Ashford Calvin

Calvin Ashford, Jr. (c, 1935 – June 24, 2008 ) was an African-American interior designer based in Chicago, Illinois. He was the principal designer and the design director at Gilmore-Ashford-Powers Designs, which he opened in the 1970s. He also founded The Black Interior Designers Association in 1998, and was active in The Organization of Black Designers until his death.

Early life and family Ashford was born in Ypsilanti, Michigan, in 1935. He was the son of Calvin Ashford and Alice Ashford. His father was a construction worker.

Ashford grew up in Willow Run, Michigan as the oldest of five boys (Nick Ashford, Albert Ashford, Paul Ashford, Henry Ashford).

Education Ashford finished high school early, He continued his academic career at University of Michigan and pursued a master's degree in microbiology. which was the tallest apartment building in the world at the time (1977) until 1991.

In the same building as his interior design company Gilmore-Ashford-Powers Designs, Calvin worked with Richard Green, a radiologist at the Cook County Hospital, to design a bachelor-vibe infused interior on the 45th floor of the Lake Point Tower. Eddy Curry, Kendall Gill, Michael Finley, Lauren Bacall, Lana Turner, Gina Lollobrigida, Mickey Rooney, and Raquel Welch.

Death On June 24, 2008, Ashford died at his home in Gold Coast at the age of 73 from cancer.