S B LE E U
exploring & redefining our interiors
October 2024
CONTENT
We explore how creativity, a rich mix of material and the desire to reduce wastage transformed an old building into a vibrant contemporary place.
“one-of-a-kind” - tips for unique spaces 22-24
When we challenge ourselves to be more unique, we raise the bar for creativity. See our seven tips for acheiving a distinctive room.
“ask idris” - for the love of antiques 26-31
The story of how one man’s hobby defined the path that his life took.
how to use antiques & vintage items 32-33
The antique and vintage bring a charm into a space that takes years to acheive in a new build. We show you how to use them, and where they can be found.
“well-made” Celebrating creativity & good workmanship 34-39 the Nairobi Street Kitchen 4-21
Our highlights of local products which show creativity and good workmanship.
Editor’s Desk
Hey There!
I’mso
pleased to welcome you to the first issue of “SEBULE” Magazine!
“SEBULE,” is Swahili for a lounge or living room. We called it “SEBULE” because we want it to tell the story of the ‘living’ spaces this side of the world, where we retreat to: play, work, rest, and entertain.
Kenya, East Africa, and Africa, have their uniqueness, and we believe that many of our creatives and craftsmen have much to contribute to the world of Interior Design. We invite you to “come with”, as we explore our interiors, find out what makes them special and how they impact people. It is our hope that in the process, we can redefine our own spaces to better represent who we are.
This issue is a call to uniqueness. An encouragement to find and appreciate our individuality, then express it in our homes and establishments. The Nairobi Street Kitchen is such a place and we are thankful that they allowed us to share their story in this premier “SEBULE”. What was to be a straightforward project, took a life of its own as the designer pursued uniqueness, resulting in a space that has inspired many.
We give pointers on how you can create one-of-a-kind rooms and share the story of “Ask Idris,” a shop formerly known as “Antiques and Knicknacks” – one of the oldest antique Shops in Kenya. For some people, antiques are a must have item in their homes so on p32 we talk about how to use them. Finally, we celebrate local products that show creativity and good workmanship because we believe that there is alot of skill, and talent around us.
“SEBULE” will be circulated quarterly. We would be honored if you joined us, as we discover different interior spaces and learn to redefine ours.
If you have a space that you would like to share with other Interior Design enthusiasts, kindly get in touch with us on the following e-mail: sebule@kiasili-interiors.com
Kiasili Interiors
0722 844128, 0788 765454
www.kiasili-interiors.com
Warm, muted, earthy tones create a calm, and inviting atmosphere at the “Nairobi Street Kitchen”. Plants are a key aspect of the overall design because they not only make the place look good, but also make people feel good. Here, climbing and hanging plants have been cleverly incorporated by way of this impressive metal room divider - used to zone-off different areas, and doubling up as a planter.
nairobi street kitchen
The ‘Nairobi Street Kitchen’
It sitsdirectly
opposite Posta Kenya on Mpaka Road, in the heart of Westlands – a fairly affluent part of Nairobi. It is full of personality and little surprises everywhere you look, making it one of the city’s most unique spaces. The ‘Nairobi Street Kitchen’ is a collection of restaurants, bars and entertainment spaces that offer street food to visitors - market style. If ambiance is something high on your list when it comes to eating out, then it will be quite the treat for you. The design of its interiors is one of its strongest selling points. Eleven different zones curated into a vibrant contemporary space that celebrates the beauty in imperfection and provides many Instagram-worthy moments. Curious about it’s story, we set out on a mission to explore the place. That it had taken a creative mind was not in doubt and we couldn’t wait to hear the backstory.
How it came about
Interestingly, The ‘Nairobi Street Kitchen’ (NSK) would never have been, had the Popat family carried out their initial plans for the property where ‘she’ now sits. Thanks to an oversaturated hotel industry, plans to build another one, were shelved in favor of an idea that was quite simple, but not widespread – a Food Truck Market. Sisters Alyssa and Alyana (co-founders of NSK) were still doing their studies abroad at the time, but took on the project. Alyssa who was studying Architecture would oversee the design aspect and Alyana the business side. However, what was supposed to be a very simple project took on a life of its own and evolved into something bigger and much better than they could have ever imagined. When it opened to the public in June of 2021, it attracted 700 visitors on its first day and quickly went viral.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. To get the ball rolling, the ladies worked with a Dubai based Interior Design firm, whom they tasked with developing a design that would work with the Food Truck concept. They presented a design proposal that was polished and quite sophisticated. It would be like lifting a bit of Dubai and planting it on the site...somehow, this did not resonate with Alyssa.
