African Art & Design: Solange Knowles' Losing You

Fashion maven and singer Solange Knowles just released a new song and video entitled "Losing You." The song has an 80's British Soul /Pop vibe. The visual, is a colorful adventure that is part fashion show, part music video and part tour of a township in Capetown South Africa.  It was produced by Dev Hynes, directed by Melina Matsoukas, and styled by Ty Hunter among others. The video was inspired by and includes men from the Le Sape Society (Society for the Advancement of People of Elegance), an exclusive club of elegant and impeccably dressed men from the heart of the Congo. They are featured in photographer Daniele Tamagni’s book, Gentleman of Bacongo . However, the video is not without controversy. Some critics labeled the video exploitative and questioned the relevance of the ghetto chic location. But that is to be expected; after all artistic expression is often criticized.  What do you think?

African & Global Art Style at First Friday in Old City Philadelphia

First Friday’s in Philadelphia are always fun; especially when the weather is nice and you can find a good parking space. It’s one big creative global fête. We saw a lot of interesting art and people, met some twitter folks face to face and reconnected with some shop owners. There are a lot of shops that cater to African and global art and design; each with their own unique personality. It was an all around great way to spend a Friday evening. 

We loved the mix of Indonesian and African art and style in this shop

Of course we had to show this chair!

Lighting By David Trubridge

Seating and lighting by David Trubridge

David Trubridge

Seating and lighting by David Trubridge

David Trubridge

Vivant Art Collection and Gallery

Florcy Morisett, Owner of Vivant Art Collection and Gallery

Beautiful wood workings at the Center for Art in Wood

There were artists who took to the streets to do their thing

Musicians filled the air with melodious sounds

Galbraith & Paul–Textile Artists

I met Liz Galbraith, textile artisan, and Ephraim Paul in 1994 when I was working on my book “The Spirit of African Design.” My co- author and I borrowed one of their lamps to use in the book. Back then, Liz was making unique handmade paper lampshades and lighting. I remember when their studio was downtown in Old City Philadelphia. That was a while back and a lot has changed. Today, Galbraith & Paul is a global company with showrooms from New York to Paris to Australia. Luckily for Indaga Home, (Denys Davis and Monna Morton) they are still headquartered in Philadelphia. The studio is located in a renovated textile mill in the Manayunk neighborhood of Philadelphia and open by appointment only.

Galbraith & Paul specializes in sturdy handmade block printed textiles, rugs, printed wallpaper and lighting. The lighting is made exclusively for the furniture store Room & Board.

The new Fall Collection is an artistic blend of subtle colors and bold patterns. Whatever you choose from their vast collection is bound to make a beautiful statement in any room. We can’t wait for the open house at their Annual Sample Sale - December 1st . www.galbraithandpaul.comwww.galbraithandpaul.com

Tents Wallpaper

Tent Detail

Candystripe

Candy Stripe Detail

Diamond

Diamond Detail

Ribbon Wall Cover

Galbraith & Paul lighting is available exclusively through Room & Board. Please visit their website at roomandboard.com

Galbraith & Paul lighting is available exclusively through Room & Board. Please visit their website at roomandboard.com

Midnight Links on Upholstery Linen

Architectural Digest, May 2012

Links Detail

Thanks to Galbraith & Paul.  

Check out the What We Make tab to see how we used the fabric from last years sample sale.

London Designer: Julie Kouamo

We are big fans of London based Textile Print Designer Julie Kouamo. We were at the launch of her collection “Bangou” in New York at the ICFF in May 2012. Now she is launching the collection, her third; in the UK at the African & African- Caribbean Design Diaspora design event as part of the London Design Festival. This year’s Festival is entitled “Untold Gold.” It reflects how culture influences design and celebrates the creative wealth and originality of black creativity around the world.  
 

Julie creates textiles that are a blend of modern digital printing combined with traditional imagery and silk screening techniques. The result is a unique and beautiful work of art that can be used for reupholstering furniture, window treatments, pillows or wall hangings. You can also see her new wallpaper collection that uses sustainable inks on high quality FSC nonwoven papers. Julie will be exhibiting at the fair from September 19-30, 2012.  If you can’t get there, don’t worry her fabrics are available at ABC Carpet and Home in New York City. Check out her website www.juliekouamo.comwww.juliekouamo.com for more information.

all photos: Julie Kouamo

There is still some summer left to enjoy

According to the news, Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer. But nature does not care about unofficial things. Although the pools are closed and the kids are headed back to school; the mosquitoes are still biting. The flowers are exploding with color and the herbs are at their peak. As the warm breezes flow it sends their perfume into the air. The collards, kale, tomatoes and peppers are still growing and waiting to be picked. We will reap the harvest until the autumnal equinox and the first frost hits the ground. It still smells and feels like summer, so until then, I am going to depend on Mother Nature to tell me when summer is over… not the news.

Denys's Rose of Sharon is in full bloom

Denys's lavender gives the garden its lovely scent

If you look closely, you will see a caterpillar that found its home in Denys's Parsley

Monna's Basil & Oregano make great garden-mates

Monna's tomato's continue to blossom

Monna's inviting porch

This guy was just hanging around in the grass!

Tablescapes

Tablescaping is the art of setting the table.  Back in the day this craft was taught in home economics classes and reserved for weddings, holidays and other special occasions.  If you watch any of the cooking shows on television, you’ve learned that the presentation is as important as the food. Setting the table is no longer just about the proper location of the salad fork and water glass. Decorating the table in the 21^st century is all about, color, pattern, layers and creativity. You can find tableware in every color and theme imaginable in home and party stores. So don’t wait for a holiday to use your best dishes, instead use your imagination and add a table runner, place-mats, a charger and flowers to create a one of a kind tablescape. You just might find that the beautiful tablescape makes the food taste better.