I love networking! I love talking to people and hearing their awesome stories. It was such a great day to hang out with other volunteers and cool designers. There was a segment by Monique Duarte on how to run a successful design business!(You know I talked to her LOL). Monique's portion was informative and detailed. There was so much knowledge in one place, it was great!

At Americasmart

At Americasmart

Designers Marketplace-Americasmart

JDouglas-Americasmart

JDouglas-Americasmart

Dining Chair-JDouglas

Gorgeous Stool-JDouglas

After party: Party, party, party! Hosted at the September Gray Art Gallery by Michel Boyd, the conference shifted gears and was way more turn up (LOL). The art gallery was such a great place for this event. This party was filled with beautiful artwork from black artists, cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, DJ, and a good vibes from everyone. It is always good to catch up with people. I loved seeing other students from different schools and designers from past events I attended. My friends and I laughed, took pictures, and meet some cool people. I finally meet Gary with the Tea from Rickey Smiley Morning Show,totally hilarious guy. The after party was an awesome ending to a great conference.

Thank you Keia and Kimberly for letting me be apart of such a great event. Smooches!

September Gray Art Gallery

Michel Boyd and I

Me

Me

Kayla and I

MOTHER'S DAY GIFT GUIDE

Happy Mother's Day!

As Mother's Day approaches we are looking for the perfect gift for our moms and the special women in our lives. Gift giving is personal and you want to get the most meaningful gift your mom will love. Does your mom have a flair for interior design? Does she love shopping for home decor? I will give you awesome gift ideas that will tickle her interior fancy.  Are you pressed for time? Are you on a budget? Here is 4 interior gifts your mom will love.

1. DIY Flower Arrangement
Flowers are a great Mother’s Day gift for most moms. Why not go a step further and build a custom arrangement? Design one that’s tailored to suit your mom’s interior decorating style to boot. Go with either a traditional, country, modern organic, or Scandinavian floral arrangement. 

2. Interior Design Book

Buy your mom the best sellers in interior design. Beautifully colored books, filled with advice, inspirations, ideas, and learn how to design a home that will show your personality and style.

Elements of Style  and The Nesting Place

3. Home Decor and Entertaining

Shop, Shop, Shop til you drop! Stores like Target, Crate&Barrel, Homegoods, Zgallerie, and Marshalls have nice home decor pieces that will make your mom's home even more cozy. Buy her a serving set, wine chiller, cheese board/knife set, stationary, a tray, or a decanter. Cheese Board and Knife Set and Spades Decanter

4. Artwork

Show your mom the masterpiece that she is. Gift her with a beautiful art piece or wall decoration that will be eye pleasing in her home. Stores like Zgallerie, Target, and Homegoods have nice pieces that any mom will love. Artwork: Midnight Shimmer

Spoil your mom this Mother's Day. Show her your appreciation with a gift that will make her smile. 

SUMMER NIGHTS:COZY UP

My Target and H&M haul.... I LOVE H&M pillows and Target has the  most awesome decor on a great budget. I was feeling inspired to do a board for summer nights. Being cozied up next to a fire pit, with a cool drink, and funny friends. 

1. CHANDELIER
2. WALL ART
3. CANDLE LANTERN
4. BLANKET
5. PLANT POT
6. LEAF PATTERNED PILLOW
7. WHITE/GOLD PILLOW
8. ACCENT CHAIR

WOOD INTERIORS

Have you seen the latest designs of "Wood Interiors"? This is where wood materials are present and makes a striking focal point. Wood can be used in all kinds of ways in a residential space and/or commercial.

Designers and homeowners are finding more ways to use the texture and beauty of wood. Wood is just not only for traditional style, designers can use wood to add texture to modern, eclectic, transitional, glam, and contemporary design. 

What's hot this year? I have two trends with wood design that's my favorite. 

• Statement Walls- These walls are making more than a statement. Paneling are big trendsetters. With the wood material as a paneled wall or ceiling, it will add beauty, character, and appeal to any room. Different type of wood finishes reflect different styles. As a designer, you can mix different woods and finishes on accent wall to add visual depth to a room. Be sure to mix wood with other materials and colors to make the room a winner. 

• Woods Natural Color and Texture- I believe every tree has a story. As you know every species of wood has a grain pattern and natural color. The different natural color of woods set the tone for a room. Be careful when selecting the wood. Woods with a darker color can give the look of formality or even masculinity. Lighter woods are more feminine, airy, and easy on the eyes. Let the grain pattern tell the story of the item. Grain patterns can give away the style of the space. Woods with more heavy grain pattern heads towards traditional or rustic and light patterns are contemporary. 

