Liza Bruce The Moroccan home of UK fashion designer, Liza Bruce and her artist husband Nicholas Alvis Vega, featured in Elle Decor, is a feast for the eyes; a place where pattern, detail and colour abound. Liza, who made her name designing swimwear in the 1980s, began her travels to Morocco in 2003 sourcing material for her collections, and after several trips to the country sought to establish a base. A trip to the Ourika Valley, a riverside region situated south of Marrakech in the foothills of the Atlas mountains revealed an abandoned, half-built riad in a Berber market village. Working with highly-skilled Moroccan artisans, who included stained glass window and tile artists, woodworkers and plasterers, the couple rebuilt the shell to suit their vision and requirements. The remodelling of the building was inspired by the geometry of Islamic patterns and Swahili design, a nod to Kenya where Nicholas grew up. Now a stylish retreat where Liza and her husband spend four months of the year, designing and creating the fabrics for their home textile and clothing collections, the three-storey riad features beautiful gardens, several terraces to lose yourself in, a relaxing swimming pool area, luxuriously appointed with cushion-filled daybeds, and a hammam steam bath. High elegant arches can be seen throughout, and on the rooftop are two domes, painted in brilliant white, a colour chosen to echo the Atlas Mountains in the background. Giving the building a spectacular silhouette against a blue sky, the white colour continues through to cover the exterior walls, and is in stark contrast to the softer, rose pink colour normally favoured in Morocco.
In the interior, the floors are also white, along with some of walls, however as contrast, bold swathes of colour make their appearance, as a primary palette of magenta and dark green hues, inspired by the djellaba robes worn by the local villagers, drenches whole walls. These colours are also carried through the home in the form of furniture and textiles accents. The couple chose to furnish the riad with their collection of furnishings and artefacts from Africa and Asia, which includes items like traditional West African beds; a buffalo hide shield, hand-carved chair and benches from Ethiopia; a cast bronze side table from Benin; elaborate tent pegs from Mauritania, mounted onto stands and flanking a bed; carved wooden chairs from Mali; basketry; and traditional Moroccan furniture. In the sitting room, ceilings and walls feature hot pink plaster, providing the backdrop to Kuba cloth pillows from the Congo that adorn an Afghan warlord's bed turned sofa; Yoruba crowns displayed on stands; an intricately beaded Yoruba armchair; and traditional beaded aprons.
Decorative wooden doors made by local artisans, create a screen-like effect in separating the rooms and spaces. Purposely choosing to have little in the way of formal seating, the couple instead have scattered pillows and Berber rugs around the riad's seating areas for visitors to recline at their leisure. The master bedroom overlooks the courtyard, and is furnished with an antique Moroccan Tuareg bed, sourced from a local souk and covered with a silk Ikat coverlet from Uzbekistan. The kitchen, built around a tree that now grows through the roof, is outfitted in the style of traditional Berber homes, and features mud walls and a ceiling constructed from reeds and wooden beams. Locally made, and decorated tiles cover the floor and work tops in a colourful mosaic.
The rooftop terrace is a spectacular space, adorned with an antique rug from Mauritania, floors cushions and benches inviting guests to relax as they choose, whilst making the most of the gorgeous views.
...a colourful, eclectic oasis
Information sourced from:
For the Elle Decor article and additional images visit: www.elledecor.com
A Senegalese Holiday Home An explosion of clashing colour and pattern characterises an idyllic holiday home in Senegal that I came across on the blog, African Moto. Located in the popular resort town of Saly, simple outdoor living is the order of the day conveyed in a mix of local, regional and Parisian influences. Exterior walls in shades of salmon pink become feature points providing the backdrop to a generous seating area constructed out of stonework, and covered with a myriad of plump Dutch wax cloth cushions, arranged around wrought iron coffee tables that were created by local Senegalese artisans and spray painted in a local body shop; whilst a shaded terrace for entertaining guests features a dining table and benches carved by a local carpenter and accessorised with more vibrant fabrics that include an 'Obama' oilcloth from South African company, Shine Shine. The house has no glass panes, instead shutters are used and apple green coloured gates on some of the window spaces provide another excuse to add even more splashes of colour. Indoors, English sofas and armchairs are covered with vibrant Dutch Wax and solid bold colour, set off against a backdrop of calming vanilla walls, and in the bathrooms bright purple is the colour of choice. In the kitchen, complementing the stonework base units is a cabinet by Senegalese furniture designer Ousmane Mbaye, adding a focal point of patchwork colour. Colourfully eclectic, this home is alive with carefree, playfulness.
