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A bit of decorum please
Published on 13-09-2014
Whether your interest in interior design is aspirational or professional, when it comes to interiors an African motif is versatile and works equally well with clean modern lines or a more rustic look. Read our Art of Africa blog to find out more about how the Motherland’s captivating art, artefacts and designs can bring a room to life.
The first thing to remember is that ‘Africa’ is immense and each of the 54 individual countries has its own distinct characteristics. So if you’re wanting to create an interior decor in the style of a particular country, it’s a good idea to do your homework first to ensure an authentic design. However, you may be happy to embrace the continent as a whole and just pick what tickles your fancy.
In doing so, be wary of the misconception that African interiors are all about cluttering a room with paintings, rugs, cushions, sculptures, masks, carvings, drums and the kitchen sink if possible. Contemporary African decor is all about simplicity, so try to avoid the trap of over-complicating it.
It’s fair to say that African interior design ideas tend to incorporate neutral, earth tones combined with vibrant splashes of colour. Inspired by natural elements including earth tones, wildlife has always been a key theme in Africa's artwork, artefacts and fabric designs. The animals that tend to appeal are elephants, lions, leopards, zebras and giraffes. The colours of these animals can also help you decide on your overall pallet, and then you can start to consider what other accent pieces you might add.
Hanging around: Paintings, wooden masks and mirrors are very popular choices when it comes to wall hangings. But with a little imagination you can get three-dimensional and hang just about any artefact on the wall. Woven baskets, Maasai beaded necklaces and musical instruments all work really well. For a guaranteed talking point you could even wall-mount an intricately detailed African walking cane, handcarved by a master craftsman. In Africa these canes are used for anything from ceremonial purposes to a protective weapon against wild animals, so it could be a handy thing to keep within reaching distance.
Pass the salad please: African tableware can add flourish to a meal, including serving bowls and dishes and salad servers with beautifully carved handles. A hand carved wooden fruit bowl always makes a unique centerpiece.
Softly does it: Add some warmth and comfort with soft furnishings such as a Maasai shuka that can be used as a throw rug or bedspread. Cotton cushion covers depicting images of African life or in classic animal print are a must for chairs and sofas.
Not just nice to look at: While sculptures are the quintessential African ornament, there are other ornamental pieces that look beautiful but can also have a purpose such as soapstone candle holders and vases. Drums and other musical instruments can enliven a dead corner, and a soapstone chess board can turn your coffee table into a work of strategic art.
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