The African Decor Influence: How African Decor Inspires Other Style Trends
African decor continues to fuel patterns, styles and designs of interior fashion throughout the world. Year after year the continent of African continues as one of the world’s largest resources of new home decor ideas.
The exotic design motifs has the benefit of complimenting almost any room atmosphere or environment. Multitudes of designers use it to create rooms of spice, excitement and pizzazz to a relaxing room filled with tranquility, peace and calm. The only limit to your mood? Your imagination.
You can confidently use it as the dominant theme for a room ,or as a bold accent piece to add excitement to a dull space. African home decor celebrates its appeal by adapting to large mansion-like rooms to a cramped single apartment. Whatever your bank account, there’s a unique accent piece just right for you.
For instance, In days gone by African art sat idly in stuffy museums throughout the world. Now more people find they can give a cultural lift to their home, office, or apartment – without adding a sense or feel of stuffiness.
The visual impact of Africa themed decor continues slowly impacting more home interiors each day. As a result, African home accessories continue growing toward more mainstream home designers and interior decorators. Many use the colors, textures, patterns and designs to create their own styles and moods.
You’ll often find the African inspired styles reflected in more contemporary design choices. More elements continue to expand and cross into other interior styles, cultures, and themes as a result. Whether it’s the fabrics, the materials, or the hand-made craftsmanship, African interior design tastefully mixes creativity with centuries of culture and history.
The quiet spiritual connection to the continent remains a popular theme of people who favor African decor more and more. “The style quietly grows on you “, said one converted shopper and collector. That’s the feeling of a growing number of people across the globe.
Most of the craftsmen and women who fashion African decor view their skills and talents one-way. They see it not just as a commercial endeavor or idle hobby of leisure, but as a spiritual endeavor and life’s mission or purpose. Because of this commitment they patiently work to fashion the wooden sculpture, the figurine, weave the colorful basket or any other piece to reflect their pride and mastery to the world.
The rich culture of Africa home accents comes from proud generations of people. These working people take the spirit of nature contained in the wood, clay, stone, metal and other natural materials. Next they give back by chiseling, crafting , and polishing beauty from the piece of wood, clay, stone, metal or other natural material they’ve taken.
It’s predicted more will grow to appreciate and use the exotic interior themes and elements to enhance a space or room in their home. More interior designers will continue to receive inspiration and adapt many of the patterns, designs and textures to the growing consumer demand of African decor.
Indoor and Outdoor home decorating ideas for relaxation
When people picture a relaxing garden environment, personal space or home, they usually think of adding some sort of water feature or following feng shui rules. However, if these are not possible for you, you may think of some real cool ideas or be more creative when it comes to decorating indoor and outdoor space of your home for ultimate relaxation.
Here are some ideas to decorate your home for relaxation:
• Bean bags
These are great seating arrangement. These may not be a traditional idea but offer great comfort. These are affordable and also add up some fun. A bean bag is sized to fit one or two people as per the customer’s requirements. Bean bags work towards adding some casual style to your room. These are available either in foam or filler form. This promises enhanced relaxation.
• Hammocks
Hammocks are durable and can be easily used both indoors and outdoors. You won’t believe but it is true that hammocks are better than bed to sleep in. The reason is that they are capable of distributing the person’s weight evenly and reducing pressure points on the body. A hammock will be a great idea to enjoy aroma therapy. It is a total relaxation solution.
• Scented candles and incense
When it is about decoration and relaxation, how can we ignore beautiful scented candles and incense? These are available in a wide variety. You can also make use of elegant oil diffuser. These work really well to decorate the environment and soothe one’s senses.
• Plaques
You can also go for decorative plaques as an integral part of your garden décor. Plaques can easily identify a specific space as yours. This also provides a welcoming touch to your space.
• Gazing globes
These are amazing decorative pieces. Grazing bales would add a touch of magic to your environment.
