Our long-time pal LaTonya Yvette simply revealed a e-book of essays — Stand In My Window — all about house and homemaking. “We’re all the time recreating house, inside ourselves, inside completely different seasons,” she informed us. “It’s a regenerative follow that Black and Brown ladies have perfected through the years, and it’s an act of resistance.” At present, she shares a tour of her Brooklyn residence, plus a tip for internet hosting massive 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, throughout the New York Metropolis eviction moratoriums, I obtained a letter from our residence landlord saying that they had been promoting the constructing, and located myself searching for a brand new house. It was such a wakeup second and confirmed me how fantastic the road is between housed and unhoused. I ended up getting this residence after making use of for an additional residence within the constructing and am so grateful as a result of it’s actually every part 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 pal. Fruit bowl: West Elm. Dutch oven: Le Creuset. Kettle: Fellow Stagg EKG.
On storage options: Discovering a spot for every part within the kitchen was powerful as a result of there aren’t any cupboards. However my pal Grace discovered this used island, and her accomplice, 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. 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 huge events is transferring the furnishings. Earlier than individuals arrive, I transfer every part into the again room. My objective 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 discuss with a ardour. Each time I’ve a get collectively, I inform my pals beforehand, ‘We’re going to bounce. Should 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 one can make her life really feel extravagant regardless that she lived beneath her means. She taught me how one can see thrift shops as malls, and how one can 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 lady, and as quickly as I noticed it I knew it could 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 dad or mum, 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 informed me, ‘I need you to remarry,’ and I feel a small cause 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 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 not too long ago 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 out there together with her. So, I’m fantastic saying no to huge 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. 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 youngsters to get away from bed by placing on music. Throughout the pandemic, we had 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 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: Currently, 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 on the subject of 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 e-book, I drew inspiration from her Kitchen Desk Collection, 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 ‘Blissful birthday, LaTonya, bear in mind to dream.’
Thanks a lot, LaTonya. We like you. See her Huge Salad subject, as effectively, if you happen to’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 family members, pals, and strangers.
(Photographs by Julia Robbs.)