Alyssa, as a child, was always making things and finding new ways to use old stuff. It was not unusual for her to find value in something that others discarded. She didn’t know it then but, she was developing a recycle and reuse ideology that would greatly influence her worldview. Now faced with the first major project of her career, her mind went back to this place. Knowing
The all metal staircase to the upper floor. Notice how the pops of colour, contrast with, and warm up the concrete, and metal materials, that may otherwise feel overwhelmingly cold.
Wood has been used liberally at the ‘Nairobi Street Kitchen’. This natural material resonates positively with human beings, is beautiful and brings cosiness to a space. It has been used on the doors, window frames, seats, tables, planters and room dividers - one material used in a multiple of ways.
what she didn’t want for the space helped to clarify what she did want. Not only was she convinced that this could be made into a truly Kenyan space, but also that a lot of the materials could be sourced or made locally. Additionally, she wanted to address the wastage around her and find ways to incorporate that into the design. That settled, she took on the challenge of creating it.
At the time, she was 23 years old, fresh out of university, eager, optimistic and determined to curate the space she envisioned. She was largely unaware of whatever challenges lay ahead. As the project began, she was hit by the realization that her studies had barely prepared her for the realities of taking on an actual project. She had to do something about it if she wanted to succeed and quickly! So she threw herself into research and made up her mind that she would know the project better than anyone else. What followed was what every creative goes through in executing vision - planning, sourcing, purchasing, supervising, cost cutting, troubleshooting - in short, directing every aspect to ensure nothing went wrong. Four years later, they were ready to open to the public. The ‘Nairobi Street Kitchen’ of today is a place that they are extremely proud of. An ever evolving space that they are continually receiving compliments for and worth every bit of the time and trouble it took to get where it is.
nairobi street kitchen
Above and inset. The raw material that the sisters had to work with. Row upon row of concrete columns! “What would it, could it, become?”quite an undertaking for a first time project!
Thisis one of many ‘conversation starters’ at The ‘Nairobi Street Kitchen’. At first, you are not sure what you are looking at but that the face of the counter seems to have some pattern. Until you come closer. For those who know what compact cassettes or audio tapes are, the reaction is, “wow!” A very unlikely medium to use for sure - which makes it all the more interesting. Hundreds of cassettes form the face of the bar counter, carefully arranged into a pattern. To have collected that many cassette tapes takes commitment and to think that each one carries some recorded music or message, gives it even more depth. We can safely say that this is a one-of-a-kind counter.
Cassette Counter
nairobi street kitchen
Repurposed oil drums for wash basins
AnyInterior designer will tell you that somewhere between trying to accomplish your goal and needing to cut costs is where creative solutions lie. The washrooms at the NSK certainly confirm this theory because they were the result of juggling a dwindling budget and the need for key purchases. If any of the other ‘little’ things have gone unnoticed for you at the NSK, this will change the moment you step into the washrooms. The floor to ceiling black subway tiles on all walls adds to the drama of the room, accentuating the stark white bathtub that greets you instead of several sinks. Still in a different washroom, oil drums that have been repurposed into custom sinks, stand at attention. The tops of the drums have been cut open, and replaced with galvanized metal sheets is beaten into bowl shape to form the basin. The bright yellow paint on the surface is impossible to miss once you walk into the washroom. Pipes are left exposed on purpose, fitted with all the stuff that makes plumbing work and finished with more of that bright paint. The doors for each toilet cubical have been turned into canvases that display various messages through vibrant artwork.
Main picture. Can you see it? The x-pattern that emerges on the face of the counter? Top picture. Up close the pattern is not immediately visible. Below it. The compact or audio cassette was used for audio recording and playback in yesteryears.
