South Pacific Interior Vibes

Like most Pacific Islanders, we often look up to our parents with a great deal of admiration and praise. I’m no different. I’ve watched my parents and the way they do/have carried out tasks. Nothing is EVER done half heartedly or left to chance. Every task is executed with integrity and attention to detail. I know that the value and TLC that they show in everything that they pour their heart into has impacted me in the way I look and feel about art & design.

 Mum had a passion and obsession for collecting or buying decor, manchester and plants for the house. Yup. I have a chock-a-block linen cupboard full of ie afu's (blankets quilt/covers), enough to warm a whole neighbourhood lol. But I'm not complaining, I know she loved interiors & decorating and took a lot of pride in the home. Her channels of creative expression were through gardening, cooking and switching up the decor or adding something new/different to a room. And me? Well, now I do! It's certainly her appreciation for design & collection of beautiful things that inspired me to start Koko & Ki.

Nothing ever prepares you for the death of a parent. I know the moment mum went to be with the Lord, I didn’t want to touch or move anything around the house until I was ready and NOT when others expected me to be. At one point, the house pretty much reflected my state of loss and grief; the home environment can tell us a lot about our emotional health & well-being and I know how important it is to take all the time in world to heal & to shut out the voices of opinion &  judgement. Well now that it has been a year and three months since mums passing, I see the potential to change the interior of my room and eventually my house in a whole new way. So I’m doing just that, devising a plan of attack so I can achieve more creative flow in the business and be able to find things in less than 3 minutes (lol). There's nothing more cathartic than going through mum's belongings, and it's this experience that's sparking joy in seeing how I can incorporate some of her beautiful things in a space that reflects my style and speaks of her memory & teachings of domestic bliss! Wish me luck! And it starts with my room/workspace

And the good news is I'm inspired to start making, painting, & collecting contemporary Pacific inspired art/photography prints for interiors for the shop! Maybe?!?

So here are the dream moodboards:

My moodboard #dreamroomgoals

How beautiful is this table? LOVE love love! Does it remind you of the wooden Elei boards used for printing material in Samoa? Found this on a design decor website called Temple & Webster, they have some amazing unique pieces. This table is priced at $899 but hey! if you appreciate design, aesthetics and craftmanship and can see it serving a purpose and function in your home, why not invest in a beautiful piece!? Right? 

This little gem of a painting I found at an op-shop for $2.50! I think its a painting of a scene of somewhere in Africa?. Op-shops are the best for finding that unique vintage inspired art or the odd furniture piece with lots of character & charm. I usually go to the local lifeline op shop to look in the frames section to find an embellished frame for an artwork or to paint over to use as a chalkboard. Trust me! these places are GOLD and not only are you getting a bargain you are contributing to a great org

my elei board that once belonged to my dear Aunt. Can you see these patterns on that table above? 

What is "elei" pronounced eh-lay. It is basically a traditional Samoan wood-block printing method. If you've ever done lino-cutting in high school, its the same idea. However, a wooden board is carved out with traditional patterns or motifs, inked up and then printed on streams of colourful/plain material to make dresses, blouses etc. These days, some people use stencils to achieve the same effect.

A throne fit for an ISLAND queen. Doesn't this peacock chair just ooze South Pacific island vibes? It's gotta be that natural material and cane weaving that evokes that island spirit & summery feels! But did you know that the peacock chair originated in East Asia as a head-framing throne for the Royals? I have this fantastic furniture book, and apparently, it was popular during the 60s & 70s throughout the UK and US and used as feature chairs for garden parties. It isdefinitely making a comeback and loved & used by designers & stylists that are looking to inject a bit of boho coastal vibes or eclectic boho glam to their interiors. I want one for my room!! Though I keep losing out on bids on eBay (lol) #roomgoals

Moodboard using my painting

I have this cool cascading cowrie wall shell hanging that belonged to mum. I love the vintage & island vibe of this thing! Right now, it's hanging precariously on a coat hanger against my wardrobe lol

Or maybe this more eclectic feel? 

This retro map plate, love it! I remember mum telling me about her travels to Tutila in her 20's where she picked up two of these souvenir map plates. Where is Tutila? its the main island of American Samoa.

ON THE DESK

WHAT'S ON THE DESK? Koko & Ki Journals of course. And if you bought one, thankyou sooooo much for the amazing feedback that we are receiving via email, online and esp on insta! Still thinking about it? That's okay too :) just don't miss out, because when they are gone they will be gone forever and is a one time printed edition