The way we decorate our living spaces has become one of the most meaningful ways to communicate our individualism, and African influences in art and textiles bring a unique quality to our homes. Aside from the cultural connections they provide through their patterns & symbols, the earthiness of decorative pieces from different African cultures can be just the calming influence you need to balance a hectic lifestyle. Creating your own mix of fabrics, carvings and other artifacts lets you create an effective retreat from the outside world, for yourself, you family and visitors, too.The blending of style and function is what I love most about West African art, satisfying both my visual senses and my practical side. In general, the crafts of the region follow the philosophy that even the simplest, most utilitarian objects should be created with this dual purpose in mind. Even spoons, bowls and simple containers become a source of aesthetic pleasure! Many of these objects are given even greater significance with the addition of adinkra symbols, whose meanings range from spiritual messages to advice-for-life themes and proverbs. One of the most popular, “Gye Nyame” refers to the supremacy of God -- a recurring message found on carvings, textiles, metal work, drums and other crafts. At a time when a heightened sense of spirituality is increasingly prevalent in modern society, symbols like those found in adinkra are especially sought-after.
A Wealth of Decorating OptionsThe distinctive designs, textures and colors of African textiles can provide that spark of creative excitement you’ve been seeking for your home. Table toppers made of kuba (KOO-bah) cloth from the Congo region of central Africa, bogolan (mudcloth) placemats or a wall organizer sewn from Zimbabwean sadza (SUD-za) batik fabric are great accents that are sure to spark conversation! Knowing something about the cultural background of a fabric – how, where and why it came to be—adds to the value of it, setting it apart from more familiar decorating fabrics. These fabrics may seem a bit intimidating, but are surprisingly easy to work with; most adapt easily to techniques we use on more familiar fabrics, such as machine stitching, quilting and appliqué. Remember that many “exotic” fabrics are made from cotton, silk, raffia and other natural fibers. I’ve often experimented with fusible interfacings, to give the fabrics more body and make them more suitable for my intended purpose. To make the most of African fabrics in your home environment, follow these suggestions:Keep it simple: many home decor projects require only basic sewing skills – even the simplest throw pillow, made up of a single seam sewn around all four edges, takes on a whole new look when sewn up in an exotic, attention-getting fabric with cultural significance. (As a bonus, the fabric’s visual excitement takes the focus away from less-than-perfect sewing skills, making them a great choice for beginning sewers!)To make different fabric styles work together in your sewing projects, look for common elements among them, like a particular color scheme or print motif, as well as interesting contrasts (smooth Indian satin embroideries paired with coarse textures like mudcloth from Mali.)
Who says a fabric stash has to be tucked away in storage boxes! Show off your most prized textile possessions as sofa throws, bed covers, or several at a time on the rungs of a ladder or other creative display piece, as shown in African Accents. Their visibility is usually what helps you to decide how you’ll ultimately use the fabrics. Just be sure to re-fold and rotate your displayed pieces regularly to prevent permanent from forming crease marks over time.
Re-arrange fabrics, throw pillows, masks and other accents throughout the house, partly because it’s easier than moving the heavy furniture for a quick change, but also because it’s fun to see how pieces can be made to fit together in different rooms and in different ways.
Incorporate meaningful designs like adinkra symbols from Ghana. Like much of African art in general, these symbols, traditionally stamped onto funerary cloths, combine a visual aesthetic with the life-affirming wisdom of a proverb or a spiritual message. Create stencils to accent walls, mirrors, vases and more, matching the meaning of the symbol to a particular room or to the personality of the user of the object.Making the most of your global decorating adventure means becoming knowledgeable about what you’re buying, from the techniques and materials used to the meanings of certain symbols & designs. Purchase from sources that can educate you about the pieces as well as the traditions they’re based on. Then, when you’re able to share interesting details about a particular decorative accent with friends and visitors, your own enjoyment of the art and the culture is magnified.
Go beyond Afrocentric décor that is limited only to Kwanzaa and the month of February! Above all, enjoy home decorating as a journey that isn’t really ever complete – because it reflects you, consider it to be a mode of self-expression that changes and evolves as you do!
About The Author
Lisa Shepard Stewart is a writer and designer based in New Jersey. Her books, African Accents: Fabrics and Crafts to Decorate Your Home and Global Expressions: Decorating with Fabrics from Around the World teach readers about the cultures behind the fabrics as well as do-it-yourself creative projects designed for a range of skill levels. Lisa offers various classes, trunk shows and special events, and is currently working on her third book. Visit www.CulturedExpressions.com for details.©2006 Cultured Expressions, Inc. All rights reserved.
