Dream Home

The Boma

(Dream Home)

Designer: Kerry Radloff

CONCEPT:

I miss my home in Africa: I miss the colours and smells, the light. The light in Africa is not “politically correct”: it screams with colour and I would work to recreate this in my dream home by allowing the light in wherever possible. I have still to grow accustomed to the light and weather of Canada to which I relocated a year ago. It would be a dream like no other to build myself a home with a distinctive African flair – based upon the lifestyle of the local Masaai people. I have designed a full Masaai Boma Home: with an area enclosed by carefully erected thorn bush fencing, inside of which will be situated a Masaai styled earth-built building.

Upon approach, the impression would be that of a Masaai style mud/wattle and daub hut. The thickness of earth building would facilitate cool in the summer and would retain heat in the Canadian winters. Triple glazing on window/door apertures would work in the same manner. I would build it double storied with the sleeping quarters above the ground floor accessed by a wrought iron spiral staircase. The Boma would rest on a concrete plinth to carry to concept of a typical African boma where the ground around the home is cleared: it is raked every day to keep it clean. I would etch rake patterns into the concrete to make it look like those African boma yards I miss so very much.

Herds of metal cattle should be found in a section of the Boma “garden”, metal goats and sheep with chickens and even a metal dog or two should be strategically placed to enhance the overall feel of an actual Masaai Boma. The purpose of making use of metal animals is to create a typical look without necessitating the use of live animals.

I would use solar insofar as possible, as well as natural gas - for lighting and heating. Grey and black water systems would be in place.

The interior of my Masaai Boma would also reflect the Masaai lifestyle: austere, simple, stylized - but I would make it luxurious at the same time. Large African artworks painted directly into the plaster of walls, mudcloth fabrics, stonewashed linens, bead, basket and wire work would complement the look and the use of recycled aluminum for bathroom fittings would carry the eco-friendly intentions of such a home. I dream of a copper bath, an enclosed heated swimming pool - and a wide, wide veranda facing the sun, with roll-back glassed doors: a place for me to read and paint in summer and in winter.

The interior would be whitewashed, clean, classy and redolent of Africa with touches of European comfort. I would make use of handmade "animals" to populate my dream home “boma garden” Many of these I can manufacture myself as I work with clay, wood and paints already. My husband would be able to help me craft these. I would have to find a metal worker to assist with the metal animals.

In addition, I would like to make use of metal plant structures as well as carefully selected and cultivated areas of plants/bushes/ sisal and fever trees to enhance the overall look of The Boma compound. Imagine a garden with tiny stone and metal birds peeking out of the grasses.

EXTERIOR & INTERIOR

The interior of my Dream Home Boma will reflect a well-designed and luxurious home – well lit, sparkling and utilitarian in design: the reflection should be that of the interior of a Masaai home – simple and spare.

The emphasis here must be on marrying the Masaai concept with the European expectation – luxury fittings and appointments.

I would use a form of “earth building” for the basis of The Boma – through which will be allowed the incorporation of built-in fittings on the interior – such as bed bases, sofa bases, recessed seating, cupboards and aspects of the bathroom, bedroom and kitchen/dining areas.

Built in concrete bathroom “cabinetry”, simple elegant finishes. and the use of raw, reclaimed wood would complement raw concrete. All would be offset by the magnificent copper bath. holding a place of honour in this room.

I would use recycled aluminium bathroom fittings.

BEDROOM CONCEPT the bedroom would be clean and simple. I would use stone-washed linens for a bed set on a built in concrete base.

LIVING ROOM CONCEPT - built in “sofa” areas, finished with velvet seating, basket lights and simple chairs and benches.

Natural light will be used to excellent effect in certain areas. Colours must be kept neutral for the most part – whites, off whites and ecru, combined with the natural greys of polished concrete, highlighted with pops of acid yellows and strong blues with an elegant finish of subtle black.

Finishes must be natural and have a handmade and/or upcycled aspect to carry the concept of a Masaai home through the buildings.

The use of natural, raw woods and cement, felt and clay, pure linens, recycled glass, leather and hides, jute and grass will all contribute to this look.

DINING AREA - Carrying the simple yet elegant styles of the rest of my Dream Home into the dining area, I would use stonewashed linen tablecloths, enamel tableware mixed in with bone china and recycled glassware.

OUTSIDE PATIO AREA - with roll-back doors to close out the Canadian winters whilst still allowing me to feel the sun. I would use fun, quirky and colourful furnishing in this area, and have a built in swimming pool (hot-tub)

OTHER FINISHES - I would like to use Functional Art to complete the look of The Boma. This entails the use of simple pieces of furniture which are then decorated / hand painted to take on a personal, unique for furnishings which become art pieces which are functional. Artworks would be done directly onto the walls large and simplistic, selected to enhance the overall look.

Light fittings should be handmade copper wire, simple beads, recycled glass, felting, clay, and much use should be made of large globes with a semi-industrial look.

Furnishings would be fun, elementary and artistic. They would carry the Africa recycled feel with them at the same time as serving as a piece of art designed to bring memories of the colours and light of Africa into my dream home.