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Interior decorators have set their sights on the room that has probably been neglected for years in family homes: children’s bedrooms. Usually when a child is born, the parents make a big fuss over the nursery decor. As the child grows, the room remains the same until adolescence. At this stage the teenager is fed up with Winnie-the-Poos and Disney characters, so he decides to decorate the room with posters of rock bands.
In recent years, interior decorators have seized on the trend to meet the needs of children and have focused on decorating their bedrooms. Manufacturers have also benefited by creating innovative and exciting products that children love. Pink bunk beds, Spider Man duvet covers, and a variety of toy chests are just a few of the products that can be found in home decor stores. If you are going to decorate your child’s room according to a theme, you want to make sure that the focus is on something that the child enjoys.
A growing decorating trend for children’s rooms is based on an African theme. The theme is inspired by the growing popularity of African dolls. African dolls have been around for many years as a toy for children on the continent. However, due to the widespread promotion of the tourism industry in Africa, the dolls have now spread throughout the world.
There are different types of African dolls from various cultures. The Ndebele Lingo Koba doll comes from Zimbabwe. This doll represents a married woman with her blanket, known as nguba. The strands of beads flowing down her face symbolize her tears, called milingakobe. She cries with joy and sadness as her son undergoes initiation into adulthood.
For a child’s bedroom, you can purchase five or ten dolls and put them together on a shelf or have them scattered around the room. They can be both a decoration and a toy for the child. Most places that sell the African doll give out a brochure or pamphlets that explain the meaning and heritage of the doll. This gives parents a great opportunity to incorporate the doll into story time.
Invest in gorgeous patterns in rich colors to paint on bedroom walls. Many years ago, and still today, Africans used to live in mud huts that they covered in traditional patterns. Each pattern would represent an aspect of a family’s heritage or culture. There are many zigzag or wave designs, which will add an extra dimension to the overall theme. You don’t have to be an accomplished artist to paint the designs. All you need is some colored paint and a brush. If your hand is not steady enough to draw straight lines, use tape to help you.
If you have a daughter, you may want to know about African hair accessories. There is a wonderful brooch called the African Butterfly, which consists of two slides, some elastic and lovely hand-painted beads. The African butterfly can hold all types of hair, long or short, straight or curly. The accessory can also be an attractive piece in a room. By placing a variety of African butterflies in a glass container on your daughter’s dresser, you can add the finishing touches to her African-themed room.
An African bedroom would not be complete without an African mask. If you have a child, they would enjoy this artifact not only for their wall but also to scare their friends. Traditional African masks are made of wood. Each type of mask has its own story that explains the origin of its creation and the story behind its meaning. Some masks are created for rituals such as the celebration of spring or birth. Many masks have incorporated beads and shells into their designs.
Africa is a continent rich in history and potential. The continent is slowly recovering from colonial rule and advancing socially and economically. There are many African themes that you could explore for ideas on a bedroom theme. The websites allow you to buy original African pieces, which are delivered directly to your door. Each piece has a story to tell, allowing your child to learn a lot about the mystical African continent.