Text and Photography by Erika Ward
May 8th concluded the Atlanta Symphony Associates' 41st Annual Decorators' Show House and Gardens. Each year, the creme de la creme of the Atlanta design community create gorgeous spaces to inspire visitors and to raise funds for the Education and Community Engagement Initiatives of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. This year was especially significant to me because it was the first time a Black interior designer was showcased as a lead designer. Before the final curtain call I was fortunate enough to interview the designer everyone was buzzing about, Janice Palmer of Y Design International.
Her assignment, The Young Lady's Room, was one of the most talked about spaces on this year's tour and for good reason. Palmer's design cleverly encompassed multicultural influences mixed with the love of travel, fashion, and music.
Every design element in this space exudes luxury even down to the sumptuous fabrics [from Designer's Guild and Osborne and Little] on the floor pillows. "The inspiration behind this design is a a fictitious 20-year old renaissance woman named Malina. She is a music student at Juilliard," as Palmer tells the story. "....And her love for fashion is a close second to her passion for the cello.
If she [Malina] could have a dual career it would be as a top notch cellist who designs one-of-a-kind clothing with the flair of Marc Jacobs and Rachel Roy combined." Fashion-influences are distributed throughout the room both in subtle and more literal references. Such is evident in this signature piece--a mannequin draped in luxurious silk designed by Travis & Company.
As I toured the room, I noted the subtle Middle Eastern influence as seen in the shape of the custom headboard designed by Palmer's assistant, Manisha Kulkarni, as well as the room's color palette.
As opposed to referring to the rich shades as colors, Palmer thinks of them as spices. A warm blend of vibrant fabrics draw their hues from spices such as saffron, marigold, cinnamon, white pepper, lemon peel, lime peel, red wine and dark cacao. "I decided to build on a neutral foundation to allow the plush fabrics and spices to really pop," Palmer explains. "Simultaneously, the backdrop [Benjamin Moore's AF-155 Weimaraner] creates a soothing, airy atmosphere. Take a look around. In this room alone there are a total of 6 windows where we see the sky and treetops. It's like a bedroom in a treehouse."
Each pair of drapery panels boasts dressmaker details such as boxed pleats, crystal embellishments, and french [banding] fabric trim. Hardware with lucite finials complete this polished ensemble.
Murano glass fixtures, like this elegant waterfall Sillicate Chandelier by Baker Furniture,were a common thread throughout the show house.
This wingchair upholstered in Casamance fine fabrics, headboard, pouf, and bench are all custom pieces available through Y Design International.Here a half-moon shaped desk by Travis and Company and Organic Baroque Chair designed by Tony Duquette/Baker Furniture echo the soft feminine curves repeated throughout the bedroom.
A touch of hot pink lends a playful, flirty feel, yet the palette is still very soothing.
I was excited to see a second Juju hat [a celebratory Cameroonian headdress] in the space. I found it to be symbol of celebration for what Janice Palmer has accomplished in this bedroom and as interior designer, and secondly as the first Black lead designer appearing in this magnificent show house. Thank you Janice for allowing me to share your inspiration and work with the world. I pray that you continue to receive the exposure and recognition you so very well deserve!
