Interior Designer Hannah Polskin Dragged for Her Insensitive Bathroom Decor

Interior designer Hannah Polskin is facing intense criticism after showcasing her home in an artist house tour, where her bathroom decor sparked outrage and accusations of being racist. 

The bathroom is decorated with several paintings, a portrait of the legendary black boxer Muhammad Ali, a black mask, and black figurines, among others.

Fans were especially drawn to the addition of a chained toilet paper that was positioned underneath the black mask and right next to the portrait of Muhammad Ali.

Hannah Polskin’s bathroom decor. (Source: Domino)

This peculiar combination immediately raised eyebrows and led to an online backlash. A famous tea page, @teatoktalk, shared a video in which an interior design student expressed shock and disbelief at what has now been dubbed the “slavery bathroom.” 

The student pointed out the apparent attempt to create an African-themed bathroom but questioned the inclusion of chains, stating, “ah yes, I do need a toilet paper made out of chains and it has to be right next to the picture of a black man and right under the African mask.” 

The student speculated that this was a conscious decision on Polskin’s part and questioned whether the objects truly represented African art. 

“It was a conscious decision to make an African-themed bathroom and to put like chains in it. It’s really weird,” said the student.

The fact that Polskin, as an experienced interior designer and the owner of the house, would make such choices ignited further criticism. 

Fans were quick to share their opinions, with one expressing disbelief at the concept, saying, “I…… Wtf is/ was she thinking? This is an insane concept.”

“THE CHAINS,” said another disbelieved fan and the third comment read, “LMFAO WTF what was she thinking?”

Hannah Polskin works as an artist at her studio

As a self-employed artist, Polskin has been managing her studio, Hannah Polskin Studio, since January 2021. 

Additionally, she has been working at Los Angeles-based firm TOBE, a division of The Doneger Group, where she has been for nearly a decade.  

Polskin as Vice President, has dedicated three years and seven months to the company, where she concurrently served as the Concept Director for seven years and eleven months. 

At TOBE, she applied consumer-centric insights to a myriad of brand-name client initiatives, producing comprehensive reports on socio-cultural observations and data analysis. 

Her role also involved curating market coverage in diverse sectors such as technology, fashion, entertainment, hospitality, beauty, and wellness. 

She played a pivotal role in developing social media, marketing, and communication strategies for clients across various platforms, including Instagram, Snapchat, Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter. 

Before assuming high roles, Polskin garnered experience as a Senior Editor at TOBE in New York City, contributing for two years. 

Before working at the TOBE, the designer worked at Decorist as a contract interior designer from January 2015 to October 2019, specializing in e-design for both residential and commercial spaces. 

Prior to her role at Decorist, she operated as a Trend Analyst at The Doneger Group for two years. Her journey into the creative industry began with a year-long tenure as an Assistant Designer at J. Crew from June 2010 to June 2011, followed by a Freelance Stylist for Tory Burch in late 2011.