image via Janea Brown
1. Justina Blakeney
All hail Justina Blakeney + The Bungalow!!!! I’ve been a longtime follower of her unique and distinct bohemian jungle aesthetic and artful pieces and collections. I admire her so much, she is the bold bohemian I aspire to be! Give her a follow, buy one of her beautiful pieces…now now now!! She is certainly one of the leaders in the bohemian decor trend, embracing an aesthetic that is retro-inspired, colorful, patterned, and absolutely full of plants! I love her soo much
2. Joy Cho // Oh Joy!
When I first dove into the world of lifestyle and design blogs, when it was just gaining traction and myself debating starting my own, Joy Cho of Oh Joy! was one of the first bloggers I began following along. Her style is creative and colorful and all kinds of unique, it was an inspiration to me that she was stepping of and letting all that shine. Through the years her brand has gone, she’s had big campaigns with Target and she’s also taken a step back from mass blog producing in order to be more intentional. And she was certainly one of the few, if not only blogger of Asian descent at the top of the design game of influencers, and she still is!
3. Dabito // Old Brand New
I’ve been a longtime fan of Dabito, founder and creative director behind Old Brand New, a creative studio focusing on all areas of design, art direction, branding, photography, and brand partnerships. You can clearly see he loves his color, it’s one of his signatures, but so is perfectly mixing modern and vintage pieces, and creating a DIY approach to design that is beautiful. His works has been featured in many top publications, and even produces the photography for Justina Blakney’s The New Bohemians Handbook series.
4. Janea Brown
Janea Brown is a recent discovery of mine but goodness am I mad that I didn’t know about her and her beautiful light and work before!!! She just radiates positivity and calm, and that absolutely carries throughout her home design aesthetic.
5. Ajai Guyot // True Home
Ajai Guyot makes cozy neutrals anything but boring!! I love all the home details and DIY ideas she shares on True Home, and I KNOW you will too!!
5. Kelly-Ann Baptiste // Pure Collected Living
Pure Collected Living’s style is comforting minimalism, Kelly-Ann’s use of neutrals is soo soothing. She also happen to be a 4-time Olympian amongst so many things!
6. My Cozy Corner
Eureka has created the epitome of a cozy home with My Cozy Corner, where she combines effortless pieces and decorating ideas to truly create a comforting and personal space that is very much a home. Her website has become her resource for others to shop all the beautiful pieces in her home, so that others can too create a peaceful space for themselves.
7. Mocha Girl Place
Tracy of Mocha Girl Place creates a home filled with everything I hope to create a home with — an endless selection of thoughtfully thrifted vintage finds and lots and lots of plants!! Yeah, pretty much all I need to style a home. I can’t get enough of her style and aesthetic and would pretty much move into her living room. Can we also talk about how she is such a cool GRANDMA!?
8. Elena Lohse // This House 5000
I watched Elena Lohse from This House 5000 create a DIY video for Apartment Therapy a few months back and her joyful spirit hooked me, well her incredibly beautiful, cozy, eclectic and boho minimalist home did too! I’m in love with her darling little plant filled bathroom. She is definitely more than just a home decor enthusiast, on a four year home renovation she’s a DIY and home style queen, love her aesthetic!
9. Antoinette Arrington
Antoinette Arrington aesthethic is all things neutral, minimally crisp and refined textured! Antoinette is a design consultant drawing inspiration from her own journey of creating her own space that made beautiful sense. Her signature is styling a home that allows for a way to slow and ease into life without the working of keeping it. She’s currently working on curating designs for her shop, can’t wait to see what she puts together!
10. Kennesha Poe-Buycks // Restoration House
Kennesha Poe-Buycks is an author, speaker and the inspiring creative behind Restoration House. Her work has been seen in publication like Apartment Therapy and Domino to name a few. But she’s sharing more than just lovely home and life inspiration, she connecting with people and building a community through everyone’s unique talents. The story she tells on Restoration House is in an essence the story of her life.
11. Kaelyn Guerin
Kaelyn Guerin is making a house a home one cross-country move at a time. She’s embracing being a military wife and the constant moving it entails, and using it to her creative advantage in creating lovely home spaces. She’s also the maker and content creator behind iiirdwind, an “elevated crochet [shop]for modern spaces and bodies.” On her little Etsy shop she’s selling an array of things that make her happy.
12. Kara Thomas // Studio KT
“A room should start a conversation before people actually start exchanging words” That is Kara Thomas’s mission with Studio KT and you instantly sense that feeling when you checking out all her work and stylings.
13. Shavonda Gardner
14. Woodward Throwback
We all know how much I love thrifting and salvaging vintage pieces, especially reclaimed wood and Woodward Throwback is doing just that, reclaiming wood and doing woodworking with pieces salvaged in Detroit. And you know how their story started?? By riding their bikes around Detroit looking for reusable materials to furnish their aparamtne that was also a way of cleaning up their streets. Goodness I love everything about what Bo and Shepherd are doing and of course their pieces!
