African Decor: Most Frequently Asked African Decor Questions
African decor continues to grow in popularity because of it’s timeless beauty and elegance. Many people still have doubts about how to choose quality pieces.
With so many copycat, fast buck merchants peddling fake, cheap and even phony African Decor (made in China), it’s important to have a buyer beware attitude when it comes to buying . Here’s the most frequently asked questions I received last month on African Decor.
- What does African Decor Include?
African decor includes a variety of a symbols from the continent. The more popular themes include statues, figurines, sculptures, beads, and masks. But the number of items is much too numerous to mention. But limiting African decor to a list of items is inaccurate. African decor not only includes individual items they include the colors, textures and tones of African. For example, the Mosaic array of colors of Morocco, the variety of sand tones of the Sahara or the hand carved wooden sculptures of Ghana.
- Why Gives African Style Decor It’s Longevity?
Unlike most manufactured decor, African handmade items have carved a long reputation for lasting beauty and elegance the world over. Because true African sculptures, artist and tradesmen look at trade as a Spiritual calling not just a job. We put our heart and soul into each piece until we are empty”, states one Ghana sculptor.
- What Materials are most African Theme Decor Made Of?
Most African theme decor comes from natural materials of the earth, this is what has made African decor eco-friendly long before the term became popular. They include materials such as bamboo and teak which are fast growing trees. Other materials used for African decor includes clay used in pottery, natural paints made from plants and of course colorful weaving materials and beads.
- How Can You Pick A Quality African Style Basket?
The best way to choose a quality African basket is to look at the loom. The best quality loom is the horizontal pedal loom. Any basket containing a horizontal loom will last longer because it requires more skill and time to make.
- What’s African Accessories Add Warmth To A Room?
The best way to add a feeling of warmth is to use rustic material. For example, materials like clay, stone, copper and other metals. Also a hand-carved wood piece can also help to add a touch of warm coziness to a cold impersonal space in your home of office.
Hopefully sharing these questions and answers with you helps give you a better understanding of the priceless treasure African decor offers. I encourage you to explore the adventure and excitement African decor can add to your life and environment.
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.
Using African Decor For Entryways
African decor can add spice and zing to any sleepy or boring entryway in your home. For example, an African framed or textured mirror on an entryway wall can add an element of space and openness. A mirror placed correctly on a sleepy entry wall can give any dreary space added life and sparkle. A skillfully placed mirror can perform multiple interior design duties. For example, an African styled mirror can add the illusion of space and depth to your entrance.
If placed across from a window, a mirror will help to reflect sunlight and make your entryways lighter and brighter. Nothing greets a guest to your home better than a bright and cheerful entrance. For your entryway consider an African patterned or Moroccan flavored rug or other floor covering. You’ll find rugs or other types of floor coverings with colored patterns work to hide dirt, scuffs and wear.
For that African feel, you can give your entry a warm, cozy feeling by using natural or organic floor coverings. Natural materials like wool, cotton, even sea grass and many other organic floor materials will give any floor the African interior look many people desire.
Greet Your Guest With A Touch of African Flair
African textures and designs for an entry provides an exciting and spicy first impression for visitors. African wall decor can help to great your guest without taking up valuable space. African wall accents is a quick way to add depth and uniformity most boring and fractured entryways lack. One of the first places someone walking into your home looks is on your walls, do they reflect the right mood to your guest?
African mosaic wall or floor decor, such as mosaic tiles can give a boost to your depressing entrance. The exotic and adventurous look of North African Moroccan tiles feel of a Moroccan palace.
Planning African interior designs and accents will help to add character and clarity to any listless entrance. With so many colors, textures, patterns and styles to choose from, you’re limited only by your creativity and vision. With so many choices available, you have the benefit of adapting an element of African decor to any interior design challenge you may face, whether it’s big or small.
African Accents Can Balance Other Design Choices
Most African decor blends well with any contemporary or traditional interior decor you may already have. You can use an African accent to enhance your other design choices. You can often use certain African design pieces to help balance the rest of your decor choices.
African home decor can do more to create the mood you want your entrance to convey. For example, your entryway can reflect a bold and exciting atmosphere, a warm and cozy mood or a combination of styles. The flexibility continues as a popular benefit of using African accents.
