Bailey Li
photo by Keith Miller
If you could have a second home anywhere, where would you live? So far I’d have to say Tulum, Mexico
Tell us about your childhood bedroom? Growing up I never had a room to call my own. I really had a rough upbringing. I remember visiting one of my sisters girlfriend’s houses and seeing her bedroom which was a little girls dream come true! She had a canopy bed with drapery to match, beautiful pastel walls and American dream dolls for days. I remember leaving her home feeling sad at the realization that I would never have a room like that. As a woman however … I finally had a chance to create my dream bedroom 🤸🏿♀️in my firehouse loft. It is never too late to express your inner child in fact I believe it’s necessary.
What’s the first investment piece you ever bought for your house? I have always been fascinated by antique/vintage furniture and chandeliers. I began my journey to Antique Auctions and Estate sales in my late 20’s. I’ve had so many investment pieces over the years but I am still very much in love with a victorian sofa that I won at auction.
In the history of design, if you could hire any designer other than yourself, who would it be? I would hire 2 and I pray that they’d be willing to work together: Eduardo “Roth” Neira and Kelly Wearstler
No room is complete without an abstract metallic wall mural hand painted by me.
People think of me as a Materialist, but I am really a Spiritualist.
Things you omit from:
A flower arrangement: Baby’s breath
An hors d’oeuvre platter: Chips
A bar cabinet: beer
A song for:
Dinner at home: Dantes by Cool Hipnoise
Working at your desk: Tadow by Masego
Going for a run: Missy Elliot
Biggest Vice? Prosecco
If you were on an Ambien high and internet shopping, what would you buy? I’d buy gallons of 24k “real gold” paint.
Do your clothes reflect your design sensibility, if so, how? I believe so, I love fashion. I love rich fabrics and bold colors and I cannot resist a good kimono in fact I love kimonos so much that I designed my own kimonos and matching bags.
Who is your star crush? The only Stars I’m crushing on are the ones in the cosmos.
What is the thing you would never do on a project, but don’t detest when you see others do it?
Well I “Never say Never” but Minimalism or all white rooms are not particularly my thing however… I do not detest it when minimalist or stark white spaces feature extraordinary oversized artwork and Sculptural furniture or are juxtaposed with an intricately detailed antique object.
If there were a fire, and you could only keep one design book, what would it be? My Dog chewed up most of my design books but I’d die if she chewed up my art books namely: Sam Gilliam in retrospective.
For posterity, what would you like your work to be known for? I’d like my work to be recognized as true art in form. I wish for it to inspire divine imagination, liberation, and innate creativity. I also want people to know the story of how I grew up with parents stricken by drug addiction, how I endured abuse and survived. How I broke generational curses and how discovering my passion led to my purpose and ultimately to me becoming a well known artist and designer without any formal training in either field. I want black girls from poor neighborhoods and broken homes to see themselves in me and be filled with hope.
A Few Favorites:
Movie: Avatar, Black panther, The pursuit of Happiness, the Matrix, SOUL
Book: Aleph by Paolo Coelho
Scent: Honey suckle & Rose Essential oils
The fabric you always come back to: Silk
Dream project: No matter how many times I’m asked this question my answer remains: “I would love to inspire and be a part of a movement / project thats seeks out communities in duress around the world and implants creative initiatives within them that provide sustainable & affordable housing to Children, artists and creatives and also provides resources that help these creatives leverage their crafts.” Reference: https://medium.com/authority-magazine/alicia-bailey-how-to-learn-to-finally-love-yourself-68eefac1f8ea
Meal: Currently my favorite meal is the jerk salmon, with fresh spinach, curried chick pea and brown rice made by Cell power cafe in Bloomfield NJ
Drink: Prosecco and if I’m feeling extra fancy its Veuve Clicquot
Hotel: Azulik Tulum Mexico
Travel Destination: I desire to visit all of the worlds sacred destinations and wonders.
Artist: I have sooo many but here are a few Amazing Artists most of which happen to be my friends:
Bisa Butler
Bonny Ramirez
Genesis Tramaine
Philip Robinson Jr
Sebastien Courty
Serron Green / XplorefreedomA cause near and dear to me:
Inspiring Children and young people.
Praying for the protection and safety of children and women.
Harmonizing the world through spiritual awareness and practices.
Supporting black artists.
Connecting people with their brilliance and their passions so that they may live a more purposeful & fulfilling existence.Things to collect obsessively: Crystals, gemstones and gold.
Era in the history of design: Multiple eras
Museum: Museum of Egyptian antiquities in Cairo (I’ve never been but its on my bucket list.)
Paint Color that always looks great: Metallic Gold (I love multicolored walls with gold leaf in the mix)
Favorite person to follow on Instagram:
@iamnatashamayne “The vogue attorney” I admire her confidence fasion sense and inspiring messages.
@Alexandraposterbennaim She’s a PR girl from Paris. I love her social media curation skills. Her post’s are exciting and I always love the works of the artists and designers she posts about.Dogs, Cats, or No Pets? Dogs! I have a pup named Sky!
