Infusing an earthy feel to my pint-sized pad

Faith Kyoumukama @Martkinel    

Studio apartments or bed-sitters are progressively becoming widespread, especially in Nairobi with many young individuals opting to rent such spaces. 

Two weeks ago, I met Winnie Kathurima aka Keke, a 26-year-old entrepreneur, who is currently staying at the newly built Coral Bells apartments in Thindigua off Kiambu road.  

About 500 meters from the Thindigwa Delta Petrol Station sits the seven storey apartments standing out in coconut white exterior painting and long picture windows as the dominant feature.

The apartments, developed by Tsavo Lifestyle Properties have 472 units in two phases, with the studios’ taking up the highest number at 261 units. 

Kathurima lives on the top floor of phase one. The elevator is not yet operational as construction is still underway, so I had to take the stairs.  

On each floor the management has placed potted plants giving it an overall catchy display with a better views from the rails of the balcony.

The corridor leading to Kathurimas’ house evocate similar features of a budget hotel.

Compared to other buildings in Nairobi, it’s rare to find rentals without rails on the doors, or metal doors usually fixed for security purposes.

A jovial Keke welcomes us to her Sh18,000, 200-square-feet studio apartment,  which she describes as her humble aboard. 

It’s a long rectangular studio that keeps the layout fluid, which allows a tenant to make their home multifunctional.

On your left as you enter her house is the kitchenette, and on the right is the bathroom where the shower and toilet share the same space. 

As you progress into the living area, a white brushed rustic Swahili high table that works as her dining table brings relics of the past into the space.

She has different kinds of indoor plants placed in the apartment, with the biggest ones being the Monstera and Aspidistra plant.

On the white walls, she has used African baskets as accessories, “White walls can be dull, but then again they can create a calming mood.

This helps me work with my earthy theme,” she beams. She has used neutral furniture, including couch, TV stand and bed all made from wood pallets, as an elegant way to make her small space feel brighter and larger.

“I love the feel of my house. It’s a balance between rustic and sophisticated elements. 

That’s why I went for the African baskets, the pallets and the papyrus grass carpet,” expresses Keke. 

She loves to decorate and has managed to turn her passion into a cash cow. She does interior decorating plans for peoples’ homes and is also an Airbnb host.

Partitioned into half using obscured glass is her bedroom, the glass divider allows the available natural light to seep freely throughout the house, thanks to the long picture glass windows.  

The apartments are fitted with the famous Juliet’s balcony, which is not a balcony that one can’t step out onto, but rather a barrier outside the window.

“The downside to my studio is the storage space. I have had to give up so many clothes because of lack of space, I have had to look for alternative  ways to store shoes, and other extras,” she says.

The apartments also have a terrace with a private pool, strictly for tenants, tuck shops and mini cafes within the premises accessible to tenants.