Colourful...

Jars of "colourfullness"!   Hot Pinks  Just Gorgeous From Casa Vogue Featherlove by Sass & Bide Colour blocking table-scape Colourful Buddha Those Doors!!! Colour Burst Feminine Brights Henna Beauty Moroccan Space

By simply changing the colour of a feature wall or the textiles being used  - you can create a totally different mood within that space.

Yet in the 'western' world... the use of bright or contrasting colours is something a lot of people tend to shy away from in their own homes. 

We can all take inspiration from all the beautiful spaces in Morocco, Indian, Yemen, Mexico...where colour is celebrated in both indoor & outdoor spaces.

How about you? Do you embrace a colourful palette or lean more towards a neutral one in your home?

Working for Bale Mountain Lodge...Sendafa Market

"A unique wilderness lodge in one of the most amazing places on earth"

Over the past year I have had the privilege of working with Guy and Yvonne Levene, the owners of  Bale Mountain Lodge, on their Interior Design scheme. As a student of Interior Styling at ISCD, it has such an amazing opportunity and journey.

These pictures were taken last August at the Sendafa market during one of our sourcing trips. In keeping with the Eco and cultural friendly philosophy of Bale Mountain Lodge, we sourced the designs we used for the lodge from local markets and artisans. 

The Lodge is now open...and it is a fantastic place to spend your next holiday. Check it out here for more information and reservation details.

Photos:

1. My reflection in the company truck

2 & 3. The basket section of Sendafa market

4. Yvonne checking out the various types of baskets on offer

5. And the price negotiation begins...with many interested onlookers

6. Handmade pots used for cooking local dishes like wat or shiro

7 & 8. Our little helpers carrying our selections back to the truck

9. Donkeys...they are everywhere!

10 & 11. Loading the truck becomes a bit of a party!

12 & 13. Next stop - the pottery market

14.  Traditional fire pots for outdoor use

15.Yvonne & her helper finish loading the truck ~ it's been a great day!

16. Inside the truck

17. Waiting for (donkey) traffic to pass so we can set off for Addis Ababa!

Habesha Baskets...

Traditional Ethiopian basket market in Axum These vibrant baskets are use for food storage and as a serving table A kaleidoscope of colours and patterns

Mixing Indian textiles with Ethiopia baskets Baskets from Salem's boutique - one of my favourite shops in Addis Ababa Learning the traditional art of basket weaving Basket market section in the Mercato in Addis Ababa   Ethiopian woman making Injera bread - the main staple of their diet which they carry in large woven baskets    A big Injera basket on her head - Bhar Dar, Ethiopia    Water carrying 'baskets' made from hollow gourds      Used to carry and store milk, these are made of guords, basketry, mud/clay and leather and adorned with cowrie shells.  Both the meal and the table are being carried on her head    

Some women love shoes...for me it is baskets - and each country in Africa has there own tradition arts in terms of basket weaving. 

Ethiopia has a wide range of different types of baskets from the milk storage vessels made from hollowed out gourds to the tall table like baskets made from wicker wrapped in colourful threads.

I have gained quite the collection of baskets here from all over the country that I will be happy to look upon in my future house/s. Each one will remind me of our adventures in this land. 

 

Never too late to...Meditate

 

Yoga has been a part of my life for almost 20 years. I have a passion for the art and study of Yoga that has often made me think of training to be a yoga teacher...and maybe one day I will.

Meditation, however, does elude me. I am a person who tends to rush through the day trying to eliminate things off my various mental to do lists. I crave simplicity and slowness, yet each morning I wake up with the same thought: "what do I need to do today?"

So on the cusp of  tomorrow's full moon lunar eclipse, I am making a promise to myself (and to my family!) to explore meditation in order to bring more patience, love, simplicity and joy into my life.

What are the intentions you will whisper under the the full moon  eclipse?

 

P.S:

All of these inspiring photos were created by Wari Om Yoga Photography. You can explore his portfolio & yogic journey more on his website: http://www.wari.cat/#!/index. 

To find out more about this month's lunar eclipse and its effects go to www.yasminboland.com