Artful Artifacts

Those who collect African art are a passionate group. However, it is not difficult to become overwhelmed with a collection. Often the best way to feature important artifacts is to integrate them seamlessly into the overall theme of the room rather than building mini-museums.

These examples from South African private worlds show how dramatic the approach can be.

Interiors are from the book “South Africa – Private Worlds” by Desmond Colborne, photography by Solvi Dos Santos.

Organized Eclecticism

Unlike the structured styles to which we all are accustomed – Contemporary, Classic, Casual – there is an underlying aspect we seek, creating personal spaces.

Moving away from photo shoot rooms, an eclectic approach to room styling helps realize our desire for self-expression. While sometimes difficult to pull off, eclecticism offers another opportunity to personalize a space with detail.

These rooms provide a glimpse of an African-inspired approach with dramatic results – interiors from the book “South Africa – Private Worlds” by Desmond Colborne, photography by Solvi Dos Santos.

Garden Retreat

At the end of the day an outside room should be more than a resting place for a large kitchen or pizza oven. There is something to be said about the purpose and effect of these tranquil spaces.

This space by Paul Mikula is a perfect example of less is much more. It uses simple touches to set the mood for a wonderful afternoon in the shade.

The photos above are from the book “South Africa – Private Worlds” by Desmond Colborne, photography by Solvi Dos Santos.

Path to Peace

In September 2005 Macy’s introduced the first Path to Peace baskets. The partnership with Rwandan artisans established a global market for these unique works of art.  The initial modest collection of baskets only available online at Macy’s.com and the Macy’s flagship store at Herald Square has expanded to other Macy’s location as well as a presence on
www. fairwindstrading .com.

While keeping a focus on the individual artisans, the expansion to textiles and most importantly products for every day use helps move the merchandise perceptions from crafts and collectibles to home fashion, opening up enormous expansion opportunities.

Instant Makeover

A very simple, fast, and cost-effective way to change the dynamic of a room is the use of slip covers.

Bring that summer white to your space with a number of options by Pottery Barn and these glorious accent pillows from ethniciti will give you instant gratification. What a wonderful start to the summer!

Africa Meets Neon

The awareness of African wax prints has taken on new levels of experimentation and application, none more dramatic then a recent photo shoot by Irina Graewe.

Bought to light by Out and About Africa, these images are truly stunning and offer ideas to designers looking for tangible ways to develop product lines.

Self-expression in the African Style

Ethiopia’s Surma and Mursi tribes in the southwest Omo River valley region present a unique perspective on self-expression in the African style.  As a result of their nomadic lifestyle, location near lush vegetation, and inventive nature, tribe members have taken body painting and adornment to a new level of creativity which has inspired the color palette for ethniciti collections.

Sophisticated color palette

Colors taken directly from nature, the various strata of rock in the vast Rift Valley geologic formation, yield subtle shades of ochre, red, pure white, off white, and light gray.  Green is obtained from stone found in the riverbed.  The canvas for this sophisticated mixture of colors is the flesh of the tribe members, a reddish, copper hue, lighter in shade and more reflective of light rays compared to the darker skin of the Ugandans, Kenyans, and Sudanese to the south and west.

Natural accessorization

Flora and fauna found near the river – grass, leaves, stems, flowers, roots, shells, nuts, wild fruit, papyrus, and gourds- are accessories to this creation of natural fashion.

Shapes and forms

The amazing and aesthetically brilliant juxtapositions of color, texture, shape, and form, are not pondered and studied.  Spontaneity is key to the effects achieved with body painting done rapidly to preserve the natural colors.  Pigments created using water and stone fragments dry within a minute’s time. The result is a creative work worthy of any modern artist or fashion designer, but with the natural freedom of childhood.

The design spirit of the Surma and Mursi exemplifies ethniciti’s philosophy of organized eclecticism, freedom of self-expression, and African-inspired design.  Three of ethniciti’s color palettes are inspired by the Omo River valley tribes.  What do you think?

Photography by Hans Silvester in his book, Natural Fashion: Tribal Decoration from Africa

Take a Seat

“I don’t have any interest in design if it is only to remake that which already exists”. One look at his work and you can understand what inspires Ceick Diallo.

The colors, shapes, and textures of his furniture echo cultural essences that make a powerful connection to contemporary African-inspired home fashion. As a member of Design Africa/ca he joins a list of African designers who are forging a new and exciting interpretation of the culture.

Rhythm and Hues

Few in the West know that the West African country of Mali is home to more fiber artists and designers than most other countries in the world.

Examples of Mali’s extraordinary legacy of textile arts and complex graphic statements were recently presented at the Museum of Craft and Folk Art in San Francisco. The exhibit gave long overdue recognition to contemporary Malian fabric artisans as a major form of the aesthetic of Mali.

The exhibition also featured other forms of traditional art and craft including wooden puppets and life-sized masked and costumed marionettes. The energy exhibited by these contemporary artisans sheds a new light on a whole world of application to home fashion, available to those who are bold and seek the unique.

The Power of Indigo: Aboubakar Fofana

There are few artisans who can work with a single hue and bring such power and freshness to the creation of African textiles.  Indigo, a color not only with cultural meaning but always in fashion, allows us to only imagine how we can us it as we look to refresh our personal living spaces.

The New York Times article, “From France and Mali, Shades of Indigo,” explores Aboubakar Fofana ‘s design philosophies and how the color indigo inspires him. His works can be seen at ABC Carpet & Home, 888 Broadway.