Every decorating project is different and unique in its own way. In this case, our client’s husband is an evangelist who frequently travels to the central and southern regions of Africa. Over the years he has amassed a treasure trove of curios from all over the subcontinent, most of which were packed away in boxes and never displayed.

Knowing his love for Africa our client wanted to surprize her husband while he was away on another trip, and our project was to take a sparsely decorated family room and turn it into an “African Room” using the available curios, a modest budget and a limited time span. Quite a challenge!

The dominant colors of Southern Africa are warm tones of yellows, oranges and brown which are reflected in the savanna grasslands, so we started by repainting the room in a warm golden yellow above the chair rail, and a deeper gold under the rail. A little research in the wallpaper books turned up the ideal nine inch border comprising African animals which we placed just above the rail.

There was virtually no furniture in the room, and a trip around the shops turned up two wonderful wicker rockers which we dressed with green and khaki striped cushions. On a matching wicker table we added a lamp with a lampshade which toned in perfectly. We kept the existing light taupe carpet which blended in well.

Next came the window treatments. We found the perfect fabric with a “leopard skin look” and used it to edge a light gold sateen which made up the drapes for the patio door leading on to the deck, and the single window. The same fabric was used to make three large 30” floor pillows which the children love. Finally, we rummaged through the wonderful collection of African curios and had great fun displaying them on the floor, shelves, and the mantlepiece.

And there we had it....a room “Out of Africa” and a delighted client!