American Actress, producer and model Nicole Ari Parker Kodjoe turned 52 years old today.
Nicole Ari Parker is happily married to actor, director, and producer Boris Kodjoe, and is a mother of two. Parker spent half of 2021 filming AJLT in New York City.
Carrie Bradshaw famously said on Sex and the City, “In New York, they say, you’re always looking for a job, a boyfriend, or an apartment.” The remark seems appropriate for Nicole Ari Parker, one of the new cast members on HBO Max’s SATC remake And Just Like That… Parker, who has also acted in Soul Food, Boogie Nights, and Empire, plays Lisa Todd Wexley (aka LTW), a documentarian, philanthropist, wife, and mother of three who has been on Vogue’s International Best Dressed List.
Parker values comfort, tranquilly, and love, so she sought the help of her best friend, famous interior designer, author, artist, and entrepreneur Nikki Chu, ZGallerie and One Kings Lane, to decorate. “I surrendered to everything because Nikki was there, and I admire her aesthetic; she’s a genuine artist,” Parker adds.
Nicole is not frightened of colour or pattern; in fact, more is more in her eyes. However, for this property, we chose a more subdued palette that suited the dynamism of New York City. There are tribal motifs and geometric forms used, as well as splashes of colour from the art. The gold-framed mirrors surrounding the Kelly Wingback Bed in Charcoal contribute to the main bedroom being as opulent as the rest of the property. The Hazel Bench’s rounded edges are similar to those of the mirrors.
We enjoy modern African art as a complement to our European design sense and American comfort. On the walls, there are large couches and traditional furniture, framed family photographs, carpets, and large works of art. It’s eclectic, but it’s also ageless. Nicole’s living area is glitzy thanks to the use of gold and marble. The soft rug and generous cushions, including Nikki’s Nairobi and Durban pillows for One Kings Lane, give comfortable comfort, while the plants and wood seats next to the window add organic charm.
Overall, the apartment is an eclectic mix, which Parker describes as reflecting her “extremely deep and varied” personality. “At first sight, you’re not sure how that works together, but it does, which is kind of how I am and how my character on And Just Like That… is.” The elegant Philipe 8-Drawer Dresser is made of iron and steel and will last for centuries. Nikki’s One Kings Lane Finn Slipper Chairs in Durban Blue on either side of the dresser soften its rigid lines.
Drew Doggett’s pictures, in particular, are a favourite of Boris Kodjoe. It serves as a reminder that we are not alone in our own little bubbles in America. We must have a global awareness of everything. That is something I am attempting to instil in my children. Fans of the programme will be aware that LTW has a fantastic collection of Black art, which Parker appreciated seeing prominently shown on screen.
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