V A is a long standing and recognised digital creative; her voice resonates with many. In the last ten years, the site has developed into an online destination for fashion, beauty and lifestyle advice. Her sense of style, editorial flair and practical counsel offers an inspired and graceful approach to living.

V A is a long standing and recognised digital creative; her voice resonates with many. In the last ten years, the site has developed into an online destination for fashion, beauty and lifestyle advice. Her sense of style, editorial flair and practical counsel offers an inspired and graceful approach to living.

Edit by: Vicki
Feb 02, 2017

Travel Diaries #5: The African Interior

Travel Diaries: The African Interior on vickiarcher.com


Talk about a room with a view.

At first the interior somewhat pales as the Kruger Park takes centre stage. As the eyes adjust to the surroundings and the passing parade of Giraffe and Elephant becomes commonplace, I can see the attention to detail in Lebombo’s interiors.


To say I fell in love with these surroundings is an understatement.

Cutting edge design in the heart of the African wilderness is a brilliant achievement. Aesthetically pleasing to the eye with the utmost level of comfort and heart-warming ambience is a brilliant combination. The colours are subtle; shades of grey, taupe and beige to allow the exterior to shine. There are no sharp contrasts as the architecture effortlessly blends with the interior design.


And every, I mean every creature comfort is there to enjoy.


Travel Diaries: The African Interior on vickiarcher.com


Once my eyes settled I took note.

I love a good interior nearly as much as a fashion show and the African style has truly inspired me.

I see similarities with our French decor, a neutral palette to highlight the landscape outside. I have the creams and the beiges well in hand in Provence but I want to introduce some soft and stronger greys to compliment. Basket ware is used everywhere in the African interior; I’m going make those French baskets work harder.


I have resisted the temptation to ship a myriad of baskets home to Provence. How I have wanted to! The container sizes and shapes are so beautiful, not to mention the delicate weaves. I have had to be content with an armful of beaded bracelets; they are slowly creeping up my arm.


The vases dotted everywhere, filled with some wild flora are the prettiest. I can’t tell you what varieties of plant they were but again I resolve to do more of this style at home; to use a multitude of shapes and sizes when it comes to the floral and to try and make use of the wonderful foliage at my fingertips. Olive trees you are in for a haircut.


Travel Diaries: The African Interior on vickiarcher.com


The pottery plates were another beautiful addition to the interiors.

Every dining experience, apart from being dangerously delicious, was served on exquisite pottery.



The sleeping quarters were built to resemble eagle nests. Having never slept in a nest I cannot tell you whether they were successful or not but I can say they were imaginative, supremely comfortable and stunning “nests”. I did feel as if we were perched high up overlooking the N’wanetsi River and the Kruger wilderness beyond.


Travel Diaries: The African Interior on vickiarcher.com


This decor style to merge bathing and sleeping has been a trend I find difficult to work with but in this case the use of grey linen curtains and an over sized mosquito net made the room idyllic.

A retractable curtain separated dressing and bathing and the shower room was either open or closed to the elements depending on your sensibilities.


Travel Diaries: The African Interior on vickiarcher.comTravel Diaries: The African Interior on vickiarcher.com




 

Wrapped in heavy duty net, the bed felt like a four-poster and cocooned us from the outside world. With a plethora of “nasties” waiting to get me, think Mozambican Spitting Cobras, Black Mambas and venomous scorpions, I was grateful.



This colour palette and interior style is obviously one that works because of its location. We can’t often sleep in an eagle’s nest and nor would we want to. What I do like to do is learn from my new surroundings and take inspiration from them. I am returning to Europe with a continued passion for southern Africa, the wildlife, flora and fauna and the interiors.


I think you can tell, I am having a wonderful time. xv

 

Edit by: Vicki
In This Post: Lifestyle