My 17 year-old cousin Jessica was in Senegal all summer, helping her relatives after the birth of their fifth son.  For her welcome home party, I designed an African safari backdrop.

For a few weeks prior to the party, my friend Wendy and I collected African and British themed props and furniture.  On the day-of, we met at about 7 AM, coffee in hand, and spent seven hours assembling the canvas canopy, side walls, mosquito netting, and tons of props!

This safari backdrop is probably my favorite design of those I’ve worked on.  I styled with a slight modern flair but also included many late-19th Century Colonial British elements.  The safari set up included a living area (under the canvas canopy), the bedroom (including a hammock, vintage luggage, and an antique dresser), and a workroom (with a vintage map, and other masculine elements).

I’ve included my favorite pictures below.

Thanks to my models and siblings, Sarah and Philip, who conveniently happened to dress appropriately, and when they arrived to the party, promptly got themselves modeling jobs.

Hope you enjoy these photos!

till tomorrow,

Rebecca