"Designing History is a home renovation and interior design reality series with direct links to African and African-American history."
Synopsis
The premise of DESIGNING HISTORY is that participating private homeowners agree to work with one of a growing number of the professionally licensed interior designers, architects and general contractors that are associated with our show to renovate and/or re-design a particular aspect of their home or their entire house. Perhaps the homes featured on the show were designed and built by formerly enslaved African-Americans who became journeymen, or some of the homes may have ties to the Underground Railroad or some may have been owned by a famous historical figure.
DESIGNING HISTORY is not about the preservation or restoration of historic homes. The series [outlines] the history of the home while highlighting the contributions of those organizations that have helped and continue to advocate for the advancement of blacks in the architecture and interior design industries, along with those in the building and construction trades.
Selected Projects
The Historic Magnolia House
The Historic Magnolia House in Greensboro North Carolina was a well-known stop on the Green Book Circuit, "the bible of black travel during Jim Crow," that enabled black travelers to find lodgings, businesses, and gas stations that would serve them along the road.
Riad Star
In the early 1940's, this traditional Moroccan dwelling, called a riad, was once the home of the world-famous entertainer Josephine Baker! Today it is a 5-star boutique hotel called the Riad Star, located in Marrakesh, Morocco.
The Langston Hughes Brownstone
The historic home in Harlem where the poet and author, Hughes lived from 1947-1967. The brownstone today still preserves Hughes' legacy.
