10 Questions with Nana Spio-Garbrah

Today we are going to meet Nana Spio-Garbrah, interior designer from Abidjan to Accra.

In our new section “10 Questions with…” , we have decided to highlight people who contribute to the development of this sector in Africa. We hope you will enjoy it.

Question 1: Can you introduce yourself for our readers?

My name is Nana Spio-Garbrah. I am a banker turned interior stylist having launched Blueprint Africa as a brand 10 years ago on Tumblr (if you can remember that!) and as a company 5 years ago. I have Ghanaian-Ivorian-Cape Verdean blood but was born in the US. I live currently in Abidjan. I am an only girl with 4 brothers and have a mild 'alloco' addiction.

Question 2: What's the Nana touch talking of design?

My company culture operates on what I call the 3 Cs: culture, community, commerce. The Nana touch is one where I champion modern African culture in every space; Africa based retailers, African designers because as a trained economist I know what the creative sector provides to economic development and international commerce. Therefore, while it is sometimes not preferable, or not as affordable for clients, my design approach will pick our community before looking to France or Dubai for the products I need to get the job done. As SDG 11 on sustainable cities advises, keep it local.

Question 3: What is your biggest challenge as a designer?

Getting paid for residential projects! As a company we have made the decision to pivot over the next year to more commercial and hospitality spaces versus investing more into residential projects. For example, this year we designed a renovation of a coworking space in Abidjan as well as an office boutique real estate developer’s office in Accra. Those were rewarding assignments.

Commercial projects just feel a bit more straightforward, even though residential spaces my personal favorite, they are also the ones where you have to explain the value you are bringing as a designer the most. You frequently feel the need to justify your presence beacause a good majority of people believe they can do what interior designers/stylists can do which is not true 90% of the time.

For examples, many residential clients do not have a true sense upfront of the budget requirements of what they want. Nor can they adequately articulate what they want upfront so the vision of the space is clear. Sometimes their vision is more aspirational than functional for their day to day lives. But mostly they struggle to let the designer truly LEAD the project.

For those residential projects I do continue to take on,

I have learned to incorporate some tools like a visual questionnaire for clients to define their style and needs, and an upfront non-refundable consultation fee so I weed out clients ‘that just want to pick my brain” . I have alsobeen moresrtingent about working only with clients that already have a firm budget inmind.

Question 4: Why focus on African aesthetics in your work?

Because nobody else really does. I always joke that African design is the ugly stepsister of African fashion. There are hundreds of fashion designers from the continent making waves, hundreds of platforms for African fashion yet maybe literally only 3 platforms dedicated to African furniture and product or interior design. Why? While fashion communicate outwardly that one is confident, well put together, stylish etc. A home communicates how you feel about yourself when no one else is looking. I believe the home is the highest form of self-care.

Question 5: From economy to interior design, two worlds which seem completely different, what is the link that you made?

Interior design as part of the real estate and construction sector is inextricably linked to the economy. Demand for interior design products globally is estimated to reach USD 792.6 billion by 2025. Housing is a fundamental human right and one of the most critical deliverables government and private sector must focus on to have a thriving economy. Whether it is an office, hotel, school or home, the majority of productive activity in the economy takes place within a box with 5 walls. More importantly, humans are emotional animals which means where they work affects how productive they are. Right now sustainable interior design is even more important for the economy. Do we need to spend precious foreign exchange importing steel and cement every day when we have millennial old rammed earth techniques that can build formidable and longstanding modern homes? Instead of going to the UK to import things, how can the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AFTRA) unlock trade between African nations so we pivot to South Africa or Tunisia instead? How can interior designers use cheaper construction materials like shipping containers or 3D printing to address the low income housing crisis? All these are ways in which design and the economy are linked. Ultimately design is just a mindset - how do we solve this problem X in a creative way that is also possibly aesthetically pleasing.

Question 6: Do you think that there is a design specific to Africa?

Maybe not Africa, as I would not put 54 countries into one category. I think there might have been a common thread through several countries 100 years ago with the weaving tradition and wood carving tradition that has produced this heritage of masks, stools and other woodwork for example. But in the industrial era we are still or only *now* defining for ourselves what "African design" means, as, for most of the contemporary period we have choosen to replicate the design culture of others. This notwithstanding, I am not yet sure if we, as Africans have truly decided what an 'African home' - or African design means (or if it can be defined at all).

For example do our current kitchen layouts function for the type of food we eat and how we cook? What would a kitchen designed for fufu pounding or making of “sauce graine” look like in a modern apartment? What does a closet in a humid place like Abidjan need to look like to not get mold? These questions are also what makes this moment in history exciting. We all now get to contribute to that self-definition of what we want an African space to be and make sure it responds truly to our lifestyle.

Question 7: What has been your most challenging project?

Probably the African Culture & Design Festival, the inaugural festival that has since turned into Lagos Design Week. As assistant curator for the event, I was required to curate and coordinate a dozen African designers to participate in the showcase from accross the continent. Because it was a first, all the usual challenges arose from lack of funding, cross cultural miscommunication, creatives sometimes not understanding the business side of things and the like. There were also so many moving parts: the logistics of getting pieces to Nigeria which was nightmare, booking flights and accommodation for designers participating in person, publication of a commemorative coffee table book and more. It was INSANE but I learned a lot about myself, international partnerships and shipping across Africa to last two lifetimes. But I also enjoyed it so much and expanded by network and built solid friendships and mentorships along the way.

Question 8: What do you love more than anything else in your interior design profession? What about your work allows you to say that you live from your passion?

•  I love renovations that is turning ugly into wow. Something about that regenerative quality in quality in interior design and styling gets me excited. It isinvigorating toalways seethepotentialin your environment ;

• · Being able to see dirt and dig up the diamond. I love that part of it.

Question 9: If there is for you an essential element of decoration for any interior, what is it?

 Having your space reflect who you are at your core. Not what people perceive you to be but who you really are. Also that there are absolutely NO RULES. Do you!

Question 10: What do you think you bring to your customer that is unique and extra?

 The Nana experience at Blueprint Africa is fun but maniacally detailed. I think for the client. I bring up every element that they should take into consideration down to the type of light bulbs. I also want to democratize design so it is not seen as some super luxury service. Even people with Chanel purses own gap jeans and no name T-shirts. We know where to splurge and where to save, so you can have a real home that reflects real life Youoracommercial space that reflects real-life customers.