Notice reflected through the mirror, a recycled bathtub that has been elevated for comfortable use. All the walls have floor-to-ceiling black tiles that contrast with the life-sized wall mounted cutouts used as unconventional privacy screens. The plumbing is left exposed, given a bright coat of paint - as if to call even more attention to it.
the rest of the fittings.
Right. Custom sinks were created using recycled oil drums. Above. A close up of the sink. The tops of the drums were sliced open, replaced with galvanized metal that was beaten into a bowl-shape with an opening at the base, ready to receive
Oneof the things that I find appealing about the NSK, is the high ceilings. They give the impression of abundant space, airiness, and natural light that makes it feel grand. On the flip side, huge surface areas of concrete on floors and walls can tend to make a place feel cold and empty. Art is a major way that color, warmth, and emotion have been introduced here. It’s an excellent solution that has seen murals, picture galleries, and paintings applied on various surfaces. They are impossible to miss as you walk through, on walls, doors, signs, the outer shells of the various food trucks etc. bringing the vibrancy, and emotion that is typical of colour. All the art on display is the work of local and international artists who were given the freedom to depict whatever the space inspired in them. This resulted in another dimension to NSK - a place to enjoy art.
Left. Various artists were invited to use their talents in this space and allowed to ‘go’ with the flow of creativity.
Right facing page. Huge murals, such as this custom piece of a musician ‘belting’ out a tune, cover walls that may have been left bare and uninteresting but now flood the place with uplifting colour and emotion.
One of the many picturesque spaces at the ‘Nairobi Street Kitchen’. A photo gallery on the outer wall of the elevator shaft, taking it from ordinary to extraordinary.
nairobi street kitchen
Art is used to relay and reinforce messages for example above, this mural is actually giving directions to the gents and ladies. While on the right, this lollipop bench signals that candy and sweets are not far.
is a place to enjoy art. The meaning attributed to one piece of artwork by different viewers varies.
‘NSK’
Rich Mix of textures
Fromthe shells of vehicles, wood, glass, metal, clay, concrete, to fabric; there seems to be such a rich mix of material. Some for contrast, others to blend or highlight but each having a purpose. It is this variety, and interplay of textures that makes the ‘NSK’ such an interesting experience. One can hardly keep their eyes still as they move from one object to the other. Some material is used in several different ways such as locally manufactured clay bricks, applied on the walls and floors. This one material is arranged in different patterns, given various finishes to get a variety of looks. Additionally, the warmth brought in by that earthy red clay draws you into the space like a magnet, and is a pleasant contrast to the concrete. There’s a lot of concrete on display. On the floor, pillars, walls and ceiling. Building materials do tend to be visually heavy, injecting a strong masculine feeling that needs to be balanced out with elements such as art, and upholstery, whose colour, texture, and pattern help ‘soften it up’.
nairobi
The rich play of textures on surfaces is one of the things that make ‘NSK’ very interesting, and unique. One literary has to stop, allow their eyes to slowly roam around, and take in everything.
This wall covered with reclaimed wooden doors, and window frames is one of the texture rich surfaces that greet you as you enter the ‘NSK’. The chipping paint, old hardware and different tones of the aged wood form part of the beauty of this space.
Incorporating and repurposing items such as this shell of an old VW vehicle, simple wooden stools and tables, an oil drum turned into a planter, shipping container etc into the overall design, are part of what makes this space stand out.
how the
Notice
stainless steel clad counter top area feels cold, and sterile but is balanced out by the warmth of the clay brick on the wall and floor.
In order to create zones in this huge open space, room dividers were employed wherever they were need. Rather than keep them uniform, different material such as breeze blocks, brick, glass, metal, plants, and wood were used. Resulting in alot of depth, and great visual impact.
The blend of natural materials such as wood, and brick with the more industrial metal then introducing a lot of plants creates a calming, and relaxing
ambience.
