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Posts Tagged ‘African interior design’

African Theme for a Warm, Welcoming Summer

Thursday, June 28th, 2018

Maitland-Smith Lamps and Lighting Verdigris And Antique Brass African Wildlife Chandelier, Shell Bowl, Leather Shades

It’s summer and the sun is up and shining. Just as the weather outdoors has changed, so should your interior design. One of the key designs that are often ignored is the beautiful African theme. This style has got to take center stage – it’s high time.

The African continent is a huge one. It stretches from Morocco to Egypt up in the north and then down to Mozambique, Namibia, and South Africa. Every country offers its unique style, however, the designs from these regions usually infuse earthy tones and some neutrals that go well with the nature-inspired hues.

African style is chiefly inspired by Mother Nature. It comes with colorful fabrics, charming wood carvings, and wild animal prints. There are various reasons that some people gravitate towards this style because who wouldn’t love an African Safari? Others just enjoy the historical and cultural perspectives of this continent.

Anyhow, whichever aspect inspires you the most, there are many ways that you can use the African theme in your own home. Use design techniques that come from this region to show just how enamored you are with something that looks and feels different. Plus don’t forget that African theme is in this summer season.

Look for colors that are both deep and rich and use additional natural components. These will effortlessly give your home a sense of comfort. Don’t just hang a stuffed animal head onto your walls because this style isn’t like that. Instead, make good use of earthy tones and the right patterns to complete your home’s new theme.

Have Less

When you are out to decorate your home with an African theme, don’t think that you should stuff the rooms with African Safari photos, decorative masks, tables, and chairs. When it comes to your flooring, consider the installation of either sandstone or terracotta tiles.

You could also choose to have a plain concrete flooring. Make sure to stain it, though, because this is also quite popular in South Africa. These are preferred in the said region because they remain cool even when the outdoors are scorching hot. If you choose to go with this, be sure to use sisal mats.

As for your walls, use neutral shades like brown, beige or cream. Alternatively, you can also paint the walls with terracotta or rich clay shades. Textured paints are also welcome, the ones that have a sandy kind of texture when applied to a surface.

Uttermost Living Room Naeva Gold End Table 24422

Warm Colors

Because African style obviously comes from the African continent, the use of warm colors is the most typical approach. Use lots of yellow, orange, ocher, red, brown, and burgundy. Don’t look forward to using cool colors because there are none. The purpose of the warm colors is to depict the warmth of the sun and the dry savannah.

Natural Only

The items used for African home décor are often made from wood, straw, leaves, and clay. Consider using pieces that are made of a hundred-percent natural materials such as woven blinds and wooden frames.

Wood, no matter what form you use, is a crucial part of any African design, more so if you are going for the full-fledged African look. Artifacts and earthenware will also help express just how African your theme really is.

There are also a lot of tribes throughout Africa that use different arts and crafts. How about displaying something relevant about one of the continents by having a wet plaster fresco?

Lastly, you could go for the more obvious stuff such as a zebra print rug or clay pots. Even ethnic textiles are a wonderful addition to this kind of home.

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Posted in Color Schemes, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on African Theme for a Warm, Welcoming Summer

Amazing Safari Is Your Amazing Home

Thursday, December 1st, 2016

Maitland-Smith Lamps and Lighting African Wildlife Chandelier 1900-027

Maitland-Smith Lamps and Lighting African Wildlife Chandelier 1900-027

African décor is artistic, dynamic and inspiring on so many levels. Colors used are evocative such as the deep greens of the rainforest, sunburnt earth, the soft hues of the savannah plains, sunsets, sunrises and the busiest market places. Don’t forget the classic look of black and white in this theme as is represented beautifully by zebra stripes.

Scour galleries and original artwork shops from African locals. Visit this place and find out which designs you can use to make a safari out of your home.

The newest trends in African style include the warmest colors, angular wooden furniture, textiles, pottery, masks and animal skins. In the last ten years, people have been shifting to what is ecologically sound in terms of interior design, hence, the Safari or African theme is now in demand.

Safari Colors

Remember that this style came from Africa so this is no less than the sunniest continent. Use all the colors that are typical of this place, think of the shades that are in nature such as the brightness of the sun during sunrise, its warmth during sunset; the bright blue skies; clay; sand; and dried leaves. This means you can use a lot of reds, burgundy, ocher, orange, yellows and browns. Don’t attempt to find cool colors in this style because warmth is the name of the game. Remember that lighter colors depict winter season, hence, you need to own the warm African hues. The smaller accents can be arranged using brown and burgundy hues.

Light Safari Walls – Are They Possible?

Try to picture the walls inside the homes of Africans – these are little huts that are covered with clay, so, find paint that has the same color as clay. This could be Venetian plaster, embossed mixture, and structural wallpaper.

