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:
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
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