The Groove Room
Scope: Interior Design
Location: Kingston, NY
(Kingston Design Showhouse)
Spaces: Living Room
Photographer: Phil Mansfield
My creative process is deeply inspired by music. Growing up in a household surrounded by sound—with a pianist brother, an opera-singing sister, a dancer sibling, and a mother who was a vocalist—music became the rhythm of my life. Even as I explored visual arts, music continued to guide me, and now it drives every design decision I make. Often, I assign a song, genre, or even an album to a space, letting it set the mood and shape the story. This design is the product of all that has shaped me and a true creative reflection of my inner being. Join me on this fabulous escape! The result is a Living Room that is soulful, playful, and deeply personal—a space where music, color, and culture intersect to create a story that’s uniquely mine.
For this showhouse, I became my own muse. Without a client’s brief, I imagined a space I would have loved as a young, independent woman in her 20s or 30s—vibrant, playful, a touch indulgent. It’s a room that romanticizes late-night gatherings with friends: a space to lounge on the floor with a book, share stories, or let the music wash over you. The soundtrack? A mix of disco, house, soulful R&B, and jazz, with Rochelle Jordan’s Through the Wall as the album that guides the experience.
Before
My favorite design element is the wallpaper: Porter Teleo’s debut pattern, Ensemble. Inspired by the Bauhaus movement, this colorful print became the star of the room, influencing paint colors, fabrics, and furniture selections without overwhelming the space. Vintage furniture pieces complement the wallpaper beautifully, while a rosewood bar makes a striking statement. Organic forms throughout the room create flow and soften the square layout.
Collaborating with Kingston Design Connection has been a meaningful experience. Unlike other showhouses, Kingston Design Connection actively includes emerging designers, making participation accessible, welcoming, and inspiring. It is also the only design showhouse founded and produced by a Black woman. As a Black Latina founder myself, I understand how rare these opportunities are, and I value supporting those who create space for diverse voices.
I was also thrilled to debut my pillow collection, Casa Marcelo Home, inspired by my Panamanian heritage. Featuring the Kuna tribe’s indigenous Molas, each pillow pairs one-of-a-kind artifacts with complementary fabrics and trims. This long-held vision—nearly ten years in the making—fits seamlessly into the Living Room, tying history, culture, and comfort together.