Shavonda Gardner: Home Is Where We Learn About Ourselves

By  Laurie Gunning Grossman
Shavonda Gardner, Interior Designer Shavonda Gardner

"I feel like when you see images of one particular design style or one particular theme that's in or that's popular, you feel like that what's you have to do," says Shavonda Gardner. "When that's not the case for everyone, and that's not what makes someone feel safe, that makes someone feel alive, and feel welcome and warm. We've got to start telling different stories. And our home is the most important place because that is where you start to learn about yourself and that is where you can take all of that out into the world. And so, our home should be top priority of creating space."

Shavonda Gardner is an interior designer and founder of SG Gardner, a design and lifestyle blog.

She was on the path to have a long career in the military until she made the pivot into the world of interior design. One driving factor in her decision to start a design blog was the fact that she didn't see herself represented in that world. She has a strong affinity for color, for going bold, and for making the most of your space, no matter the size. (Although, she has a ​big​ love for small spaces.)

In this episode we talk about:

  • How she pivoted from being in the military into
    becoming an interior designer.
  • Why she started her own design blog.
  • The importance of representation in the design
    world, and why she's an advocate.
  • Why we've got to start telling different stories
    about our home — it's not just one particular design style or theme that we
    should all be following.
  • The story that her home, The Cottage Bungalow,
    tells about her and her family.
  • Her love for color, paint, and going bold with home
    decor.
  • Helping people define a different relationship
    with space.
  • What inspires her and where she finds inspo (think:
    glossy shelter magazines).
  • What she's most proud of in her home.
  • The person in her family who inspired the design
    of her kitchen.
  • How she and her family lived through their kitchen
    renovation ... while living at home.
  • Her non-negotiables in her space (and how they
    don't quite coincide with her wife's non-negotiables).
  • What she believes that living in a small space fosters within a
    family.

Learn More About Shavonda Gardner

If you want to learn more, read more, discover more about Shavonda Gardner, visit any of these places:

​Being Home With Hunker​ ​is a new podcast where we explore the idea of "home" – not just as a place where you live, but as an expression of your identity. Each week we talk with designers, creatives, and artists about who they are, how they create meaningful spaces, and what "being home" means to them.​

​If you like what you hear, please rate and review the podcast, hit subscribe/follow, and share with a friend. When it comes to podcasts word of mouth is how most people will find the show. It really does help. Visit​ ​Hunker.com/podcast​ ​where you can find, follow, and listen to our show.​

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