DISCLOSURE: This post is sponsored by the Carpet and Rug Institute. All opinions are my own.
My husband and I both work from home and have been fortunate to spend time with my parents and with their grandchildren. Our weekdays are often spent at their home, and I’ve been looking to do something extra special for them. I decided to surprise my parent’s by transforming their upstairs suite into a multifunctional, multigenerational one inspired by our families Gullah Culture and Black Veterans; my dad is a Navy Veteran.
Designing with Carpet
As a gift to my parents who have so generously been taking care of the kids last year and this year, I decided to update their guest suite for them to enjoy with the kids. I designed the suite from the floor up, and I turned to the Carpet and Rug Institute for tips and ideas. They offer great advice and expertise for using carpets in the home that allow you to appreciate and learn more about The Beauty of Carpet and be sure to look up the hashtag #beautyofcarpet on social media for more inspiration. As for the beauty of carpet in my parent’s home, their suite has a cozy tan colored carpet, ideal for our little ones to play around on and comfortable for my parents. Carpets improve air quality and help to reduce noise, which is useful in an older house.
Multigenerational Design
Accessibility is essential when creating multigenerational spaces, with older parents and young children, I created an open layout with plenty of comfortable seating. I optimized the space with clutter-free storage for extra toys and family memorabilia. Traditional pieces were blended with modern touches, so the suite felt fresh but lived in and suited the carpet style. With little ones, safety is always top of mind. Carpet helps reduce the risk of trips and falls – which is good for people of all ages Including toddlers learning to run and the parents and grandparents chasing after them.
Gullah Heritage & Indigo
My love and appreciation for my Gullah heritage were passed to me from my family. Like my own home, my parent’s home features Black Art, Gullah decorations, and books. I wanted to add more Indigo blue into the design. Indigo was a large cash crop on the Sea Islands of South Carolina and Georgia coast and still remains a staple in decor in the region, all of which traces its roots to the Gullah community. Indigo pairs well with different patterns and textures, and I featured it throughout the space.
African-American Veteran
My dad served in the U.S. Navy for 10 years and is proud to be a Veteran. He has beautiful service mementos and memories. Over the years, we’ve both collected African American Veteran memorabilia. I grew up attending many life milestones, including birthday parties, holiday events, and social gatherings, either on a military base or with a group of military veterans. I wanted the suite to reflect my dad’s history and legacy in the Navy with African American artwork and navy blue accessories.
Art & Books
My family collects Gullah art, books, and stationery as a way to preserve our culture and to have heirlooms to pass on. Art is a way to preserve our traditions; on the walls are Gullah and African-American Veteran Art. We all love books and now have plenty of books for the kids and adults to sit around on the carpet and read together.
My parents now have a cozy, multigenerational suite that reflects their histories, passions, and favorite activities. I was able to redesign with tips from the Carpet and Rug Institute and now have a multifunctional space for them to enjoy.
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Michiel is a Black Southern Belle living a lowcountry life. I love all things fashion, home decor and southern! When I am not running around doing fun stuff for Black Southern Belle, I live in antique stores and have a minor obsession with historic homes :)
