Interiors: Fashion Designer Amsale Aberra's Monochrome Interiors - atelier 55 - The Curator of Contemporary African Design

Amsale Aberra [Ethiopia]

[Image source: Amsale Aberra – Loft Interior]

If you spent most of your days working with the various shades of a single colour; in this case white and ivory, you could forgive one for assuming that it would be natural to leap at the chance of introducing a splash of colour into other areas of your life, be it dress or living space. Not a theory to be applied to Amsale Aberra, the Ethiopian designer of exquisite bridal gowns, whose New York loft is a free-flowing space defined by a monochromatic colour palette that is predominately white; the bridal influence perhaps… Located on the eleventh floor of an industrial building in New York’s Garment District, Amsale began creating her coveted range wedding gowns out of the loft and I guess the inspiration lingered when the business eventually relocated to a showroom close by.

Amsale called upon Vicente Wolf, the renowned interior designer who just happened to be her neighbour, to help design the interior. Vicente Wolf is known for his stylish interior designs inspired by art and design from around the world, and filling his showroom with unique objects from Europe, Africa, and Asia. Although helping to create a sense of light and airiness as the open spaces of the loft flow seamlessly into each other, the colour white has the potential to come across as harsh and clinical, however, Amsale and Vicente have sought to break up the stark white walls and concrete floors with shades of grey ranging from ‘barely there’ mist to hints of solid black lines along with neutral creams and off white tones. Together this has the effect of softening up the edge, bringing a sense of calm and elegance into the space. The detailing seen in strategically place objects reflect the detailing that goes into her creations.

[Image sources: Amsale Aberra – Loft Interior]

I personally prefer to be surrounded by colour but fully appreciate the stunning effect a monochromatic scheme can have and Amsale’s home is a beautiful example of how to make it work. Her home doesn’t come across as cold to me but instead quite harmonious, balanced by the colour opposites and tonal ranges, rather like shading in pencil drawings to add light and dark to give the feeling of depth.