Labels as wallpaper
It’sjust a wall but it’s THE wall that ties everything together and also supplies that splash of color at ‘Library 68’ of the ‘Nairobi Street Kitchen’. At first glance it looks like rare wallpaper but, is actually hundreds of wine labels that have been stuck on to the wall. “Wait,” you ask “how does someone even think of that!” Well, quite by accident. The labels belonged to Alyana, she had stacks of them - but they were redundant. As soon as Alyssa laid eyes on them, her mind quickly connected the dots because she had been on the hunt for something to do on the wall. She knew immediately how she would use them - as wallpaper. She would be repurposing the labels, reducing wastage, and it fitted right into her way of doing things. Of course, applying wall paper would have been easier than individually peeling off the labels, ensuring they were properly aligned before sticking them onto the wall, and repeating the process until the whole wall had been covered. But I doubt that it would have had the same effect as it does now.
As it turns out, wine labels make the perfect wallpaper!
Left. The ‘Social’ rooftop bar at ‘Nairobi Street Kitchen’ was created with events and gatherings in mind. Space planning, good ventilation, and lighting were extremely important to the success of this area. The bar counter here is massive with a metallic bar shelf that is set right in the middle. It serves a very practical purpose but also an aesthetic one - the displayed bottles add to the colour of the place. Here, the recycled oil drums become tables, bar stools are made out of hose pipe on metal frames, while more murals, and plants are scattered around.
Above. A close-up of the hose pipe bar stool.
Theplace can be said to be largely finished, although truthfully it is continually evolving and there’s always something you want to add or edit. Alyssa’s vision of a design built around recycling, and waste reduction was realized. About the only thing She ended up importing - reluctantly - were the lights used throughout the premises.
Walking through this space it’s hard not to appreciate the amount of thought and work that has gone into creating it. The results are a refreshing space that continues to inspire over and over again.
Alyssa Popat, Co-founder of ‘Nairobi Street Kitchen’ and the mind behind it’s Interior Design.
One-of-a-kind !”
7 Tips for unique spaces
Unique spaces are valued for their individuality. Some of the most beautiful are created over time by editing, reworking and refining. Here’s how to create your ‘one-of-a-kind.’
1. ANTIQUES
Incorporate antiques, artifacts, or vintage finds. The charm of these items is in the depth and character that they bring, which would otherwise take years to achieve. Styling with or using these old loved pieces can effectively add that unique quality to any space. These are usually sourced, inherited, or found then restored, repurposed, or reupholstered - to extend their ‘life,’ or used in their original state.
2. ARCHITECTURAL DETAIL
Learningto work with and not against existing architectural details in your home will do wonders for your space. Sometimes these present as challenges to your process but with the right attitude and creativity they become the ‘star of the show’. When you embrace, emphasize, or add architectural detail you will get the uniqueness you seek.
Photo credit. freepik
4. LIGHT
3. COLOUR & TEXTURE
Joyful, calm, inspired, excited, warm, etc. Color and emotion are inextricably linked. The power of color lies in its ability to evoke emotion. Without it, a room will feel dead but with it, energy is injected. Choosing the colors that evoke the emotion that you want, and surrounding yourself with them will add another layer of “unique” to your space. One way to do this is, to mimic the color palette of what you love, e.g. the ocean, a painting, a piece of fabric, etc. Then use that to guide your choice of paint, furniture, and accessories. Go even further, and bring the textures, sounds, or smells to your space.
5. PATTERN
Light is more than a way to illuminate. It can be used to take the aesthetics, vibe, and functionality of a room to new levels. Create ambiance, define zones, shape how a room functions and add drama with light*. It is an effective way to elevate and add uniqueness to a space.
Use
unique patterns, fabrics, and textures in your soft furnishings to create the feeling that appeals to you. It’s almost impossible to find two people who mix and match, fabric and texture in the same way, so it’s another sure way of creating a personalized look.
Photo credit. evoke-interiors.net on freepik
Photo credit. burkedecor.com on pinterest
Photo credit. pinterest
6. PERSONALIZE IT
Another way to achieve a unique space is to make sure individuality is mirrored in your space. It becomes one-of-a-kind because no two people are the same. To achieve this, bring your interests, hobbies, and loves into the space, then display these collections. Other ways to do this include creating functional furniture with the things that resonate with you e.g. turning a tree log into an End table, tackling DIY (do it yourself) projects, with your own ‘fresh-spin.’ Also, by including art or photos of places, people, occasions, and other memories that are special and specific to you, will help set it apart.
