Supporting Women-Owned Businesses Is at the Heart of This Afro-Latina Designer's Work

Acknowledging the contribution of Black interior designers to the design and decor spaces is crucial to moving forward and giving all voices, regardless of their backgrounds, the space to be heard. We’re highlighting talented Black interior designers who are thriving in the industry today.

Shareen Bailey is the founder of Green Shareen Design, an eco-friendly and bespoke design firm located in Harlem, New York. Bailey is all about collaboration, working with businesses from the local community as well as women-owned businesses to curate intentional spaces for her clients.

What made you decide that being a designer was your calling?

I wanted work that was long lasting—something that created a feeling and a sentiment and wasn’t fleeting like tangible objects that come and go.

How would you describe your style and approach to designing spaces?

I like to mix styles—I feel like each space is a fragment of modern, a touch of contemporary, a nod to the midcentury, and a splash of vintage for character.

I approach my designs with something meaningful or important to my clients. I am always thinking of how to evoke a feeling through design.

Growing up in New York and being a Harlem-based designer, do you incorporate the communities you grew up in into your work?

All of the time. We embrace local woodworkers, carpenters, and other small business owners, like our muralist, who is one of many small business owners who have been working with me for years.

Do you have any design inspiration, whether it be from your culture, other cultures, or anything else in between?

I look at Zaha Hadid’s work quite a bit, and I really respect Karin Bohn in Canada. 

What design project have you done that’s stuck with you throughout your career?

My second commercial space was a spa in Brooklyn that came out exactly how I’d envisioned it. The feel in there is palatable and I get a lot of clients from their client base.

Can you tell us a little about working with successful female business owners and helping them grow their businesses?

I work with Olivia Oak on custom furniture and banquette built-ins. The owner, Paige, is amazing. I found her on Nextdoor and her work is meticulous and exquisite.

I’m always happy to see how she is willing to push the envelope and try something completely new that I present to her. I appreciate that she is always up for the challenge.

I support many female business owners like fellow designers and companies from the wallpaper, rugs, art, and case goods that I select for the spaces I design.

What does it mean to you to be Black, particularly Afro-Latina, in your industry?

It’s a rarity and with a large Spanish workforce uptown in Manhattan, working with "my people" is like a secret weapon in my back pocket.

It also feels great to infuse rich culture into design. Lately, the Panamanian mola design has been in some art at high-end design showrooms, and I appreciate it. 

What’s your favorite design project?

I’m working on something at JFK airport right now, which is my favorite that I've done so far, but I can’t share much about that just yet.

What’s your favorite part of your own home?

My entryway is my favorite. I’m very big on organization and I’m a bit of a minimalist, so that space being fully functional but still beautiful makes it a space that I get lots of compliments.

People notice how it seamlessly welcomes them into the space without any clutter in a very high-traffic area.

What’s one thing you try to incorporate in every space you design?

For a time it was something acrylic, but I have to say it’s usually something green. At this stage in our journey, clients love the various shades and hues of green that we present and, even if it’s a monochromatic space, we manage to incorporate green through plants to finish the space.

Our other signature with commercial projects is scent. We always source and incorporate a scent.

Is there anything else that you would like to add about who you are and your journey?

We’re looking forward to continuing to change and impact our neighborhood. It feels great to visit restaurants that we’ve designed and hear clients get excited about the design not knowing that me and/or my team are seated right next to them.