ROOMSTYLER CONTEST

Right now, Roomstyler has a contest "Wood Interior". Design a space where the use of wood as a material is clearly present. Enter to win credits on Roomstyler and practice those rendering skills.!!

Wood Interior Perspective done by me.

CAREER SPECIALIZATION AND YOU.!

Are you a freshman in college? Are you a senior? If you are like me, you are in your last semester in school and now you are going through what I call "The Phase of Uncertainty." Are you trying to figure out where you want to go in Interior Design? From the Materials class to all the Design Studios, we have had our experiences of what we like and don't like. I have classmates/friends that say flat out NO to commercial design (LOL they'll see).

I am here to help you filter through the decision box and give you a few options of specializations in interior design. If you are a freshman, this list can get your mind flowing of what ID has to offer.

Residential Design: Residential deals with the private living spaces of others, single-family homes, also other types of private residences.

Commercial Design: Commercial deals with the design of public spaces, such as offices, hotels, hospital, restaurants, and so much more.
Commercial Design Specialties: 

• Facility Planning
• LEED Specialist 
• Professional Offices: Law, Advertising, Real Estate, Banks, Trading Centers
• Healthcare: Hospital, Nursing Homes, Veterinary Clinics, Dental Suites
• Hospitality and Recreation: Hotels, Motels, Resorts, Casinos, Amusement Park Facilities, Set Design(Movies/TV)
• Retail: Malls, Showrooms, Gift Shops in Hotels/Airports
• Education: College/Universities, Day Care Centers, Church and Other Religious Facilities 
• Transportation: Airports, Boats/Ships, Train Stations

Facility Planners are part of the facility management department, which is responsible for the physical plant, the building and systems. 

Lighting Designers continually learn about new products, science of lighting, and design application. 

Sustainable Designers focus on sustainable design, they help clients and developers of commercial buildings and home owners to focus on the environment through design. 

Journalism designers who love to write can find a position in journalism. They can write for a newspaper, magazine, or do a documentary. Why not serve as a design critic?

Professional Renderers clients and many designers continue to use renderings to relate the design concept. Are you skilled in perspectives, CAD, or even Roomstyler? You may be hired by a large firm or even become a freelance renderer.

Its so many roads that Interior Design offers. Research, experience, and you'll find what you love.

INTERIOR DESIGN TRENDS 2017: POWDERY PINK

If you seen my last blog post "MODERN BLUSH", you will see that this blush of pink is making a head way in 2017 as a trend color to follow. I attended the Americasmart market 2017 and saw many trends in interiors that we should look forward too. Of course, my favorite is this powdery pink 

According to The Lux Pad, "Earthy colours are set to become increasingly popular in 2017: powdery pink, terracotta, sand, ochre, cinnamon, rust, olive green."

Also, "They’re both warming and calming, and they look wonderful offset against neutrals. They’re incredibly versatile, too: you could start small by introducing a few earth-coloured ceramics, or go bolder and paint the walls."

This color is flirty, sweet, classy, and such a focal point when used in a room. Paired well with neutrals, this color can make a statement with any interior style. You have to agree, right? 

This sweet hue is moving through lines like: Bliss Studio, Moss Studio, and Handley Drive

Check out The Mart photos:

Olivia Chair

Lili Alessandra

Lili Alessandra

Handley Drive

 XoXo

Photo Credits: Dale Carithers 

MODERN BLUSH

Modern Blush: Target

OooOo that evil eye.... I believe that Target's logo is a hypnotizing eye that screams as you are walking in "Buy, Buy, Buy, and if you bought enough buy more" LOL. I have literally went to Target to buy two things and came out with SEVEN extra items; five home decor pieces and two from the discount section. I love Target.! They have the most awesome goodies, well thought out home decor collections, and great prices you can't beat. My favorite right now is their MODERN BLUSH DECOR COLLECTION BY THRESHOLD. Check it out:

1. TABLE LAMP
2. WALL ART
3. TALL CERAMIC VASE
4. SMALL CERAMIC VASE
5. FAUX FUR THROW PILLOW
6. GOLD LUMBAR PILLOW
7. ACCENT CHAIR

Here are my favorites:

Great minds think alike.! I LOVE Sherry Hart's blog, Design Indulgence and her post about "Black and White at Target"

XoXo