Our long-time buddy LaTonya Yvette simply revealed a ebook of essays — Stand In My Window — all about dwelling and homemaking. “We’re all the time recreating dwelling, inside ourselves, inside completely different seasons,” she advised us. “It’s a regenerative observe that Black and Brown ladies have perfected through the years, and it’s an act of resistance.” In the present day, she shares a tour of her Brooklyn condominium, plus a tip for internet hosting giant events and the stunning factor about parenting teenagers. Right here’s a glance inside…
KITCHEN/LIVING AREA
Picket eating desk: West Elm. Chairs: West Elm. Rug: classic from the Brooklyn Flea Market.
On altering residences: Again in 2021, in the course of the New York Metropolis eviction moratoriums, I acquired a letter from our condominium landlord saying that they have been promoting the constructing, and located myself on the lookout for a brand new dwelling. It was such a wakeup second and confirmed me how advantageous the road is between housed and unhoused. I ended up getting this condominium after making use of for an additional condominium within the constructing and am so grateful as a result of it’s really the whole lot we have been on the lookout for: an area the place we really feel secure in our neighborhood, near the children’ faculties and the eating places and parks that we all know and love. It’s a privilege and a blessing.
Kitchen island: made by a buddy. Fruit bowl: West Elm. Dutch oven: Le Creuset. Kettle: Fellow Stagg EKG.
On storage options: Discovering a spot for the whole lot within the kitchen was powerful as a result of there aren’t any cupboards. However my buddy Grace discovered this used island, and her associate, Jack, made a concrete high for it. It was a fast approach to create storage and make the most of the area — I love it.
Paint: Middleton Pink by Farrow & Ball. Couch: Article. Pillows: West Elm. Coat rack: West Elm. Picket 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 condominium has a smaller residing space, so the important thing to internet hosting large events is shifting the furnishings. Earlier than folks arrive, I transfer the whole lot into the again room. My purpose is to make the residing/kitchen space really feel like a large dance ground.
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 buddies beforehand, ‘We’re going to bounce. For those who’re not right here to bounce, 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 beneath her means. She taught me the best way to see thrift shops as shops, and the best way to discover the wonder in others’ previous furnishings. My former neighbor left this dresser on the road. It jogged my memory of a dresser I had as a lady, and as quickly as I noticed it I knew it will add pleasure to our dwelling.
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 guardian, 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 wishes for me. River advised me, ‘I need you to remarry,’ and I believe a small purpose behind that want is that she desires to see me exist in one other manner. The place that our relationship is in proper now could be so lovely and surprising.
Lamp: West Elm.
On embracing a slower season: In New York, and inside my trade, you’re regularly 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 just lately reached a stage of parenting, the place it’s very clear that my daughter goes to depart the home quickly; and earlier than she goes, I wish to be current and 100% emotional accessible together with her. So, I’m advantageous saying no to large initiatives 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. Prior to now I wore yellow garments, however recently I’ve been into seeing how completely different shades of yellow translate to a room. It may be refined and actually sturdy.
Mirror: Stoop discover. Nesting tables: Dobbin St. Classic Co-Op, comparable.
On morning routines: I get up round six and drink sizzling water with lemon. Then I attempt to rally the children to get away from bed by placing on music. Through the pandemic, we have been actually into Otis Redding, and recently we’ve been loving Sounds of Blackness.
Lamp: Nogy.
On grounding rituals: Making a house doesn’t simply imply filling it with furnishings, but in addition creating routines that make you are feeling grounded. For me, that appears like folding our laundry late at evening 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: These days, I haven’t been carrying something new. As a substitute, I’ve been re-styling items I’ve had for years, simply in numerous methods. There’s been a lot change happening in my life, so in relation 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 dwelling. When writing my ebook, I drew inspiration from her Kitchen Desk Sequence, which is all about how Black ladies collect on the desk. For my birthday, a buddy gave me this poster [above], and Carrie signed it, writing ‘Joyful birthday, LaTonya, bear in mind to dream.’
Thanks a lot, LaTonya. We like you. See her Huge Salad concern, as nicely, when you’d like.
P.S. Extra home excursions, together with a Brooklyn condominium with the prettiest paint colours and LaTonya’s upstate home, the place she welcomes kin, buddies, and strangers.
(Images by Julia Robbs.)
