Meet Lyn Bahati, The Interior Designer Bringing Your Pinterest Dreams To Life

When it comes to interior decor in Uganda, many people settle for what’s readily available, but there are a few who choose to push the boundaries and manifest an idea. That’s where House of Ndinda comes in. Started by Lyn Bahati, it is an interior decor business that brings all your Pinterest board goals to real life. They make a lot of their furniture and aren’t afraid to push the boundaries when styling a space. Take their work at the Endiro Cafe branch at Nakasero, where they went with a concrete wall and hard wood furnishings to end up with a chic space. We caught up with Lyn on WhatsApp to find out how she started this interior décor marvel.

When did you first realise that interior decor was a viable business option?

I didn’t. I started House of Ndinda as a fun blog. I cut small pieces of wood and posted them. I however remember saying, “I will start creating small decor items so that people my status financially could afford an item or 2 for their space.”

It was astounding when I found out prices of furniture and decor items, thus the blog. It was years later after I had left the furniture industry as a design associate, when a woman (Endiro) I had met in the furniture industry asked for help on an interior project. At the time, I didn’t think of money, I just said yes. I was excited to be take part on a project in a field that I was to finally acknowledge fulfilled me.

We did the first project and she was happy and relieved and she gave me another project of 2 weeks and it was such a success that she offered me money. That was my first check and I remember I was all over the place and even took a picture of it!

Was interior decor something you always wanted to do?

Interior decor was far from what I ever thought I would do. I mean, I envisioned a big beautiful house when I grew and I had hints of an eye for detail, especially with curtains, but I can’t say I wanted to end up here. I wanted to become a lawyer, that’s what I knew for sure. 

What has been your favourite project to work on so far?

It’s hard to say which because I find that I love each one of them. I would say the Endiro cafes mainly the Sign Language branch in Nakasero. It’s special.

How do you come up with ideas for pieces?

I listen and watch the client tell me the vision they have for their space to understand best what is important to them. I visit the site of the intended project and I go home and allow my mind to subconsciously create a theme before I look through inspiration. Understanding the client’s style goes a long way; after all this, I create a mood board for the client.

I see house of Ndinda started in 2018, what does the name mean…

House of Ndinda is Andinda’s House. Andinda my maiden name which means “to wait and protect.”

The name was a reflection of who I am and more of an acknowledgment. I have been told from before that I’m “too much” and I thought that I’m because am a multi-passionate woman who can pretty much fit in any industry.

I also knew that whatever name I called this should be able to fit in a home that I intended to have in future (a home for children) and I figured if I call it something very narrow it will not accommodate all the types of women I was, my dreams.

So, I said my house – House of Ndinda.

What unique problems does HON solve that other interior decor companies don’t?

I think House of Ndinda does quite alike what other houses do, the uniqueness is in how we do it. We are a very passionate and honesty-driven business. What makes taking on projects for us is being able interpret what our client(s) had in mind with the light and depth that they explained it to us. Seeing them feel safe and at home in that space.

But to add to this, we also produce quality work.

What challenges have you faced as a business owner so far?

I think the biggest challenge in the interior design field is that we meet people who don’t see the need to pay for an interior designer yet they will still require the service.

Our service is bigger than the furniture you will buy from a shop and take home, it’s the security we give that you will get good quality furniture without being scammed, it’s managing the time in which work will be delivered, it’s helping a client zero down to a clear decision with curtains, colour themes, placement etc.

And say perhaps being a seasonal business, it’s considered a luxury.

How would you describe your personal decor style; how would your dream home space look like?

I would say that by design standards I am into farmhouse and shabby chic with elements of boho, which personally I call “alternative” because I can do the plain/clean look but also do organized clutter and still manage to throw in character pieces because I love character.

What 1 piece of decor advice would you give a homeowner looking to spruce up their place?

Make sure whatever you do, you can see you when you walk in to that space. Pick pieces that collectively describe who you are and what you love.

Where do you hope to see HON go in the future?

I hope to see HON envelope who it’s been built to be, which is a space that helps all people express who they are in pride. I also would want it to be a house of all character and a home, I hope to see HON become a household name.

And most importantly, I hope to see HON do work that pleases God and fulfil God’s purpose for it.

I see you are also a writer, is interior decor your side business or there are other things up your sleeve?

Hehe… Interior business is a first of the many people and talents God has gifted me with. It just happens to be the first. I still write but for now it’s part time but I have drafts of a children’s story book and an autobiography I know I will publish but far from now.
So much as I have a 9 to 5, interior is my main business for now.
There’s a whole lot of women in me.

[article edited for clarity]

satisfashionug@gmail.com