7212019 AphroChic Home Feature October 2013 EBONY

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullaphrochic-home-feature-october-2013-ebony 12

B

983095983088 V I S I T E B O N Y C O M 983087 O C T O B E R 983090 983088 983089 983091

THIS BROOK LYN ABODE

allows dynamic color and

iconic images to take centerstage as the cooling turquoise

ldquosimply inspiresrdquo says Hays

Reminiscent of tropical seas

the dining room is given a

soulful touch with a rail of

striking black-and-white pho-

tography Though a cursory

glance reveals the notable

faces of Luther Vandross and

Ella Fitzgerald a closer look

illuminates shots of family

and friends in the collection

The Brooklynite keeps a

neutral palette for the dining

set and accents mixing birchwith glass metal and simple

cotton chair covers tapping

a variety of retailers such as

CB2 Restoration Hardware

(the chandelier) and Aphro-

Chic Sidestep the traditional

rules of design says Mason

instead ldquoFocus on principles

that will bring culture into

spaces Now and even as

modern design evolves these

principles will still hold truerdquo

GET THE LOOK

Behr Paint in Bali Bliss

PPU13-5 (prices varybehrcom)

Numi Candleholders

($495 each cb2com)

Steel Polyhedron

Pendant Small ($395

restorationhardwarecom)

Black-and-White Photographs

of Historical Figures (from

$3999 ebonycomstore)

L I VE Home

BACK IN THE DAY MANY HOMES

looked like replicas o one anotherwith plastic-covered soas hulkingwooden dining room sets and floralor paisley draperies throughoutThen the Arocentric design o thersquo80s and rsquo90s overwhelmed roomswith excesses o Arican masks andanimal prints Although those eras

will orever hold a nostalgic place inour hearts the new Black home is apersonalized hybrid o cultures stylesand flavors From an industrial lofin Brooklyn to a bungalow in NewOrleans or a Caliornia ranch Arican-American homeowners are tasteullyincorporating global elementsmdashsuchas textiles patterns wallpaper artand accentsmdashinto their spaces wheredistinctive style reigns supreme

It is this new wave o interior designthat inspired husband-and-wie duoJeanine Hays and Bryan Mason to

write Remix Decorating With CultureObjects and Soul ($30 Potter Style)ldquoAs a design lover Irsquove always wantedto have a book that showcases diverseamilies o Arican descent who haveamazing interiorsrdquo says Hays co-ounder o the textiles brand and blogAphroChic ldquoItrsquos not something that

you find leafing through the nationalhome-decor magazinesrdquo What beganas a ruitless search or a pillow witha woman sporting an Aro turned intoa six-year project to showcase theirvariety o elegant edge

From Congolese kuba prints in thekidsrsquo rooms to original works o art byMark Bradord or Kenturah Davis inthe oyer Mason says contemporaryBlack homeowners ldquofind clever waysto blend heritage where [they] comerom and point o view in ways thatwarm up what can be a cold standardin modern designrdquo In advance othe November release o Remix thePhiladelphia couple shows off threeextraordinary spaces to demonstratetheir style

EMBRACE THE ENERGETIC

COLORS AND STRIKING

CULTURE THAT INHABITTHESE ONE983085OF983085A983085KIND

FAMILY SPACES

Soul of the Home

D I N I N G ON DIS P LA Y

This is a

smile-inducing

shade Itmakes people

feel good

says Hays

P h o t o g r a p h s b y P A T R I C K C L I N E

7212019 AphroChic Home Feature October 2013 EBONY

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullaphrochic-home-feature-october-2013-ebony 22983095983090 V I S I T E B O N Y C O M 983087 O C T O B E R 983090 983088 983089 983091

Ethnic-chic

decor patterns

such as ikats

and chevrons

now pervade

home design

and fashion

BRIGHT AND BOLD

these hot-pink oversize ikat

prints make a stylish statementin this girlsrsquo room in Venice Calif

ldquoYou can get ikat prints in so

many color weaves today [and]

they can take on such a life of

their ownrdquo Hays says of the vivid

touch that is both versatile and

more elevated than a typical

childrsquos room Adorning the twin

beds with solid-pink valances

keeps the space from looking too

busy while the floors and walls

provide a neutral base Hays

suggests considering vibrant

suzani chevron or geometric

kuba print textiles for a DIY proj-ect eye-catching upholstery can

completely transform new or

repurposed furniture

GET THE LOOK

Robiya Magenta Silk Ikat Pillow

($100 thebootstrapprojectcom)

