Hi Everyone!
Happy Monday friends! Hope everyone had a great weekend. The weather here was cold and rainy and ugly which meant I spent it inside curled up drinking lots of wine and hot tea, and pinning all the things.
Unfortunately, it also meant my mind was working overtime thinking about all the house projects we have yet to do. This, of course, led me to look around the house and feel like maybe I could tweak this or tweak that juuuust a little to give our spaces a bit of a refresh. I always get this way around Spring and lately I’ve been itching to try to incorporate a some new things into the mix.
So you guys know I’m a bohemian girl at heart and I love my color. You also know how much I LOVE African and tribal accents and decor: mudcloth, juju hats, african baskets, beni ourain rugs, kuba cloth, Moroccan pom blankets (yes, Morocco is in Africa in case you didnt know), glass beads, ankara print, Malawi chairs…gimme ALL OF IT. These are all things I’ve loved long before they became popular and always will.
A few weeks ago I came across the most breathtaking luxury safari lodge and all I could think is “OH MY GAWD!”
There was something about the spaces throughout the lodge. All the neutrals and mostly white walls are very outside of something i’d ever ordinarily be drawn to, but the textures throughout are just so so gorgeous. They spoke to me.
I found myself suddenly drawn to this look and next thing I knew I was pinning spaces that have very similar details.
via
Photography by Made Seni Budiarta
For me, this is how you do white walls! A vast contrast to the super popular Scandinavian minimalist style, these spaces are far from what some would describe as stark or cold. Here white and beige walls read as warm and almost earthy. Rather than use white as the main design element or as a way to highlight the beauty being in the LACK OF (as seen in Scandi design), its instead used as a back drop to bring attention to alllll the things. As a way to celebrate the beauty of an incredibly rich and diverse culture. From hand crafted furniture and woven baskets, to tribal textiles, to art.
Although I don’t think I’ll ever fully be on board with white walls, I can see the appeal of them now more than ever before. I can also see this aesthetic translated in my preference for moodier interiors. I just think lots of natural elements and textures look AMAZING against an inky backdrop.
What are your thoughts? Imma just be over here trying to figure out how I can make my budget afford a Malawi chair. Also Ill be booking my flight to Wakanda. Until next time friends…
Haley says
ooooh, I love everything about this look! I love how there is so much going on, but it’s still neutral
Shavonda Gardner says
Hi Haley! Exactly!! Its like maximalism for people who are afraid of or dont prefer color!
Douglas says
The living room in the second to last pic is ahhhh-mazing. While the dark painted wall might seem severe to some, the picture wall and the furniture / decor choices make this an incredibly inviting LIVING room.
Gorgeous.
Shavonda Gardner says
Hi Douglas! I agree! Im all about moody spaces and using dark walls whenever possible.:) Thank you so much for chiming in!
Carmeon says
Oooooohhhhh my gahd!!!! I love you and hate you for this post!!!! This is so my dream lifestyle and inspiration behind so much of my work nowadays! I can’t wait to reveal what I have in the works!
Shavonda Gardner says
Im with you friend. Im so so inspired by this look. It feels very fresh but also super textured and global and interesting at the same time. Im literally thinking of taking our entire home in this direction, but from the contrast…using a moody backdrop and really playing with deep tones. I just love love this look so much.