What’s in and what’s out in interior design seems to move just as fast as fashion these days, with new color palettes, floor plans, and aesthetics trending every few months. While we have social media to thank for this overwhelmingly fast-paced culture, this medium also paves the way for promising and important Black interior designers.

Not only have these women below made a name for themselves in the historically homogeneous design industry, they’ve worked on some of the most innovative and beautiful design projects to date. Talk about major design inspiration! True to form, their Instagram feeds are chock-full of stylish spaces, a must-follow for any interior design lover. Looking for swoon-worthy spaces to pin for your next project? Get to know their work below.

Amber Guyton, Founder of Blessed Little Bungalow

The world is full of color and for DIY enthusiast, Amber Guyton, it’s what brings her the most inspiration. The Georgia-native (who has lived all over the country) first began her design journey while blogging about the renovation of her 1940s San Antonio home. Since, she’s helped her clients curate their spaces through e-design services, bringing a dose of mid-century modern maximalism to every project she takes on.

While her work features bold touches of color, her own home is still one of her favorite paint makeovers. Who doesn’t love a good before and after? For the kitchen, she opted for Current Mood, a rich, timeless green, to take it from boring brown and builder-grade to oozing with personality. Current Mood is still her most beloved Clare hue but she also suggests Pop, a punchy peach, Deep Dive, a bold blueish green, and Night Groove, a lush aubergine, too. Paint is powerful, plus a great fix for a stylish upgrade on a budget.

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Ashley D. Hunte, Founder of Saint James Atelier

Barbados-born Ashley D. Hunte brings her Caribbean heritage to life through dynamic projects rich with island flair, organic modernism, and a refined palette. For the last five years, she’s transformed high-end homes in Boston, New York, and Austin (her current home base), with color at the forefront, something she calls a pivotal element to add warmth, establish depth, and foster playfulness and fun.

While Clare colors shine in many of her projects, this Brooklyn space below is awash in Whipped, the perfect white that’s never let her down, and Nairobi Blue, a calming light blue for the ultimate match in harmonized color-blocking. Follow Saint James Atelier for impactful, liveable design inspo.

Victoria Lee Jones, Founder of Victoria Lee Interiors

Brooklyn-based Victoria Lee Jones founded her firm just four years ago and has been made some seriously impressive moves ever since. As of this spring, she’s now runs a second business, Victoria Lee Construction, inspiring women to take charge in a traditionally male-dominated field. Her design style is chic, clean, and modern, just picture your favorite dreamy. sophisticated hotel suite.

Her first foray with Clare colors? Her bedroom makeover with Timeless, the best off white paint she’s ever used. Since, it’s become her go-to color! For celebrity hair stylist, Ursula Stephen, she went for a four-color pairing with Blackish, Whipped, Sublime, and of course, Timeless.

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Sandy Santilus, Founder of Sandy. Studios and My Ugly Apartment

For Atlanta-based interior designer and content creator, Sandy Santilus, sharing design tips is what brings her the most joy, especially when they’re renter friendly and cost-conscious. Her business, which blossomed from sharing her own “ugly” apartment transformation now consists of working with clients and spilling her favorite tips and tricks on social media. Check out her TikTok and YouTube for some seriously innovative hacks.

Recently, she used Goodnight Moon, a navy she says draws you in, for a cocoon-like bedroom. Another favorite (pictured below) is a client's home, which is covered in Snow Day, a cool white, which brought the basic apartment up-to-date.

Shannon Maldonado, Founder of YOWIE

Shannon Maldonado’s career really defies definition — she’s a multidisciplinary creative that has her hands in fashion, interior design, art direction, hospitality and events, and more. While she’s known for her quirky South Philly boutique and design studio Yowie, she’s an up-and-coming designer to watch. Her exuberant style is showcased at Dye House, a Rhode Island boutique hotel painted top to bottom in Clare, plus during the pandemic worked on the design for the now-shuttered Ethel’s Club (pictured below), the first social and wellness club for people of color.

The space is a perfect representation of Maldonado’s playful and punchy style — it features retro furniture, storied artwork, and a vibrant color palette (you’ll find Lemonade in the conference room, Current Mood in the cafe, and Dirty Martini in the window nook). Her next big project? Follow Yowie for modern design inspiration as well as clothing, home goods, and artwork hand-selected by Shannon.

Nina Barnieh-Blair, Founder of NinaBDesign

Nina Barnieh-Blair is a Ghana-born, London-raised, New York-based designer who quickly made a name for herself in the city’s competitive design scene. Her modern yet storied aesthetic defines her eponymous firm, NinaBDesign, which has caught the attention of publications like Architectural Digest, Dwell, House Beautiful, New York Magazine, and more.

While her resume is brimming with countless modern renos (like this character-filled Upper West Side apartment), her own sunlit loft in Manhattan’s Tribeca neighborhood is one of her crowning jewels. Bathed in a coat of Clare’s Snow Day, the space is a reflection of Barnieh-Blair’s love of art, color, texture, and shape. Follow Nina for high-end design inspiration, creative and colorful interiors, and a touch of travel.

Eneia White, Founder of Eneia White Interiors

Eneia White founded her eponymous design firm just three years ago, and she’s quickly risen to the top of her field. Her luxe, contemporary design work has caught the attention of industry tastemakers like Domino, Dwell, and Architectural Digest.

The below space out of Silver Spring, Maryland is a great representation of White’s elevated aesthetic — the contemporary bedroom features layered textures, geometric accents, and an unexpected pop of Good Jeans on the ceiling for good measure. Follow Eneia White Interiors for creative, contemporary interiors and a behind-the-scenes look at her design process.

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Mercedes Kerrison, Founder of ABODE Staging + Design

Abode Staging + Design was born shortly after, and she’s been lending her signature luxe-modern aesthetic to homes throughout NYC ever since. The below project in Fort Greene, Brooklyn is a prime example of her signature style — she pairs a cool grey backdrop (courtesy of Clare’s Windy City) with warm leather accents and eye-catching jewel tones for a modern look. Follow Abode Staging for more modern design inspiration, and a glimpse into New York real estate staging from Harlem to Clinton Hill.