4 Black Designers You Should be Following on Instagram
Swoon-worthy interior design inspiration ahead.
Interior design moves nearly as quickly as the fashion industry these days, with new color palettes, floor plans, and aesthetics going in and out of style 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 new talent.
Take the below interior designers, for example. Not only have these four women 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. From a first-of-its-kind social and wellness club for people of color designed by Shannon Maldonado, to countless interior renovations and staging projects helmed by Nina Blair, Eneia White, and Mercedes Kerrison, these cutting-edge designers are true leaders in the field. They’re also a part of our Trade Program and have used our paint in countless design projects to help bring their visions to life.
True to form, their Instagram feeds are chock-full of design inspiration and a must-follow for any interior design lover. Get to know their work below!
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 — she recently served as lead designer of 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 a Timeless backdrop layered with Lemonade in the conference room, Current Mood in the cafe, and Dirty Martini in the window nook). Her next big project? A boutique hotel in Rhode Island called Dye House that will be painted top to bottom in Clare. 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, and she was recently named to House Beautiful’s Next Wave 2021 list.
The below bedroom out of Silver Spring, Maryland is a great representation of White’s elevated aesthetic. She transformed a blank slate into a stunning, contemporary bedroom layered with texture, 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
Mercedes Kerrison’s plunge into the design world was somewhat of an act of passion. The New York City native worked in the fashion industry for a decade before taking the leap of faith and starting her own home staging and redesign company out of her home in Brooklyn, New York.
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.
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