Nasozi Kakembo

Photo Courtesy Of Nasozi Kakembo

WHERE DO YOU PRESENTLY LIVE AND WHAT ARE THE BEST THINGS ABOUT YOUR CITY?
I live in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, and I have lived here since first moving to New York in 2005.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND RAISED?
I was born outside of Washington, D.C., and raised mostly there. I spent some time in Germany as a baby. My parents have lived there for over 20 years combined, and had some projects to complete after I was born in the USA.

WHAT WERE YOUR CHILDHOOD ASPIRATIONS?
I always wanted to be an architect, literally from the age of nine. I was always designing homes on computer programs and built 3-D models out of cardboard and other improvised supplies. I was also always decorating and painting my bedroom. I was heavily influences by my mother's work as well. She ran an African art gallery in the upscale Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. They would host premiere artists and designers from across the African continent, and have fabulous art parties. Art relevant to my culture was always glorified and revered around me, so this is why African remains at the center of my work today.

WHY FURNITURE AND INTERIOR DESIGNER?
This is a good question! Maybe because I am a true-blooded DIY chick. If I need something, I will make (or at least try) it myself. Furniture inclusive! I also figured out eventually that I'm much more at peace and productive when the spaces around me are in balance. I studied Feng Shui a bit on my own, and am a believer that spaces and energies are intertwined.

WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND TRAINING?
My educational and professional backgrounds are somewhat incongruous. But it all seems to be converging now! I started out in architecture school, finished in art history and Spanish. I then worked in architecture for a year in NYC, and returned to graduate school for Urban Planning. After graduation, I worked in human rights and social justice for four years. Now I'm running my own creative social entrepreneurship company, which I like to think is a synthesis of all of the roads along my journey. I am also working with a partner to take over an art gallery and gift shop in Washington, D.C. (déjà vu!).

WHAT IS YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS AND WHERE DO YOU FIND INSPIRATION?
I tend to stick to the classic elements of design for the foundation of any work I am creating. I studied architecture and urban planning, so I heavily inspired by those design theories. Modern design in particular has always resonated with me. But from there, I use more topical and contemporary elements to create something unique and relevant and reflects my own style and heritage.

WHAT ARE THE MOST CHALLENGING ASPECTS OF BRINGING AN IDEA TO LIFE? Sometimes it's just the time. Or being able to produce it in manner that's affordable and scalable.

HOW DO YOU CHOOSE YOUR MATERIALS?
I choose my materials based on quality and aesthetics. I inspect all of the textiles that I source from textile suppliers in NYC who import from West Africa. For my work in Uganda, I work with established vendors and artisans who I have developed relationships with over many years. I am already familiar with their quality of work, and they are familiar with the craftsmanship that I expect.

WHAT DOES A PERFECT LIVING SPACE LOOK LIKE?
My perfect living space is uncluttered and open. I'm a firm believer in "form follows function" and I espouse that in everything from what I eat to what I wear. I'm not in to excess. I like things in my home that are aesthetically pleasing, but they must first be practical. I might also be allergic to walls and doors. The less, the better! Partitions or curtains make more sense to me than a closet door, for example. And I prefer to define areas and their functions by using furniture and decorative elements (paint, shelving, area carpeting, etc). My perfect living space would be complete open concept and on land. I'm a city slicker out of necessity, but a naturalist at heart.

HOW DOES YOUR AESTHETIC TRANSLATE INTO OTHER AREAS OF YOUR LIFE?
My aesthetic is simple. I've worn the same earrings (diamond studs) for over a year now, I wear one ring, and it was one of my mother's from 50 years ago. I reuse or thrift what I can. I even still wear some clothes I had in high school and college. I don't buy or consume more than I need. Even my home which I share with my son is simple. The common room is the living room, dining room, playroom, art room, etc. We don't need a room for every solitary function, which is an unfortunate trend in consumer-based societies.

HOW DO YOU UNWIND?
I try to unplug. I do it in museums, at the beach (Beach106 at the Rockaways is my local favorite), or leave the country altogether. Most recently I was in Cartagena, Colombia.