Our long-time buddy LaTonya Yvette simply printed a ebook of essays — Stand In My Window — all about house and homemaking. “We’re at all times recreating house, inside ourselves, inside completely different seasons,” she advised us. “It’s a regenerative observe that Black and Brown ladies have perfected over time, and it’s an act of resistance.” Right now, she shares a tour of her Brooklyn residence, plus a tip for internet hosting giant events and the shocking 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 residence landlord saying that they have been promoting the constructing, and located myself on the lookout for a brand new house. It was such a wakeup second and confirmed me how superb the road is between housed and unhoused. I ended up getting this residence after making use of for one more residence within the constructing and am so grateful as a result of it’s actually every little thing we have been on the lookout for: an area the place we really feel protected 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 every little thing within the kitchen was robust 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 solution 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 aspect 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 residence has a smaller residing space, so the important thing to internet hosting large events is transferring the furnishings. Earlier than individuals arrive, I transfer every little thing into the again room. My aim is to make the residing/kitchen space really feel like an enormous dance flooring.
Eating desk: West Elm. Chairs: West Elm. Pendant: Nogy.
On an ice-breaker: I hate small speak with a ardour. Every time I’ve a get collectively, I inform my mates beforehand, ‘We’re going to bop. If you happen to’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 individuals going, for actual.
KIDS’ BEDROOM
Dresser: classic. Mirror: Goal. Pennant: Rayo and Honey.
On stoop finds: My grandmother knew tips on how to make her life really feel extravagant despite the fact that she lived beneath her means. She taught me tips on how to see thrift shops as shops, and tips on how 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 woman, and as quickly as I noticed it I knew it will add pleasure to our house.
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 mum or dad, 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 believe a small purpose behind that want is that she needs to see me exist in one other approach. The place that our relationship is in proper now could be so lovely and sudden.
Lamp: West Elm.
On embracing a slower season: In New York, and inside my business, 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 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 need to be current and 100% emotionally out there along with her. So, I’m superb saying no to large initiatives proper now.
PRIMARY BEDROOM
Bedding: Dazed however Amazed. Pillows: West Elm.
On the colour yellow: I’ve at all times been drawn to yellow and see it as an indication of pleasure. Up to now 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 sturdy.
Mirror: Stoop discover. Nesting tables: Dobbin St. Classic Co-Op, related.
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 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 are 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: Currently, I haven’t been sporting 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 relating to my garments, I’ve realized, why repair one thing that’s not damaged?
On full-circle items: 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 house. 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, keep in mind to dream.’
Thanks a lot, LaTonya. We love you. See her Large Salad problem, as properly, for those who’d like.
P.S. Extra home excursions, together with a Brooklyn residence with the prettiest paint colours and LaTonya’s upstate home, the place she welcomes kin, mates, and strangers.
(Photographs by Julia Robbs.)