Additional details:
For further information about Elle Decoration France visit: www.elle.fr
Claudio Modola for Suno Kay Osterweis Whilst browsing the blog Afritecture I came across this stunning home located off the Kenyan coast, on the beautiful island of Lamu. The home of Suno Kay Osterweis and her son Max, the founder of SUNO NY, is the definition of an idyllic retreat; and is the place Suno goes to a few months out of the year for reading, healing and restoration, and connecting with nature. Suno first visited Lamu in 1996 and was instantly captivated by the Island's laidback living, stylishness and diverse mix of people. Returning often, Suno soon met and became friends with Italian architectural designer, Claudio Modola who resides on Manda a neighbouring island; and when she bought a piece of land on Lamu was the person she turned to for help with building her dream home. The plot was an awkward shape, narrow and on a steep incline, so Claudio sought to design and build a rising palatial, tower-like structure with 23ft high ceilings; and to take advantage of gorgeous ocean views, at the same time maximising on the flow of cool breezes, situated the living spaces and master suite on the top levels of the building. The style of the house was inspired by the Lamu's local Islamic architecture, combined with elements drawn from Suno's Asian background; she was born in China to Korean parents and raised in Tokyo and later settled in San Francisco, her permanent home. Latin American design elements were also included in the design a nod to Suno's journeys and 'cultural curiosity'. A fountain at the home's entrance marks the transition from outside to in; and at 20 ft above ground level is the swimming pool.
The build faced several challenges; the main being that no cars are allowed on Lamu; the Old Town is a protected UNESCO World Heritage site. This means the island is only accessible by air or boat; and materials for the build, such as building blocks were produced on Manda and had to be ferried using small boats. However, perseverance paid of and the house was completed a year and half after construction started.
For the interiors and finishings, Suno sought to replicate the traditional plaster work, seen in much of the Lamu's architecture and buildings, and was helped by Paul Weaver, an American who himself had spent eleven years renovating a local house which is now a hotel. Based on materials and techniques that are said to be disappearing from Swahili culture, it took two and a half years to complete the surfaces of the house which exude subtle colour and sensuality. Suno sourced most of the interior furnishings, incorporating locally made lamps and chairs with tables and benches made with driftwood. Other features include light fixtures sourced from an artisan who is a supplier to the King of Morocco; sourced from Afghanistan and Pakistan the elaborately carved wooden columns seen surrounding the beds and in the living area; and a dining room table designed and made in collaboration with local craftsmen. The overall feel is an airy tranquil home that is reflective of the owners whilst paying homage to its surroundings.
Villaggio II Villaggio II, one of Accra's premium residential developments was shortlisted for the 2012 Best Tall Building Awards, held by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. Completed in 2011, the main tower of the development is an imposing block-like structure that stands at 30 storeys high and is the tallest structure of its kind in Ghana and the West African region. The Villaggio II complex was designed by UK based architects, Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, and comprises four buildings containing 200 apartments, an office and retail space plus a restaurant and gym. The Tower is characterised by a hard to miss, colourful facade that was inspired by traditional Kente fabrics and makes it a local landmark. Villaggio II was designed to cater to the needs of Ghana's growing middle class and professionals, as well as an increasing number of returnees. Given Ghana's climate environmental factor's were taken into account and the building was designed to keep cool inside, whilst keeping the heat out. Heavily insulated the buildings have rainscreens and recessed and shaded windows that partially open. The buildings also feature solar panels to provide hot water. The luxury apartments are built around large, semi enclosed sky courtyards providing views over the City as well as shade for when it gets to hot. There is a pool and gardens on the roof, secure unground parking and a lobby with concierge service. Outside the surrounds feature spaces landscaped with local species of trees and shrubs to provide external shady areas; and pools of water set into locally produced interlocking paving provides relaxing areas for residence to sit or wade in.
