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Blafemme contracted with Jameela Dallis on the design of the Blafemme Healing space. Jameela F. Dallis, Ph.D., is a writer, creative, and visionary. We were seeking a designer who would bring our vision – centered on the wishes, wisdom, wonder, and wellness of Black feminisms through – through interior design. Jameela delivered! Read about her vision below:
“My design vision is grounded in my belief that Black femmes need spaces to talk, relax, collaborate, dream, and network. We need to have spaces that are made for us and by us.
I've drawn inspiration from both eras and artists. The 1970s were a time when many Black people—and Black women—were thriving and vibing. You'll find the 70s in statement furniture and in yellows and browns, greens, and pinks.
Afrofuturism is another inspiration. Alisha B. Wormsely's statement, “There are Black people in the future” that drew admiration and controversy from those who encountered it larger than life on a Pittsburgh billboard in March 2018 was a catalyst. Selected art, chrome, and bold shapes in blues, black, and white invoke this inspiration in the entry room—goods from Black small makers also speak to affirming our space in the future.
The kitchen is inspired by Carrie Mae Weems's monumental Kitchen Table Series (1990)—it is a place to gather, reflect, and get nourished.
Throughout the space there are also mid-century modern pieces and nods to contemporary Black femme bohemians with a touch of glamour from the Harlem Renaissance.
I want the living room to feel like your loved one's home—a space where you can sit on the couch and have a conversation about your day or write an email that will open the door to something wonderful.
And, finally, my design seeks to affirm the Combahee River Collective's statements that “We realize that the only people who care enough about us to work consistently for our liberation are us. Our politics evolve from a healthy love for ourselves, our sisters and our community which allows us to continue our struggle and work” and that “Black women are inherently valuable [and] our liberation is a necessity.”
Learn more about her work at jameeladallis.com.