Introducing African Home Interior Designs with Pillows

Mudcloth fabrics come in a wide selection of patterns

Introducing colors and textures can have an enormous impact on a living space according to Adrienne Chinn, author of the book "Home Decorator's Color & Texture Bible." Cultural-based textile designs should be carefully selected to compliment existing texture and color palettes in interior home spaces. There are an assortment of African fabric textiles that can be used to create pillows or cushions as an african style accent. These can be created in cloth fabric designs like kente, mudcloth, kuba and an assortment of brocade designs.

Study the assortment of African fabric designs

From the Berbers of Northern Africa to the Zulus of Southern Africa, there are a wide selection of African textile options that can be used for interior design. Reading books such as "The Essential Art of African Textiles: Design Without End," written by Alisa LaGamma and published by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, showcases some of the highest quality African textile designs and explains their cultural context.

Find importers for African fabrics and cloths

The most treasured furniture accent pillows are those that are custom made from fabrics selected, sewn, and embellished personally. For hand-crafted pillows, find an African fabric importer such as Africa Imports, an on-line retailer and wholesaler with a brick-and-mortar business enterprise in New Jersey, USA. African import shops are often found in many of the largest U.S. cities.

Embellishing African fabrics

The best part about hand-crafted items is the ability to customize. Creative fabric manipulation includes such techniques as hand embroidery, beading, and rubber stamping. Sewing machine embroidery options include thread painting, machine couching, and thread-lace grid. "Fabric Embellishing: The Basics and Beyond," by Ruth Chandler, offers a wide selection of fabric embellishment options and instructions.

Purchase pre-made pillow cushions

If you are not interested in custom sewing cushions there are a variety of home decoration shops and retail furnishing departments that carry cushions that include African style sofa cushion designs. Cultural Elements is one on-line retailer that sales ethnic or cultural style pillows such as mudcloth fabric design pillows.

References:

• "The Essential Art of African Textiles: Design Without End", (Metropolitan Museum of Art); Alisa LaGamma, Christine Giuntini; 2008
• "House Beautiful: Fabrics for Your Home"; Jennifer Boles; 2010
• "Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Sewing and Fabric Crafts"; Martha Stewart; 2010

Keywords: african textile designs, african interior design, cultural design cushions, african furniture designs, african fabric designs, decorative pillows