Yes, the entrance to your home reflects the mood and personality of it’s owner to visitors. What does your entryway say about you to your quest? By using African decor you have a variety of ways to express your mood, attitude or sense of adventure.
Author: Roy Primm
Decorating your Home with African Art
Being the second largest continent in the world, Africa is as beautiful as it is diverse and is constantly changing. Believed to be a name originated from the latin word ‘aprica’, which means sunny, Africa is home to a large number of ancient tribes. Due to this, the tradition, culture, art forms, music form and religious practices of each tribe varies from country to country. Scientists also believe that Africa is the original home of the human race and the foundation of today’s civilization.
This vast ocean of culture, tradition and art forms have captivated the attention of lot of people and African art has found its way into our daily lives, especially in the decoration of one’s home. The African theme is a very popular decorating art with its wide range of soothing color options and earthy fabrics and other art choices. Whether a person is looking to decorate a kitchen, a living room, a bedroom, a bathroom, a baby’s room or even the whole house, using an African theme can change the look of the entire house into a faraway haven.
African artifacts include subtle animal prints, masks, statues and rich nature-based color tones. Using these tribal treasures, a room or even an entire home can be given a warm and wonderful ambiance. The most popular of African decor art is masks. African tribal masks are available in a variety of colors like bright red, green, orange, blue or dark wood shades. These masks can be placed in the living room coupled with African statues and smaller masks, teak furniture and several animal print rugs. The colors of these masks can be co-ordinated with the sofas in the living room. These masks also look great as the dining room decor with a beautiful nature inspired table linen cloth placed on a dark wood dining table along with an African mask on the wall. The master bedroom can be drastically altered by strategically placing a few ancient masks on the wall and draping the four poster bed with animal print bed linen. This decorating theme can be extended into the bathrooms also.
In case an individual is looking for African art on a budget then there are cheap options available in a large number of shops selling home decor items like antique stores, flea markets or thrift shops. Although, the items that an individual might get at these stores may not be genuine African art. In case an individual is particular about getting genuine African art forms, then the local auction house can help and at a relatively less expensive cost and also in good condition. Another option to ensure that the art is genuine African art is to consult an antique professional.
A Jungle In Your Home With Safari Decoration
If you are interested about creating a unique jungle ambience in your home, try safari decorating. It’s an innovative way of using jungle décor, natural items, animal prints and earthwork to give a thrilling dimension to your home. Children have lots of fun with this exotic style. It all depends on your creativity and your ideas to simulate the most close-to-natural feelings with this interesting décor in your home.
To create the jungle ambience in your home, you need plants, animal knick knacks, special lights, safari accessories, jungle paintings and lots of things made of natural items like woods, twigs, and stones. Most of these items are readily available in the market. You can begin by sprucing up the windows. Curtains, drapes, shutters and blinds have everything to do with the jungle theme. Jungle printed curtains and wooden fittings are very popular. Your painting has to be commensurate with the general jungle ambience. Dark and bold shades create the most natural and stimulating jungle backdrop. Wooden furniture, floral, fern or animal print fabric upholstery and bamboo and rattan items go very well with the jungle and safari theme.
Lights create special effects in crafting the jungle theme. Animal and plant themed lights, zebra prints lamps, control devices like dimmer can really work up a terrific jungle environment right in your home. Most of these lamps and shades are available in the market. Another important item in a safari decorating theme is a rug. Rugs shaped and colored like animal skins create natural effects. You can also try rugs with animal and plant prints in sharp, striking and contrast colors. Natural sisal mats are also a great choice for the floors.
The idea of safari is never complete without the tale of African safari. Obviously, no safari decoration is complete without a special focus on the African safari and its accessories. Use the tall grassland, Savanna concepts in doing up the safari theme. Wall papers with shades in crème and visions of the tall grasses and trees can decorate the walls. Putting some items that typically represent the typical tribal African culture like masks, headgears, ethnic dresses and ornaments can really liven up a true African safari ambience. African paintings are also another great decorating item. By positioning the articles in a creative way and using appropriate light and shade effects that is very representative of a jungle, you can have a real safari feel right in your home. Though you can do most of the work yourself, you can get the services of expert safari decorators to create a perfect jungle safari ambience in your home.
