Select Spaces: Rebekah Nkirote
Rebekah Nkirote is a digital content creator and the founder of clothing and homeware brands Melmant & Melmant Home. Recognised for her relaxed and elegant style, she shares an insight into her fashion, daily routines and interiors at her home in Kent.
We caught up with Rebekah about how to add sentiment to spaces with small details and the importance of comfort.
How would you describe your living space and interior style?
I’d describe it as minimal, simple but warm.
Does the design of your living space tend to reflect your personal aesthetic? How often do you find yourself updating or changing your interiors?
Yes, it definitely does! My personal style and aesthetic is quite simple, I like my neutrals and earth tones but you’ll find a splash of colour or prints mixed in.
Finding the opportunities to update my interiors for the last year has been rather tricky. I moved out of my studio in London because of Covid early last year after getting to a point of being happy with the space. Once I moved back home I updated my office space to be more pared back.
I’m also sometimes based in Nairobi. So for example I finished updating the dining area in our apartment in Nairobi in December. As I’m back here in the UK.
I found the most consistent way I update my interiors is through small decorative pieces like a trinket bowl here or a new picture frame there, maybe every few months. Nothing too drastic, but enough to give a space a little extra texture or sentiment.
When it comes to finding artwork and furniture for your home, what styles are you naturally most drawn to?
I’m an architecture graduate, so most artwork I have collected is black and white architectural photography.
Furniture styles that I’m most naturally drawn to are contemporary, Mid-Century Modern, Scandi/Japandi and New Mediterranean.
However, the pieces that I’ve actually selected for my spaces both here in Kent and in Nairobi are more contemporary and lend themselves to a more Scandinavian aesthetic.
Where do you find the most inspiration for your interiors?
I find my inspiration online mostly on Pinterest, Architectural Digest, ArchDaily and Dezeen. In-person, I’d say vintage and concept stores and design exhibitions.
If money were no object, what’s one piece of artwork or furniture you’d like to add to your collection?
If I could I would love to add Barkley L. Hendricks’s Lawdy Mama and The Eames Lounge and Ottoman to my collection.
What’s your current most treasured piece?
I haven’t found that one treasured piece yet, but right now I’m in love with the pieces I’ve collected and curated for Melmant Home. I hope people find a piece in the collections that can become a treasured piece for them.
What makes your personal space a sanctuary for you?
Comfort and simplicity.
I don’t like too much going on in the space, but comfort is key, so making sure my space incorporates both makes it the perfect sanctuary for me.
Explore more of Rebekah’s images here.