7. STYLING & ACCESSORIZING
Ifyou have done everything right in your space but it still feels incomplete, chances are that styling is what you need. The transformation brought by styling and accessorizing can be jaw-dropping - not an exaggeration.
Styling is the selection, and display of accessories with flair, and imagination for full decorative value. It adds a layer that’s vital to a completed look, and that provides a finished ‘feel’. It is what “cherry is to a cake, or garnish to food.”
Accessories are mostly decorative or sentimental but can also be practical items such as books, throw blankets, cushions, lamps, planters, mirrors, vases, rugs etc. They add colour, texture, and pattern. Without them a room feels basic, like no one lives there. Styling creates an atmosphere that heightening one’s experience through visual details that intrigue the eye and tie the room together.
Every room in your home including the bathroom and kitchen can benefit from this. The accessories you style your home with should reflect you and your tastes rather than trends. Instead of buying random ornaments and accessories, incorporate special finds, gifts, and made things. That way every item in your home will have a story and meaning, making your space unique.
“Ask Idris”
- For the love of antiques
Onceupon
a time, a young man’s love for unique pieces of furniture blossomed into a very fulfilling hobby. He became a regular at auctions, delighting in the hunt for ‘new’ treasures to add to others that he had already acquired. He had an eye for beauty and a ‘nose’ for a good find. Little by little his collection grew, and soon presented him with a new challenge – storage. Having outgrown the few storage places he’d had access to, he now needed somewhere where he could house all of his collection.
That young man was, Mr. Vali Mohammed Kasmani. He decided to resolve his storage problem by renting a small space at Adams Arcade, Nairobi. Here he would have enough room for all his finds, and maybe he could sell a few of them to others who shared his passion. That was about 45 years ago. Eventually the little hobby, became a little shop that eventually expanded into more than one branch. He aptly named it ‘Antiques and Knicknacks’, for that was what he specialized in.
A copper water pot, one of the many items that have a home at the shop. The narrow ‘neck’ was to prevent spillage and enable proper grip while pouring out the water. It can be used as an accessory in your home.
A large brass sculpture of a bird beautifully crafted. Can be displayed alone or as a collection for greater impact. Great for styling consoles, shelves or placing directly on the floor.
These long elegant vases are guaranteed to bring that same feeling into a room. The intricate gold details on every vase, make each one unique.
The store attracted like-minded people who more than appreciated the ‘found’ pieces and gladly adopted them into their homes. His kind of product was not just something to be ordered from a factory, it needed to be sourced. In time he figured out where to go for the ‘hunt’. Auctions provided one opportunity, relocating expatriates seeking to unload some ‘treasures’ were another, in some instances owners simply walked-into his shop and brought the items. His collection grew as did the shops popularity, leading to expanding to more locations.
Today, Vali has passed his passion for Antiques to his son Idris, a professional IT Engineer now turned, Antique Dealer. The ‘Antiques and Knicknacks’ of yesteryears is now ‘Ask Idris Enterprises.’ Father and son run the shop together, and although their operations have since pared back to the Adams Arcade premises, theirs is one of the rarest collections of Antiques in East Africa.
One can tell that Idris has been infected by his father’s love of antiques. He talks of finding the right home for the different pieces, and being reluctant to release beloved items to just anyone. “You want to know that they’ll value it as much as you do.” He says.
You can spend hours at the shop just pouring through the different things on display. Chandeliers, candle
This stunning Chandelier hangs from the ceiling while an equally impressive brass candle stand, and an all metal lamp with sculptured base and an ornate shade - among other interesting items, wait for new homes to adorn.
stands, fans, tableware, brassware, jewelry, jugs, urns and other collectors items. Beautifully crafted pieces that have probably traveled the world, exchanged owners two or three times and might be over 100 years old. They all brim with history but it’s not always possible to know the story of each one. Inscriptions however leave little clues that can aid an investigation that uncovers more. If you are an Interi-
“Ask Idris” is a treasure trove. With many objects to delight any lover of antiques.
