Black History Month is celebrated in February to recognise the struggles, contributions, and achievements of the black community throughout history. This initiative was started by Carter G. Woodson, a highly accomplished member of the community. This was initially a week-long celebration in 1926, started to acknowledge the achievements and heritage of the African-American community.
In 1976, President Gerald Ford declared Black History Month as a moment to grab the opportunity to acknowledge the undeniable achievements of black individuals in every venture throughout history. Apart from addressing the excellence of the black community, the celebration of this history festival goes a long way in celebrating diversity and uniting people.
Further, it teaches the current generation to look beyond the history books, and understand the importance of the stories of the members in their community. Apart from the entertainment industry, such signs of black excellence can be seen in the global interior design world, too.
Celebrating the victory and success in their lives, we bring you the top 10 black interior designers who are revolutionising the interior design industry today.
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10 Black Interior Designers Bringing More Colour to Design
In lieu of the Black History Month, we have compiled a list of some of the most renowned designers from the black community. We will go through some of the experiences and situations faced by these designers and how they have actively sought to make their designs more about a reflection of their cultures.
Giving a platform for the voices of black designers is not only of the utmost importance for Black History Month, but also for the development of the industry in the future.
Breegan Jane
Breegan Jane is one of the most prominent lifestyle experts, interior designers, and philanthropists in America. She has stated that in an industry where not a lot of faces resemble hers, the responsibility to become a positive role model for aspiring designers can be easily translated to her designs. Her trademark style can be described as a unique amalgamation of artistic expression and aesthetic design that maximises elegance and enhances the comfort in living.
Rayman Boozer
Rayman Boozer has previously stated that New York City has been one of the major influencers in the development of his early career. He has regularly gained inspiration from essays and books by James Baldwin, the 1970s fashion, and the various sounds and sights of the concrete jungle. While the city most certainly did inspire him, he has stated that he lacked a solid role model in the industry who looked like him. Rayman believes that as one of the leading black designers today, people are constantly watching and he has the responsibility to become a role model for aspiring interior designers from the black community – something which he did not have when he first started.
Delia Brennen
In her modern design journey, Delia has never thought of herself as a designer of colour. What she focuses mainly is on imagination, creativity, and beauty. It is very evident from her designs that they are driven by her client’s aesthetics. Also, she has previously stated that her heritage and ‘Black Girl Magic’ makes her even more sensitive to the history, culture, and contributions of her talented community. Inspired by the struggles of her ancestors and success of her peers, Delia’s connection to her heritage has led to truly practical and unique interior designs.
Bailey Li
Bailey, who founded Bailey Li interiors is a truly self-made interior designer and entrepreneur, specialising in residential and commercial design. She has garnered immense respect in the industry owing to her gorgeous hand painted mural textures and designs which has helped her create breathtaking projects. She believes that black interior designers in the industry do not get the recognition they deserve, even though the highly talented group of individuals have had a major impact on the art throughout history. She has often stated that to be a black interior designer today, means that you will have to recognize your worth and seize every given chance.
Leyden Lewis
Finding its roots in his Trinidadian heritage, the designs created by Leyden are truly a unique mixture of his rich heritage, experience, travel, and training. Being closely aligned with his culture, the Trindadian way is one of the major ways Leyden views the world around himself. His unique approach to design has allowed him to create culturally sensitive and yet poetic spaces all over the world. His expertise lies in the unique process of creative alchemy that allows the person to see the potential and beauty from all walks and aspects of life.
Saudah Saleem
Saudah has an immaculate taste for styling and design which allows her to create vibrant spaces created to tailor fit her client’s expectations. She believes that throughout history, black people have not seeked special treatment in the industry just because they are black. They have only strived for their work to be recognised and given equal treatment. She believes that the ever increasing representation of black individuals in the industry is inspiring new designers, introducing new perspectives, and making the design more accessible to the consumers of coloured communities- who were previously excluded from the interior design world.
Brigette Romanek
Being born and brought up on the south side of Chicago, Brigette has spent most of her life around African-American family homes. One thing that is common in almost all African-American homes is that one piece of art which has a cultural significance. This deep connection with cultural heritage and being proud of the person you are is very clear in her gorgeous interior designs. When asked about her struggles as a black interior designer in the white industry, she said that she has never allowed the colour of her skin to stop her from doing anything. While designing, she likes to add touches of her heritage to her work by incorporating sculptures, bowls, stools, etc., which bring back childhood memories and tell numerous stories.
Neffi Walker
Neffi Walker is the founder of the interior design company ‘Black Home’, which she claims is completely influenced by her heritage. She gains her inspiration from the strength of struggle and beauty of resilience that enables her to incorporate cotton in designs that people are proud to display in their homes. She believes that it is important for black designers in the industry to represent their experiences and stories through innovative interior designs. She is a firm believer of the fact that stories can be told through interior design, just the way they are told through art and fashion.
Christopher Charles
Christopher believes that being a coloured designer in the industry today is truly a remarkable feat. He believes that the increase in demand for diversity in design has led to the growth in the number of black interior designers in the industry. Being able to provide culturally linked diversified designs to a large number of people is rewarding both professionally and personally. More than just a phase or a wave, his involvement in the interior design industry is simply a force to reckon with based on his capability and merits as one of the best interior designers in the industry.
Anishka Clarke and Niya Bascom
What really binds this duo together, is their common understanding of the environment, resource management, and mindfulness. This belief has a huge impact on the pair’s aesthetics, process, and design ideas. The characteristics of their designs can be traced back to their Jamaican roots and a result of their upbringing in the city of New York. Their approach to their design relies on settling for nothing less than the best, and allowing the work to speak for itself and be a representation of their culture.
In a Nutshell
Wishing to be inclusive means that you will have to consistently fight a very vicious cycle; people need to make extra efforts to develop new ideas, be aware of their own flaws, and raise new champions. We are hopeful that the position of black people in the interior design industry has helped emphasise the importance of diversity and inclusivity in all aspects of the world.
A few decades ago, coloured people from the industry would not have been trusted with expensive or high profile projects. Gradually, things have changed, and this change will continue to stay constant. This world needs to see more people of colour doing what they love and succeed.