15. Dressing Room Interiors
We all know I love a good thrift and vintage shop, and on a article about the best antique shops in each state, Dressing Room Interiors was rated as the best in North Carolina and I can clearly see why! Founder Ariene Bethea has curated a gorgeous shop, and online shop, with an array of ever-changing vintage home furnishings.
16. Dayna Isom Johnson
17. Candice Luter
Candice Luter took a leap of faith on herself when she left her corporate job to start her interior design firm after falling in love with decorating her first house. She’s an up-cycler which is very much my design process, and turns anything into chic, boho-style pieces using whatever remnants she finds. Her Etsy shop has so many of her beautiful macrame wall hangings and fabulous mirrors with fringe, yes please!!
18. Home Made by Ursula Carmona
When it comes to Home Made by Ursula Carmona, she is not afraid of incorporating bold dark colors and prints, and making it work perfectly with light colors and modern touches. Navy cabinets…she’s way more bold than I ever could be!
19. Hana Getachew // Bole Road Textiles
If modern textiles that have been handwoven in Ethiopia call to you, then you must check out Bole Road Textiles. A few prints in her Modern Classics and Heritage Collections has certainly caught my eye, and her table runners are the classic neutral pieces are ones every home should have.
20. Carmeon Hamilton
First off I love that Carmeon Hamilton‘s blog is called Cohesive Randomness, I mean isn’t that what life and home really is?? She’s certainly one of the best at amazing before and after transformations! As a self-proclaimed “modern bohemian” is a background in environmental design {and design and retail} she believes in finding the beauty in the now, elevating the everyday moments and helping others do the same, in both their home design and life.
21. Estelle Colored Glass
One of my absolute favorite, and #1 on the list of things I look for whenever I’m thrifting, is vintage colored glassware. And those unique special vintage finds, particularly Stephanie Summerson Hall’s grandmother’s love for antiquing which she would joining along and her colored glasses collection — is what inspired Stephanie to create Estelle Colored Glass, a luxury brand of hand-blown colored glass cake stands and stemware that range in beautiful pastel to jewel tones. Each piece is made by glass artisans in Poland and it’s no one wonder they’ve been coined “jewels for your table.” Her pieces are truly beauties, like a modern vintage colored-glass treasure.
22. Linoto
Months ago when I was on my search for sustainable loungewear, I found myself on a deep-dive of all things linen, a material I absolutely love to wear, and that’s when I came across Linoto — a well loved 100% linen bedding, bath and home line. I love the feel of linen, and never thought about linen sheets, which are known to help sleep better. When it comes to entertaining I love using linen napkins and tablecloths, it’s such a refreshing and effortless fabric to use on any occasion. The founder Jasonn Evege set out to create USA made artisanal linen pieces that are thoughtfully handcrafted to the same standards a designer dress would be made. They’re certainly on the higher end of price for bedding, but linen is an investment fabric, one that will last, feels luxurious and one of most sustainable you can spend your money on.
23. Crafted Glory Design
Kwadwo is creating thoughtfully crafted items, all made with beautiful natural woods, for your home and heart with his Etsy shop Crafted Glory Design. I love his modern Scandinavian inspired end tables and round coffee table.
24. Aishea Home
Kedji Makoli is continuing her family’s tradition with Aishea Home of making a living working with her hands by creating ethnic home textiles with nomadic and intricate designs in soothing earth tone colors fit for any home.
25. Treatment Co.
Treatment Co. wants you to treat yourself to some extra special care and relaxation with their Hand Poured clean burning candles and Apothecary pieces, like diffusers and smudges. Each piece is made in small batches all with the intention of supporting wellness.
26. Archer Home Designs
https://www.instagram.com/p/BXg1uKsBCxq/
Archer Home Designs is making beautiful and styling farmhouse and industrial-style wood dining and coffee tables. Her pieces look straight out of a Pottery Barn catalogue.
27. Rayo and Honey
If witty and inspirational flags/banners, bags, and anything else you can put aspirational words onto are more your thing, then you’ll have to check out Rayo and Honey!
28. Nicole Crowder
Nicole Crowder is a furniture designer and upholster, and I love her pieces! Her prints are beautiful and fun, and they transform her furniture into works of art.
29. Clare Paint // Nicole Gibbons
I am ALL for new paint brands and companies, especially ones that make shopping for paint easier. Nicole Gibbons founder of Clare Paint wanted a personal hands on approach to helping you on your painting buying journey from the very start of your search. Oh, and let me not forget to mention, one of the best parts of Clare Paint is that it’s a high premium paint that contains ZERO VOC paint and colorants as well as being Greenguard Gold certified
30. Dominque Gerbu
Dominque Gerbu has a lovely home decor sense and is taking you along the ride as she spruces up a lil’ rental in DC. I love how are touches are cozy and effortless.
31. Ishka Designs
If I were to think of “sophisticated minimalist chic” home design, Ishka Designs would absolutely come to mind! They are so verrry cool.
32. Mind the Cork
If you’re Portuguese or have been to Portugal, you know how much Cork reigns supreme — well Jenny has taken cork, what she considers “the world’s most underrated resources“ to create lovely and functional products for the home with her Mind the Cork etsy shop. She’s making everything from wallets to painters and pencil cases in her London studio.