• Bird bath
This looks great. This adds a unique touch to your garden. You would love when birds fly into have water, when they are thirsty. Bird baths are available in various sizes, shapes and designs.
• Relaxation music
In case, you want some music, go for a CD of relaxation music. You can easily meditate, go to sleep with a CD relaxation music. It will produce a soothing effect to your mind.
It is very easy to create a relaxing and soothing environment outdoors as well as indoors via following the tips mentioned in this article above. You may add your own niche touch of creativity in conjunction with following the tips mentioned above.
Happy decorating your home interiors and exteriors for relaxation!
The Spiritual History of the African Mask
The creation and history of the African Mask is one steeped in meaning and tradition. The art of carving the African mask was often taught to young men who were apprenticed to master carvers. In other cases, the art of making masks and sculptures to be used in spiritual ceremonies was passed down in families from one generation to the next.
Rich with symbolic meaning, the African mask was treasured for its spiritual quality, as opposed to its aesthetic appearance. People living in different parts of African would produce art unique to their own culture. Here are some fascinating examples:
The Goma Mask
The Goma African mask was produced by people living near Lake Tanganyika, which is located in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This style of mask is elongated, with a dome at the top of the face. This style of mask also features a pattern of shapes carved into the forehead and face.
The Punu Mask
This style of African mask captures what is considered a beautiful female face by Gabon’s Punu tribe. This style features hair pulled up high on top of the head, with eyes carved in a shape that reminds one of an Asian woman. A Punu mask is sometimes painted white to represent the spirits of long-dead ancestors.
The Ligbi Mask
This celebratory African mask comes from the Ivory Coast. It features an elongated shape with wings on the side. The mouth is carved in the shape of a rectangle. Ligbi masks are used as part of Islamic holiday celebrations.
The Baule Mask
The Baule people carve African masks to be worn while dancing during harvest festivals. The mask’s round shape is a reminder of the Sun, the source of all life. These people respect the tremendous power possessed by the water buffalo which is represented by the horns carved into the top of the mask.
The remarkable thing about the African mask is that each culture has created a unique version to represent the spirit of its tribe. Today westerners appreciate the African Mask for its history, artistry, and ability to represent the owners unique taste and appreciate of diverse cultures.
Decorating with African Art Creates Soulful Environments
Decorating with African art brings a unique look to your home or office. A number of options are available and you can feature one interesting piece or showcase an entire room in this style.
Choosing a Single Piece When Decorating with African Art
When you are planning your room, you may want to start with a single piece of art. Decorating with African art doesn’t have to be elaborate. You can start with a colorful batik wall hanging in bright colors, a hand-painted Korhogo cloth, or a Gabon mask. If you prefer not to display the art on your walls, you still have a number of options for decorating with African art. Since the piece you choose can represent your unique inner spirit; the options are highly individual and virtually endless.
Small pieces can add interest to your decor as well. Good choices include a hand-carved kisii stone elephant, a decoupage vase, or a carved chess set featuring animal pieces. Ebony bowls are available at reasonable prices and a “talking drum” displayed in your room will be certain to get conversations going.
Kisii Stone Plate Centers a Room
Another striking choice when decorating with African art is a kisii stone plate. This material is also known as soapstone. A multicolored effect is created by applying natural dyes to the surface of the stone. The stone absorbs the colors, making a kisii stone plate a wonderful option for decorating with African art. The piece can be hung on a wall or displayed on a table or a shelf using a stand.
Supporting African Artists
Another great reason for decorating with African art is that by buying these pieces, you are supporting the talented artisans who created them. Artists put their heart and soul into the items they draw, paint, weave, or fashion; and we give them a wonderful acknowledgment for their efforts by buying these items. The artist also benefits from the financial support we provide to them by buying their artwork.
Any decorative element you choose speaks loudly about your inner spirit, tastes, and style. Decorating with African Art gives you the chance to express your flair, passions, or social commentary without uttering a single word.
