LIFE IN PICTURES (VIA @chrisjoydesign INSTAGRAM)

It’s coming up on 2 years since our BK to NJ move. On our closing day, we were so excited to see that the previous owners left us this historic photo. Can you spot the old school car in the driveway on the right?! Apparently this was the very first home built on our block back in the 1880’s. #historichomes #thisoldhouse #oldhouselove #victorianhouse #architecture #queenannevictorian #oldcar #brooklyntotheburbs #soyellowvictorian #victorianstyle
Last day of first grade and pre-k vs. the 1st. They’ve all grown so much! ❤️🤗😭
Our kids are so blessed to have a dad like you - empathetic, generous, patient, and incredibly loving. You are all I ever dreamt of in a husband, and more. Happy Father’s Day, Kwame! ❤️
When the nurse handed Louisa to me 1 year ago, she called her a “miracle baby”. Delirious from both the pain meds and my post partum cloud 9 joy, the words didn’t register. Hours later, as more and more of the staff remarked at how much of a miracle her being here was, it dawned on me that this delivery was far from routine. My doctor explained that the sudden severe pain and bleeding I had experienced that led to my emergency csection was due to a complete placental abruption. Had we delayed getting to the hospital by even a little, she would not have survived. THANK GOD that she did. She has brought our family so much joy with her incessant babble, infectious smile, and sweet face. Louisa, our lives are that much richer with you in it. We are so grateful that you are here. Happy 1st birthday!!! ❤️🎂✨
Porch ❤️. #archi_ologie #architecture #oldhouselove #victorian #porchview #porchlove
I can’t let this month go by without celebrating Christine Joy Design turning 5! 🎉✨ Five years ago, almost to the day, I made a decision to put self doubt and the paralyzing fear of rejection aside and officially launch my surface pattern design studio at the @surtex tradeshow. While I thought the show went okay overall, never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that this one courageous step would eventually lead to partnerships with brands like @westelm , @minted , @crateandbarrel , @bornfootwear and @gap . I would have said you were crazy if you told me that within these next five years Suzy Welch @jack_and_suzy would be sitting in my apartment documenting my process for a Today Show segment, that West Elm would not only sell my artwork but also create a video documenting my process, that I’d see my name mentioned in the @wsj, or that I’d be included in a list of “Top Black Women Entrepreneurs to Watch” by @essence mag. 🤯 To say I’d be featured in my favorite design blog, @designsponge or that I’d be sitting across from legendary Kate Spade presenting my work would be beyond my comprehension. I feel infinitely blessed and so grateful to have so many things line up in agreement as evidence that I did indeed take the right step. 🙏🏾 And to have done all of this while managing a suburban move, re-learning how to drive, getting over my fear of deer 🙈🤣, and most important of all - bringing to life and nurturing three amazing little humans with my biggest cheerleader and best friend Kwame by my side every single step of the way. I’m listing all of these accomplishments, not to brag, but to remind myself (and anyone else who needs it) of all the amazing experiences that are forgone if you don’t take that very first, anxiety-ridden, baby step. I also spend way too much time dwelling on everything I’ve yet to accomplish and don’t often stop to think about all the things that I have. So here I am five years later, taking yet another unsure step, but with a bit more confidence this time. Looking forward to seeing just how many of today’s “wildest dreams” I will be blessed to experience in these next 5 years - and beyond. More to come!!! 😉🔨🌈✨💪🏾
I absolutely LOVE being a Mom to these three. They make the long days (and nights😴) worth it. Happy Mother’s Day to all the wonderful moms out there - especially my own. 🎉🌸💐🌷📷 @sobitartphotography
Cherry blossom covered. 🌸 #spring #cherryblossoms #pink #colorinspirartion
Bought myself flowers just because. 💐#spring #floralbeauty #selfcare #colorinspiration
Since moving in, we’ve been working on transforming the previous homeowner’s daughter’s bedroom into a home office space. We re-painted, installed a light fixture, mounted a tv, bought a perfect pink circular rug, and scored a beautiful vintage Herman Miller table as well as IKEA chairs off a neighborhood swap site. Next up - lots of art for these bare walls! 🖼👩🏾‍🎨 #southorangenj #studio #studioviews #textiledesign #creativespace #printstudio #homeoffice #wip #surfacepatterndesign #homedecor #creativeentrepreneur #designstudio #soyellowvictorian
Tina’s artwork. 👩🏾‍🎨 (Little does she know I have every intention to put her to work in my print studio this summer 😂) #studioassistant #paint #sketch #draw #abstract #kidsart #creativity
Scooting around the block for the nth time. #myloves #spring #beauty #cherryblossoms #southorangenj #brooklyntotheburbs
Kitchen window view 🌅😍. #beauty #nature #spring #sunset #southorangenj
To these kids who just the other day told me that they’re “tired of country life and want to move back to the city”😆...It looks to me like you’re adapting to this “country life” quite nicely. ❄️