Maison
I firmly believe that your home, the place where you live, sleep, laugh, cry, breath, eat, share, laugh, work, play…I believe that your home should envelop you in and reflect your personal beliefs and aesthetics … however, these qualities are defined by you. Your surroundings should be an extension of your personality in form and function. Any random guest should be able to discern some basic things about you just by looking at where you live.
Personally, there is nothing in my home that I don’t absolutely love, that isn’t useful to me, that doesn’t fill me with a sense of completeness and serenity.
My aesthetic is eclectic, meaning I like a mixture of the old and the new. I like to mix contemporary looks with the warmth of antiques. I like to mix colors, textures, create little tableaux that catch the eye. I’m not above shopping in thrift stores for unique, unusual gems, like a black lava lamp in pale orange water, or a plastic Buddha covered in reflective glass to look like diamonds and painted laquered skin. Little unexpected things that give a room character and surprise. Orange is my favorite color so I try to put a splash of it in every room.
Anyone can create a beautiful, functional room that suits any need without spending a fortune. It just takes a little time, patience, and a whole lot of love….
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Afrocentric Beauty
The first time I walked into Uwimana’s home outside Atlanta, I was in total awe. Uwimana always quotes my reaction: “This is the most Afrocentric home I’ve ever been in…!” I laugh when she reminds me of the total surprise I felt. I always knew that Uwimana had a deep respect for and great knowledge of the African aesthetic. One could easily dsicern this from her fashion aesthetic and her travel history. Her home is a total fusion of her personal style to her intimate surroundings. Absolute synergy – down to the incense wafting through the air….
I loved it!!
I couldn’t really pay attention to our conversation because my eyes were everywhere taking it all in! Unfortunately I wasn’t able to really take it all in because we were on our way to and art gallery showing and concert.
Her home has a large open floor plan separated by furniture groupings. In the first picture top center, Is a library/living area with large comfortable cushions with pillows, lots of greenery, books, and a large sunlit window.
The two bottom photos are tableaux with interesting African art, rugs, and a large, intricately carved chair. Dark beauty from the dark continent….
You don’t feel like you’re in Atlanta anymore!!
In this grouping of pictures you can see that the ceilings are very high which add to the drama of the space. Every surface is decorated with art that was collected from her travels around the world. The rafter, which spans the length of the room, is decorated with statuettes and decorative pieces.
Bottom left, the dining table is set with beautiful African tablecloths, ceramic and woven straw dinnerware, and a little serving table. Just out of the picture left and right are two European style oval back upholstered chairs: her only nod to the western aesthetic. However, it’s just a nod – they are upholstered in Mudd cloth from Mali West Africa. I love it!!
Bottom right is a garden, also strewn with art, that I’m sure Uwimana uses to meditate and reminisce about beautiful exotic sunsets.
The color palette throughout the house and garden is a mixture of warm earth tones that suggest serenity and a sense of being grounded. Anyone who knows Uwimana Olabisi knows that these two qualities are central to who she is. Nothing frivolous here!!
Thank you, Uwimana, for sharing your home with us here. It is truly a beautiful reflection of you.