Azzedine Alaïa I recently came across a feature into the interior style of Tunisian fashion designer Azzedine Alaïa, who converted a 300 square metre loft in a traditional 17th century building into three separate apartments. Located in Rue de Moussy, Marais, one of Paris' most exclusive districts, Azzedine wanted to create a boutique hotel feel giving guests to his home a taste of his style and appreciation for art and design, as well as a feel for Parisian life from his point of view. The apartments are also located close to Azzedine's private home, atelier, showroom, boutique and warehouse. From articles and interviews I have read about the designer, Azzedine Alaïa is known to be a shy and quite private person, and when I first saw the images it struck me that the interior seemed devoid of any personal touches and interestingly enough no artwork on walls bar functional pieces like a mounted bookcase/cabinet and sculptural side lights, this however seems intentional as closer examination reveals that the true beauty lies the attention to detail; finely crafted furniture chosen for its exceptional design aesthetics, the textures of table tops, work surfaces and upholstery, and the organic and sculptural shapes of the seating.
Wanting to achieve the feel of a luxury hotel whilst retaining a sense of a home away from home feeling for his guests, Azzedine personally designed the interiors which are decorated with carefully selected furniture and lighting from his favourite designers who include; Jean Prouve, Charlotte Perriand, Marc Newson, Andre Sornay, Pierre Paulin and Arne Jacobson. The spaces are kept minimal in style, designed to focus attention on the furniture and objects which are given ample space around them like works in a gallery, and in contrast to the stark white walls the colours of the furniture are warm, creating the effect of calm open spaces designed for relaxation and thinking. The apartments have a sense of nostalgia about them which emanates from the modern classics style of the furniture and the occasional bright blocks of colour as seen in the kitchen and on the dining room table chairs lends a sixties vibe. Each apartment has its own entrance and doorway and is equipped for the comforts of every day living with its own fitted kitchen.
...the overall result are simple, light, open spaces where the furniture is the star and is treated as such
Information sourced from:www.yatzer.comAdditional details:
For the full feature visit: www.yatzer.com
Peacock Pavilions Maryam Montague is probably best known as My Marrakech, the inspirational blog she established documenting her life in Marrakech, Morocco running the boutique hotel, also her home Peacock Pavilions; which she designed, built and decorated from scratch with her architect husband Chris Redecke. You can take a peek into Peacocks Pavilions as the home is featured in the April issue of Elle Decor, which celebrates beautifully, decorated homes from around the world as part of their international issue. Peacock Pavilions is bursting with pattern and texture, filled with objects drawn from the couple's travels and the various places they have lived. Having fallen in love with the culture and weather of Morocco, the country offered the lifestyle the couple sought as a place to put down roots for their family and a place to finally house their extensive collection of global treasures. The couple chose a working farm with views of mountains and surrounded by olive trees, but to purchase the property local council requirements stipulated that an investment benefiting the local community also had to be made and was the reason for the property evolving from a home into a boutique eco-hotel.
Although it took a few weeks to design, permits, finding builders and completing construction took almost four years. Spread over two storey's Peacock Pavilions is based on the traditional Moroccan Casbah architecture with a central great room and features numerous Moroccan style arches, high ceilings and polished concrete floors. The complex also features a pool, two guesthouses and the couple's home furnishing shop, Red Thread Souk. The complex was mostly built with sustainable materials and 2009 saw the couple move in and start on the interior. On her popular blog started just before the property was purchased Maryam talks about her design style and approach, buying things that she loves and mixing with abandon.
Vintage berber rugs help break up the space of the great room creating smaller, more intimate seating areas. Chris designed some of the furniture seen, upholstered with Moroccan and Malian textiles. Chairs are adorned with beads from Ghana, a peacock mirror from India graces a wall. Masks and statues from various African countries can be seen dotted around the living spaces. Star lanterns commissioned from the souk line the hallway. The guest bedroom, above is my favourite, the blue and the rich pattern detailing it looks so regal. Upholstered with Moroccan carpet fragments, the walnut dining room chairs and table were designed and built by Chris. The library is a colourful space filled with a comfy couch covered with a Suzani fabric on which rests appliqué cushions from Guatemala, and the coffee tables are made from old Moroccan traffic signs.
