7 Diverse Interior Designers You Should Be Following, According to Justina Blakeney
We are huge fans of the bold, pattern-rich Bohemian style of designer and bestselling author Justina Blakeney, founder and director of the Jungalow. So much so that we invited her to be an instructor on Brit + Co's online startup school Selfmade and she totally rocked it with one of the best courses in the program. This week Brit and Anjelika invited her to reveal all her design secrets in the latest Teach Me Something New! podcast.
If you follow Blakeney, you know that she has been pretty outspoken about the lack of diversity in the interior design industry, especially when it comes to media exposure. So we wanted to know who she admires most in the space. "I have a long list of super talented friends and people I've been following for years who always inspire and delight," she says. Here are her top seven -- follow them for some major decor inspo!
"Incredible author, plant dad, and human," says Blakeney. Carter, who is the bestselling author of Wild Interiors, is known for plant maximalism. Check him out for all the green love and fresh, earthy style.
"Her style is very Mediterranean, very chic, but a little bit down home as well. She's awesome," says Blakeney of her friend and fellow LA-based designer Colette Shelton.
"Corey is so dapper, like I've never seen him not dressed to the nines," says Blakeney. Jenkins makes traditional interiors feel fresh and modern with rich, vibrant color and we love him for it.
"He is such a color master," adds Blakeney. Agreed!
"Her stories are the absolute best for down-to-earth tips, both about life and design," says Blakeney. She also has amazing style (see ceiling above...swoon!)
"Carmeon is a very, very talented designer. Also, like me, she is obsessed with plants. Her rooms tend to be a little bit more moody, a lot of darker colors. Really, really gorgeous," says Blakeney. We have a newfound obsession with this Memphis-based designer and founder of Nubi Interiors.
"He's one of my best friends and a frequent design partner. Dabito has an incredible way with color," says Blakeney. Check out his all green kitchen before and after -- and that logo! #perfection
"She is an incredible textile designer. She has a beautiful collections of pillows. Most of them are made in Ethiopia," says Blakeney. Her textile colors and design are the ultimate eye candy -- follow her travels to visit artisan partners over at Bolé Road Textiles!
For more juicy interior design tips, tune into the latest Teach Me Something New! podcast with the amazing Jungalow founder Justina Blakeney!
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Theresa Gonzalez is a content creator based in San Francisco and the author of Sunday Sews. She's a lover of all things design and spends most of her days momming her little one Matilda.
Getting the word out about your brand takes time, drive, and ingenuity. And it doesn't come easy for many entrepreneurs. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're chatting with Selfmade alum Taylor Morgan McPherson, founder of Sustainable Sparkle Bar, about ways in which she scored press as a solo startup brand and what she learned from Selfmade to take her brand marketing up a notch.
B + C: How did you know Sustainable Sparkle Bar was your business to start?
Glitter has always been my thing, so when I started my event company I decided to make it my niche. I started telling people I threw glitter-themed parties where people would get sparkled with glitter body art and makeup. Six months after that I applied to my first festival and to work with SUR restaurant in West Hollywood.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
I honestly can't say that I've had a specific strategy that I've followed when it comes to getting my business off the ground. I have a PR background so I was just constantly pitching new business and posting on social media.
B + C: What's the biggest challenge you face as a small business owner?
I would say creating a stable income and revenue stream. With a seasonal, event-based business it can be very up and down.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
The relationships I made and the push to start an email database.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I love what I do and I believe in myself 100%. Staying motivated isn't the hard part. Pushing myself to do the work and staying accountable is the hard part.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip? Do you use any apps that help you manage your business?
I keep multiple to-do lists, hand-written and digital. I also tell clients and partners that I will have something to them by a certain time or day so I have to stick to it.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Just do it, take the leap. And don't worry about what anyone else says to thinks.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Issa Rae, I'm so inspired by everything that she's created being a creative and a black woman. It's my dream to have my own show one day based on my life and where I give advice and talk about the world. She's doing it and making people laugh and giving people joy. And it's based in LA. Watching Insecure only further cemented my dreams of wanting to live in LA.
B + C: How did you hear about the Office Depot scholarship?
One of my friends that I met through Camp No Counselors saw an IG ad for it and nominated me.
B + C: What has receiving the scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start/grow your business?
It's completely helped me level up and take my business to another level. Selfmade helped me host my first virtual event and taught me how to set up my website to sell tickets to events and get RSVPs.
B + C: How have Office Depot services or products helped you accomplish more in your business?
I got new cards to send in all of my orders with my discount code on them. I also bought a really cool 4K camera that I now use for my social media.
Thanks Taylor! You really know how to sparkle. We love her colorful, creative vibe. You can follow Sustainable Sparkle Bar on Instagram @sustainablesparklebar.
Let Office Depot OfficeMax help you stand out in the crowd. From signs, posters & banners to promote your business, to marketing materials to keep your customers informed, Office Depot OfficeMax offers a full suite of business services & solutions to help you & your business get noticed.
Head to Office Depot's Selfmade page to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. These offers are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of all this goodness while supplies last. Want to join the next Selfmade cohort this summer? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.