Sustainability meets elegance: Inside a modern eco-friendly mansion
Arts & Culture
By
Nailantei Kenga
| Oct 01, 2024
Today, we’re stepping into a home where sustainability meets style. Neha Parmer, Co-Founder of Artisanal Gallery in Gigiri, has transformed her space into an eco-friendly haven, seamlessly blending modern design with thoughtful choices.
Every corner, adorned with upcycled décor, tells a unique story of conscious living and mindful luxury.
Her home embodies eco-luxury at its finest — where sustainability and chic design meet. From her rustic mansion’s grand yet warm ambiance, she offers creative tips on how to live green without sacrificing luxury.
The mansion itself exudes timeless charm, built from natural elements like stone and wood, creating an earthy appeal.
Inside, large wooden beams and high ceilings dominate the space, offering a perfect balance of spaciousness and coziness. Expansive windows flood the rooms with natural light, providing sweeping views of the lush countryside or nearby mountains.
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Outdoors, stone pathways lead through sprawling gardens or a natural forest, enhancing the property’s breath-taking surroundings. Whether on the patio or in a serene courtyard, the ambiance offers understated luxury — a peaceful retreat from the bustle of modern life.
Tucked in the suburbs of Nairobi, Neha Parmer’s home is nothing short of stunning. The architecture and finishing are breath-taking, draped in greenery and adorned with vibrant flowers and plants. The entrance’s canopy, covered with exotic orchids, adds an enchanting touch.
Welcoming guests with warmth and playful charm, her cute furry friends make every visit more memorable—they’re always ready for a fun playtime, making her home an unforgettable sanctuary.
Stepping through the exquisite, antique Lamu double door is like walking into another world. Its grandiose presence, heavy and stately, sets the tone for the home’s elegant charm.
Upon entering, natural light floods the living room through a large window, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
The staircase splits in two directions—upstairs leads to her cosy bedroom, while downstairs opens up to the living area. A striking blue stone wall adds a touch of authenticity, giving the home a personal and timeless feel.
The living room is where art and design blend effortlessly, creating a space that is both visually striking and eternally stylish.
In the charming black-and-white foyer, a unique console table crafted from three stones and a white-painted slab catches the eye, while a beautifully beaded crocodile décor piece made from white beads adds a captivating touch of elegance.
Recently celebrating her birthday, she introduced a creative and thoughtful idea—a wish tree. Friends penned their wishes on small pieces of paper, hanging them on the tree with string. The tree, painted white, is not just a symbol of hope but also a decorative piece in itself, reflecting her passion for conscious living and sustainability.
Beside the foyer, wooden sculptures add an evolving, authentic character to the space, growing in their own right, just like the home itself.
A striking black-and-white art piece by a talented Kenyan designer takes centre stage on the wall, its bold presence simply epic. Opposite the landing area is her bar, which leads gracefully down to the dining area. Here, a colourful floral Persian carpet, inherited from her mother, feels like a living masterpiece—its vibrant patterns almost too beautiful to walk on.
The walls are adorned with decorative wrought iron pieces that are true showstoppers, adding a touch of flair to the space. The rustic, massive wooden dining table feels more like a sculpture, a piece you could admire forever. Paired with stunning red antique chairs, the dining area seamlessly complements the charm of the living room.
In the corner of the dining area, beautifully curated decorative pieces evoke memories of boutique hotels in Lamu
As we ascended to the bar area, connecting the foyer and living room, I was immediately drawn to the exceptional wooden decorative pieces, each one meticulously displayed with care and intention.
A true champion of eco-friendly living, her home is filled with quirky yet functional furniture that balances practicality with stunning design. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows not only offer breath-taking views of the outdoors but flood the living room with bright, natural light, creating an airy, vibrant space.
Ascending toward the bar area that connects the foyer and living room, you can’t help but notice the exceptional wooden decorative pieces meticulously displayed, each a testament to her championing of eco-friendly living. Her living room is a quirky, eclectic mix of functional yet stunning furniture, balancing practicality with beauty.
Her living room masterfully combines antique furnishings with handcrafted pieces, while warm, muted tones of brown complement the wood and stone features, creating a cosy, yet sophisticated ambiance that feels both timeless and deeply connected to nature.
But what truly left me in awe were the curated tree trunks, an example of creative genius. The sheer size of these trunks, with their raw beauty and personality, was flabbergasting.
“These trunks are from the same tree,” she says, “They mean so much to me. It feels like I’m living with nature inside my home.”
The fireplace, adorned with stone mantels, anchors the living space, while wrought-iron fixtures, reclaimed wood floors, and rustic chandeliers add both charm and elegance to the home.
The master bedroom, situated on the topmost floor, offers breath-taking views of the surrounding farm and endless vistas. The low bed positioned next to a window creates an intimate nook, framed by the natural beauty of the landscape.
The turquoise Persian carpets accents add a serene pop of colour, while the different-sized windows provide ever-changing scenes—transforming the weather into living art.
At the entrance, an enchanting wrought-iron art piece with a striking dragon art piece on the wall makes a magnificent statement, setting the tone for the unique artistry throughout the home.
Step out onto her balcony, and you’ll be swept away by the panoramic views of the Ngong Hills—an unforgettable sight that leaves you feeling deeply connected to nature.
Her outdoor furniture is beautifully rustic, perfect for embracing outdoor living. The sweeping views and carefully curated décor create a serene space, but the true highlight is a striking art piece—a bold depiction of a question mark and a dot, sparking both intrigue and conversation.
Neha Parmer and her children embody conscious living, serving as true inspiration for how we can live stylishly without compromising the environment. Her home is a testament to eco-luxury, showing that sustainability and elegance can go hand in hand.
- Catch Art of Living on KTN Home every Thursday 8pm and watch Neha Parmer’s episode on KTN YouTube channel.