The bedroom in the Malaika Marquee is an elegant reflection of Tippi Hedren's love of the exotic -- and the romantic! Down to the smallest detail -- African combs on the dressing table, a flashlight sporting leopard-look trim, a richly carved tribal bowl filled with potpourri (figure A) -- the space is rich with the spirit of the veldt. Hedren emphasizes that your own home can take on a safari style -- and you won't have to travel to Africa to accomplish it! The addition of the right accessories -- import stores are a great source -- can help give any room the right touch. For instance: - Linens are available in a wide range of styles -- and jungle prints are hot right now. And don't forget your safari hat (figure B)!
- Mosquito netting is available in most home-decor stores (figure C). You can tie the netting back with large tasseled cords or let it hang down to surround the entire bed.
- Room-divider screens with spaces for photos can turn a corner into an instant art gallery (figure D). If you don't have access to a collection of wildlife photos that you've taken yourself, use pictures of your own pets. Magazines are also a rich source, as are wildlife books that can be color-copied at a photo center.
Jennifer Dion shows a few design ideas she tried in her own home: - A mosquito net that she hung above her daughter's bed -- with a single cup hook in the ceiling (figure E). Just about any little girl would love to have her own net canopy for playing princess!
- Her tip for livening up a small room: Use bright colors and, of course, flowers (figure F).
- Smashed tiles and mirror can equal a striking mosaic backsplash in the kitchen (figure G). She used the same technique to revitalize a wide windowsill.
Web extra: More on design with Tippi Hedren Where did you stay when you first went to Africa?
Way out in the wilderness in Rhodesia. Zimbabwe now. It was very different and terribly exciting. Are there different types of safari tents?
Yes. Sometimes you travel during the days and they move and set up the tents in front of you. Those tents are generally quite utilitarian with 2 cots and a slatted table in-between. It's all gauged by what you want to spend. The extremely expensive ones are stationary tents, and you move from tent to tent. They're decorated incredibly elegantly. How did you equip your tent at Shambala?
All donated. Our tent is an actual African safari tent donated by Action Africa, an anti-poaching organization. A member donated the decking. One of our board members is a very well-known designer and she helped me decorate. What is safari-style decorating?
Lots of animal prints, faux, of course. African artifacts, with a few hints of the British occupation scattered about. The mosquito netting, of course. Did you run into any difficulties while decorating your tent?
My friend who was helping me wanted to put two beds in with a table in between, just like an authentic safari tent. I wanted to put in a queen size bed. She won, but our first few guests wanted to sleep in one bed, so we went to the queen. Why did you end up using rescued animals in your film Roar?
We originally went to Hollywood animal trainers, but they laughed at us. According to them, big cats simply will not work together. So, we had to get our actors other ways. Why did the filming take so long?
Well, it was supposed to be nine-month shoot, but it ended up taking five years. We had accidents, a flood that came through that shut us down for a year, and ran out of money a few times. There's a history here, a determination. Why did you decorate the tent in this style?
It was just the perfect decor for this environment. It's a wondrous thing to hear the lions roaring at night from this tent. It just gives a wonderful ambiance, very typical for the African safari tent. What is the name of your safari tent?
We call this tent the Malaika Marquee. It means "place of angels." What does safari decorating add to a room?
If you just add one safari artifact or African print to a room, it adds a whole different feeling to the room. It can be very sophisticated, mystical, and even sexy.
RESOURCES :
Decorating With Great Finds
Model: 086573383X
Author: The Home Decorating Institute
Affordable Decorating: 72 Projects and Ideas to Save You Money
Model: 0865733775
Author: Home Decorating Institute
Creative Publishing International, Inc.
Website: www.creativepub.com
The New Decorating Book
Model: 0696213818
Author: Better Homes and Gardens
Better Homes & Gardens Books, May 2001
Better Homes and Gardens Books
Website: www.bhglive.com
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