AphroChic

09/08/2021

Home is where the art is.

Home is where the art is.

09/06/2021

The food allergy issues caused by COVID seem to be under control with a daily allergy pill regimen. On Mondays we add new foods to the diet. This Monday it’s green tea ice cream! So divine.

The food allergy issues caused by COVID seem to be under control with a daily allergy pill regimen. On Mondays we add new foods to the diet. This Monday it’s green tea ice cream! So divine.

09/02/2021

The faces of two very tired but happy people who submitted their manuscript to the publisher today. Book number two arrives Fall ‘22. We’re about to be two-time authors! Can’t wait for you to read it!

The faces of two very tired but happy people who submitted their manuscript to the publisher today. Book number two arrives Fall ‘22. We’re about to be two-time authors! Can’t wait for you to read it!

09/01/2021

Unpacking art for the house. All by artists from the Diaspora. It’s important to surround ourselves with work by our people. It’s what makes our house a home.

Unpacking art for the house. All by artists from the Diaspora. It’s important to surround ourselves with work by our people. It’s what makes our house a home.

08/30/2021

The thinker. He’s writing the next classic. This book is about more than design. It’s about our history. Our resilience. About where we must go next.

The thinker. He’s writing the next classic. This book is about more than design. It’s about our history. Our resilience. About where we must go next.

08/27/2021

We 🖤 CRT. In law school, Jeanine couldn’t get enough of the work of @kimberlecrenshaw. And Bryan studied CRT while at grad school at UC Berkeley. The work was critically important - an analysis of the systematic structures of racism in our society. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Today, many are wondering what Critical Race Theory is? To answer that question, Bryan wrote a primer for all of those interested in learning more. Along with a list of CRT books that are must-read, he goes into how the study was founded and why it has so many white Americans shook these days. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Read all about CRT in Issue No. 7 and check our stories for a Critical Race Theory book list.

We 🖤 CRT. In law school, Jeanine couldn’t get enough of the work of @kimberlecrenshaw. And Bryan studied CRT while at grad school at UC Berkeley. The work was critically important - an analysis of the systematic structures of racism in our society. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Today, many are wondering what Critical Race Theory is? To answer that question, Bryan wrote a primer for all of those interested in learning more. Along with a list of CRT books that are must-read, he goes into how the study was founded and why it has so many white Americans shook these days. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Read all about CRT in Issue No. 7 and check our stories for a Critical Race Theory book list.

08/25/2021

As we spend this week finishing up our manuscript for The Black Family Home, we’re reflecting on this place, where the journey to our upcoming book began. This house, that has been in Bryan’s family for six generations, has taken us on a journey. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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A journey to understanding one story of a Black family’s survival post the Great Migration. A journey to understanding how our ability to own a home today was paved by the generations before us who fought so hard for Black home ownership - for spaces to call our own. Communities where we could be safe. Homes that could be our sanctuary. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Designing this multi-generational family home helped us see that our stories are important and need to be told. Can’t wait for you to see this book. It’s more than an interior design book. It’s a book that honors our past, our present and the beautiful resilience of Black people.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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📸 @royancooper

As we spend this week finishing up our manuscript for The Black Family Home, we’re reflecting on this place, where the journey to our upcoming book began. This house, that has been in Bryan’s family for six generations, has taken us on a journey. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
A journey to understanding one story of a Black family’s survival post the Great Migration. A journey to understanding how our ability to own a home today was paved by the generations before us who fought so hard for Black home ownership - for spaces to call our own. Communities where we could be safe. Homes that could be our sanctuary. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Designing this multi-generational family home helped us see that our stories are important and need to be told. Can’t wait for you to see this book. It’s more than an interior design book. It’s a book that honors our past, our present and the beautiful resilience of Black people.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
📸 @royancooper

08/23/2021

@pharrell and partner @DaveGrutman recently opened @thegoodtimehotel in Miami and we are in love with the aesthetic! Pretty pastels, Art Deco influences, and that Miami pink. The vibe is all about having a good time in a beautifully designed environment. Read our feature of The Goodtime Hotel in Issue No. 7.

@pharrell and partner @DaveGrutman recently opened @thegoodtimehotel in Miami and we are in love with the aesthetic! Pretty pastels, Art Deco influences, and that Miami pink. The vibe is all about having a good time in a beautifully designed environment. Read our feature of The Goodtime Hotel in Issue No. 7.

08/21/2021

Taking some time out to play. Creatives need to create. And sometimes designers just need to style for no reason at all. Just for the love of making home a beautiful sanctuary.

Taking some time out to play. Creatives need to create. And sometimes designers just need to style for no reason at all. Just for the love of making home a beautiful sanctuary.

