Once the apartment was secured, Taylor enlisted the help of Jannah Handy and Kiyanna Stewart, the founders and curators of Blk Mkt Vintage. Taylor worked with the duo on her previous apartment, so there was a natural trust between all of them, a shorthand, and a little more room for Jannah and Kiyanna to push Taylor toward more adventurous choices. “The most exciting part of working with Taylor this time around was the continuity we were able to establish between the two spaces,” Kiyanna and Jannah say. “Having curated her previous home, we were very familiar with her aesthetic preferences, how she processed information, made decisions, and most importantly, where we could get her outside of her comfort zone creatively and encourage her to try something new.”
Rich colors are found throughout the apartment: “Going with the bold yet sultry palette allowed us to turn a white box into an intriguing and warm environment,” Jannah and Kiyanna say of their approach to the colors.
Taylor knew she wanted a space that was “super feminine, [full of] a lot of Black art, and also sports.” A striking triumvirate, but Jannah and Kiyanna were able to translate Taylor’s vision by thinking deeply about her ask. “What ‘feminine’ means is a greater question as we interrogate and deconstruct binaries and societal norms and that conversation has been on the table with clients,” they say. “We talked to Taylor about what ‘femininity’ and ‘sporty’ meant to her, so we could easily translate those concepts into a livable space that felt true to that balance.” The result is a space that is full of warm, sensual colors, incredible art, and, yes, very, very Black. “I draw so much inspiration from women, and from Black women and from Black people,” Taylor says of her desire to fill the space with Black memorabilia. The space serves as a celebration of “everything that Black people have had to go through and endure and we still continue to smile and be happy and be beautiful.”
This cozy nook in Taylor’s office is a testament to the multifunctionality that Jannah and Kiyanna prioritized. “We centered the goal to create a living, office, Zoomin’, and broadcasting space that felt cohesive, cozy, but also flexible and malleable.”
One of Taylor’s favorite elements of her space is the variety of mirrors found in the apartment. They were also “important in finding balance with darker colors in a smaller space,” Jannah and Kiyanna share.
Since she travels so much (or did travel so much) and was feeling the need to really root into her new space, Taylor sought out pieces and colors—and even the odd Yankee Candle—that could bring peace to her apartment. Pieces from Taylor’s old apartment, like her reading chair and the credenza under the TV, mingle with new items that Jannah and Kiyanna sourced. Oh, and a really thoughtful gift in the form of the vintage NBA jam console is a true standout.
“I like knowing that I have an anchor and a place that I can make my own,” Taylor says. “This space being so calm is really pivotal for me.” Whether she’s returning from the road or stepping out of her office after a day of remote work, Taylor’s somewhat improbable blend of art, color, and sports come together to make a home that is uniquely and authentically her.
⚒ Do It Yourself
Choose art that inspires you. Taylor’s art collection not only adds interest to her space, but it also honors the people who inspire her. Portraits of Pam Grier and Teresa Graves hang over her couch and she treats her family photos with the same reverence as she does purchased pieces. “Yeah, I have Muhammed Ali and Malcolm X but I have my grandparents, my mom, and my dad, and I have them as art on my wall not just as photos that I have.”
Set up the perfect Sunday sports spot. According to Taylor, there are four key elements to crafting the perfect binge-watching spot: 1. A truly comfy couch. 2. A table in front of you for food to cut down on back-and-forth. 3. A bar area close by. 4. A TV tray, “so you can really eat.”
A still from Taylor’s favorite movie, Love Jones, is framed next to her headboard. The addition of the headboard “is something so small that just makes the room more welcoming,” she says.
🛍 Shop It Out
All products featured on Architectural Digest are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Bedroom mirror, World Market
Headboard, West Elm, via Kaiyo
Couch, Wayfair
Hallway mirrors, Home Sense and Target
Hallway chest, Wayfair
Taylor with two of her favorite apartment features: the sliding office doors and her puppy, Bean.
