Archive for May, 2011

Africa……this is the magic world attracting our imagination when being too young! How much different words can be found in order to depict this bright, wonderful world – the world of tribe and birds’ songs, the world of the king of the jungle, the world for many beautiful animals! Of course once having visited this unique part of the world you’ll never forget its crimson sunsets, silhouettes of graceful giraffes and various curved trees! And even those who never been there want to see this by its own eye. But sometimes we are limited to do and travel because of some obstacles and factors! For not being disappointed for such kind of problems you can feel the atmosphere of Africa in your home! How, may be you ask? Very simple I’ll answer you! Today we can use different tricks with home design in order to adjust to our own desire! Africa’s rugged landscape and primitive lifestlye can be captured through an African mural.  A mural can depict a scene in near life like fashion creating the illusion of reality. In cases where an African decor theme is sought, utilizing murals and fine art prints of similar themes helps pull together the miscellaneous objects used to complete your home decor theme. The beauty of African murals is not only found in the landscape but also in the exotic colorful animals. Lions, tigers, zebras, elephants, cheetahs, giraffes, and rhinoceros are only a few of the amazing animals found on the open plains of Africa. Thus if you would like to be absorbed with beauty of African wildlife and nature be a little enthusiastic human and risk to décor wall with African mural which will bring the ruggedness of Africa to your home. What is really cool with this African mural is that you can feel the exotic of Africa in home even being far away from this wonderful world! African décor in interior of the home can transport you to a whole other world. Do you imagine what can ornate your home décor from African style except a fantastic mural? African décor can take many different styles, depending on the area of Africa that the style originates. For example, styles originating from the Maghreb area of Northern Africa – countries like Morocco and Algeria mix African décor elements with more traditional Middle Eastern and Arabic influences. Décor originating from the southern part of Africa features some European influences from the days of colonization. Countries like Uganda that are on the East of the African continent characterize with many tribal influences, such as traditional tribal symbols worked into pieces of art and African masks. This style is very popular in Western homes when decorated in African style. There is another way to implement African décor in your home – safari themes. You have a choice of quite a few styles with African décor. You can use a different motif in each room the looks can range from contemporary to jungle native. A wide range of colors are available for you to use in the home décor when incorporating an African style in your home! Why it is so? Because Africa is rich with its culture heritage and art works that will be perfect when deciding what is necessary to be done in the décor process. This is your opportunity to introduce rich and exotic class and style into your home and to make a great impression on friends and neighbors. An African decorating scheme can encompass the full spectrum of colors from rich earth tones to the varying hues of the sky and the warm tans of the desert sands and beaches. As Africa is huge so as so its culture is huge and rich and this means that you have a wide range of choices in decorating. The ornate works from Morocco, the tribal motifs of the West Africa or a safari type jungle scene.
How to Decorate a House with African Décor
Begin from setting the project for the home décor, especially when it comes matter of an African style. When you set out on an African themed home decorating project, it helps to settle on a single theme, and many people choose to take their African decorating cues from parts of Africa from which they have an ancestral tie. African design style is presented through the beautiful mix of colors and natural elements with bright, vibrant hues. So it does not matter what part of Africa you want to present in your home through the special decor! You will not be mistaken whatever African style you choose. Different colors such as red, yellow, black, blues, greens, purple are right at home in an African themed room. But what is really important when using these colors is the restraint. Because when randomly putting these color all together the features of Africa will be lost! For example, dark colors and bright colors can make a room look smaller! So you should be managed with the point in mind that room’s dimensions are very important and even significant.  If you’re unsure how to manage these colors, try adding the colors through accessories instead of adding them to your walls. That way you will have the chance to change something if the color gamma is not proper. In this case you can remove pieces if you feel like the color is overwhelming your room. Adhere to use more neutral colors for the rest of the room. The other important facet of African decorating is indigenous artwork. In addition to that it does not matter where the artwork was acquired. African art is filled with meaning. Hand carved statues that are said to bring peace, fertility, health, money, longevity and more are common. Hand carved vases and flatware with symbols of different African tribes are also popular. Find art that means something to you and your family to develop a look that is unique to your home.

There are several steps to help you to décor your home with an African style:

1.) The palette is the first thing you have to decide upon when considering an African motif or African styled glass vases. You can go simple or go for something a little daring. Wall murals are one way to bring the feel of the jungle into your home. But if that is not to your taste start with some basic colors in the neutral palette. Beige works well with a stenciled border in a deep jewel tone.

2.) Furniture is the next step in this decorating project. The feel should be casual and a bit like you are in the great outdoors. Rattan is one of the chief furniture materials for a great African feel. For a more elegant and formal look hardwoods in rich colors will work just fine. Use large pieces with carvings and other interesting lines.

3.) The lighting in each room is very important. The more dramatic the lighting effects the more exotic the rooms will look and feel. Hurricane lamps, Moroccan lamps and even some of the native oil lamps will give the room the look of authenticity and provide a warm and exotic glow. Decorative lamps are very effective for creating an aesthetic ambience.

4.) Now it is time to consider the accents. You can buy everything from replicas of tribal masks to earthenware jars. Use the jars to put plants or other items in. Drums, cooking utensils from the country and woven baskets can all be utilized with great effect. The use of animal print throws and rugs will pull the entire scheme together beautifully.

5.) It is also natural to use candles as not only an accent but as a source of lighting.

Thus, hope this advice will help you when deciding the decorating of your room in African style.