08/20/2021

In between the sheets. Our bedding collection, available @perigold, is a dream come true. Our Dunham Duvet, featuring a pattern made in partnership with @kjartschool is available in soft pink and in white. It will have your bedroom looking like a garden all year long.

08/18/2021

She’s calling it the “Modern-Vintage Museum of Kryspy” and we are here for it! Our friend @krystledesantos has the most incredible collection of vintage items in her NYC apartment. Check out our tour of her girl cave that was featured on our @hgtv @facebook series - Sneak Peek.

08/17/2021

Black joy is so beautiful. A throwback to a funny moment during a project we were working on upstate a few years ago. At the time we could never have imagined that we’d be moving up this way. Life takes you on a journey. It’s amazing when you just roll with it. 📸 @nicole_franzen

Black joy is so beautiful. A throwback to a funny moment during a project we were working on upstate a few years ago. At the time we could never have imagined that we’d be moving up this way. Life takes you on a journey. It’s amazing when you just roll with it. 📸 @nicole_franzen

08/13/2021

Color therapy. We’ve been working with @farrowandball to develop a color palette for the house. We’ve chosen a selection of paint colors that have a lot of depth to them. In each room, we want it to feel like you’re enveloped in color. This is the palette so far. Check out our stories for more!

08/11/2021

Always dreamed of having a country house with hydrangeas blooming in the front yard. Dreams do come true. 🌺

Always dreamed of having a country house with hydrangeas blooming in the front yard. Dreams do come true. 🌺

08/09/2021

We want to thank you all so much for your kind words regarding Issue No. 7. We are so proud to be able to bring you a lifestyle magazine that represents the depth of creativity and beauty that is Black culture. Our team works hard on every issue to bring you thought-provoking, inspirational and enlightening stories. AphroChic Magazine is our love letter to Black culture and we’re so happy that you’re enjoying it.

We want to thank you all so much for your kind words regarding Issue No. 7. We are so proud to be able to bring you a lifestyle magazine that represents the depth of creativity and beauty that is Black culture. Our team works hard on every issue to bring you thought-provoking, inspirational and enlightening stories. AphroChic Magazine is our love letter to Black culture and we’re so happy that you’re enjoying it.

08/06/2021

Get some rest in AphroChic sheets. They’re soft and cozy and will look pretty in your bedroom. Available exclusively at @perigold.

08/04/2021

Today, in our home, it’s a national holiday - Barack Obama Day! Our President. The best to ever do it. Happy 60th birthday @barackobama! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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This pillow is from one of our favorite brands - SHINE SHINE, available @_54kibo.

Today, in our home, it’s a national holiday - Barack Obama Day! Our President. The best to ever do it. Happy 60th birthday @barackobama! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
This pillow is from one of our favorite brands - SHINE SHINE, available @_54kibo.

08/03/2021

Interior designer (and Jeanine’s sister) @_angelabelt and her husband, @the_l_cut, have the sweetest outdoor space. Bright pops of yellow, green walls and ikat fabrics make it the perfect space to enjoy alfresco dining with their daughter Brooklyn. Check out our complete house tour of this family-friendly home at the link in our profile, under @hgtv house tours.

08/02/2021

To James Baldwin On His 97th Birthday⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
(a love letter from Jeanine):⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Dear Jimmy,⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
You don’t know me⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
But your words helped me see myself⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
A young Black girl from a small white town⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
A town that had banned The Color Purple⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Something that caused a hunger inside me⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
To read books about Blackness ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I read Richard⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Maya⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Alice⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Zora⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
But I fell in love with you ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The eloquence of your words⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
They nourished me ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I am an author now because of you⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Helping others see that Black is beautiful ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
That our experiences matter⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
That it is not Blackness that is the problem ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
But the soul-twisting existence of being the oppressor ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I seek to nourish others because of you ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Thank you Jimmy⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
You helped me see myself⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
You helped me know that I exist ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
And why

To James Baldwin On His 97th Birthday⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
(a love letter from Jeanine):⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Dear Jimmy,⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
You don’t know me⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
But your words helped me see myself⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
A young Black girl from a small white town⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
A town that had banned The Color Purple⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Something that caused a hunger inside me⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
To read books about Blackness ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I read Richard⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Maya⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Alice⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Zora⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
But I fell in love with you ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The eloquence of your words⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
They nourished me ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I am an author now because of you⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Helping others see that Black is beautiful ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
That our experiences matter⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
That it is not Blackness that is the problem ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
But the soul-twisting existence of being the oppressor ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I seek to nourish others because of you ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Thank you Jimmy⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
You helped me see myself⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
You helped me know that I exist ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
And why

07/28/2021

Summer mood. So in love with this handmade fan from @reflektiondesign. Check it out in the MOOD section of Issue No. 7 and in our The Black Family Home feature about taking up space outdoors. You’ll want a set of these beauties to cool you and your guests off this summer.

