Booked Design Space

Booked Design Space HTX

Corey Ivory, owner and creative designer and Alexandria Greene Jones, co-owner and PR of Booked Design Space has definetly made a mark in 2019. Only being open for one year Booked Design Space creativity has captured the eyes of Houstonians since launching the African American Selfie Musuem. The selfie museum launched as a black history pop-up and now serves as a permanent museum in the heart of Houston’s Montrose.

Each room is designed to reflect real-life events and to celebrate moments in time that we may have taken for granted. For instance, the Houston 90’s bedroom is a replica of the owner and creative direcotr Corey Ivory’s, late brother’s bedroom who passed from kidney failure in 2012. He loved Houston music, and he introduced Corey to screwed and chopped music including Houston legends Big Hawk, Big Moe, and Dj screw just to name a few. Corey wanted to pay respect to his brother and also create nostalgic rooms that people can identify with.

After receiving an overwhelming response they decided to make Booked Design Space the home of the #afamexperience and a permanent fixture

to the city as a trademarked selfie museum. Many tourists, celebrities and Houstonians stopped by and posed for the gram on the nostalgic backgrounds including. History-Making Simone Biles, Rapper Tobe Nwigwe, H-town 4-real Rapper Kiotti, elected city officials and a slew of Houston influencers and entrepreneurs.

“When I create a new build

out It gives me great pride in knowing how it will be received in person but that it will also photograph well on social media for millions of people to see. Being able to keep up with the current trends and incorporate them into my designs has helped separate me from the typical artist.” says Ivory.

What is Booked Design Space Story? Well for us we just really wanted to give back to the community, and not only make it a safe space where not only African Americans

can come and feel good about the history of black culture but also where it is a fun interactive environment where other nationalities can come and take pictures and learn about black culture in a safe space.

How long did it take you both to open Booked Design Space? A lifetime but in all actuality it took one month. We got the space in December and we got it up and running in January of 2019.

What has been the hardest thing about operating Booked Design Space? Corey: The amount of growth and success and be able to keep up. Alex: On the hard side, we would have learned about permits, triple net commercial space, residential zoning, the things that you have to get in it to grow it and learn it. The overhead cost, you might say this is how much it cost to run a business but you don’t factor in the lysol wipes, toilet paper,paper towels, the paper for the printer and ink. It’s just those little things. Growth but on the other side is knowing and learning it you grow through it.

How often do you change the build outs for the Booked Designed Space? Every 3 months the muse-

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um rotates to change the exhibit by featuring one-of-a-kind photo opportunities based on African American Experiences and pop-culture throughout the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s.

Changes are also made seasonally, so if we are in black history month and Valentine’s day comes up we will throw something in for there, easter, mothers day and women’s history month.

If you could offer any advice, do not give up surround yourself with positive people. What keeps you motivated when times are low? Knowing that I have somebody who is going through the exact same thing that I am going through. I think if I was doing it by myself, I would probably have given up but because he will see me and the days when he is low I am pulling him and the days where I am low he is pulling me. I have my husband and my child, he has his mom and his family that he supports so we see that and we want to be there for each other and keep each other grounded.

Here are some DO’s and Don’t’s for visiting Booked Design Space:

Wardrobe Changes: Please do not bring luggage to the museum. If you would like to have multiple clothing changes please email us to book a personal shoot.

Photography: To shoot a model, pet, promotional products or anything involving a DSLR, GO-PRO and or HANDY CAM please email us at a.green@bookeddesignspace.com Private Sessions are $150 The session includes a

dressing room, a clothing rack, 3 backdrops and up to 2 wardrobe changes.

Photographers are not included but can be provided at additional costs. There is a $25 charge for each additional friend, guest or model to be added to your shoot.

There is a $50 charge to photograph an additional background.

Music Videos: To book a music video please email a.green@bookeddesignspace.com at least one week before your desired shoot date.

Children: The museum is free for children 5 and under. For parents with infants please note that stairs are not accessible by strollers so they must be left at the front of the building with the receptionist.

Animals: Animals are not allowed. If you have a service animal or an emotional support animal please email us at a.green@bookeddesignspace.com prior to your visit so that we can make special arrangements for you.

Make sure you plan to visit Booked Design Space soon at 1210 Hawthorne Houston , TX 77006

For more information on Booked Design Space visit www.bookeddesignspace.com, call (713) 396- 0034 or just email them at info@ bookeddesignspace.com

Be sure to follow them on social media Instagram:@bookedeventshtx Facebook: Booked Design Space Twitter: @BookedHtx

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