Showing posts with label Africa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Africa. Show all posts
A little piece of Paradise...
The weekend calls for an escape from the hum-drum of everyday life. A chance to clear up mental clutter, relax and pause to enjoy the beautiful things in life we often neglect in our busy-ness...
Here is my version of paradise found - on a little island off the coast of Kenya, the Bembea House. I'm in love with this calm, clean space.
The soaring ceilings and striking architecture add a hint of glamour, but the white and neutral palette and use of natural unstained wood give a casual, organic air.
The Swahili architectural influences are found throughout the space
- the arches, the tiles, the trunk. Absolutely stunning!
A comfy sofa in creamy neutrals to relax and unwind, open shutters to let in the afternoon sun and set the room aglow. I love the wooden columns that
add an organic yet ornate architecture detail.
Ah - I cannot think of a more inviting space to relax and unwind - an open air space with a thatched roof and deep plush sofas create the perfect ambiance to relax and enjoy the ocean breeze and maybe watch the moon rise at night...
Soft billowy curtains beckon you to enjoy an afternoon nap...
The only drawback is that I don't think I'd ever be able to limit myself to a few days...
Here is my version of paradise found - on a little island off the coast of Kenya, the Bembea House. I'm in love with this calm, clean space.
The soaring ceilings and striking architecture add a hint of glamour, but the white and neutral palette and use of natural unstained wood give a casual, organic air.
The Swahili architectural influences are found throughout the space- the arches, the tiles, the trunk. Absolutely stunning!
A comfy sofa in creamy neutrals to relax and unwind, open shutters to let in the afternoon sun and set the room aglow. I love the wooden columns thatadd an organic yet ornate architecture detail.
Ah - I cannot think of a more inviting space to relax and unwind - an open air space with a thatched roof and deep plush sofas create the perfect ambiance to relax and enjoy the ocean breeze and maybe watch the moon rise at night...
Soft billowy curtains beckon you to enjoy an afternoon nap...
No detail was spared in these spaces - I love the fact that each space has an
emphasis on soft lamps and candle light.
emphasis on soft lamps and candle light.
This stunning kitchen invites you to enjoy an evening preparing a meal with friends
-and then enjoying it with the perfect bottle of wine.
-and then enjoying it with the perfect bottle of wine.
The only drawback is that I don't think I'd ever be able to limit myself to a few days...{All photos:LamuHoliday}
Carving her way - Agnes Nyanhongo
I am very excited to post about an amazing artist and good friend, Agnes Nyanhongo. Born into a family of acclaimed sculptors, Agnes grew up assisting her father Claud with his sculptures and now has risen to become one of the most acclaimed female African artists in the world.
When you first meet Agnes, you immediately get a sense of warmth and calm. She has a very gentle but self assured manner that comes through both in meeting her in person and in the beautiful art she creates.
Agnes has received much acclaim for her work and has had several exhibitions across the world. Her sculpture is highly sought after and appears in the collections of several well known figures such as the writer Maya Angelou.
{You are Welcome!}Agnes work primarily focuses on women and their roles within family and in society. No matter the subject, you can always tell Agnes' trademark - her distinctive peaceful faces with their closed, crescent shaped eyes and always a lovely contrast of rough, natural rock surfaces and textures and the surfaces and lines.
{A Friend from the Beginning}In her art, Agnes seeks to portray the family values and traditions of Shona culture -as well as social and family problems. Always with a sense of quiet dignity and wisdom. It is very fitting that Agnes portray beautiful, strong women in her sculptures. She is a very strong woman herself, not only by character, but by the sheer force and skill required to hand sculpt such large, hard stones.
{Woman of Authority}
Looking at them you immediately feel a sense of calm. Her sculpting of often dictated by the stone she is carving, rather than imposing some internal vision onto the stone, she 'listens to what the stone wants to be', working in harmony with the beauty within the stone itself. I believe it is this harmony with nature that makes this art so moving and often, spiritual.
{The Storyteller}Learn a little more about Agnes at Mudzimu and at Chapungu. And if you are in Colorado, be sure to check out the wonderful exhibition of Shona Sculpture, at Chapungu Sculpture Park in Loveland, including pieces by Agnes - and get a personally directed tour by the charming Director, Roy Guthrie.
