Inside The African Decor Edit Book With Author Nasozi Kakembo | Essence

Nasozi Kakembo is a Ugandan-American journalist, writer, and designer who is passionate about raising awareness of the beauty of African designers and artisans. Although he has collaborated with brands such as Airbnb, Article Furniture, and West Elm, in 2011, he decided to create his own design and outsourcing business, xN Studio.

He is also the executive director of the Mukono Foundation, a charity that supports primary education, arts and culture in Uganda. Now, he is also expanding his reach by publishing the book THE AFRICAN DÉCOR EDIT: Collecting and Decorating With Heritage Objects to educate the masses about the influence of African designers. As Nasozi writes, his aim for the book is to “fill the void, to provide deeply personal stories about the artisans behind African objects. By sharing these artists’ stories as well as ideas different of the world and thinking families covered with this material, I intend to show that African decorations can inspire and belong to everyone.”

AFRICAN DÉCOR EDIT is the definitive guide to collecting and decorating with stylish African furniture. In it, Nasozi reveals some African artists and objects, reveals the value of 16 objects made by African artists in 9 countries. It also gives 28 tips on how to decorate with African objects – to Check out ten thoughtfully decorated homes from Ghana to London, New York to Berlin, and explain how to collect and decorate ethically – showing how to get 4 easy tips to follow moral.

With a foreword by Justina Blakeney, THE AFRICAN DÉCOR EDIT takes you on an incredible journey with Nasozi as she explores unique home furnishings – from Malian mud cloth to Moroccan rugs – at the source and provides thoughtful guidance. about collecting and decorating with African cultural treasures.

We spoke to Kakembo about his creative journey and his goals for this book. Read our discussion below.

IMPORTANT: Talk about your home decorating and interior design journey.

Nasozi Kakembo: My journey is a plan. I was born a designer. It’s in my blood. I was born creative and raised around smart, artistic and creative black women. Many aunts are artists. My mother worked and managed an African art gallery in Georgetown, DC, for most of my childhood. So I grew up around art and black art and African art very directly, first and foremost. I decided to pursue architecture since I was in high school, I was enrolled in an architecture elective, and I always liked to do things with my hands, especially intersections of use and design.

My mission was to make things with my hands that decorate the space and make our lives easier, either through health or through tricks, the practical part.

Why did you make this book?

First of all, I wanted a record. I wanted to record and document the 11 years of experiences of my xN Studio studio, brand, and company, as well as the relationships and collaborations I’ve formed throughout Product Development with artists and engagements . I wanted to present the narratives and stories of those artisans because often, as Black and African people in this world, our stories and our narratives and the tenacity of our lives are often diminished, if not completely deleted. And I saw the same thing happen with interior design, decoration and product, and I was always scared and confused by it.

Then, one day, I slowly realized that I could write that story. I am the one who can fill in the so-called blanks. I’m going to repaint pictures and places of deleted pictures, so that’s what motivated me to do that because I know we have great stories to tell, to be told. caring and meaningful in the Black and African voice.

What is your goal with this book?

My goal for this book is to gain recognition, an overdue recognition for the artisans who create this work, and in doing so, confirm the value of their work and the value of their contribution to the industry. decorations, in the design industry, and beyond that, beyond that kind of recognition and name, I want them to benefit, to continue and to increase the economic benefit of their contribution because often when they have received the total financial compensation they are entitled to. There are many reasons behind that.

What do you like about Black decor in particular?
I love that regardless of our background, there is something about our experience and our experiences that always comes through in our work. And I think that blackness, first of all, is defined by this very intimate experience. We have family ties and cultural pride.

What do you hope readers will gain from this book?

At the very least, I hope they learn something new about something. I also want them to find another point in the life of African artisans and African people in that, as artisans, they are not one sided. I would like the public to understand and know that we value their work, and appreciate their expertise, and that we are working hard to preserve it here and get things back on track and make the certainty that they are fulfilled. the last and greatest beneficiaries of their cultural expertise.

Here, etcadvance order AFRICAN DÉCOR EDITA: Collecting and Decorating with a Heritage Purposes.