Customer Reviews

Spirit of African Design

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have traveled to West Africa and the Caribbean. This book helped me incorporate the artwork and artifacts I brought back from my trips into my day-to-day design. The things I have are no longer just "souvenirs," but are now part of an overall look and feel of my home. Now, when I travel, I have an eye for what I can do with my "stuff" when I get it home!

The authors and photographers have done a wonderful job.

This great book shows in text and photographs the various and beautiful ways that African artifacts: traditional fabrics, sculpture, paintings and drawings, popular and ubiquitous souvenir items and - most importantly - African-inspired motifs and designs, can be incorporated into (or the inspiration for) sophisticated contemporary room decor.

The authors have worked for the international design company Ikea, so their slant is design, rather than anthropology. They come at it in an energetic and engaging way. The result is a source book that is a visual treat, and a great home tour. The rooms - living, bed, kitchens (in which W. African design elements are adapted to ceramic tiles, with gorgeous results) and more - are lively, smart, and modern.

You notice in reading the text, and drooling over the abundant photos of the beautiful and stimulating rooms, that well-known European textile designers of the sixties (the Finnish company Marimekko, for example) owe a debt of gratitude to indigeneous African cloth designers. This is something I hadn't ever realized.

A lovely, inspirational, and worthwhile book.

I have lived, worked and travelled extensively in West Africa since the early 1970's and this is the first comprehensive book which assisted me in incorporating my beautiful art and artifacts into a living design for my home. I loved all the gorgeous pictures and the practical tips. The variety of design styles was also a welcome reminder of the diversity of Africa. I can't wait to read the next book by Sharne Algotsson. I only wish there was a magazine devoted to this subject as well.

The inspiration generated by this book is truly infectious. After reading it and viewing the HGTV episode, I wanted to throw out all of my old furnishings and start anew with the spirit of Africa. The authors have put a lot of themselves into this work of art, obviously, as it seems to be written with such style and love of African art and the many things that go along with it. Additionally, the credits they list permit one to actually find the pieces that are mentioned in the text. As a result, I have been able to locate and purchase an authentic,new piece of kente cloth which I have been searching for, for some time. Fantastic work! Thank you.

I just happened to be walking in my local mall and got a glimpse of the cover and was sold from then on. I am probably driving my family crazy but I am now inspired to redecorate my kitchen to resemble an african market. Thanks!!!!!!

I got this book from my local library after viewing the HGTV Special. I now want to add it to my library of books on home decorating. This book really shows how to integrate African and African inspired designs into any home.

What a breath of fresh air! Finally we can "see" how to bring Africa into our homes. Glad to have caught the HGTV piece and hopefully this will encourage them to incorporate more African, or as they like to label it, "ethnic" interior shows., Best wishes to the authors, especially HI alum Denys--hope Oprah and others call to have you do interiors! Peace.G.LovettLewis

It was a good book and I saw a lot of Ideas that I plan to use, but there were times that I thought they could have given more information about the masks,vases and other artifacts. Things like what the historical use was and where they came from But all in all I enjoyed it.

It was very refreshing to read a book, that offered more than pictures of African art and artifacts. Finally, a book that offers such great ideas on home decorating with a touch of Africa! I look forward to seeing more of its kind in the future. I also watched the special in February on HGTV, which featured some of the homes pictured in the book. Thank yo

If you love African Art and Design and want to incorporate it into your home this is the book to have. I was elated to find it on Amazon. Ms.Algotsson and partners presented the colors and treasures of Africa very well. It confirmed for me that I'm on the right path with my interior design!