Bananas for Grownups

For an easy-to-fix treat, try this.

Taking some time on the beach next week to dream and refresh. Will touch base on my return.

Safari Style

I am usually not a big fan of the Safari style of interiors that foster a feeling of living elegantly in the bush. I was captivated, however, by the work of Silvio Retch in his interpretations of the Makalali camps on the banks of the Makhutswi River.

He has captured African traditions through the layouts, circular domes, and rough-looking wood work. As illustrated in South Africa, Private Worlds, Retch creates spaces that are warm and inviting. Something to think about for your next cabin in the woods.

Mark Bradford

“Visually stunning, psychologically and intellectually bracing” are the words that director Sherri Geldin used to describe Mark Bradford’s work, as profiled in the recent Conscience Voice magazine, this young dynamitic artist is breaking new ground .

His exhibition, a critical success at the at the Wexner Center in Columbus, Ohio, has been extended to October. Don’t miss it.

From Runway to Hallway: ethniciti Sketches

Always looking to advance the notion of the connection of apparel to home fashion, we have created a series of ethniciti Sketches that form the basis of our online interior design service.

We are interested in how you might approach the design of of African-inspired interior spaces. Send us your ideas:  ethniciti@aol.com.

Let ethniciti inspire your room makeovers in our unique, African-inspired style.

Renaissance Remembered

The growing and changing complexion of Harlem is a cause for both sadness and optimism. The progress made in creating what Harlem might look and feel like in the future is mixed with a certain familiarity and remembrance as to what it meant and how it was to live it during the golden age.

The history of Harlem, and for that matter that of blacks in America, cannot be considered without acknowledging the the work of Harlem’s most celebrated photographer, James Van Der Zee.  As captured in “Harlem Renaissance Art of Black America” by the Studio Museum in Harlem, his unique style of storytelling captured the essence of family groups, activism, and lifestyle of the Harlem community photographed to show their beauty, pride, and dignity.

Gifts from the Sea

If you haven’t tried ceviche here is a simple and delightful start. Enjoy.

From  The Caribbean, Central & South American Cookbook, Jenni Fleetwood and Marina Filippelli.

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.

Fusion in Paris

If you are looking for unique interpretations of urban African-inspired design, look to Paris – a city known for fashion has long ago embraced a cultural-fusion approach to interiors.

This apartment by Christian Louboutin highlighted in New Paris Interiors (edited by Angelika Taschen) is a great example of how to marry a traditional urban space with a personal cultural aesthetic.

Zwelethu Mthethwa

Noted South African photographer Zwelethu Mthethwa is having a showing of a number of his important works at the Studio Museum Harlem.

His natural human perspective gives us an unvarnished look at the lifestyle of everyday South Africans.  A recent article in the New York Times captures vividly the strength and depth of his work.

Bahia Delight

I had the opportunity to taste this style of cooking, centered around the heavy use of palm oil, in Bahia.

Works with any kind of seafood.  Enjoy.

From  The Caribbean, Central & South American Cookbook, Jenni Fleetwood and Marina Filippelli.