Black History Month Spotlight: 7 Designers To Watch

Phillip Jeffries celebrates Black History Month and spotlights these 7 designers who continue to make their mark. 

The striking spaces created by these designers, with their thoughtfully chosen wallcoverings, showcase the transformative power of great design. Each room has a unique and inspiring use of pattern, texture and color that adds depth, personality, and a touch of magic. Whether it's creating a peaceful sanctuary, a vibrant work environment, or an awe-inspiring dining room, these designers have truly made their mark and continue to inspire us with their creativity and vision.

RASHEEDA GRAY, GRAY SPACE INTERIORS 
Named a House Beautiful Next Wave Designer and Philadelphia Tribune’s Most Influential under 40, Founder and Principal Designer
Rasheeda Gray of Gray Space Interiors transformed the bedroom below into a cocoon that lets guests’ imaginations take flight.

According to Rasheeda, “Butterflies are my spirit animal!", so it’s no surprise that our Aflutter wallcovering inspired her to design this space as the designated “anti-hustle” corner of the house.  Rasheeda’s design journey began after a decade long C-suite career in marketing. Rasheeda holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and International Business, a design certification from Temple University and a Master of Business Administration, (MBA). Rasheeda’s community-based work includes mentoring design students from Drexel University, New York School of Interior Design, Temple University and more.



photos by Carl Antrum and Kevin Miyazaki

KESHA FRANKLIN, HALDEN INTERIORS 
Halden Interiors has earned a name for itself as one of New York’s stand-out, full-service design firms. Creative Director Kesha Franklin of Halden Interiors reimagined this chic, at-home office lounge to be functional yet comfortable.  Kesha sits in a client's Hudson River pied-a-terre with panoramic city views below. The walls are wrapped in Manila Hemp in Mink Brown, to showcase her client’s love of travel, art and color.

She took a different approach in reimagining an at-home office lounge below. The intricate paisley patterns on the walls create a sense of movement and intrigue, making it a perfect backdrop for both work and relaxation. By using the Batik Chic collection, she added a touch of bohemian elegance to the space.

 photos by Brittany Ambridge

ARIENE BETHEA, DRESSING ROOMS INTERIORS
Ariene Bethea, principle of Dressing Rooms Interiors, created the ultimate work-from-home space. The multi-use conference room features Offset on the ceiling to draw your eye up. Because no one wants a boring office! 

Ariene truly understands the importance of a well-designed workspace. In the multi-use conference room she created,PJ's Offset wallcovering on the ceiling draws the eye upwards, adding a sense of height and grandeur to the room. This unexpected design choice transforms a traditional office space into a vibrant and engaging environment.

photos by Rustic White Interiors

COREY DAMEN JENKINS, COREY DAMEN JENKINS & ASSOCIATES  
When Corey Damen Jenkins had the opportunity to design a display window at Barney's New York flagship store, he made a statement with his maximalist approach. Utilizing Phillip Jeffries Ripple collection, he created a jewel box-like space brimming with vibrant colors and textures. The walls adorned with the Ripple wallcovering added a sense of depth and movement, making it impossible for a passersby to ignore.

photos by Andrew Frasz

IANTHA CARLEY, IANTHA CARLEY INTERIORS
Iantha Carley Interiors is a boutique interior design firm that has been energizing homes with her signature passion for color and pattern since its founding in 2005.  For the Kaleidoscope Project Showhouse, Iantha designed the Bennet Room, named for Elizabeth Bennet — Iantha’s favorite literary heroine. Wrapped in Preppy Plaid in Classic Cream, what resulted was a serene space marked by a traditional sensibility. 

 


photos by Tim Tiebout

ERIKA WARD, ERIKA WARD INTERIORS
Growing up in a creative family, Erika Ward saw the artistic side of life. Her first mentor in the world of design was her grandfather, a distinguished architect renowned for his work with the federal government. In 2006, she opened Erika Ward Interiors, an Atlanta-based showroom and studio. With astute business acumen, unwavering professionalism, and innate design prowess, the design superstar is not only a creative force, but also a mother to five children.  

Erika Ward had a clear vision for her dining room - she wanted it to evoke a sense of awe and wonder.  “We wanted a dining room that said ‘Wow’,” said Erika Ward of the project below. She achieved that wow factor by papering the walls of this elegant, formal space with the magnolia tree mural Blossom in a brilliant blue hue. The walls become a focal point, with the delicate floral design adding a touch of romance and elegance to the formal space.



photos courtesy of designer

MICHEL SMITH BOYD, SMITHBOYD INTERIORS
Michel Smith Boyd is an American interior designer and star of HGTV hit shows, Luxe for Less and Rock The Block 4. He has received countless accolades including being recognized as one of the Top 10 African American Designers in the country and tapped as one of “Atlanta’s Top 50 Most Powerful People”, as well as Veranda’s “Next Legend.” Additionally, Michel’s work has graced the pages of the Wall Street Journal, Elle Decor, Traditional Home, Vogue, Veranda, Ebony, and Washington Post. His Atlanta based firm, SmithBoyd Interiors, is known for Michel’s signature, sumptuous style.

At this Intown Estate, Michel created a grand entrance with Phillip Jeffries Agate collection, that truly showcases his artful approach to design. The neutral tones of the wallcovering create a calming and inviting atmosphere, while the intricate patterns add a touch of sophistication. Boyd’s artful approach to design stems from his love of fashion and architecture, melding both worlds to create a striking mood.  



photos courtesy of designer 

These Black designers have truly made their mark and continue to inspire us with their creativity and vision. We can't wait to see what the future of design will look like.