With the current trend for all things global-inspired, it's a good time to spice up your interior with an African flavour. The Australian interiors enthusiast Kellie Shearwood spent 17 years working for a luxury safari company in Africa and fell in love with the traditional crafts she saw there. She gradually sourced a range of contemporary home accessories made by local craftspeople in Cameroon, South Africa and Kenya, and now sells these unique, handmade pieces in her online shop, Safari Fusion, with a percentage of the profits passed on to the artisans and their families.
If stuffed, mounted animal heads are a little much, check out the wire frame alternatives. Made using the same methods employed by wire artists in the hills of KwaZulu-Natal (they started by making toys out of discarded coat hangers), these elegant galvanised wire Nguni cow heads would look particularly effective displayed on exposed brickwork or a white painted wall.
For a cheery hit of colour, you can't beat the bright beaded Samburu bowls made by Kenyan women from the Naaripisho Women's Bead Work Programme. Fill them with colourful fruit or leave them empty to admire the stripes.
Fans of raw, natural materials will love the range of photo frames made from driftwood - hardwood such as mango from old fishing boats and canoes is enhanced with an oiled hand-polish - which are full of rustic character.
The South African Sevilla Rock cushions could easily slip into my shopping basket. Inspired by carvings found in the Cederberg Mountains, they're covered with herds of animal silhouettes, and, though based on ancient imagery, look contemporary. I've got my eye on the Hoopoe bird hooks, too. They're made by Cape Town's Streetwires artists and are completely irresistible.
For shipping rates to the UAE, visit www.safarifusion.com.au or call +61 416 037 117