The appreciation of home and heritage is a big deal in the Black community. From the roots of southern hospitality to the community building and placemaking that took hold during the Great Migration, the art of home keeps us connected to our ancestry and roots. Today we are taking a tour of the soul food condo of Philadelphia-based interior designer and showroom owner Dominique Calhoun as she gives us a look into how she incorporates tradition and heritage in a modern home and uses design to honor the legacy of Juneteenth personally and with her clients.
How to Honor the Legacy of Juneteenth Through Heritage Decor with Dominique Calhoun
Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom and legacy. How do you personally connect with the spirit of this day, and how does that connection show up in your work?
Juneteenth emphasises the spirit of liberation and empowerment that resonates with the core values of Remix Living, which is to make exceptional interior design accessible to all and create spaces that inspire and uplift.
- As a Black designer, how do you view the role of interior design in honoring cultural identity and storytelling?
As a Black designer and the founder of Remix Living, I view interior design as more than just aesthetics, it’s a powerful medium for honoring cultural identity and telling untold stories. Remix Living’s body of work reflects an intentional effort to infuse spaces with personality, history, and a sense of empowerment, especially for communities whose voices have historically been underrepresented in the design world.
- What does it mean to design with heritage in mind? Can you walk us through how that might show up in a project?
It’s about going deeper than trend-driven décor to create interiors that are rich with meaning, memory, and identity. This can show up in decor in several ways, but one of my favorites is the use of textures & patterns. This look like using mud cloth, rattan, or beadwork in upholstery, rugs, or curtains.
- How do you intentionally incorporate cultural elements or ancestral references into your design work — whether through color, materials, art, or layout?
At Remix Living, we intentionally incorporate cultural elements and ancestral references into our design work by blending bold aesthetics with deep storytelling. My approach transforms spaces into vibrant, personal narratives that honor heritage while embracing our clients’ design style. This can be accomplished through art, wall decor, wallpaper, textiles, furniture and accessories.
- Have you ever designed a space that specifically honored Black history or a client’s personal heritage? What did that look like?
Yes, I’ve had the honor of designing spaces that directly reflect and celebrate Black history and personal heritage. A powerful example of this was the work I did for my client Malcolm Jenkins. In his condo, we incorporated a modern, rustic shelving system that served not just as a design feature, but as a storytelling piece. On those shelves, we curated items that spoke to Malcolm’s identity, values, and cultural roots. One of the most striking pieces being a Black power fist statue. That statue went beyond being decor and was a bold and unapologetic statement of pride, resilience, and legacy. These design choices are how I infuse meaning into every space, merging heritage with style, and honoring culture through intentional visual storytelling.
Are there certain textures, motifs, or historical styles that you find yourself drawn to as a way to reference Black culture or diasporic design traditions?
Yes, and as the principal designer behind Remix Living, I am naturally drawn to textures, motifs, and historical styles that echo the richness and diversity of Black culture and the African diaspora. While some of these elements may show up in trends for other designers, for me they’re essential tools of cultural expression and visual storytelling. I consciously incorporate motifs that reflect pride, resistance, and celebration.
- You’re known for bold, fashion-forward interiors. How do you balance innovation and trend with cultural preservation or respect?
At Remix Living, boldness is our signature, but it’s always grounded in respect and intention. I believe innovation and cultural preservation aren’t at odds, they actually need each other. My job as a designer is to push the boundaries of what a space can look like, while still honoring where we come from and who we are.
When I bring in bold patterns, high-contrast color palettes, or fashion-inspired silhouettes, I do it with cultural fluency. I remix trends through a lens that’s rooted in Black creativity, history, and identity. Whether I’m incorporating African textiles, using a Black Power symbol in a modern vignette, or curating art by Black artists, each piece is chosen to elevate the space and preserve a story.
Design is about evolution. Culture evolves, too, but preserving the essence, the meaning, and the legacy behind it? That’s non-negotiable. For me, a fashion-forward space is about making a statement, holding space for heritage, and allowing clients to see themselves reflected in every detail.
- How do you see your role as a designer contributing to the broader conversation around representation and equity in design spaces?
As a Black woman in interior design, I don’t take my presence in this industry lightly. My role goes far beyond picking colors and sourcing furniture. I see myself as a cultural translator, a disruptor of norms, and an advocate for equity in design.
Representation matters because visibility inspires possibility. When clients, young designers, or even other entrepreneurs see someone who looks like them creating bold, elevated spaces, it challenges the idea of who belongs in luxury design, who gets to have a beautifully curated home, and who gets to lead in this space.
Through Remix Living, I intentionally break barriers, offering access to high-style design that reflects real stories, real culture, and real people. Whether I’m designing a space for a high-profile client like Malcolm Jenkins or sharing insights through my Remix Rewind series, I’m contributing to the narrative that Black creativity is valuable and visionary.
Equity in design also means challenging industry standards: hiring diverse vendors, spotlighting Black artisans, curating from underrepresented creatives, and ensuring that our history isn’t erased but elevated. I want the spaces I design to feel like freedom. For my clients and for the culture.
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