At Sidai Designs, having worked in the handmade space on the African continent for more than 10 years, we are no strangers to the exhilarating challenge of working on tight deadlines with limited access to resources.
When In The Wind came to us with a request to develop an entire interior concept for their mobile safari camp in Tanzania, and dress the space within two weeks, we were excited to put our interior design skills to use.
The brief was clear—In The Wind had some furniture, but beyond that, they needed a concept that could tie together the entire space. No pressure, right? But we rolled up our sleeves and quickly got to work pulling together all our resources, contacts, and design knowledge.
Our designs for In The Wind
Our team’s first task was to create a cohesive design theme that would flow seamlessly throughout the space. With the brand’s name, In The Wind, inspired by the natural environment and the wildebeest migration, we immediately knew we wanted to infuse the essence of the African landscape and wildlife into the design. This led to the creation of several bespoke, custom pieces.
One of the key features was the lighting. Inspired by the natural beauty of the wilderness, our team crafted a stunning collection of lighting pieces using wooden sticks—a material that echoed the textures of the African savannah. Each lamp was meticulously crafted to feel both raw and refined, blending perfectly with the organic nature of the space.
Next, we focused on soft furnishings. We wanted to weave the heart of the wild into every detail, so we embroidered stunning wildebeest silhouettes onto cushion covers. These pieces captured the power and grace of the African plains and added an artistic touch to the space.
The collaboration and impact
Collaborating with artisan partners was essential to this project. We worked with local craftspeople on gathering beautiful fabrics, which were then transformed into elegant lampstands and lampshades. These intricate pieces were hand-beaded by Sidai beaders, adding a layer of texture and vibrancy to the lighting. We also sourced unique, hand-carved lamp bases, each with its own character, to elevate the space further.
The beauty of this project wasn’t just in the design but in the way we had to adapt on the fly. We were forced to be resourceful, flexible, and, at times, improvise when things didn’t go as planned. Working with local partners posed its own set of challenges, but it also presented an exciting opportunity to incorporate authentic, locally made items into the design. From rugs and blankets handcrafted in Tanzania to one-of-a-kind artefacts sourced from across the continent, everything was meticulously selected to add depth and cultural richness to the space.
For many of the beaders, this was their first time working on techniques like embroidering on stretched canvas or using wooden beads. Eventually, they learned and found their flow, helping each other and making suggestions along the way.
- 57 artisans and 7 artisan groups were involved
- 4 techniques were used
- 307 beneficiaries were supported by the income made
- Over 80% of the women artisans involved are the main earners of their household
- Income increased by 69%
- The project took 152 hours
Anna, one of our beaders from Ngorongoro, was happy that the money she earned helped her contribute to her son's dowry as he prepared for marriage. Normirihi was relieved that she could pay her daughter's school fees and even send some money to her sister in the village.
Normally, a group of beaders would send a representative to Sidai to collect and deliver their finished work.
However, for this project, they all came together to the workshop, working as a large group and singing as they worked.
This spirit of collaboration perfectly embodied the Swahili proverb, "Umoja ni nguvu, utengano ni udhaifu," which means, “unity is strength, division is weakness”.
Finishing the project
As the deadline approached, our team worked tirelessly to make sure everything came together. Eszter and Rama flew up to the location to dress the space, ensuring that every detail was perfect. They even sourced more items from local stores, adding those final touches that truly brought the concept to life.
In the end, designing and dressing In The Wind camp interior was a huge success. Despite the short turnaround time, we created a space that was not only functional and beautiful but also filled with a sense of place and culture.
This experience was a perfect reminder of why we love what we do. Each project is an opportunity to tell a story, to bring artistry and authenticity together in a way that feels both fresh and timeless.
If you're looking to create a space that tells a story, with custom designs that speak to your brand’s identity, we’d love to collaborate.
Drop us a line at info@sidaidesigns.com to explore how we can bring your vision to life with bespoke interior design and curated pieces.
