Issa Rae is one of those actors whom fans sometimes have a tough time separating from their beloved character. On her hit HBO show Insecure (she is the cocreator, writer, and star), she plays Issa Dee, a young woman who often struggles in her career, love life, and friendships—and makes up rap songs in the mirror to encourage herself along the way. In real life, multihyphenate Rae has it a bit more together, which was helpful during the process of buying and decorating a new home recently while also juggling a schedule that includes roles in numerous upcoming movies, plus executive-producing A Black Lady Sketch Show.
"She’s still in her humble beginnings phase, doing the best she can to be comfortable at age 30," says Rae of the onscreen Issa. "Her artwork is sick, and I want every piece. But other than that, [our decor styles are not similar]. She has the patience to thrift." By contrast, "I’m almost 35 and I’m pretty confident in who I am," says Rae. This meant that from her first meeting with designer Barbie Palomino, she knew what she wanted.
"She’s the perfect client," Palomino tells AD. "I have the utmost appreciation and respect for an authentic person who knows what she likes, and maybe more importantly, what she doesn’t!" The decorator partnered with Pottery Barn to overhaul Rae's two living rooms and entryway to her exact specifications. "It was important to Issa that she have a space that both could easily accommodate tons of friends, and still be capable of feeling intimate and casual. She was very involved in the entire process and signed off on every last detail," says Palomino.
Rae had already put in new floors and updated the fireplace before Palomino came in and created two distinct seating areas, a bar, and a grid of pictures on a statement-making curved wall. "The existing curved wall that defines the dining room was a bit of a challenge, even though it did inspire repeating that element with the living room’s sectional," says Palomino. "We tossed a few ideas back and forth for a while before finally embracing one of the original concepts;what’s more personal in any home than dozens of your photos? She selected every single image herself and it’s an impressive grid. Sort of the original Instagram."
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Architectural Digest
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Issa Rae: I love to have people over and entertain, so I wanted something inviting, modern, and minimalist. I like my spaces to feel open, and I knew that I wanted my backyard and pool to feel like an extended part of the living room. Some of my favorite houses are in Palm Springs, and I wanted my home to have that same resorty, chill vibe. I also knew I wanted two living rooms: the “good room” for company only—like my mom instilled in us—and the family room for commoners.
AD
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IR: Beyond. Barbie was very communicative throughout, and got what I wanted while also lending me her taste and thoughts. It was an ideal collaboration that exceeded my expectations.
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IR: The little trinkets on the shelves. There were also these faux hanging plants that I received without context, like, “where the hell do these go,” and she placed them on the floor in an area that is beautiful and just works.
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IR: My semicircle off-white couch! It is the best. My young niece and nephews are always drawn to it to come [mess] it up when they come visit, so I know it’s nice. I rarely sit on it. I also love my bar.
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IR: I have an Adrienne Wade tapestry that reminds me to unwind and unplug. I need to listen to it more often, though.
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IR: It can be a long process, and it is so satisfying. But you’re always going to want to do more over time. I’m already trying to redo my kitchen. So, Barbie, stand by!
This article was originally published on Architectural Digest
Feature Image: Instagram
