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.
It can be intimidating to step out on your own and build a business from the ground up. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're talking with Selfmade alum and solopreneur Colette Lawrence, the faith-based motivator and relationship builder behind The M.E.E. Movement, about ways in which women in business can find success.
B + C: How did you know M.E.E. Movement was your business to start?
The M.E.E Movement represents motivation, empowerment, and encouragement for women. It is what represents me. I did not know at first that it was my business to start, but then the thought of monetizing what I loved came to me. It scared me, however. I registered the business in July 2020 and have been slowly building my wings since.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
Thinking through and researching what the requirements are to start my business, and then asking questions of people who are in the business. Not all advice worked; however, it helped me to figure out what I needed to do and not to do.
B + C: Did you always know life coaching would be your entrepreneurial path?
(Smiles) No, I did not. I 'stumbled" on it. I knew that people were always coming to me for advice and I found that I loved having conversations with them, especially with women, young and old.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
My most valuable takeaway was the first day of training: Get out of your own way. There were a lot of great moments and important takeaways from every presenter. However, getting out of my own way, pushing past doubts, was for me my most valuable takeaway. Doing something that I had never done before took courage. If I do not focus on what is happening with me mentally then I cannot deliver to my clients successfully.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Get out of your head. You have something to offer. You have what you need to succeed so go ahead and do it.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I stay motivated by listening to music and listening to motivational speakers, and sometimes someone will just reach out and talk about the impact that I made in their life. That adds the extra juice or sauce I need to pummel through the day.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip?
Keep a diary and journal. It's the best way for me to keep organized and it also provides a source motivation as I record not only my "losses" but my wins as well.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Shirley Toliver – She motivates and empowers and makes me always want to show up.
B + C: What has receiving the Office Depot scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start or grow your business?
The scholarship was a blessing in that all the areas that were covered offered valuable information that I needed, from social media to HR. As a new business owner, I needed to know this to increase my own personal awareness in what it takes to run a successful business. The candidness of the presenters made it easy to see myself in their shoes and helped me to realize that I can also get there.
Thanks Colette! You can follow The M.E.E. Movement on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Want to feel motivated to take the next step for your business? Let Office Depot OfficeMax give you the confidence you need with a suite of business services & solutions to help you put your best foot forward. Make a good first impression with business cards & build the business pitch of your dreams with custom presentations. With Office Depot OfficeMax you'll find the tools to reach new customers with confidence.
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.