Angular Wood

Safari style is also all about dark wood furniture. Find African accents in small stools and other furniture pieces. Be sure to find the ones with sharp angles. If you have to use upholstered pieces, make sure that they come in ethnic prints or those that imitate animal skins.

Rattan furniture is also welcome as are other natural, durable pieces.

Hooker Furniture Bedroom Skyline King Upholstered Panel Bed

Hooker Furniture Bedroom Skyline King Upholstered Panel Bed

Safari Décor

Remember that in Africa, all the decorative items are improvised materials. These are made of straw, dried leaves, wood or clay. Select materials that are natural or natural-looking. Suitable ceiling structures are beams or trim beamed ceiling.

Use woven blinds and photos inside wooden frames.

African tribes are very passionate when it comes to arts and craft so repeat this in your home. So go ahead and display a warm-colored artwork on your wall or you can just stick with the photo wallpaper patterns.

Use zebra patterns and other tribal designs on your pillows, carpets, curtains and woven mats.

Other interesting pieces include pottery, other animal hides, masks and statuettes. These may seem like mere decorative items but in many African tribes, they are sacred objects. Wooden statues and masks are often parts of their worship. Wooden statues of women symbolize hearth and fertility.

When using figurines, be sure to consider the aesthetic point of view. You wouldn’t want to have an imbalanced look because of all the wrong proportions or erroneous placement of furniture.

Another distinct African element is the palm. Place huge, exotic flowers as well as potted trees outside and inside your home. You could even begin your small garden with just 3 to 5 pots of macrophylla plants.

Remember to match your taste with your chosen interior design. In short, you should embrace the exotic beauty of African theme only if you truly want the Safari look.

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The Safari Trend – Embracing the Tribal Design

Thursday, September 15th, 2016

blog-8-i-m-david-dining-room-lion-safari-chair-8193l

Safari is a term derived from a Swahili word meaning to travel, though the Arabic term safara means a journey. Its implication is that of a game that needs to be hunted, shot and eventually dragged by tribesmen. It was President Theodore ‘Teddy’ Roosevelt who popularized this concept when he had it brought to the U.S.

Basically, safari had a negative connotation to it.

The Safari Evolution

These days, the modern world has completely changed the meaning of this once negative term. It is now being associated to being socially and environmentally responsible when it comes to traveling.

Safari travel in Africa is now a journey that includes game viewing and spending time in national parks. Safari will always involve wildlife and birds, more so their sanctuaries, so you won’t conjure thoughts of bloodshed anymore when this term is mentioned.

Adding Some Jungle Love

The Safari style is all about adding a little jungle love into your home. Man caves and lady pads can also exhibit this beautiful design. It is commonly used to create the wonderful illusion of being in tropical grandeur. All you need to add are some tribal music CDs and you’re good. If you want to raise the temperature up some more, then amp up the African décor.

Using the safari theme is not easy. You are required to plan and to invest in a lot of mirrors. There are also materials that are uniquely safari such as –

Bamboo – this is mainly used in the bedroom where the ultimate jungle should be. There are various styles of bamboo beds that are suitable for this very purpose. Match this bed frame with a bureau and a dresser plus a steamer trunk right at the foot of the bamboo bed and you’re having an awesome start.

Goin’ ape? Add bamboo curtains complete with bamboo slats. Vertical blinds will also offer the same touch.

Authentic African hangings – your jungle room should have the genuine deal. Have some masks and other African wall hangings that will ascertain your theme. There is no mistaking that yours is an African theme if you add wildlife wall murals, banana trees, or some interesting (if not scary) masks.

An Exotic Bird – if you want to commit to this theme then you might as well go all out. How about having a pet macaw or parrot? Just make sure that you research about the feeding and proper care of any of these exotic birds. Don’t make the mistake of cramping your new pet into a small cage. Buy a cage that is large enough for the bird to flit around in.

Your guests will surely be awestruck with the beautiful bird; just be prepared to handle a little bird noise. Plus, it might help if you talk to your landlord first and ask about any animal restrictions in your area.

Greenery – no African theme is deemed successful without any plant. Bring in some potted plants but make sure that you keep them well-lit, fed and watered. Palm trees are a great choice and so are a couple of banana trees.

African Accents – you would want to convince everyone about your theme so invest in some bamboo lampshades, too. If you can have an elephant, gorilla or lion standee, then use it. Any of them are great conversation starters which will make you an interesting social being in the sight of your friends and visitors.

Cap the African theme by covering an entire wall with a map (of Africa if needs be). If you are bringing friends over, you could don your khaki pants and boots, grab a pair of binoculars and you’re all set.

Maitland-Smith Lamps and Lighting Floor Lamp 1851-515 screams "Africa" on every angle.

Maitland-Smith Lamps and Lighting Floor Lamp 1851-515 screams “Africa” on every angle.

 

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