The Obsidian House is a pioneering virtual concept home created with the needs of the African American family in mind. Conceived pre-lockdown and developed during the pandemic by the Black Artists + Designers Guild, led by Malene Barnett, Obsidian House is a carefully thought through space that taps into Africa’s ancestral history and creativity for an inspired take on future contemporary living. Obsidian House takes into consideration the physical, health, well-being, emotional, spiritual needs of its occupants and explores the different definitions of what it means to be a family in today’s society.
Read MoreSouth African Art and Design Takes Centre Stage at Xigera Safari Lodge, Botswana
Xigera Safari Lodge officially opened its doors in January, welcoming guests into a space where South African design takes centre stage. Situated on the western edge of the Moremi Game Reserve in Botswana’s Okavango Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Xigera offers
Read MoreA Holistic Well-Being Brand Inspired by Wisdom and Ancestral African Traditions
While doing some research for a magazine article I came across Maison Dassam, a holistic well-being brand inspired by wisdom and ancestral African traditions. The company was founded by Wend-Kuuni BONCOUNGOU, a French-born marketer turned entrepreneur of Burkinabé heritage. Having visited Burkina Faso many times Wend-Kuuni’s wanted to focus her attention on a project that would enable her to share the beauty and riches of her African roots.
Read MoreStep Into the Art-Filled Home of Nigerian Interior Designer Tola Akerele
Nigerian interior designer Tola Akerele gives us a peek into her stylish home. Light and airy courtesy of an open-plan design Tola’s home flows seamlessly from room to room. This was intentional as Tola wanted a welcoming space to entertain family and friends.
Read MoreTour the Home of Photographer Delphine Diallo
French-Senegalese photographer Delphine Diallo has created a sanctuary that honours her creativity and celebration of womanhood. In an interview for Moyi magazine, I got to chat with Delphine and discover what inspires and motivates her.
Read MoreArtist and Designer Yinka Ilori Introduces His Debut Technicolour Homeware Collection
In keeping with his colourful patterned signature style artist and designer Yinka Ilori introduces his debut technicolour homeware collection. Featuring textiles, dinnerware, art prints and socks the collection came about by accident. With projects cancelled due to the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic lockdown, Yinka used the time to create the collection.
Read MoreEvoke London Curates and Nurtures the Rich Heritage of Global Craft
There is something deeply reverent about the Evoke London website. Its design speaks of a platform committed to upholding and nurturing the rich heritage of global craft. Sourcing one of kind rare cultural pieces Evoke London’s collections are thoughtfully curated and as its name suggests is a space that recalls and brings forth the precious craft traditions of cultures past and present.
Read MoreS4 Ep 6Behind The Design Season 4 Wrap Up and Reflections
You are listening to Behind the Design the Studio Lessons. Which brings us to the end of season 4. I want to thank all of my guests for taking the time to chat and give us a behind the scenes look into their design journeys. We’ve had some truly insightful conversations. And despite the uncertainty that continues to surround us at the time of recording there is a lot of hope and optimism and just getting on with things because we cannot and will not let a pandemic stop us from expressing ourselves and achieving our potential.
Read MoreS4 E5 Exploring Design at the Intersection of Technology, Science, Nature and Society with Natsai Audrey Chieza
In this episode, I chat with Natsai Audrey Chieza. Natsai is a designer working at the intersection of technology science and nature and society. She is the founder of Faber Futures an R & D agency that is creating new spaces and strategies that relate to climate change and biodiversity loss, and the social structures that underpin our human survival. In our conversation, Natsai explains bio-design talking us through this exciting emerging technology and the implications it has on devising and creating better sustainable design solutions for our world.
Read MoreS4 E4 Exploring the Impact Designers Working with Artisans Have on Their Lives and Bringing True Sustainable Value to Artisanal Communities with Dr Pam Samasuwo-Nyawiri
In this episode, I chat with Dr Pam Samasuwo-Nyawiri. Pam is a multi-award-winning accessories designer, educator, and author, with her own label called Vanhu Vamwe. Her experiences of working with artisans and feeling personally part of the problem of exploiting vulnerable communities led Pam to study a PhD where she could explore the impact designers working with artisans have on their lives and how to make the process better by bringing true, sustainable value to these communities.
Read MoreLulas Clan Bold Textiles Inspired by Africa’s Vibrant Heritage and Cultures
Lulas Clan is an award winning family business that creates bold textiles inspired by the diversity of Africa’s vibrant heritage and cultures. The company was founded by Bonolo Helen Chepape a South African textile designer on a mission to preserve culture and heritage, by enabling them to evolve yet retain their meaning and have a continued presence in our contemporary world.
Read MoreS4 E3 Finding Clarity, Brand Focus and Managing a Business During a Global Health Crisis with Audrey Migot-Adholla
In this episode, I chat with Audrey Migot-Adholla. Audrey is the founder of Yala Jewellery an award-winning made in Kenya jewellery brand. In our conversation we talk about the meaning of sustainable luxury, collaborating with her artisan producers across continents, managing a business during a global health crisis, her thoughts on the spotlight being shone on black creatives as a result of Black Lives Matter.
Read MoreS4 E2 Establishing Herself as an Architect, Managing Multiple Businesses, and Using Insecurity as a Strength with Tosin Oshinowo
In this episode, I chat with architect and product designer Tosin Oshinowo. Tosin is an architect with her own architectural practice called C M Design Atelier. She is also a product designer designing furniture using local fabrics under the brand Ilé Ilà. In our conversation, we talk about establishing her name as an architect, cultivating the confidence needed to win contracts and the business support essentials that have enabled her to start and managing multiple businesses.
Read MoreStriking Macrame Fibre Art Textiles by Studio Nom
Fibre art has risen in popularity in the past few years. There is something about the soft tactile textures that have a way of soothing the soul and bringing character into a home or work space. One textile designer who is creating striking fibre art pieces is Nom. Characterised by bold geometric patterns Nom’s pieces are handcrafted from 100% cotton fibres woven onto beech wood frames.
Read MoreS4 Ep 1 Sustainable Luxury and a Passion for Artisanal Heritage Textiles with Eno Jonah
In this episode, I chat with textile designer Eno Jonah. Eno is the founder of Nzuri Textiles, a brand of exquisitely handcrafted textiles with a focus on sustainable luxury. In our conversation Eno talks about the inspiration behind her designs, what sustainable luxury means to her, preserving artisan skills, and takes us on the journey from an idea through to finished textile.
Read MoreInside Marrakesh a Window into the City’s Most Stylish Expat Homes
Inside Marrakesh: Enchanting Homes and Gardens is a lavish book that offers a window into some of the city’s most stylish expat homes. Curated by Meryanne Loum-Martin Inside Marrakesh takes you on a journey through the interiors, gardens, and boutique hotels that have put their own unique stamp on Moroccan design.
Read MoreS4 Welcome to Season 4 of Behind the Design
A warm welcome to Season 4 of Behind the Design. Introducing another stellar line up my guests this season come from the worlds of textiles, architecture, product, and fashion design. Not to mention delving into academia, science and technology and their influences on design practice and the future of design.
Read MoreKirsten Goss Abode A Homeware Collection of Cutlery and Serveware
South African jewellery designer Kirsten Goss, has launched a new homeware line that builds on the crafted metalwork that defines her jewellery designs.
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