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Posts Tagged ‘Safari interior design’

How to Recreate Safari Influence in Interior Design

Monday, October 16th, 2017

Uttermost Accessories Safari Views Silver Wall Art S/3 04121

If you’re a homeowner who’s claiming that your home is the best showroom in the entire neighborhood, you have to understand that your habitat must still have a homey atmosphere. It must not be cold or unfeeling as most showrooms are perceived to be.

You don’t have to come from a family of interior designers or artists to come up with your design preference. You can venture into this new project with just the thought that you want to express who you are or what you do with the things that you decorate your home with.

What Is Safari?

The word safari is derived from the Swahili word meaning journey. In colonial times, this word is also an implication of games, hunting, shooting, and many other activities that the local tribes people participate in.

It was no less than the late President Theodore Roosevelt who popularized this term when he said he ventured on a safari of enormous proportions. His intention was to fill up the Smithsonian Institute with a lot of African specimens. Approximately 11,400 animals fell prey to this project of which 512 were huge games ranging from lions, leopards, elephants, rhinoceros, and buffalos. There were even six white rhinos.

All these led to the negative connotation of the word safari. These days, though, slowly, this term is evolving to a much more positive meaning. Many modern associations, with environmental and social projects, have slowly made safari travel an exciting expedition rather than a blood-filled sport of some kind.

Nowadays, the traditional African safari centers on appreciating the African wildlife and certainly not limited to just game viewing.

Maitland-Smith Lamps and Lighting Black And Young Penshell Inlay Torchiere Table Lamp, Leopard Pattern, Brass Accents 1700-371

Modern Safari

While safari still includes wildlife appreciation, it is chiefly for adventure rather than a killing spree. Many of the safari expeditions, in fact, have benefitted the African wildlife because of their conservation efforts.

Safaris are now looked up to as holiday trips and a means to take part in the protection of animal species. Going on these trips also means you immerse yourself in the beautiful African culture while you enjoy nature’s wonders.

When it comes to interior design, there are many new African trends. All the warm colors that the Kalahari Desert is able to offer can now be beautifully replicated in your home.

All the beautiful and natural elements of angular wooden furniture, light-colored wood walls, ethnic motif, pottery, patterned textiles, and animal skins are highly appreciated in the design industry.

African Safari Design Characteristics

Simply put, this style comes all the way from Africa. This is no less than the sunniest continent in the whole world so you need the typical colors there. Look for warm, sunny colors that would remind you of the deserts, the oases that are scattered there, clay, dry leaves, the sun, and the bright, blue skies.

These colors, therefore, are mainly ocher, orange, shades of red, yellows, browns, burgundy, and bright blue. There are no cool colors since all things there are literally sun-drenched.

The eclectic beauty of African safari design is most appropriate in cold regions where winters linger. This unique style will surely draw warmth into your home even when all hell is breaking loose outside.

Light walls are reminiscent of the clay material in African homes. You can recreate this by using Venetian plaster, embossed wallpaper, or paint.

As for your furnishings, be sure to add dark wood pieces. These have to be slightly artisanal with eclectic accents or ethnic prints. Use faux animal prints for your fabrics.

Make use also of decorative materials that were made in African eclectic style. The African tribes are known for their unique art so go ahead and copy their different motifs of Ikat pattern, zebra design, tribal figurines, etc.

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Posted in Color Schemes, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on How to Recreate Safari Influence in Interior Design

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

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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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