While in East Africa last year, I took a quick side trip to Zanzibar, the legendary island off the coast of Tanzania. Zanzibar has a complex history of rule by and trade with multiple countries, and local design reflects these layers of influence. Hints of Arabian, African, European and Indian heritage can be seen in the island's architecture and decor.
Here are a few classic elements of Zanzibar style, as seen around the island, along with examples of ways to incorporate them into your own home.
Zanzibar Chests: These wooden trunks, sometimes called "Arab Chests," originally stored spices and other precious goods. Traditionally they each had a secret compartment for valuables.
If you buy one today it will most likely be a reproduction, but they still serve well as extra storage, coffee tables, or a window seat, as in this example from AphroChic.
Canopied Mosquito Netting: As seen in one of my hotel rooms, delicately draped mosquito netting is extremely common.
Yes, they originally kept little critters from biting you at night, but how amazing is any bed with sheer fabric hanging from its frame? Photo from Kidspace Stuff.
Swahili Doors: Huge intricately carved wooden doors line the streets of Stone Town. Featuring flowers and/or geometric patterns, and sometimes studded with brass, they make a formidable statement in the street.
Mighty headboards these doors would make. Example from JPM Design.
(Images: 1. Dabney Frake; 2. Dabney Frake; 3. AphroChic; 4. Dabney Frake; 5. KidSpace Stuff; 6. Dabney Frake; 7. JPM Design)
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Beautiful. I would love to do a headboard like that.
Love the doors, love the door frames, love the carving, love the metalwork -- it would be hard to show restraint if I had access to very much of this stuff!
Beautiful detailing in everything!
I am always looking for that Swahili/Zanzibar inspired post somewhere for inspiration! Thanks!
Now that's what I call a front door!
Zanzibar (birthplace of Freddie Mercury) is so beautiful and a really unique place to visit. I never thought to draw design inspiration from there though! Very interesting post.
Gorgeous and intricate. Just beautiful, and inspirational for those of use who aren't clean line modern.
There's a good website that you can buy custom made doors, chests etc. All their products are made in Zanzibar, and you can trust their quality ! Ive bought from them and they'll ship worldwide! www.zanzibardoors.com
ooo! fantastic post, i enjoy learning about different design styles.
also Freddie Mercury is fantastic.
We spent most of our honeymoon on Pemba (the second largest island of Zanzibar and quite different from the main island) in 2009, but did stop in Stone Town for a few days. On Pemba, we passed many semi-outdoor furniture shops selling carved wooden pieces. We brought home a little wooden stool (the only thing we could fit in our luggage) from Stone Town. I thought it was interesting that furniture sellers there lined the streets with giant, puffy upholstered chairs and sofas that looked like cartoon versions of furniture to me.