- February 5, 2022
- Luis Carmona
As a woman of color owned design firm, we hold diversity as one of our core pillars that shape our company culture and design projects – and everything in between. In honor of Black History Month, we are elated to showcase some of our favorite Black artisans and creatives that you need to know.
Photo courtesy of karenjaihome.com
Karen Jai Home
Karen Jai Home is a home accessories boutique for the design-obsessed. That is us! Founder and Creative Director, Janelle Langford, founded the interiors e-commerce site in 2018 and offers a wide selection of furniture, lighting and décor with a sleek and modern aesthetic. The Dibba Lamp (shown above) is made of wire, formed into a sculptural cage. It is illuminated by a central LED tubular diffuser for ambient light that can help soften the space.
Photo courtesy of xNstudio.com
xN Studio
xN Studio is a lifestyle brand founded in Brooklyn, NY and Kampala, Uganda in 2011 by Nasozi Kakembo. xN Studio focuses on product and interior design that finds the delicate balance, in their words, between classic and modern, East and West, innovative and subdued. Their Bogolan Bauhaus TWIST planters have been featured in Essence and NYmag.com and is a best seller for the studio (for obvious reasons). Each planter is hand painted and is inspired by Malian mud cloth designs. The bold colors contrast beautifully with the terracotta clay and are perfect to accent any indoor space with your favorite succulent.
Photo courtesy of adrianbrandon.com
Adrian Brandon
Adrian Brandon is a Seattle-raised and Brooklyn-based artist whose goal is to help cultivate a greater understanding around the Black experience. His Brooklyn Windows series was inspired during his time in lockdown due to COVID and what his surroundings looked like during that period. The bold colors in this series demonstrate a vibrant depiction of the neighborhood’s many facets. Each print is made to order, printed on high quality archival paper and is the perfect colorful accent for any space.
Photo courtesy of malenebarnett.com
Malene Barnett
Malene Barnett is an artist, activist, and sought out leader on the cultural traditions and practices of art in the African diaspora. Her skills span the artistic spectrum from ceramic tiles to paintings to handwoven rugs making her a versatile powerhouse in the art world. Her use of natural elements, like silks and pastels, and her dedication to minority representation in the art world make Barnett a force to be reckoned with. Barnett is also the founder of the Black Artists + Designers Guild, a global platform and curated collection of independent black artists and designers. Her ceramic piece, titled Lava, has an ombre finish from white to black with impeccable, textured detail on the exterior.
If you loved learning about these artisans and creatives, make sure you check out our post on Black Creatives’ Lasting Influence.
