African American Interior Designers

For the past few months, I have been working on a project that I'm really excited to share with you today.  It started out as a search for an answer to a question, but has turned into a quest.  I began with the idea to collect the names of African American Interior Designers and post them here as a resource for those seeking to hire, support, and celebrate those working in the field.  

It was important for me to create a list of designers capable of handling design projects of all sizes and scope.  I collected names from design showroom staff from all around the country.  That proved to be a great jumping off point.  Many vendors were happy to join in the celebration and put forth

their favorite clients for consideration.

I also took recommendations from realtors, home builders, and design bloggers.  Anyone who could contribute to the list of names that I share with you today.  In the end, I turned all my findings over to a panel who read tons of bios and reviewed countless images.

I am proud of the names that are on the list.  Some you've heard of.  Many you likely have not. 

It's a very talented bunch. So join me in celebrating... 

The 2011 Top 20 African American Interior Designers 

Michel Boyd               Smith Boyd Interiors    SmithBoydInteriors.com     Atlanta

Cecil Hayes            Cecil Hayes                  CecilHayes.com                  Miami        

Elaine Griffin              Elaine Griffin               ElaineGriffin.com               New York

Ron Woodson            Woodson and Rum        WandRdesign.com             Los Angeles

Sheila Bridges           Sheila Bridges             SheilaBridges.com         New York

Darryl Carter               Darryl Carter                DarrylCarter.com               Washington DC

Afiya H. Kumar         AHA Designs              AHAdesigns.com               Chicago

Robin Wilson              Robin Wilson Home    RobinWilsonhome.com    New York 

Joan Goodwin             Verandah Interiors      Vcustomdesigns.com         Columbia, SC

Keitha Brathwaite   Contrast Design            Contrastdesigngroup.com Chicago

Kimberly Ward          Kimberly +Cameron    Kimberlyandcameron.com Houston

Joy Moyler                    Joy Moyler Interiors    Joymoylerinteriors.com     New York

Marian Akinloye      MA Design Studio       MAdesignstudio.com      New York

Erin Shakoor               Shakoor Interiors          Shakoorinc.com           Chicago

Venus Williams        Vstarr Interiors             Vstarrinteriors.com        Miami

Lisa Turner             Interior Obsessions       Interiorobsessions.com    Los Angeles

Courtney Sloane     Courtney Sloane           Courtneysloane.net             New Jersey

Janice Palmer          Ydesign International   YdesignLLC.com               Atlanta

Roderick Shade         Roderick N. Shade Interior Design   Roderickshade.com     New York

Katherine Alford    Nyla Simone Home      Nylasimonehome.com       Tempe, AZ

image credit: Portfolio Images-1. Erin Shakoor 2. Michel Boyd 3.Cecil Hayes

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01 February 2013

Hello family,
I  moved  my blog to a new URL because of hackers.  You should have been redirected, but if you were not, please visit me at Pinkeggshell.com or Pinkeggshell.blogspot.com Everything else is the same.  See you in the new space.
XO,
Kimberly   

Glassy Baby, Russell +Hazel and A Breville Juicer

Russell +Hazel  Mini Binder

Is it too early to tell you about some of my favorite things of 2013?  I have really become a total product junkie lately.  As a result, I am loving some amazingly cool things right now.  Items that are making my life more enjoyable each day.  Y'all, these are the things that make me feel good,
keep me smiling and saying, "I'm so blessed."

The first is the Russell +Hazel Mini Binder turned stylish agenda.  I must say, I have a thing with agendas.  I love my iPhone, but there's nothing like writing things down in an agenda.  I have the one with the gold cover.  If you have a need for a change, check it out in person at your favorite paper or gift shop.  There are so many interesting accessories.
You'll love creating an agenda that's as unique as you are.

Glassy Baby Candle Holders / Image via GlassyBaby.com

During Blogfest 2012, we were given a Glassy Baby votive holder in our swag bag.  Since I was moving, I packed the entire bag up and put it into storage.  Last week I pulled it out and re-discovered this innovative and creative company.  I am so in love!  I love everything about them.  The votives are hand blown and come in the yummiest of colors.  The founder, Lee Rhodes, has amazing vision and has done tremendous work with unrestricted cancer support.  Love that!

Buy them. Give them.  

Tory Burch for Target + Neiman Marcus Vacuum Sealed Beverage Container and Lunch Box

You can drive a hybrid  and "go natural" in every since of the movement, but unless you stop drinking from water bottles none of it matters.  Nothing is as harmful to you or the environment as plastic water bottles.  No amount of marketing can change this fact.  When you have a moment, please check out the documentary Tapped.  In the meantime, explore ways of transporting your water in fresh ways. 

I love this Tory Burch beverage container.  It keeps my water ice cold all day long.

You'll love it.  Trust me.  

Cloth Kolo photo album via kolo.com 

My adoration for Kolo is eternal.  I've purchased and used Kolo albums for as long as I can remember.  In 2009 when I was pregnant with my daughter, I purchased all the pink Noci albums that were in stock.  They were going to discontinue making them and I wanted them for all the future memories that my baby would create.  Photography for me is natural.  I actually see the world in frames.  From breathtaking landscapes to intimate details, I see and want to capture it all.  I've challenged myself to print more pictures this year.  I hope you'll join me in this quest. 

We'll talk again in December to see how things turned out. 

Breville Juicer /

I have been juicing for years, so this one is not all that new.  What is new is the juice recipes that have made their way into my life since starting my 40 Day Juice Challenge.  I'm juicing twice a day and loving every minute of it.  I started out wanting to inspire my sister to juice, but later found that I need it more than she does.  I don't juice for weight loss, so I can't tell you how juicing will help with that type of New Year's resolution.  However, I can tell you that I feel amazing!

  

I highly recommend the Breville Juice Fountain Plus.  I've had it for years and it still works amazingly.  Breville's website is packed with useful information that will make incorporating juicing into your life extremely easy.

Here's one of my favorite Green Juice Recipes from the site:

3 kale leaves

1 bunch cilantro

1 cup of spinach

1 cucumber

1 carrot

1 green apple

ENJOY!

Houses of Veranda and Danielle Rollins Soiree

My sister got me these books.  I am still enjoying them immensely.  You see, I love books.  I love all kinds of books.  Design books, business books, novels, children's books, audio books, you name it.  I like for books to find their way into my life.  When it happens organically, I know it was meant to be. Lately, I have been getting books from publishers, which is like having Christmas every time I get a package in the mail.  

"May Cause Miracles"