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My name is Anthony Dunning and I am an Interior Designer. I am one of twenty top designers selected to take part in the first-ever all-digital One Room Challenge® High Point Market, which is sponsored by Better Home & Garden Magazine. Our task was to create breathtaking 3D Virtual Room Designs based on our own ideas and inspirations.
When I was considering whom I would build my One Room Challenge space for, I wondered how I could make the opportunity count! How could I use my voice as a black man in design to show honor and pay homage to someone special? I wanted to select someone who was inspirational, unapologetically authentic, bold in their ideals, and maybe somewhat misunderstood. My goal was to dive into their essence and zero in on who they are, how they see themselves, and what kind of environment they might thrive in. The person that I chose is featured in the TIME MAGAZINE 100 Most Influential People. She is a Pop Culture Phenomenon and is using her voice to drop some serious knowledge with a powerful message.
I am very excited to announce that my client for the ORC Highpoint Market Edition is...
"I'm like a girl's girl and I love to support women!"
Everyone knows that Meg is the Queen of HOT GIRL SUMMERS, and she is not afraid to have a good time. Her powerful and positive spirit is matched only by her incredible sense of style. She is a chameleon and has a diverse taste in fashion. That is exactly where I looked for inspiration for the room. A little backstory is that a lot of my clients are getting into what I call "Resort Style Living," meaning that they want to designate areas in their home that feel like they are on vacation. I love the idea of bringing the destination feeling home. The magic of these spaces is that they can be a complete departure from the aesthetic of the rest of the home. This leaves a lot of opportunities to go wild! I am designing Meg her own entertainment space in my version of "Resort Style" with living, dining, outdoor terrace, and bar. It will be the perfect spot for Megan to have alone time, hang out with her pets, entertain family and friends, have writing sessions, photoshoots, private dinners, or host her glam squad when she's getting ready for appearances.
Inspiration
Themes
RETREAT
RESTORATION
POWER
FLOOR PLAN AND VIEWS
TERRACE
GREATROOM
BAR
Resort Style Living
How it started...
Classy
VERONA END TABLE by Stein World
An eclectic curated collection of furniture/accessories will complete this entertainment space. The mixture will be timeless & elevated.
Bougie
Ratchet
An incredible custom mural will be integrated on various walls in the space. The mural idea was inspired by Megan's TIME MAGAZINE cover. The braid that Meg wore made me think of a Tiger Tamer; it reinforces the "power" theme! This imagery will have a huge impact on the direction of the room.
MEG'S RESORT-STYLE RETREAT
RETREAT: a place of privacy or safety: REFUGE
POWER: having great power, prestige, or influence
My main goal in building this room for Megan is to honor who she is as a person. Often times when it comes to celebrities, there is a public persona and then there's the individual. What is interesting about Megan is that she lives within her own authenticity on and off the camera. She is not asking permission to be who she wants to be. Historically, the identity of black women has been communicated in a very monolithic way with no regard for their individuality. Megan refuses to allow societal norms to cramp her style. This doesn't mean the absence of scrutiny; As a public figure, Megan lives life in the limelight, and there are a lot of ideas and opinions about her because of how she decides to express herself. I'm building her a space where she can unwind, recharge, turn up, celebrate, and see herself reflected in. Her own retreat at home.
My space plan is divided into 4 sections, which include, a dining area, conversation area, terrace, and bar. The idea is that this space is versatile for Meg. I want this area of her home to be appropriate for daily use. In addition, I want her to be able to entertain and receive guests in this area. The challenge is to ensure that the overall design lends itself to the fun and energetic part of Megan's life as well as her more introspective side. I noticed that she is a guest at some of the most extraordinary homes and parties and, we are giving her a space where she can host get-togethers and maybe even holiday dinner.
In this elevation of my space plan, I'm focused on keeping the central areas of the room open so that navigating through the space is easy and there is an organic flow. The beauty of the space plan is that it can be adjusted depending on her needs and how she will be using it.
Excerpt from Megan's New York Times op-ed
"I’ve received quite a bit of attention for appearance as well as my talent. I choose my own clothing. Let me repeat: I choose what I wear, not because I am trying to appeal to men, but because I am showing pride in my appearance, and a positive body image is central to who I am as a woman and a performer. I value compliments from women far more than from men. But the remarks about how I choose to present myself have often been judgmental and cruel, with many assuming that I’m dressing and performing for the male gaze. When women choose to capitalize on our sexuality, to reclaim our own power, like I have, we are vilified and disrespected."
This is a powerful statement by Megan, and I appreciate her candidness. I know there are many black women who share this sentiment. This is yet another reason that I am proud to use my platform as a black male designer to let her know that she is heard and appreciated. Salute Queen!
There is no shortage of amazing photos of Megan Thee Stallion. Her flavor is diverse, and there are many facets to her personality. The photos I've shared, and am sharing this week are just a few examples that personify Meg's vibe!
I've read somewhere that "essence is what is captured of someone's personality in a good photograph."
“I’m lookin’ paid and pretty.”
“I just want to be like a good example to somebody in the future.”
“I rock shows by myself. Ain’t no back up. Ain’t no help.”
Turn your phone :-)
I have taken into consideration how Megan views herself, and how she expresses her essence. Also, I put emphasis on not limiting what she is capable of communicating through her design aesthetic. This is my dedication to Megan and all of the amazing black women out there holding the world together. I see you, I support you, and I'm going to continue to do my part to lift you up and celebrate you...
Salute Queen
Presenting your Resort Style Retreat...
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Greatroom-Day
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Greatroom-Day
Bar-Night
Bar-Day
Greatroom-Day
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Terrace-Night
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Terrace-Day
Thank you, Megan Thee Stallion for the inspiration!
-Anthony Dunning
ANTHONY DUNNING
Anthony Dunning, an established interior designer in New York, New York, merges his enduring passion for the arts with a love of creating unique, luxurious spaces. Originally from Columbus, OH, Anthony began his career in a different kind of art, graduating from Capital University with a Bachelor of Arts in both Music and Theater. Post-musical theater, he obtained his real estate license from Hondros College and began selling homes, soon realizing that what brought him joy was not the selling, but the staging, of homes. Anthony creates distinct, eye-catching spaces. Integrating the modern and the elegant, he provides an eye for quality, a superior sense of style, and a client-centered approach. Anthony continues to enjoy music, theatre, the arts, and all things design. With a propensity to go above and beyond to help his clients achieve their goals, Anthony delivers final products that exceed expectations.