My company is… AphroChic
I’m the… Creative Director & Founder
I make/design/create…. Eco-friendly textiles and wallpaper. At AphroChic we create pillows, placemats, table runners, organic shower curtains, and wallpaper all featuring culturally-inspired prints in a modern context. Our company focuses on sustainability, with all items printed digitally including our wallpaper that’s printed with water-based inks.
IMAGE | AphroChic's Brooklyn Life Table Setting shot by Melanie Acevedo
Something you need to know about me is…. I’m a design junkie. I write about it on our blog, instagram it, pin it, tweet about it, and it never feels like work - I just love finding new and incredible work that continues to inspire me.
Here’s how this company came to be… In 2007 AphroChic started as an after work hobby for me. I wanted to fill a gap in the blogosphere, and write about culturally-inspired interior design, home decor products and art. It was my outlet to write about the works of a diverse group of designers that I love. Two years later my husband and I started a new adventure, designing our first collection of textiles that featured bright and bold designs including an over-sized ikat print, our silhouette pillows with Black women rocking afros, and our Reflection print with cool cameos. The journey has continued since that time, as we’ve expanded our work to include wallpaper, and we’re now on the road to completing our first home decor book that will help readers bring their own cultural style home.
My absolute favorite thing we sell right now is… We just launched our spring wallpaper collection, and I am in love with our Juju Black & Gold print. It’s so glamorous, and the light golden eco-canvas that it’s printed on has just the right amount of shine to make a room sparkle.
IMAGE | AphroChic's Juju wallpaper in Black & Gold. New for Spring 2013 at Graham & Brown.
What I'm working on now is… At night I stay up working on new prints. There is one I’ve been playing with for some new designs we will release this summer. Stay tuned for how we will apply it!
I’m most proud of… All that I have accomplished working with my husband. Every day we get to wake up together and make our dreams come true. It feels like a gift I’ve been given - to work with someone I love on what I love. We keep each other motivated, and inspire one another to create beautiful design.
IMAGE | Smilebooth + Martha Stewart Weddings
I really detest… Emails! There’s just so many of them. It seems like no matter what time it is - first thing in the morning, or the middle of the night, I’m always swimming through my never-ending inbox. At the same time, I’m glad that it’s full of such interesting things.
I could never have done it without this person... My husband and business partner, Bryan Mason.
I consistently read these for inspiration… What inspires me most these days is Pinterest. There is always so much beautiful content to explore. I find that curated boards offer even more inspiration than what I see in magazines or on blogs these days.
I would like to share the limelight with… Malene Barnett of Malene B. Her custom carpets are globally-inspired and absolutely incredible. She thinks outside of the box when it comes to rug design, creating absolute works of art. Her Wolof carpet leaves me in awe.
IMAGES | Top: Malene Barnett | Bottom: An assortment of Malene B's gorgeous carpets as seen in The Selby
#sharethelimelight