‘9.5’ just like that! That is why antiquing enthusiasts patiently hunt through different shops and objects all in an effort to identify the right one.
Antiques are not for everyone. It’s a style that specifically appeals to people drawn to objects’ because of their age, beauty, rarity, uniqueness, and historical value. Some see them as an investment. Once upon a time, a majority of clients were foreigners, today 90% are locals. “Our clientele want to have a more homely feel. They want to build their collection, capture the right mood at a movie set or photo shoot.” Idris volunteers. It is also a haunt for Interior Decorators. They generally consider these items to be superior to similar contemporary pieces. Getting genuine antique pieces is becoming more and more challenging because of reproductions that mimic originals. Interest in antiques also seems to be waning
For Vali, however, his love for antiques has only grown with time. He comes to the shop, even when there is no need to. This is where his heart is, and the things that fill the shop are not just objects. I find him supervising the restoration of a lantern, while two 100-year-old, ornate brass frames, patiently await their turn. Scrap for the junkyard - to the untrained eye, but when he’s done, they will be restored to their original glory and be given a ‘new lease of life’. They will be ready to be passed on to a new guardian who will hopefully value them as much as Vali and Idris have.
Above: A brass trumpet at “Ask Idris.” Early metalwork, especially brassware is rare due to mass production.
Left: Vali Mohammed Kasmani in his office at the shop. He knows very well that the sentimental value attached to an object can make it priceless.
Antique & Vintage items
Antiques are objects that are valued for their age and quality. They could be items such as, jewelery, furniture, art, fixtures, finishes to beams, doors, etc. They are sought for the ‘soul’ they bring to a home. The depth and character they add make a home feel rooted and lived in, something that would take years to achieve from new builds. However, acquiring the right pieces does need patience and intentionality. Explore local antique shops, auction houses, and second-hand stores or scout among those who sell salvaged material. Additionally, keep your eyes and ears open in your networks for special finds or heirlooms. Once you identify them, here’s how you can use them around your home.
How to use where to get antiques
When hunting for Antique pieces, resist the temptation to buy because of the bargain. Instead, get pieces that resonate with you, that way they will be more meaningful when used in your space.
Acquire pieces that work with the current style of your space. Rather than picking just anything off the shelf, consider the colour and texture of the item with the rest of your home in mind.
Mix the pieces. Whatever your interior aesthetic, don’t be afraid to weave in antiques, the contrast it creates will be part of the character and unique appeal specific to your home.
Finding a good balance when working with antiques is key to the final outcome. Don’t go overboard, you want to bring in character, beauty, and coziness not make your home look and feel like a museum.
Use a bold find such as a large piece of furniture, old beams, doors etc, to be the piece that makes a statement in your space, and then let it set the tone for the rest of the room
Use them as accent pieces. Sometimes all that is needed are little accents like door knobs, handles, light fixtures etc to bring in the mood that you are after, rather than bigger substantial objects.
Many antiques are sturdy, and expertly crafted. Look beyond minor tears or cracks in the material, frame or structure of a piece that you like because it can be repaired. You can also give them a new lease of ‘life’ through upholstery, repurposing, and updating.
Use them as a collection. Choose an item that you can’t get enough of e.g. picture frames or vases and build into a collection that you can display, and enjoy.
Nairobi Salvage Center Secondhand Building material 0712 476271
Antique Auctions Alpha Centre No.81 Mombasa Road 0722 746134, 0722 514591
Ask Idris Enterprises Adams Arcade Nairobi 0722 654012, 0733 601631
Cassone Antique Gallery
Muthaiga Shopping Centre 0722 518101
Milele Antiques Furniture & Décor Ltd, Kellico Complex Mombasa Road 0741 479352
Trade Routes Furniture Collection Ltd 0718 044636
Yusufi Antiques and Gallery
Old Port, Sir Mbarak Hinaway Rd, Mombasa 0711 786000
How to use antique & vintage objects
Use antiques as statement pieces in your home, such as this ornate, oval, brass metal mirror with holly detail from “Ask Idris”. It is bold, beautiful and what you may need to transform your space.
Clockwise: Main picture. An Easy Chair from Ropa Furniture. Below Inset. The Watamu Stool by Kiti Kenya. Below Left. The Buhera Lamp by Kapu Langu.
