Furniture as Useful Artifacts

We are sometimes intimated by the artful use of artifacts in our design ideas. I think mainly because we regard them as museum pieces and not in the way they were created: to be used.

These images from “Global Style” by Leslie Dilcock offer stunning examples of how the designers have seamlessly incorporated artistic, yet functional pieces into the scheme of their room designs.

Kitchen Style

With kitchens playing a major role in our lifestyles today, ethniciti recommends breaking away from the traditional or expected and creating welcoming rooms that have plenty of individuality and character.

These images from “Global Style” by Lesley Dilcock are great examples of creative approaches to what has become a central space in most homes.

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.

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.

Table Dressing

Nothing enhances the impact of a table setting more than the choice of the textile coverings. Forgotten in the rush for the dramatic place settings and props, an  elegant table cover sometimes is all you need.

For more home textile ideas, see “Textile Style” by Caroline Clifton-Mogg, photography by Andrew Wood.

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.