After receiving her undergraduate degree in English, Emerald Lavender traveled to Misawa, Japan where she taught English As A Second Language. Over those 3 years abroad, she acquired a true admiration for the Japanese people, their delicious cuisine and rich culture. Her love of the written word took center stage when she returned back to the United States and began writing for fashion and entertainment magazines, but her true passion was found in the colors and textures of interior design. She has written for esteemed publications such as Architectural Digest and popular websites such as Design*Sponge. At East Coast Home & Design Magazine, she interviewed architects and composed articles for luxury homes and mansions.
In June of 2017, she launched The Pineapple Pen, a copywriting company that aids lifestyle brands in attracting their ideal customers through highly targeted content. The Pineapple Pen Blog highlights the accomplishments of interior designers of color and celebrates their amazing contributions to the design community.
What Does Black History Month Mean To You This Year?
Although Obama's presidency is over, I still feel an overwhelming sense of pride for him and his family. They were not only examples of black excellence but resilience.
Eartha Kitt & Sammy Davis Jr. in one of my favorite movies, Anna Lucasta.
It's all about progress! I am constantly seeing black excellence across social media. I feel honored to be apart of a narrative that is empowering our people to be forward-thinking, inventive and creative. Today, there is an influx of black entrepreneurs and creatives utilizing their gifts and talents to create wealth for themselves and their families. There's been a mindset shift from looking for jobs to pursuing passions that allow us to create our best work.
Where Are You Finding Inspiration To Design This Year?
This is a nature shot I took in my neighborhood in Boca Raton. I have always imagined myself living in a small cottage surrounded by gorgeous flowers. It represents peace to me.
I find so much inspiration in viewing different interior designers work. I enjoy studying the different interpretations through each person's lens. Whenever designers mix and match a myriad of styles together, I absolutely love it! I'm really feeling the Bohemian vibe these days and would love to have a house that resembles a jungle on the inside! I also love the modern design aesthetic for its defined shapes and clean lines. A few designers that are inspiring me now are Jeanine and Bryan Hayes of AproChic, Angela Belt, Tamu Green and Stacy Ann Blake.
To Learn More About Emerald Visit:
- Website: thepineapplepen.com
- Instagram: thepineapplebrand