Our long-time pal LaTonya Yvette simply printed a ebook 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 informed us. “It’s a regenerative follow that Black and Brown ladies have perfected over time, and it’s an act of resistance.” As we speak, she shares a tour of her Brooklyn condominium, plus a tip for internet hosting massive 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, through 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 searching for a brand new residence. It was such a wakeup second and confirmed me how nice the road is between housed and unhoused. I ended up getting this condominium after making use of for one more condominium within the constructing and am so grateful as a result of it’s really all the pieces we have been searching 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 pal. Fruit bowl: West Elm. Dutch oven: Le Creuset. Kettle: Fellow Stagg EKG.
On storage options: Discovering a spot for all the pieces within the kitchen was powerful as a result of there are not any cupboards. However my pal Grace discovered this used island, and her companion, Jack, made a concrete high for it. It was a fast method 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 dwelling space, so the important thing to internet hosting massive events is transferring the furnishings. Earlier than individuals arrive, I transfer all the pieces into the again room. My objective is to make the dwelling/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 speak with a ardour. Every time I’ve a get collectively, I inform my associates beforehand, ‘We’re going to bounce. When you’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 individuals going, for actual.
KIDS’ BEDROOM
Dresser: classic. Mirror: Goal. Pennant: Rayo and Honey.
On stoop finds: My grandmother knew how you can make her life really feel extravagant though she lived under her means. She taught me how you can see thrift shops as malls, and how you can 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 residence.
Mattress: West Elm. Blanket: Map Tote.
On parenting teenagers: At 10 and 13, my youngsters 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 youngsters even have new needs for me. River informed me, ‘I would like you to remarry,’ and I believe a small motive behind that want is that she needs to see me exist in one other approach. The place that our relationship is in proper now’s 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 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 obtainable together with her. So, I’m nice saying no to massive 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. Up 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 scorching water with lemon. Then I attempt to rally the children to get away from bed by placing on music. In the course of 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 additionally growing 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 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 occurring in my life, so on the subject of 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 ebook, I drew inspiration from her Kitchen Desk Sequence, which is all about how Black ladies collect on the desk. For my birthday, a pal 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 situation, as properly, should 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, associates, and strangers.
(Photographs by Julia Robbs.)