Interiors Archives - atelier 55 - The Curator of Contemporary African Design

Obsidian House Taps into Africa’s Ancestral History and Creativity for Inspired Contemporary Living

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.

South 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

Interiors Nigeria

Step 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.

Interiors Lifestyle Senegal

Tour 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.

Books Interiors Morocco

Inside 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.

Interiors Kenya Travel

Arijiju A Peaceful Private Home Nestled in the Kenyan Highlands

Arijiju is a unique private family home nestled in the Kenyan Highlands. Taking its name from the Masaai word meaning ‘the hill on which it was built’ Arijiju is built into the hillside of the Borana Conservancy, a private game reserve in Laikipia county, Kenya.

Africa Interiors Lifestyle Read

Moyi Magazine Issue 5 Celebrates Colour-Filled Homes

The latest edition of Moyi Magazine is out, and firstly what a stunning cover! Apt for our times the colourful cover features artist and activist Malene Barnett founder of Malene B Studio and Black Artists + Designers Guild (BADGuild). This issue celebrates the colour-filled homes of Malene in New York and textile designer Eva Sonaike in London. As a contributing editor for Moyi magazine, I had the pleasure of directing the photoshoot for Eva’s gorgeous, colour and plant-filled home.

Le Sidi Boutique Hotel Egypt Super Suite Living Room

Egypt Interiors Travel

Le Sidi Boutique Hotel A Serene Sanctuary on Egypt’s North Coast

Tucked away in Hacienda Bay on the shores of Egypt’s North Coast you will find the exclusive boutique hotel, Le Sidi, a serene sanctuary with spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea. Inspired by the North African and Mediterranean cultures of its setting Le Sidi offers its guests a journey into past and present. The word’ Sidi’ meaning ‘master’ was an important title in the 14th and 15th centuries bestowed on the region’s connoisseurs who created and built the new civilisations around the Mediterranean. By using the title Le Sidi seeks to revive Egypt’s rich, legendary cultural heritage referencing the architectural […]

Kubili House Luxury Safari Residence South Africa

Interiors South Africa Travel

Kubili House A Luxurious Private Safari Residence Nestled In Thornybush Game Reserve

A private safari residence set in the Thornybush Game Reserve, Kubili House is setting a new standard for the safari experience or as the founders like to call it ‘safari lifestyle’. Built as a summer vacation home for South African-born, New York-based Julian Koski and his wife, Aida ‘Kubili’ means two, given its name in reference to the couple’s twins.

Interiors Morocco Travel

Berber Lodge A Laidback Rural Retreat Near Marrakesh

A rural retreat in Oumnass located half an hour from Morocco’s vibrant city of Marrakesh, Berber Lodge invites you to leave the hustle and bustle behind and step into a simpler way of life. The Lodge was founded by Romain Michel Meniere, a French-Swiss interior designer living in Morocco, who, working closely with the villagers of Oumnass sought to celebrated Berber culture, customs, craftsmanship and architecture.

A Creative and Contemporary Designer Home in Ghana

Ghana Interiors Travel

A Bright and Airy Contemporary Designer Home in Ghana

Described on Airbnb as being a unique designer oasis the bright and airy home of Nana Amu is no ordinary holiday rental. Situated in Accra, Ghana Nana’s home offers an open plan living dining kitchen space, relaxing bedroom with en suite, and a lush private garden. Previous guest guest reviews have described it as blending the style, elegance, and service of a 5 star boutique hotel with the warmth and authenticity of a private home.

Gorilla's Nest A Luxury Retreat in the Foothills Rwanda's Virunga Volcano Range

Interiors Rwanda Travel

Gorilla’s Nest A Luxury Retreat in the Foothills of Rwanda’s Virunga Volcano Range

Luxury resort and private property group One&Only has opened Gorilla’s Nest, their second property in Rwanda following the opening of Nyungwe House. Gorilla’s Nest is a luxury retreat set in the foothills of Rwanda’s Virunga Volcano Range, an area home to Mountain Gorillas, a rare and endangered species. Surrounded by tall eucalyptus trees and offering views of the volcanic hills the retreat on the edge of the Volcanoes National Park offers an immersive experience into the stunning flora and fauna of Rwanda. Whilst the gorillas are the biggest draw the rainforest is teeming with equally spectacular wildlife and is a […]

Design Interiors South Africa

A Private Waterberg Bush Home Showcases the Best of South African Design

Earthy and organic describe the interiors of a private home in Waterberg, South Africa. Waterberg is located in the Limpopo Province and is home to nature and game reserves offering some of the best safari experiences and vistas in the country. It was here that a young family chose to create a secluded bush retreat that would be a showcase for the very best in South African design.

