Meet NATASHIA MCNAIR | Interior Decorator/Thrifter/Stager/Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Natashia McNair and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Natashia, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?

I am an introvert – a loner-extraordinaire and although those in my small-knit circle of long-time companions might heavily disagree, it is most certainly true. I have always danced with the aesthetics and indulged creative outlets from school talent shows and stage plays, narrative and poetry writing, painting/sketching, videography/photography, or anything I considered aesthetically -alluring. It was always how I spent my time growing up in a small town in the nooks and crannies of the “Mighty Mississippi”. I would spend long, starry-eyed nights and sun-kissed mornings fulfilling some sort of creative quest. I found my creative interests satisfying -an escape from my troubles, cares, and reality.

Truthfully, I never pondered any other career outside of the arts. I always gravitated towards things that made my heart leap with joy and spoke to my soul. I flourished in a rather interesting and fun-loving home comprised of parents older than the norm and siblings at least ten years my senior. My household was always filled with creative pursuits. My mother, a red-headed, petite-framed, fair- skinned, and witty lady was a thrifty sort and was one of my biggest influences as it relates to my interior decorating pursuits. She had a keen eye for detail and enjoyed the finer things in life. However, she was an educator and believed in strict budgets, clearance racks and sales to fulfill her bouts of occasional retail therapy. She had a knack for outfitting spaces and turning a “house into a home”- so much so, random visitors, including the local encyclopedia peddler, Jehovah witnesses and fellow church members would often visit and exclaim how our home looked like a spread right out of a Southern Living magazine. These compliments made my mother peacock-proud, considering she was always able to create a beautiful space without spending an astronomical amount of money on a teacher’s salary. My sisters were fashionistas and “make-up queens.” They were abreast of all the latest raves and trends while my brother captured art on film and on a Kodak polaroid. He even introduced me to the renowned Elsa Klensch, “producer and host of Style with Elsa Klensch, CNN’s weekly fashion and design television program, which ran from 1980 to 2001.” I think I was a mere 8 years old when she first graced our television screen. Therefore, pursuing a career outside of the creative realm would have been completely absurd to me. I see my career, as more of a hobby, fulfilling, and the best escape to a world I can create and mold at my fingertips.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My professional background is rather extensive, which has translated into my interior decorating work. I have a background in theater and television broadcasting and currently teach senior-level English: Dramatic Writing and Multicultural Literature (Pebblebrook High School; Mableton, GA). Prior to, I was a Commercial Advertiser/Reporter for WDBD, a FOX affiliate in Jackson, MS and had the opportunity to work/co-starred with Morgan Freeman on a documentary, Prom Night in Mississippi, which aired on HBO for 26 consecutive weeks in 2009. The documentary highlights the first racially integrated prom in Charleston, MS at a local high school where I taught 12th grade theater. I also played an integral role in the integration process with 12 of my hand-selected theater students who told the story from their perspective.

As an interior decorator/thrifter/stager, I think these were/are some of the creative pursuits that makes my business so unique. I use my technical background/expertise in television broadcasting to film, edit, and lay-down voice and music for my DIY channel on YouTube and my English/Theater background to create show blurbs and scripts for the co-hosts on the show and my social media. As an interior decorator, I also use predominantly thrifted items or refurbish dated furniture to outfit homes as an economical approach-something many do not embrace in the business. I also stage properties for realtors using the same approach and staging techniques to expedite sales for property owners/realtors. Another entity that makes my business unique is that I often work with my sister on my YouTube DIY Channel. By trade she is an engineer, broker, realtor, and contractor licensed in both Georgia and Mississippi. On the show she adds her technical and realty expertise while I add the aesthetics -the cherry to top it all off. We are sisters but we also work together as a team.

I am most proud of creating my DIY and Interior Decorating YouTube Channel during one of the most daunting times in US history: the COVI9 Pandemic. I have always wanted to create a YouTube Channel to showcase my ideas, but would become overwhelm with the thought, uncertain about what kind of content I wanted to focus on, or how I would approach it altogether. The onset of the pandemic gave me time to reflect and ultimately, take a risk. It seemed as I moved along with my plan, more ideas and opportunities came about.

I have learned to pursue my purpose versus my passions. My goal is to inspire others to take creative risks and, in the meantime, pick-up a gem or two from my work. I now understand great things take time and don’t manifest themselves overnight. I think oftentimes we get lost in the rat-race rather than just living in the now to enjoy life. As I approach 50 years of age, I truly recognize the entities that hold value-the important things- such as family and friends, physical and mental health and spiritual balance.

I did not find my pursuits particularly challenging once I convinced myself to drop the excuses and take a leap of faith towards my dreams. Honestly, I felt a sense of freedom and expression simultaneously. I want the world to know that even at my age, your dreams can still manifest themselves into a reality and does not come with a timestamp.

https://youtube.com/shorts/BrQYYfsnwE4?feature=share

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
As I mentioned earlier, I have a small circle of friends and when they come to town, I want their time to be a memorable one. Here is an itinerary based on a 3-day weekend stay.

Friday late afternoon-evening:
Agave Restaurant (southern, eclectic cuisine, tequila, cozy with great ambiance)
Up on the Roof Bar
Saturday Morning/Brunch:
Ria’s Bluebird (bestsellers: rum French toast and pancakes)

Saturday Afternoon:
Little 5 Points (Sevananda, RagoRama, Tijuana Garage, etc.)
The Vortex Bar and Grill/Uptown Comedy Club

Sunday Morning:
The Atlanta Beltline (bike and walking trail)

Sunday Afternoon:
The Atlanta Battery (Jenn’s Splendid Ice-Cream, Waterloo Sunset Records
Sunday Evening :
The Atlanta Battery (YardHouse)

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to shout-out my late and eldest sister, Donna L. Patterson who would always encourage me to pursue my dreams and share my gifts with others, as well as my closest friends, Annetta Ellis and Myrna Morris. I also would like to shout-out my business partner and YouTube Channel co-host, my sister, Rhonda Cooper-Dixson for adding her own expertise and knowledge to create a unique spin to the channel.

Instagram: @natashiamcnair_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NI2TW/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCawdyxFzBTuWnJLUOYQuHxQ

Image Credits
Business Profile Photos: Desirae Gibson (ExposeHER Photos) Instagram Handle: @dezithephotographer