African safari inspired decorating offers an appealing approach to any home design, with its blends of cosmic cultural influences and European old world style. This compelling, tasteful lifestyle emphasizes a relaxed atmosphere. Offering the overall effect of a natural and comforting environment, the theme conveys a mood which is overwhelmingly striking.

There are lots of reasons why people choose to decorate with an ethnic flair, some are paying homage to a safari they enjoyed, simply love the wilderness, a past encounter and some are just surrounding themselves with a culture that they love. Whatever the reason, ethnic interior decorating is a very popular trend and creates more drama and eye appeal than many traditional styles.

Africa is a vast continent sprawling from Egypt and Morocco in the North down to South Africa, Namibia and Mozambique in the south. While each and every country has its own unique style, interior design ideas usually incorporate neutral, earth tones combined with vibrant splashes of color.

African home décor gets its inspiration through nature. For example, the trees, the animals, the soil they all reflect through its craftsmanship. History proves most cultures and tribes of Africa have long felt true power comes from the soil, trees, stones, rushing rivers, powerful animals and more. As a result craftsmen work to reflect that power as they fashion wooden sculptures, figurines, mask and other hand-made decor. Due to the natural symbolism these products exude, they have the strength and depth to survive the passing trends and fads of time. The power and depth of hand-made African decor is what gives it longevity, long after most other home decor styles have faded away.

The diversity and decorating choices for an African safari inspired décor theme are infinite, when initiating your décor process 27 you must remember that contemporary African decor is not about cluttering a room with masks, tables, chairs, pictures and carved wooden ornaments or statues. Its all about placement, make sure to take your time and picture the process one step at a time.

Wall plaques that include African masks, tribal accents and wooden statues are always welcoming in safari decor. Other wall decor might include animal skins, prints of animals or large vintage maps of Africa. Vintage-inspired globes, navigational equipment and wall prints of explorers can add to a realistic touch to the whole theme.

Animal-print or black shelves can hold ivory figurines or other small ceramic safariinspired animals. African elephant heads carved from wood add a sense of safari flair. Porcelain statuettes of monkeys, giraffes, zebras and tigers are welcoming at entry ways and on shelves. Or fill a bookshelf with safari expedition books and antique African literature.

There’s something about the mystery of the jungle that intrigues decorators and designers. Striking animal prints, lush vegetation, and exotic African art provide a decorating pallet that’s hard to resist.

The backdrop to any safari theme is the print. These prints might include zebra, leopard, giraffe or tiger. Find pattern options in fabric for beds, curtains, blankets, pillows and furniture coverings. For more subtle effects, accent a leather sofa or chair with a patchwork pillow including an animal print. Or place leopard-print lamp shades on deep mahogany end tables and hutches.

Earthy tones such as brown’s, rust’s, gold’s and burnt oranges are usually predominant throughout a safari them, with fabrics and pottery offered in a wide range of patterns and colors to complement any decorating style. Fabric embroidered threads are often colored with plum, yellow, red, brown and black, and are traditionally made from local plant dyes, creating the beautiful color palette so popular in the African motif.

Paint walls a neutral shade of beige, brown or cream, with perhaps one wall or two opposite walls painted in a rich terracotta or clay color. Textured paints have become very popular choose a paint that once painted on the wall, has a rough, sandy texture to it.

Color schemes tend to mimic the scenery of the African region itself, with savanna golden browns and deep reds worn by local tribes. Furnishing your home with island antiques from different periods of history, decorating in traditional color schemes such as periwinkle blues and jade greens with influences from the sea, purples and pinks reminiscent of breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, all evoke the splendor of the land.

Safari-oriented furniture can come in a variety of different flavors, and is often adorned with various different animal hides, including leather, leopard spots, zebra stripes or tiger skin. Traditional hand-painted fabrics, woven wools and cotton textiles serve to complete an im29 pressive look.

Another favorite option in African safari decorating is the traditional rattan and bamboo, used in chairs, sofas and tables, with scattered cushions in bright African prints and designs.

African fabrics come in a wide array of weaves, textures, colors and designs with vibrant geometrics and bold golden accents. These unique textiles often repeat a single symbol, representing security and continuity, as well as meaningful proverbs or historical events.

Particularly popular and unique to African safari decorating is mud cloth (made from dye out of fermented mud), which is cloth decorated in colorful patterns, or may picture such things as African tribal dancers, local animals and flora. African 30 decor also offers appliquéd cloths and embroidered velvets used to decorate furniture and bedding.

When choosing a flooring option, consider tiling the floor with sandstone tiles or terracotta. Since recently plain concrete floors that have been treated and sometimes stained are also very popular. Thick sisal mats and area rugs with an ethnic flair work well on top of this type of flooring.

For rooms with hardwood floors or laminates that look natural, area rugs are considered a must and they sure complement the jungle theme. If decorators haven’t already gone wild with animal prints, a zebra print rug or faux fur carpet is a great way to bring prints into the room. Otherwise, straw mats can complement the theme by offering a natural, outdoorsy ambiance.

For a true African safari, there should be prevalent grasslands. Colorful succulents and bonsai trees are welcome for a grassland-inspired look. An ornate vase or urn with giraffes or lions on either side can hold a fresh or dried grass. Succulents and rocks in a long planter make attractive centerpieces. Some tropical plants including palms, mosses and ferns, whether faux or realWith roots firmly engrained in rituals and tradition dating back eons, accessories found in the African safari decorating theme link us back countless years throughout the ages.

Stephane Jayathilaka.