07/25/2021

Sunday Brunch. The yellow and green color palette is so refreshing. Our beautiful entertaining story in Issue No. 7 features a brunch by our favorite glassware brand, @estellecoloredglass. See how Estelle created this stunning brunch and supported local small businesses.

Link in profile.

07/23/2021

Morning meditation. We are so committed now to taking care of our health. That means eating healthy home cooked meals, drinking lots of water, taking days off, creating a healthy, sustainable home and spending more time just enjoying life rather than working 24/7. It’s been a complete life shift and one that’s been needed. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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As Black people, it’s been our inheritance in this country to work ourselves to death. To inherit hypertension and early deaths. We’re learning there’s a new way. For us, home is where it all begins.

Morning meditation. We are so committed now to taking care of our health. That means eating healthy home cooked meals, drinking lots of water, taking days off, creating a healthy, sustainable home and spending more time just enjoying life rather than working 24/7. It’s been a complete life shift and one that’s been needed. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
As Black people, it’s been our inheritance in this country to work ourselves to death. To inherit hypertension and early deaths. We’re learning there’s a new way. For us, home is where it all begins.

07/22/2021

You guys have been so unbelievably supportive regarding my post-COVID journey. I thought I’d share a little about the reality of getting better. It’s not always a straight line. This past week I learned that. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I’ve been steadily getting better. Each day I feel stronger. I’m now adding cardio into my daily workouts. The cardio will help with my blood pressure condition and will help me to be able to walk up the stairs of the house. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Well, yesterday, after weeks of feeling amazing, I hit a wall. In the morning after my exercises, I felt dizzy, nauseas, my stomach was in knots. I was close to fainting and Bryan helped me to a chair. I just laid back for 20 minutes and felt worse than I have in months. We took my blood pressure and it was low, real low. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
After reaching out to my doctor, we found out the good news is that with the added cardio to my workouts, my body is getting into better condition. That also means I may not need as much blood pressure meds, since the meds I’m taking pushed my pressure too low yesterday, making me feel awful. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I had to stop yesterday. I put my do not disturb on, took the rest of the day off and just rested. Bry took the best care of me and we watched comedies and just relaxed. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Every day is not going to be the best when getting over a major illness, and that’s ok. This journey is not about perfection. Sometimes you’ll have flare ups or a med issue, but you stay the course. Fortunately I’m feeling much better today. Still getting that rest in, because listening to the body is a must.

You guys have been so unbelievably supportive regarding my post-COVID journey. I thought I’d share a little about the reality of getting better. It’s not always a straight line. This past week I learned that. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I’ve been steadily getting better. Each day I feel stronger. I’m now adding cardio into my daily workouts. The cardio will help with my blood pressure condition and will help me to be able to walk up the stairs of the house. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Well, yesterday, after weeks of feeling amazing, I hit a wall. In the morning after my exercises, I felt dizzy, nauseas, my stomach was in knots. I was close to fainting and Bryan helped me to a chair. I just laid back for 20 minutes and felt worse than I have in months. We took my blood pressure and it was low, real low. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
After reaching out to my doctor, we found out the good news is that with the added cardio to my workouts, my body is getting into better condition. That also means I may not need as much blood pressure meds, since the meds I’m taking pushed my pressure too low yesterday, making me feel awful. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I had to stop yesterday. I put my do not disturb on, took the rest of the day off and just rested. Bry took the best care of me and we watched comedies and just relaxed. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Every day is not going to be the best when getting over a major illness, and that’s ok. This journey is not about perfection. Sometimes you’ll have flare ups or a med issue, but you stay the course. Fortunately I’m feeling much better today. Still getting that rest in, because listening to the body is a must.

07/21/2021

Did you know that in 1979 President Jimmy Carter, at the request of the Black Music Association, hosted a picnic on the South Lawn of the White House, with performances by Billy Eckstine, Chuck Berry, Evelyn Champagne King, and other iconic Black musicians? It’s one of many amazing stories that @dyanawilliams shared with us about the founding of Black Music Month. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Read the full interview in Issue No. 7. And check out our stories for Dyana’s Black Music Now playlist for AphroChic on Spotify. It will have you jamming!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
📸 from the private archives of Dyana Williams

Did you know that in 1979 President Jimmy Carter, at the request of the Black Music Association, hosted a picnic on the South Lawn of the White House, with performances by Billy Eckstine, Chuck Berry, Evelyn Champagne King, and other iconic Black musicians? It’s one of many amazing stories that @dyanawilliams shared with us about the founding of Black Music Month. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Read the full interview in Issue No. 7. And check out our stories for Dyana’s Black Music Now playlist for AphroChic on Spotify. It will have you jamming!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
📸 from the private archives of Dyana Williams