Architecture Interiors Nigeria Travel

Sencillo a Stylish Minimalist Lagos Beach House

Sencillo meaning simple in Spanish is the name given to a stylish minimalist private beach house on the Island of Ilashe in Lagos Nigeria. Situated on a serene beach front which can only be accessed by water travel Sencillo offers a respite from the bustling traffic heavy city of Lagos. As such the architectural design of the property reflects the desire for a calming retreat with captivating views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Interiors Rwanda Travel

Nyungwe House Rwanda’s 5 Star Safari Lodge Perched on the Edge of a National Park

A few years back I introduced Nyungwe Forest Lodge a beautiful property in Rwanda located on a working tea estate that sits on the edge of a closed canopy rainforest, said to be one of the oldest in Africa. Well fast forward to present day and Nyungwe Forest Lodge has become Nyungwe House, part of the One&Only group of discerning luxury resorts and private homes. And as you can expect from One&Only properties Nyungwe House exudes a heightened sense of style and elegance that is in keeping with its surroundings and embracing the local culture.

Interiors South Africa

A Look Inside Fashion Designer, Marianne Fassler’s Eclectic Art-Filled Home

Marianne Fassler is a doyenne of the South African fashion industry. Her brand Leopard Frock is a recognised game-changer, her inimitable style and anti-fashion stance always pushing the boundaries between fashion and art resulting in collections that rewrite the rules with their profusion of animal print, colour, patterns and textures. It, therefore, comes as no surprise that her home reflects all that inspires her.

Kehinde Wiley Black Rock Senegal Artist Residence Exterior Balcony and Swimming Pool

Architecture Art Interiors Senegal Travel

Tour of Black Rock Senegal Artist Residency By Kehinde Wiley

American artist Kehinde Wiley has opened the doors to Black Rock in Dakar Senegal, a multi-disciplinary artists residency program designed to bring together an international group of visual artists, writers, and filmmakers for a period of self-reflection, practice development and cultural exploration and cross-cultural collaboration. For Kehinde, who’s fame reached new heights with his portrait of Barack Obama, Black Rock is more than just a residency it is also home to his personal studio as he seeks to divide his time between New York and West Africa.

Ghana Interiors Textiles

AMWA Designs Patterned Textiles Bring A Touch of African Wisdom to a Corporate Restaurant

On Friday 8th March I got to unveil the new look atelier 55 to a group of exceptional African women entrepreneurs. Organised by Lionesses of Africa the Lioness Lean In London event was held in partnership with and at the offices of top-tier law firm Hogan Lovells. Being a breakfast event it was an early start, but it was great to catch up with familiar faces, make new connections, and to hear the stories of some truly inspirational creative women. Most of all it was a celebratory event of laughter, some emotional tears, exchanging thoughts, and lots of head-nodding. Among […]

Design Interiors Rwanda Travel

Bisate Lodge Showcases Contemporary Rwandan Design

Blending into the steep hillside of an eroded volcanic cone that overlooks the Bisoke Volcano is the luxury eco-lodge Bisate. The word ‘bisate’ means ‘pieces’ in Kinyarwanda, and was chosen to reflect how the volcanic cone in which the lodge sits was once whole but is now worn away by natural erosion.

Khyetitshe-Weekend home Matopos Zimbabwe Africa Travel

Architecture Interiors Zimbabwe

A Peaceful Weekend Home In Zimbabwe’s Matobo Hills

Matobo also known as Matopos in the southern region of Zimbabwe is an area of outstanding natural beauty, known for its imposing gravity-defying granite formations, balancing rock formations created by the gradual erosion of the area’s granite plateau. These formations form the Matobo National Hills a part of the Matobo National Park. The Matobo Hills are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as the area is recognised for the highest concentration of prehistoric rock paintings in Southern Africa. It is also the historical land of King Mzilikazi and his son Lobengula. For lovers of wildlife, the Matobo National Park is […]

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