Faces, Spaces + Places: Welcome to the Jungle
PREFACE
Moving to Detroit from Los Angeles was a stretch for me since all I've known majority of my life is sunshine, beaches, and a melting pot of delicious food right at my fingertips. Some call it spoiled, but I consider it home. Nonetheless, I believe living in different cities is one of the best things I ever did for myself and something that I urge everyone to try at least once in their life. It forces you to walk to the edge of your comfort zone and to adapt when faced with adversity.
For me, moving to a city that gets a bad reputation was challenging and scary to say the least. Challenging because I knew no one, and scary because of the unknown. To remedy this I made an effort to meet new people, make friends, and in my spare time ventured out seeking things that would bring me comfort like good food and fun towns because 'when in Rome do as the Roman's do'.
Upon doing so, I was pleasantly surprised just how rich and lively Detroit was, and I began to fall in love with a city that Motown calls home, has diesel fuel running through it's veins, and a state that boasts beautiful landscapes that also happen to produce delicious wine!
This section pays homage to cities seen through the eyes of locals that will hopefully bring you some inspiration, and re-teach you to 'not judge a book by it's cover'. Because life is too short to get caught up in the 'why my city is better' talk and start celebrating the uniqueness of why we love where we live along with the people who make these cities a better place.
THE FACE: Cheryl B.
Vintage Maven + Vinyl Vixen
Detroit, MI
THE SPACE: Tattoo's up and down her arms, hair as bright as the sun, and red lips that could kill, she throws on her leopard print platforms to see if they match her emerald green velvet top. She turns and asks me if she looks okay all while taking a swig of the beer I brought in exchange for this shoot.
I state the obvious and tell her she looks adorable and she proceeds to finish up her make-up in the nearby bathroom. Apartment wafting with the warm scent of amber , we talk about what's new in our lives over the soulful hymns of Erykah Badu in the background. It's a Saturday, and while the gloom starts to settle in outside, Cheryl's apartment is a juxtaposition of an otherwise dreary day. An urban jungle of potted plants, a big red statement sofa and a gallery of framed posters over her distressed turquoise desk-it's a merriment of curated, antique, and whimsy that could only be fathomed by an eclectic soul like herself.
Upon meeting Cheryl you're not exactly sure if she's going to give you a tarot card reading or invite you to a concert, but I can happily say, she will do all of the above with open arms. A designer by trade, she also co-owns the online vintage shop Planet Detroit, and can be found rummaging for treasures in her spare time to fill the shop.
Read on to get your daily dose of inspiration
___
What is Planet Detroit?
Planet Detroit opened as an Etsy store offering hand-picked vintage clothing and
accessories from Detroit, Michigan in January 2014. However, Planet was born long before that day.
The story of Planet Detroit began with two vintage loving friends with a passion for
treasure hunting, scouring through Detroit area thrift stores searching for hidden vintage secrets. Over the course of a year, they collected more treasures than they had the space for, or the time to wear themselves. The girls thought why not deliver the clothing and accessories we collect from our often misunderstood city, Detroit, to vintage lovers across the world! And so began Planet Detroit!
Planet Detroit not only has the goal to bring the world their vintage finds, they are on a mission to prove that fashion isn't just found in Paris or New York, but hidden all over their beloved Detroit, Michigan.
What do you love most about running Planet Detroit?
I love spending time with my best friend doing what I love! A crazy, full day of treasure hunting together, and then going home at the end of the night and sorting through our finds and reliving our adventures.
What is your strategy when looking for pieces to sell?
I don’t think we have a strategy which I think works for us when it comes to seeking out pieces for the shop!! This is a hard question!! We both get a chance to veto on an item, but if one of us loves it, it’s coming with us. The most challenging part of the business is not putting every item in the shop in our own cart’s, haha!
Your space has such a fun and inviting vibe, what is your advice for someone looking to curate their own home with vintage pieces?
Fill your home with the things you love!! I think that the best approach is not going out and seeking a specific vintage piece, but stumbling upon pieces that make you feel good. Allow yourself to look further than the item's original purpose or previous home because how you style your finds, and what you pair them with can give them new life. Also consider how you can make it fresh with paint, new upholstery or even new hardware.
My space didn’t happen all at once! I have collected all of my beloved treasures over time and they fill every space of my home. Several of the items were given to me by friends or family and I love that they remind me of them. I’ve lived in 14 different apartments so I have learned how to adapt with what I have and I mix things up often.
What are some of your favorite pieces in your space? Any fun backstories?
My shell lamps: these came from my Aunt Adele. She had them for years and had already painted them a salmon color herself. I spray painted them pearlescent white over the salmon and now they are a pearly champagne color. They’re so fun!
My turquoise desk: I bought this vintage desk on Craigslist for $20 when I was living in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I convinced the seller to deliver it to me for an extra 5 bucks and no sooner did they get it in the door that I had it sprawled all over my tiny kitchen floor painting it bright turquoise. I love the shape of the legs and it’s actually super functional with it’s large drawers and work surface. I’ll never part with this angel!
My leopard print chair: This chair was a tip for doing a couple of haircuts for a friend! I have always been a sucker for leopard print. This one is a super soft, velvet upholstery and just feels so good to sit in. It’s a classic shape, but the leopard gives it just a little edge and sexiness.
My elephant light switch plate: There are elephants in every single corner of my home, but I have a baby pink, blue and red elephant with a tiny clown riding him that I found at an antique store that was closing down. I always think of that day, the great jewelry and tiny antique gems that we found for our personal stashes; I also remember the fun people running the store that sold them to us.
What inspires you as a designer/person/business owner?
I am inspired by life, my surroundings, and especially by the creative people that I’m lucky to have in my life as friends and colleagues. Music and going to live concerts is a love of mine as well and a huge source of inspiration. I am the design director at an event design and production company in addition to running Planet Detroit, and often draw inspiration from the creative energy surging through Detroit. I make pottery at Pewabic Pottery in Detroit which pushes me artistically without the pressure of pleasing a client. I get to be my own client!
___
Cheryl's TOP THREE PLACES to be:
1. Hello Records - 1459 Bagley Detroit, MI
My favorite record store in the city! The selection is always amazing and you never know what you are going to walk out with. I have added so many great finds from Hello to my collection. A perfect Saturday, early afternoon pick me up usually involves a trip to Hello for me.
2. Cafe 1923- 2287 Holbrook St. Hamtramck, MI
My favorite coffee shop and it’s right up the street in Hamtramck! They just make REALLY good coffee. The fresh, daily baked goods are just impossible to resist. The space just makes me happy too. The building was built in 1923 and used to be a corner store with a soda fountain and candy store in the back. It now belongs to the fourth generation of the same family and they have restored the space and it’s just so cozy and beautiful.
3. Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory - 900 Inselruhe Ave Detroit, MI
Belle Isle in general is my favorite escape in the summer. I love going to the beach, or just wandering around the island, but the conservatory has my heart. I forget where I am when I am in there. I could live in the Palm House and the Cactus House.
SHOP CHERYL'S STYLE