Ndebele Rug (prices vary

malenebcom)

Tommy Hilfiger Bedding Preppy

Ikat Comforter and Duvet Cover

Sets ($70 to $250 macyscom)

amp IN THIS INGLEWOOD CALIF LIVING

room a glamorous feature wall is juxtaposed

with collected objects from international trav-

els ldquoEmbrace the wallpaper trend as a way to

make a big expressionrdquo says Hays who de-

signed this graphic print African stools Indian

inlaid chairs and the curated collection of figu-

rines are all examples of traditional items that

when arranged against this backdrop show

off the ownerrsquos interactions with cultures half a

world away Trading kitschy souvenirs for au-

thentic pieces travelers Mason says are ever

mindful of elegant decor while vacationing ldquoIt

is completely different from the way people

used to travel years agordquo adds Hays When

shopping for global furnishings keep these tips

in mind Look for pieces that have a sculptural

design are made from natural elements and

go beyond themes such as ldquosafari chicrdquo to truly

reveal the culture they represent Hays insists

this will make the pieces carry more meaning

in your home

GET THE LOOK

The Vibe Wallpaper

($150 per roll aphrochicshopcom)

Natural Bowen Wishbone Chair

($139 worldmarketcom)

Rhino Object and Abstract Giraffe

($29 and $24 westelmcom)

L I VE Home

Home decor

says Mason

revolves around

personalization

P R I N T S CHAR M I N G

T R AV E LERrsquoS PA RA D I S E

7212019 AphroChic Home Feature October 2013 EBONY

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullaphrochic-home-feature-october-2013-ebony 22983095983090 V I S I T E B O N Y C O M 983087 O C T O B E R 983090 983088 983089 983091

Ethnic-chic

decor patterns

such as ikats

and chevrons

now pervade

home design

and fashion

BRIGHT AND BOLD

these hot-pink oversize ikat

prints make a stylish statementin this girlsrsquo room in Venice Calif

ldquoYou can get ikat prints in so

many color weaves today [and]

they can take on such a life of

their ownrdquo Hays says of the vivid

touch that is both versatile and

more elevated than a typical

childrsquos room Adorning the twin

beds with solid-pink valances

keeps the space from looking too

busy while the floors and walls

provide a neutral base Hays

suggests considering vibrant

suzani chevron or geometric

kuba print textiles for a DIY proj-ect eye-catching upholstery can

completely transform new or

repurposed furniture

GET THE LOOK

Robiya Magenta Silk Ikat Pillow

($100 thebootstrapprojectcom)

Ndebele Rug (prices vary

malenebcom)

Tommy Hilfiger Bedding Preppy

Ikat Comforter and Duvet Cover

Sets ($70 to $250 macyscom)

amp IN THIS INGLEWOOD CALIF LIVING

room a glamorous feature wall is juxtaposed

with collected objects from international trav-

els ldquoEmbrace the wallpaper trend as a way to

make a big expressionrdquo says Hays who de-

signed this graphic print African stools Indian

inlaid chairs and the curated collection of figu-

rines are all examples of traditional items that

when arranged against this backdrop show

off the ownerrsquos interactions with cultures half a

world away Trading kitschy souvenirs for au-

thentic pieces travelers Mason says are ever

mindful of elegant decor while vacationing ldquoIt

is completely different from the way people

used to travel years agordquo adds Hays When

shopping for global furnishings keep these tips

in mind Look for pieces that have a sculptural

design are made from natural elements and

go beyond themes such as ldquosafari chicrdquo to truly

reveal the culture they represent Hays insists

this will make the pieces carry more meaning

in your home

GET THE LOOK

The Vibe Wallpaper

($150 per roll aphrochicshopcom)

Natural Bowen Wishbone Chair

($139 worldmarketcom)

Rhino Object and Abstract Giraffe

($29 and $24 westelmcom)

L I VE Home

Home decor

says Mason

revolves around

personalization

P R I N T S CHAR M I N G

T R AV E LERrsquoS PA RA D I S E