33. Colette Shelton
Colette Shelton is a woman with many hats, from being an executive by day then interior and home decor designer by night, oh and also the host of her CocoCozy design show on Amazon Prime. Her designs incorporate a bit of every style, making her loved by so many — from the classic, the modern traditionalist and even a bit of farmhouse and boho thrown in there too.
34. Denniston House
To all my fellow thrifters and lovers of antique treasures from yesteryear, sit back and enjoy perusing through the beautiful selection of Denniston House! Denniston House is more than an online shop for vintage finds, it forces one to find the balance between the now and then, exploring the notion of where and what we call home and how the things we fill it with create the story of who we are. And that’s making sure you’re creating a life well-lived. There are soo many gorgeous treasures you won’t know which you love the most, like these stunning green old fashioned glasses that are sadly sold out 🙁
35. The Koop
You may have already spotted The Koop‘s signature candles circling on your Instagram lately, and for good reason, these beautifully scented candles are known for being simple luxuries. Each are handmade and poured by a staff of four, made with coconut and soy wax along with phthalate-free fragrances and cotton wicks. Their glass containers are sleek and simply colored which I love because you can repurpose them into so many things! Garden Party, After Party, and Mercer St. smell absolutely lovely to me, and I love that they list all the different scents from top to bottom notes which makes buying candles online much easier!
36. Harlem Candles
Harlem Candles just evoke that sense of luxury when you see their beautiful scent descriptions and labels, especially knowing they’re inspired by founder Teri Johnson’s “love affair with fragrance, jazz and Harlem.”
37. La Botica
La Botica which is the Spanish variation of a chemist shop, or a farmacia, is a luxury candle and chill-wear brand, with the intention of evoking a dreamy and effortless approaching to lounging at home. Their products are sustainably sources and produced using vegan ingredients like their apricot and coconut blend wax candles that make for a clean burn.
38. Stay Fresh by KB
Stay Fresh candles handmade in small batches by Kenan Bell, may be a small Etsy shop but she’s certainly making it so we can lead more sustainable lifestyles. Her eco-friendly soy candles are all hand poured into recycled glass, which is the piece that caught my eye. I love the subtle blue hues, it’s one of my favorite colored glasses to repurposed as drinkware or vases. I definitely want to try out the mini sampler pack!
39. Bailey Li
40. Jannah Handy and Kiyanna Stewart // BLK MKT Vintage
Jannah Handy and Kiyanna Stewart are the founders and curators behind BLK MKT Vintage, an online and Brooklyn shop selling collectibles, cultural artifacts and other art pieces representing black history and experience. They’re literally selling history!
41. Courtney McLeod // Right Meets Left Interior Design
Courtney McLeod is the founder of Right Meets Left Interior Design, whose work and design has been featured in numerous luxury home publications. I love that Courtney is all about creating spaces that allow her clients to “live more colorfully, more beautifully, more joyfully.”
42. Erika Ward
Erika Ward is all about helping those to busy to design their house into a home. Her designs are modern, minimalist and all things designer cozy.
43. Denese Butler
Denese Butler from The Perfect Vignette started in fashion and textile design, and decided to take her talents into interiors. decided to apply her design talents to interiors. I love that she takes you behind the scenes on Instagram of all her home designs, where you’re definitely fall in love with her home! I love the stair railing and fence she made with her husband.
44. Dani Arps
I think we all would love to work in an office and space designed by Dani Arps! She’s created spaces for some of NYC’s hottest tech startups, like Venmo, and Gilt. Her open layouts fitted with cozy nooks and endless plants, has got me wanting to rework my home office look!
45. AphroChic // Jeanine Hays and Bryan Mason
The AphroChic brand, created by husband-wife duo Jeanine Hays and Bryan Mason, started as a blog that transcended through interior design, fashion, content creation and now the recently launched AphroChic Magazine, bringing all of their creative talents together, They’ve created a platform that’s dedicated to exploring and focusing on the interconnectedness of modern design and global culture, highlighting all within the African American community. Oh and they even have their own product line you can shop too!
46. Brandy Brown // Marabou Design
Brandy Brown does a little bit of everything creatively speaking, really she does! She’s not only an interior designer, but a craft creator as she calls herself {I love that term!}, a love of events and customizable party decor…she is sure to inspire you to redecorate your home and then throw a party in it!
47. Beth Diana Smith
There are quite a few BIPOC designers hailing from NJ and I didn’t even know it, including Beth Diana Smith the eclectic maximalist here to inspire your unique home. And just because you’re a maximalist doesn’t mean you’re not a natural organizer, in fact she’s a queen as using her bold style to create truly organized spaces. Have you seen her shelf game, it’s on point, so are her gallery walls which I love so much!
48. Laura Hodges
And these lists won’t end here, as I learn about more BIPOC I will continuously be updating these lists with as many inspiring talents as possible, so stay tuned!!
Don’t forget to check out these other inspiring BIPOC too!
Writers || Poets || Speakers || Publications+Books || NonProfits
Artists || Photographers || Creators
Wedding/Event Professionals || Floral Designers
Environmentalists || Sustainability || Planters/Gardeners
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