“Wellmade!”
celebrating creativity & good workmanship
Thethings we fill our homes with are just inanimate objects, but something special happens when the right piece of furniture finds the right home - these objects in these homes, seem to ‘come alive’. In this section, we share about locally made furniture and accessories that we at “Sebule” come across and think make worthwhile additions to any room. We recognize,celebrate and encourage these gifted creatives and skilled craftsmen.
Almasi Ladder Shelf
We like the Almasi Ladder Shelf by Mintari, because it is incredibly versatile. It can be used in different ways and areas of the home or office. As a single piece, or in multiples for bigger spaces. It is made from solid cypress, and finished in clear lacquer, so that the neutral wood tones can be enjoyed. It stands at a 2m height taking advantage of vertical space. With three tiers of shelving, a tabletop, and drawer, there is enough opportunity for styling and storage. One of our favorite places to use this would be in a small entryway or along a corridor.
Buhera Lamp
Welove the Buhera Lamp by Kapu Langu. It’s neutral tones and rich basket textures bring coziness to any room. Natural fibers are hand woven into a ‘pot-like’ base, weighted down for stability then wired for converting into a lamp. You can customize it for your space by covering the lampshade in a fabric that aligns with your overall decor. We like that it comes in different sizes. The smaller one can be placed on any surface while the bigger one goes directly on the floor. Great for framing focal points, adding ambient lighting or simply enjoying in your space.
Photo Credit. Instagram @Kapulangu
Easy chair
TheEasy Chair is a classic piece of furniture with enduring appeal, and a favourite subject for new interpretation. This Easy Chair at Ropa Furniture seems to be inspired by ‘MasayaCo’s’ Lounge Chair (inset), that combines a very sculptural wooden frame, with colourful handwoven cord on the back rest and seat - beautiful design. Ropa brings us this Easy Chair complete with a matching footrest that tucks away easily when not in use. They have the same, in white Danish paper cord.
Photo Credit above and below. Instagram @Ropafurniture
Photo Credit. MasayaCo. on pinterest
Seagrass carpet
Itis hand made using sea-grass, a natural, and environment friendly material. The carpet is durable, hard-wearing with rich texture and natural beauty. Its muted earthy tones easily compliment different styles and colors. We especially like that the natural fibers provide a safe alternative for those with allergies as its hard fibers repel dust. It can be used alone or layered onto other carpets, It’s also available in different sizes The Sea-grass carpet is available from Atarah Crafts Kenya.
The odd leg
Theelegant, precise motif, curved on the tops of these tables gives off an air of sophistication that’s suddenly thrown off by the quirkiness of mismatched legs. The mismatch is intentional thus its name - The Odd Leg, by Kifaru Creations. We like furniture that has a ‘sense of humor,’ and that you can have fun with furniture. This set is quite impactful when used together. The varying heights make it great for styling or displaying collections. They can be used to transform awkward corners, can be “End Tables” in the living room, “Side Tables” for the bedroom, or used in many other ways.
Photo Credit. Instagram Atarah Crafts
Photo Credit. Kifarucreations.co.ke
Watamu Stool
Stoolsin traditional Africa were important pieces of furniture. They were not just practical pieces but important ceremonial and symbolic objects. It is an item that is still common in many of our homes today. Kiti Kenya have re-imagined this piece of furniture for our times in several versions, but the Watamu Stool is our favourite. A very sculptural, elegant and beautiful piece, made of well-finished Teakwood that displays good craftsmanship but still brings all the qualities we love about stools i.e. light weight, portable, and versatile. It has the makings of a classic piece of furniture and accessory.
Zulu Bench
Themost striking feature of the Zulu Bench by Kaa Hapa is the geometric, handwoven pattern that carries a heavy ethnic vibe. It’s a beautiful bench whose frame is made out of wood. We like that it can immediately ‘dress-up’ your space. The black, and white colours make it compatible with all other colours. It can be used in multiple spaces of your home, from your entryway, living, dining to the bedroom.
Photo Credit. kitike.com
Photo Credit. kaahapa.com
