This Candy-Colored North Carolina Home Is Inspired by Jamaica and Black Art

Walking into Stacey-Ann Blake’s home is like stepping foot into a rainbow: a room bathed in soft pink, a staircase covered in buttery yellow, and a sunroom filled with vibrant greenery. Blake sees the world and his approach to design through a colorful lens.

It was inspired by her roots in Jamaica. The island is famous for its turquoise waters, vibrant festival scene and dense forests. However, the color is also an extension of her spirit—an attempt to bring a tapestry of who she is into her home. Blake views the North Carolina residency as an unapologetic expression of individuality.

Thus, black portraits form the gallery walls, disco balls illuminate the bathroom, and geometric velvet chairs create a cozy feel in the children’s space. Below, Blake shares more about the beloved home she shares with her husband, three children, and family of chickens—from her favorite furniture to her famous fiddle leaf fig tree and more.

How did you first discover your space? What about it appealed to you? 

As our family grew, we started looking for a bigger house. About 10 minutes from the house we live in there is a residential area with a lot of free land for building a house. We found the perfect lot, located in a cul-de-sac.

We really liked the location and size of the lot because it was safe for our kids to play – I was pregnant with our second child when we started building this house. And there’s plenty of space in the yard for gardening and raising a few chickens. Now we also have quails.

Describe the surrounding neighborhood—does your home fit in or stand out? 

The architecture of our house is similar to the surrounding houses, although the exterior color of our house is bolder than theirs – it is blue with an orange front door.

How would you describe your style and approach to decorating your home? 

Our home is bold and colorful and filled with a collection of things we love. You’ll see a lot of art (because we’re big art lovers) and memorabilia from our trip.

One of the things I cared most about was showcasing Black artists on our walls. I love that our children see pictures of themselves in the house.

Many of our favorite books are written by Black authors, and you’ll find them on our coffee tables and on our bookshelves. I believe your space should reflect who you are, and our home definitely reflects our culture and people.

Of course, there are a lot of flowers too! Color is everywhere in Jamaica: Jamaicans live colorful lives, we eat and wear colorful clothes, and our house facades are colorful. Color is innate to us, which is why it is everywhere in our homes. My goal is to inspire others to live loud and colorful!

Who or what are your biggest design inspirations?

Nature never ceases to inspire me.

Any other cultures you take design notes from?

A few years ago, I had the opportunity to consult with a feng shui expert about the design of our master bedroom. It was a very interesting experience and I try to rely on Feng Shui practices when designing, although I don’t consider myself a strong Feng Shui practitioner.

What were the greatest finds in your home?

Our pieces of furniture have been collected over time. We have a few things that existed before we started having kids. We believe in investing in quality products that will last a long time. I also love adding my vintage finds into the mix.

Hubby – although he just does it as a hobby – is also a great artist. His chalk murals, especially the ones he creates at Christmas, are like treasures – they are so special.

Although not a piece of furniture, my fig leaf fiddle – “Glory to the Fig” – is another treasure. I have been her grow mom for over 10 years and have had the pleasure of caring for her and watching her grow. She is quite famous and has amassed a following on her Instagram page @glorythefig.

Do you have a favorite design feature or room?

I love exploring all the spaces in my home for their unique design characteristics, so it’s hard to pick a favorite. Perhaps a solarium with Slava Figs and other plants. It’s a very peaceful place and I usually start my morning there every day.

Where in your home do you spend the most time, and what are you usually doing there?

Solarium – I drink coffee here in the morning and have dedicated space for my office, so I work there too.

I love being surrounded by trees, and since this room has so many windows, I also have a great view of the nature in the backyard.