If visiting Marrakech and looking for a luxuriously relaxing and inspirational getaway, guest accommodation comes in the form of the two-bedroom Atlas Pavilion which has, as the name suggests, views of the majestic Atlas mountains, and each room has its own fireplace, bathroom and a private terrace; and the Medina Pavilion which has three bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen and a dining room. Evenings bring memorable feasts in the dining tent, and the romance of an open air cinema complete with surround sound, deckchair seating and a fire pit for those cooler evenings. Peacocks Pavilions has become something of a creative retreat, a factor that was intentional from its conception, as Maryam and Chris wanted to attract 'creative spirits': artists, designers, jewellery, photographers, filmmakers, poets, and writers who would come and draw inspiration amidst the tranquil surroundings; and the hotel has already seeing artists pass through its doors, occasionally leaving their stamp in the form of wall murals and hand-stencilled floors and ceilings. Several retreats have been lined up for 2012/2013 and if you fancy hosting your own retreat contact Maryam for further information.
...unique little touches here and there add character and are a reflection of a life well-travelled
Additional Details:
For the full article visit: www.elledecor.com
For further information about Maryam Montague visit: http://moroccanmaryam.typepad.com
Peacock Pavilion rates vary according the season and start at: €150-€1,250 For further information about Peacock Pavilions and booking enquires visit: http://peacockpavilions.com
Forest Town Long HouseI love the element of surprise (as long as it's a good one of course!!); and the Forest Town Long House located in Johannesburg, South Africa rises to the challenge...resembling a large shipping container, this house doesn't look like much from the entrance approach; however swivel round to the back and what you get is an impressive expanse of open spaces maximising on light, and views that take in a forest of trees and an extensive garden covered with dense foliage. What drew me to the house was the vast sliding door that acts as a removable wall; completely opening up the living space to let the outside in a vice versa. Built in 2005 by studioMAS and Urban Designers, a South African based architectural practice Forest Town Long House was created to reflect the requirements of contemporary urban living in South Africa, safety, comfort and privacy. Vertically lined with a series of small walls the street facing building façade was designed to function as a boundary wall which explains the utilitarian appearance, behind which are three levels of living space. Concealing a cellar, workshop, study and private patios on either side of the garage, the basement level is flush with the street. At 12m long the glass sliding door opens onto a swimming pool and the lush garden; and is the focal point of the next level up, the living area consisting of a family room, movie theatre, dining area and an open plan kitchen that leads out a large vegetable garden. Overlooking the living and entertainment areas the top level sees two mezzanines on which an additional study and reading room are located. Two bedroom wings lead out from the study landing, one two the west houses the master bedroom en suite and dressing room, whilst the rest of the bedrooms are located to the east.
Offset by the abundance of greenery, the décor is highly contemporary; minimal urban chic with lots of hard angles that complement the rigid structure of the building.
Information sourced from:www.archdaily.com
Additional details
For further information about studioMAS visit: www.studiomas.co.za
Diane TevoedjreA blend of African, European and Asian cultural influences underpins the elegant style of interior designer Diane Tevoedjre, whose contemporary design solutions draw on her upbringing, travels and life experiences. The daughter of a diplomat, Diane is of Malian and Beninese heritage and was born in Ghana, and has lived in the US, Italy, Germany, Belgium, France, the Far East, Central and West Africa, and Switzerland to name a few. Starting her professional career as an art dealer and interior designer over 15 years ago after studying in Geneva, Dallas and Paris, in addition to a period living in Bangkok where she developed an interest in oriental design, Diane went on to open an interior design studio in Côte d'Ivoire and it is a ll these experiences that have left their mark on her creative style. In 2002 Diane relocated to Johannesburg, South Africa, where she still lives having set up her interior design studio, Mêha Art and Interiors. Embarking on a personal interior design challenge, 2008 saw the interior designer purchase property in the leafy suburb of Sandton which she subsequently demolished and rebuilt to her specifications. Taking 18 months to build and six months to decorate, Diane's home needed to cater to the needs of her growing family, whilst accommodating and inspiring her passion for entertaining. Enjoying outdoor and indoor living, Diane set about creating a space with seamless reception areas that could comfortably host large guest numbers indoors along with ample space for entertaining outdoors. Surrounding a large swimming pool, the house is L-shaped with large windows and glass doors allowing for lots of light to flood in, adding to the airiness. The interior dining areas are formal, whilst the more relaxed informal areas are provided outdoors in the form of large sheltered terraces that allow for the enjoyment of the warm sunshine whilst reclining on any one of the plentiful seating options provided. The open living spaces see a mix of contemporary furniture, African artefacts and artwork that reflect Diane's multicultural upbringing. One wing of the upper level of the house sees a semi courtyard which provides a recreational space for her two children, whilst another wing houses the master suite; a spacious sleeping/relaxation area for Diane that has some indulgent touches in the form of a private terrace and outdoor shower.