{Photos: Mudzimu}
100 Cameras: Photography with a Mission
One of the most exciting projects I've learnt about lately is 100 Cameras. For the project, cameras were taken to orphanages in Uganda and Sudan. After teaching the children to use the cameras, the children were asked to take photos documenting their daily lives. The photos have been collected, displayed and sold with 100% of the proceeds going back to the orphanages.Below are some photos by Kiden, a sixteen year old girl from Uganda. I think she has an amazing eye! One of the things I really love about this project is the fact that the children participating will learn a valuable skill and an art form to express themselves through, photography.
You can purchase one of these beautiful photos here at 100 Cameras. I've already bought one myself :) - beautiful art and an even better cause - there's a purchase you can feel really good about, recession or not! Or if you're in New York this June, check out the exhibit in the Lower East Side.{All photos: 100cameras}
Retreat in Kenya
Today we are going over to Africa, to the Kenyan island of Lamu where Robert Peugeot (vice president at one of the companies within his family’s French automobile empire) and his wife Domitilla, hired E. Claudio Modola to renovate their house. The 4,800-square-foot getaway overlooks the Manda channel. If the house were to be summed up in a single architectural symbol, surely it would be one of the several barazas, the cozy, covered outdoor nooks where one can eat, drink, sleep or socialize while taking full advantage of ocean winds.
Tour Time!
Tour Time!
Elizabeth Warner's Retreat in Kenya
Good beautiful morning! Here's interior designer Elizabeth Warner's gorgeous home in Nairobi. She is a New Yorker but her dream was having a retreat in the capital of Kenya. The architecture of the house was done by Anthony Russell and she of course designed the interiors.
I soo love it! How about you?
Situated on 10 acres of bushlands, the house has corrugated-metal roofs, stone walls and multiple French doors, which help keep the inside cool
In the great room, amid the structure’s monochromatic finishes, Warner added color—pieces that she either inherited or collected during her travels through Africa, India and beyond. The sofas were made locally with hand-dyed fabrics. The low table and chest are Chinese.
A figwood table and a wrought-iron chandelier in the dining room.
The kitchen has a dhow-wood table, figwood cabinets and lighting fashioned from Swahili fishing nets.
Rustic, unpainted stone floors and soaring white ceilings, Warner selected a hand-carved four-poster bed made by Swahili artisans. The footstool is from Afghanistan. All of the fabrics were acquired in India.
Photography by Tim Beddow
I added this post to the MckLinky parties hosted by Melissa at The Inspired Room and Leah at A Silly Little Sparrow. Lots of other blogs linked up at their sites! Thanks so much Melissa and Leah!
All images and information from Architectural Digest.
I soo love it! How about you?
Situated on 10 acres of bushlands, the house has corrugated-metal roofs, stone walls and multiple French doors, which help keep the inside cool
In the great room, amid the structure’s monochromatic finishes, Warner added color—pieces that she either inherited or collected during her travels through Africa, India and beyond. The sofas were made locally with hand-dyed fabrics. The low table and chest are Chinese.
A figwood table and a wrought-iron chandelier in the dining room.
The kitchen has a dhow-wood table, figwood cabinets and lighting fashioned from Swahili fishing nets.
Rustic, unpainted stone floors and soaring white ceilings, Warner selected a hand-carved four-poster bed made by Swahili artisans. The footstool is from Afghanistan. All of the fabrics were acquired in India.
Photography by Tim Beddow
I added this post to the MckLinky parties hosted by Melissa at The Inspired Room and Leah at A Silly Little Sparrow. Lots of other blogs linked up at their sites! Thanks so much Melissa and Leah!
All images and information from Architectural Digest.
A travelling Thursday at From the Right Bank...
Excited to fill in for Alek at From the Right Bank today while she's in the middle of a big cross-country move. Head on over to see my post on The Giraffe Manor and check out lots of lovely posts from guest bloggers while you're there. For those of you who may be unfamiliar with From the Right Bank you're in for a treat, no doubt you'll love her globe trotting, style savvy ways as much as I do!A Perfect Pairing: Vintage Photos + Butterfly Wings
I was instantly enamoured with these striking collages by Saint Verde, combining vintage black and white portraits of Seydou Keita taken in Mali during the 1940's and 50's with beautiful butterfly illustrations by French designer E. A. Seguy. This South African artist has quickly become a favourite of mine with his acute eye for detail and surprising, yet perfectly paired collages. I would love a to have a set of these framed at home. They'd be perfect against crisp white walls and a simple black and white palette.
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