Noteworthy
Hi friends! Happy Monday. It’s a new week and I’m very excited to be back on the blog. Noteworthy posts are where I keep it the realest of real. This blog has always been my safe space to share and the cornerstone of my business I feel most comfortable at. This post is a bit different than most. While I’m still sharing links, things I love, and updates… I also wanted to discuss some major takeaways and plans that came from that last week, and believe me when I say- I learned A LOT. I tried to be a sponge, step away from work, absorb as much information as possible, and put a plan into action to do a better job at being inclusive and diverse in the posts I share. Click through for a long, heartfelt, honest post before we officially kick off another week of design on Room for Tuesday (lots of fun projects ahead, BTW… including our dining set makeover tomorrow)!
First and foremost- to my Black friends and followers, I can and will do better to support you. I am truly sorry it took last weeks events to recognize that I can do better. To everyone who shows up here to read my blog, I promise to keep this a safe place that is inclusive, welcoming, and equal for everyone who wants to engage, read, and participate! I’m so grateful you come here to read, learn about design & renovating, take the time to chat with me, and I hope this feels like a valuable home improvement resource for you. On that note… while I primarily share design related topics (my passion), the design industry as a whole has a TON of room for improvement in terms of equality and diversification.
Moving forward, I’ll be adding more design diversity to my corner of the internet. That includes sharing a more diverse range of artists, retailers, and makers in roundups, as well as featuring more designers of color across my channels. I want to be part of a long term solution. I spent last week gathering my thoughts, learning, endlessly researching, and while my voice was more quiet than usual, rather than posting and cramming it all into a weeks time, it felt more natural and beneficial for me to create a plan of action that is lasting for my space here on the internet, within the design niche. I stumbled upon a quote that stuck with me last week, “You are what you do, not what you say you’ll do.” In other words, once the hashtags stop trending, I want to continue this positive trajectory toward equality. I know this won’t happen overnight and will be a longterm effort. I can say for certain- I’m committed to doing better here on the blog, and am still trying to figure out how I fit in on a larger scale (design scholarships, being a better ally to my fellow design bloggers when it comes to partnerships, etc). Some things you’ll probably notice, like obvious designer shout outs, and some things you may not, like products included in roundups that are retailed by a more diverse range of people. Regardless, I’ll be back here doing the work. That is my promise to all of you, and it’s where I’m beginning.
Aside from design (in our personal life), Emmett & I have eight biracial nieces and nephews- I know shaping the world they grow up in starts with measurable change at home. We’ve had many, many conversations about changes we can make, things we can do, ways we can show our support, and hopefully make a difference. I just wanted you to know, a lot of work and changes will be made on our end, behind-the-scenes. I’m not going to lie, it was uncomfortable… further learning and discovering what people have endured and the privileges we have enjoyed because of our skin color. Although there are many things that need and should be done to change the course of the present and future, we have to start somewhere. Without getting too personal or political here, Emmett & I created a list of things we’ll be pushing for here at home, but something at the top of that list, we’ll always keep advocating for: kindness & speaking up against racism. Our goal has always been to show kindness toward everyone. I hope that shows through my voice and presence here on the blog. My quick thoughts? I know I will be contacting my city leaders to discuss my concerns. I know I will be focusing more on my local political elections than ever before. I know I will continue to speak out anytime I witness racism (this will create long standing change as these behaviors are passed onto children & generations to come), and will do better to diversify and be more inclusive with my blog and my business. And I know that if others do this, we will see positive change. It has been a hard year, no doubt, but I’m convinced there is good to be found. I just wanted to speak from my heart, and focus on the good that can come from this.
Last week, I received alllllll sorts of messages (the good, the bad, and the ugly). To those wondering if my home interiors blog is “turning political”… the answer is no. My passion has been and will continue to be design focused (check back tomorrow for a regular design post). For me personally, this felt like a civil rights and humanity issue that could not be ignored. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again- I stand for kindness, love, and equal opportunity for all. There is no room for hate or negativity here on my blog or any of my channels. I’m happy to say, 99% of my friends and readers here are kind, genuine people that I’m proud of and better for knowing… thank you for that! I don’t have all of the answers and am certainly not an expert on the subject matter, but shining light on these shortfalls cannot hurt. It also felt wrong to move forward with a “regular design post” today after a such a heavy week, without speaking from my heart. Last week I was told to “stick with interior design and shut up.” While I politely ignored those requests…. I felt compelled to share. Equality it too important. Kindness is too important. Human life is too important.
Having said all of that, ready for the lighter hearted portion of this post? Here we go…
While I took time away from the blog last week, we made some progress in the guest bedroom. I mapped out our millwork, placed that order, and figured out my DIY upholstered bed. That’s the route I decided on… I’m going to reupholster the existing bed (it’s the same bed from this post) and hopefully change the shape of the headboard. My goal is that it is unrecognizable by the time I’m finished with upholstery. I’m a little nervous because it sounds like a big undertaking, but it’s in the works for this week and next. I’ll be sharing as I go. It could be a big fail, but I’m going to give it a try. It will be interesting for you to watch either way. Haha!
As if I didn’t love Etsy enough already (see my ‘Best of Etsy’ posts here), they announced this last Wednesday.
I think it’s safe to say we could all use a smile. If you could use a comedic moment, these videos made me laugh… you have to watch part one and part two. What. A. Year. Isn’t it crazy knowing we’re living and experiencing history in the making?
I could listen to Tabitha Brown talk forever and ever (she’s a vegan food influencer with a heart of gold). Did you guys see her video last week? Quick to love and quick to listen. Her message definitely resonated with me: let’s start being mindful of our intentions and what we are quick to do. That video also put a smile on my face and pep in my step.
We spent Saturday evening hanging out at our neighbors on their newly updated deck I posted last week. We grilled out, did a lot of talking, the dogs played, we made these cocktails (an old favorite), and I was reminded how important it is to have genuine, caring people in your corner.
I thought this article shared interesting insight on how home design and architecture could shift post pandemic. From material choices to moving away from open concept floor plans- it really makes a lot of sense.
For those of you that have stuck around this week, thank you! This is a tough, emotional time for everyone and many decided to part ways. I’m really thankful you’re here! I mean that. I’m excited to keep learning, improving, and sharing more design posts on the blog this year and hopefully for many years to come. I have lots of fun posts lined up this month, projects to tackle, and inspiration to share.
Lastly, I’m linking some woven items from a Black-owned shop I discovered this week on Etsy. Guess who got a new dog bed? Signing off and sending lots of love to you all! See you tomorrow, friends. I’ll be sharing our dining set makeover.