Diane has a passion for African art, the distinctive characteristic that flows throughout her designs, sourcing the finest and rare African objects from statues, figurines, sculptures, ceramic pottery, basketry, iron art through to furniture, and drawing inspiration from the patterns, textures and designs which are translated across the neutral colour palettes and nature-friendly textiles Diane favours. This fusion of art and interior décor is the signature of her company. Mêha Art and Interiors is an award-winning studio that has worked with select residential and hospitality clients in Nigeria, Gambia, South Africa, Cameroon, Angola, the DRC and beyond. Mêha Art and Interiors was involved in Villa Monticello, Ghana's chic boutique hotel featured previously on African Daydreams. Reflecting the elegance, comfort and beauty her discerning clientele demands, Diane desires to create timeless interior spaces that provide a sensory experience for the owner, spaces that are not just visually stimulating interiors but ones that an owner can take complete comfort and pleasure in. ...an interior celebration of the style, taste and culture of Africa
Additional information sourced from:
www.habitatmag.co.za
Additional details:
For further information about Meha Art and Interiors visit: www.meha.co.za
Christian LouboutinDoing a bit of light reading I was flicking through Camilla Morton's 'A Year in High Heels' when I happened to land on the page about Christian Louboutin on Egypt. The French shoe designer has a home there, in the desert near the city of Aswân, and inspired by the beauty and tranquility of his surroundings is the place he goes to to draw all his shoe collections, I guess away from all the distractions of modern living and fast paced glamour of the industry he operates in. Recalling his first visit to Egypt at the age of fifteen, Christian tries to go every two months for a few weeks throughout the year and in addition to designing his collections takes the time to rest and practice yoga. Just a few days ago my sister and I were oohing and aaahing over his latest collections, and whilst looking for further information on his home in Egypt I was rewarded with the US edition of Elle Decor's current January/February 2012 issue, running a feature on the designer's Egyptian retreat. Situated on the West Bank of Luxor near the Temple Medinet Habu, and with views that include the sacred mountains of Theba and an all green oasis, Christian's house used to be a craftsman's workshop, and inspired by the Egyptian architect and artist Olivier Sednaoui was built with earthen bricks using an ancient Egyptian technique going back thousands of years. Whilst rebuilding, a process Christian admitted was a nightmare, Christian took the opportunity to add another floor and a roof terrace to the house to take advantage of the stunning views.
Detailing in the naturally coloured walls, carved feature windows and elegant archways has resulted in a rustic haven that displays another side to the designer. The rooms are sparsely furnished, decorated with antique and traditional furniture and objects collected on Christian's travels and include handmade furniture from Cameroon, hand woven rugs and inlaid tables from Morocco and intricately embroidered fabrics from Uzbekistan elements of which I pick up in the Mendoza and Devidas shoes from the designer's Spring/Summer 2012 Cruise Collection. Laid with terracotta flooring throughout, the result is a rustic haven, a home that is unfussy, a contrast to his often detailed designs. Evenings are enjoyed around a fireplace in an open-air courtyard, a place that Christian acknowledges as the heart of the home. Allowing himself a modern touch, on the rooftop terrace you will find a state-of-the-art telescope placed to gaze at the stars, no doubt dreaming up all those gorgeous red soled creations.
...simple yet inspirational
Additional information sourced from:
Morton, Camilla. (2008). A Year in High Heels. Hodder & Stoughton.www.elledecor.com/decorating
Additional details:
For further information about Christian Louboutin visit: www.christianlouboutin.com
To read the fonline feature visit: www.elledecor.com
Amsale Aberra 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 remained behind 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 go into her creations. 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.
...very chic, but must take a lot of effort to keep clean! Additional information sourced from:kikette-interiors.blogspot.comAdditional details:
For further information about Amsale Aberra visit: www.amsale.com
To find out more about Vicente Wolf visit: www.vicentewolf.com
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