Awwwwww yeah!!!! Y’all I am all kinds of excited today because I can finally talk about the premiere of a new concept house that I have been waiting on for literal months! Yes, months; ever since Malene Barnett and the Black Artists + Designers Guild announced that they’d be creating a new home experience. There’s a ton of show houses, concept houses, and design inspiration out there, but the audience is typically skewed toward people that have no idea what it’s like to live in my shoes. Having a space that is designed for black people by black people opens up so many new possibilities for how the black family experiences home.

Before I jump into the house, let me give you a little background. The Black Artists + Designers Guild, or BADG, is a non-profit organization focused on the promotion of black artists, makers and designers across multiple disciplines. It was started in 2018 by Malene Barnett and a small group of designers and makers looking to take active steps in celebrating our culture and changing the narrative around black creatives. As an organization, it has been integral in the recent moves within the design community to make creative spaces more inclusive and diverse. The organization’s move to reimagine a home for the black family seems to fall right in line with its leadership and its values.

I had the absolute pleasure of being present for the launch of Obsidian Experience, as they have so named it, and it was a beautiful presentation surrounding the methodology, techniques, and objectives surrounding this exploratory project. In honoring the desire to change the narrative and provide a more inclusive focus in design, the Obsidian Virtual Concept House is set to reimagine home for the black family. Now what does that mean? Well according to the website and information from the launch, it’s about creating space for a black families as they navigate through the growth, change, and foundations if the black family culture. It’s meant to be a space that incorporates things like work, play, community and spirituality.

During the month of February, the concept house will be slowly revealed to the public with a slew of events, including conversations surrounding the black home and the black experience. Tap in here to find out more, take part in events and see the reveal of what is definitely setting itself up to be an exciting exploration. I’ve already gotten a sneak peak at a few of the spaces, and I can’t wait to see what else is out there for us to view. In the meantime, keep your eyes open for more updates and content from me as I continue to bring you the best in design inspiration, information and art. Like, comment, and don’t forget to subscribe. Until next time!