Our long-time good friend LaTonya Yvette simply revealed a guide of essays — Stand In My Window — all about residence and homemaking. “We’re all the time recreating residence, inside ourselves, inside completely different seasons,” she advised us. “It’s a regenerative follow that Black and Brown girls have perfected through the years, and it’s an act of resistance.” In the present day, she shares a tour of her Brooklyn condo, plus a tip for internet hosting giant events and the stunning factor about parenting teenagers. Right here’s a glance inside…
KITCHEN/LIVING AREA
Wood eating desk: West Elm. Chairs: West Elm. Rug: classic from the Brooklyn Flea Market.
On altering flats: Again in 2021, in the course of the New York Metropolis eviction moratoriums, I acquired a letter from our condo landlord saying that they had been promoting the constructing, and located myself searching for a brand new residence. It was such a wakeup second and confirmed me how advantageous the road is between housed and unhoused. I ended up getting this condo after making use of for an additional condo within the constructing and am so grateful as a result of it’s really every little thing we had been searching for: an area the place we really feel protected in our neighborhood, near the youngsters’ colleges and the eating places and parks that we all know and love. It’s a privilege and a blessing.
Kitchen island: made by a good friend. Fruit bowl: West Elm. Dutch oven: Le Creuset. Kettle: Fellow Stagg EKG.
On storage options: Discovering a spot for every little thing within the kitchen was robust as a result of there are not any cupboards. However my good friend Grace discovered this used island, and her companion, Jack, made a concrete prime for it. It was a fast option to create storage and make the most of the house — I love it.
Paint: Middleton Pink by Farrow & Ball. Couch: Article. Pillows: West Elm. Coat rack: West Elm. Wood facet desk: “from my grandmother.” Ceramic lamp: West Elm. Tapestry: Block Store. Espresso desk: West Elm. Pink vase: thrifted from Dobbin St. Classic Co-op.
On internet hosting in small rooms: This condo has a smaller residing space, so the important thing to internet hosting large events is transferring the furnishings. Earlier than folks arrive, I transfer every little thing into the again room. My purpose is to make the residing/kitchen space really feel like a large dance flooring.
Eating desk: West Elm. Chairs: West Elm. Pendant: Nogy.
On an ice-breaker: I hate small discuss with a ardour. Each time I’ve a get collectively, I inform my pals beforehand, ‘We’re going to bop. In the event you’re not right here to bop, then you definately gotta go.’ The trick to creating the temper is to play ’90s music. Janet Jackson, Lauryn Hill, Wu-Tang, Luther Vandross — something from the ’90s will get folks going, for actual.
KIDS’ BEDROOM
Dresser: classic. Mirror: Goal. Pennant: Rayo and Honey.
On stoop finds: My grandmother knew the best way to make her life really feel extravagant although she lived under her means. She taught me the best way to see thrift shops as malls, and the best way to discover the wonder in others’ outdated furnishings. My former neighbor left this dresser on the road. It jogged my memory of a dresser I had as a woman, and as quickly as I noticed it I knew it could add pleasure to our residence.
Mattress: West Elm. Blanket: Map Tote.
On parenting teenagers: At 10 and 13, my children now see extra of my humanness, and I see extra of theirs. They nonetheless view me as their father or mother, as a result of I present for them and information them, however now I’m additionally ‘LaTonya.’ LaTonya’s flawed, however she’s additionally nice.
Coat rack: Ikea. Backpacks: Fjällräven. Frames: Framebridge.
On new chapters: My now-older children even have new needs for me. River advised me, ‘I would like you to remarry,’ and I feel a small purpose behind that want is that she desires to see me exist in one other method. The place that our relationship is in proper now’s so stunning and sudden.
Lamp: West Elm.
On embracing a slower season: In New York, and inside my trade, you’re frequently hustling, hustling, hustling. Three years in the past, I used to be doing a lot labor — I used to be shopping for a home, I used to be renovating that home, and I used to be doing work inside myself. However I’ve lately reached a stage of parenting, the place it’s very clear that my daughter goes to go away the home quickly; and earlier than she goes, I wish to be current and 100% emotional obtainable together with her. So, I’m advantageous saying no to large tasks proper now.
PRIMARY BEDROOM
Bedding: Dazed however Amazed. Pillows: West Elm.
On the colour yellow: I’ve all the time been drawn to yellow and see it as an indication of pleasure. Previously I wore yellow garments, however these days I’ve been into seeing how completely different shades of yellow translate to a room. It may be refined and actually robust.
Mirror: Stoop discover. Nesting tables: Dobbin St. Classic Co-Op, comparable.
On morning routines: I get up round six and drink scorching water with lemon. Then I attempt to rally the youngsters to get away from bed by placing on music. In the course of the pandemic, we had been actually into Otis Redding, and these days we’ve been loving Sounds of Blackness.
Lamp: Nogy.
On grounding rituals: Making a house doesn’t simply imply filling it with furnishings, but additionally creating routines that make you’re feeling grounded. For me, that appears like folding our laundry late at night time with a glass of wine and watching Girlfriends. Including small touches of ease brings pleasure to the on a regular basis moments of homemaking.
Rug: classic. Leather-based chair: West Elm. Lamp: World Market.
On rewearing favourite finds: Recently, I haven’t been carrying something new. As a substitute, I’ve been re-styling items I’ve had for years, simply in several methods. There’s been a lot change happening in my life, so with regards to my garments, I’ve realized, why repair one thing that’s not damaged?
On full-circle presents: I’m an enormous fan of photographer Carrie Mae Weems. I consider her as my artwork godmother, since a lot of her work is rooted in residence. When writing my guide, I drew inspiration from her Kitchen Desk Collection, which is all about how Black girls collect on the desk. For my birthday, a good friend gave me this poster [above], and Carrie signed it, writing ‘Joyful birthday, LaTonya, bear in mind to dream.’
Thanks a lot, LaTonya. We love you. See her Huge Salad situation, as nicely, when you’d like.
P.S. Extra home excursions, together with a Brooklyn condo with the prettiest paint colours and LaTonya’s upstate home, the place she welcomes family members, pals, and strangers.
(Pictures by Julia Robbs.)
