Afri-love

Inspired: Swahili Architecture and Interior Design at Lamu House

 

Inspired: A Visit with Artists at Nairobi's GoDown Arts Centre

The GoDown Arts Centre in Nairobi houses a performance space, several creative businesses and artist studios. It's a multidisciplinary arts incubator of sorts, with a mission

"to develop independent artists across multiple art forms and to participate in the advancement of the cultural sector, thereby contributing to the establishment of a robust arts and culture sector with expanding receptive audiences" (emphasis mine and an intention after my own heart!)

While reintroducing Lus to Nairobi a few months ago, we decided to nose around the artist studios and we were so pleased to be so warmly welcomed by Dickens, Mary, Caroline and Michael.

Inspired: Swahili Architecture and Interior Design at Palm House, Lamu

Palm House is a rental property near Shela Beach in Lamu, Kenya, whose architecture and interior design is influenced by Swahili style.

I'm yet to visit Lamu so I'm exploring the accommodation possibilities as I drool over all the beautiful applications and interpretations of Swahili design.

Hellooooo London: Back in the Big City

I'm finally back in my beloved London after a 3-year stint in Manchester. While there are several things I'll miss about being up North (greetings from strangers, pleasant bus drivers, and of course all the wonderful people I got to know), I'm so happy to be back in the beautiful melting pot that is the UK's capital. 

Inspired: Architecture & Jewellery – Shompole Lodge and the Shompole Collection

Shompole is a luxury eco-lodge on the Nguruman Escarpment in Kenya. I haven't yet been to Shompole (note the "yet" – it's on the list of places I must go see!) but I'm fascinated by the open architecture, dissolving the boundaries between outside and in. I imagine that it is at once exhilarating and humbling (the vulnerability of being immersed in the so-called wilderness).

Inspired by: Architecture, Interior Design and Furniture by Ministero del Gusto

In Marrakech's Medina sits Ministero del Gusto, a showroom for one-off furniture, jewel design and vintage fashion, featuring artists from all over the world . As well as a gallery, Ministero del Gusto is a studio that works on house renovations, interior decoration and house planning projects, creating work that is contemporary with a strong Moroccan influence.

Top image, second image

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Recommended reading:

• Morocco Independence Day – A celebration of architecture and interior design
• Tunisia Independence Day – Celebrating beauty and design
• Afritecture: Exploring Africa's Influence on Contemporary Architecture
• The best of 2011: African and African-Inspired Fashion, Interior and Furniture Design

Don't miss an installment – different ways to get your Afri-love delivered. You can also stay up to date by liking the Afri-love Facebook page or following Afri-love (@afrilove) on Twitter.

My Africa Is: A Story in Pins

Pictures tell a thousand words and these begin to tell the story of what my Africa is all about.

If you missed yesterday's post, My Africa Is is an eight-part documentary series taking you on a journey across the continent through the eyes of an insider. The crew behind it need your support in sharing the inspiring stories of young innovative people from 10 countries across Africa. Their Kickstarter time is running out so make your pledge now.

So to those 'stories' – My Africa Is …

Alive (and we love to celebrate it!)

Baskets of Africa as Wall Art

I spotted a great home decor idea via Pinterest – using African baskets as wall art. 

Thinking of trying it out? Get the look with the help of online shop, Baskets of Africa. They have an amazing collection that spans creations from Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Uganda, all handmade and fair trade. Here are some of my favourites in neutral colour combinations.

View more interior and architectural inspiration on my Places and Spaces board on Pinterest.

Images via Lolita (left) and Elle Decor. Thanks to fellow pinners AphroChic and Gathoni for putting the idea on my radar. 

Part I of the Independence Day round-up: July

During this blog's first year, I endeavored to celebrate the independence days of African countries through creating a dedicated post (you can browse them via this link). I'm not doing that this year but, as several of those celebrations take place in July and August, I thought I'd do a round-up of highlights. I hope you enjoy it. Stay tuned for part 2 – August celebrations – next week.

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Ghana – 1st July

Something for the pundits and technology geeks, something for the music-lovers and something for the fashionistas:
5 Reasons why Ghana is the next African App Powerhouse
Interview with lyrical genius M3NSA
Interview with Fashion Designer Naana B

The best Tribe in Africa

During my trip to Kenya in April, I finally properly visited Tribe. A luxury boutique hotel, it refreshingly pays homage to the continent on which it sits. When you walk into most luxury hotels in Nairobi, you wouldn't be blamed for thinking you had stepped right in to New York or London. It almost seems to imply that anything of value must not display any "Africanness." Except perhaps through a little painting of a safari landscape, tucked away in some hallway. With Tribe, Africa is on display in every direction that you look and it's beautiful!

Their line:
"Tribe takes hospitality back to its essence. Back to the nomadic days when any weary traveller was greeted with warmth, invited to feast and exchange stories, and rest in the comforts of home … a very comfortable home."

And to prove again that being true to yourself brings due reward, Condé Nast Traveller (US & UK) recently selected Tribe for The Hot List 2010, as one of the Hottest Hotels in the World!

 

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All photos via Tribe except 2nd last row, by Lulu Kitololo, and bottom, from Condé Nast
See more photos on the Tribe Hotel Kenya Facebook page