By Uganda Spotlight
“She’s not new to this. She’s true to this.”
That’s how Lucy Bunyenyezi begins her story about Tamar, the founder and interior architect behind Artko, one of Uganda’s most thoughtful and intentional design studios.
With nearly 18 years of experience in Uganda — and a solid foundation from years of study and practice in Europe — Tamar has carved a niche that’s more than just interior architecture. It’s emotional, personal, and deeply transformative.
“When you visit her space, it’s not just a consultation. It’s a design therapy session,” Lucy says.
And that’s not a metaphor. At Artko, design begins with understanding you. Tamar doesn’t just look at your Pinterest board — she listens to your lifestyle, your energy, even the small debates between couples about leather vs. fabric. It’s a safe space for self-expression, where preferences are honored and transformed into something beautiful.
“From just one word you say or a picture you bring in, she’ll be able to build a whole concept,” Lucy adds.
That kind of intuition doesn’t come from trend-following — it comes from mastery. Tamar studied interior architecture for five years, then sharpened her craft across Europe before bringing her global eye and sensitive touch back to Uganda. Her journey was inspired in part by her father, and her mission since has been clear: to create spaces that feel like you.
“We’re going to be studying you a bit,” Tamar explains.
“You can call it therapy if you want. But at the end of the day, the space will look exactly like you — brought to you by Artco, and by me personally.”
And just as important as the aesthetics is the ethos: Everything Tamar creates can be made right here in Uganda. She champions local craftsmanship, showing that you don’t have to import excellence — it can be built, carved, woven, and upholstered right here at home.
“One of the things that definitely drew me to Tamar and Artko was that everything in here can be made in Uganda,” Lucy shares.
“That’s Tamar’s mission. Beautiful, intentional design using local talent.”
Every design journey with Tamar is a conversation — a collaborative experience that brings all voices to the table. Whether Lucy ends up choosing a bolder color or leans into soft golds, beige tones, and chrome… she knows the final space will hold her identity in every corner.
“Artco isn’t just about interiors. It’s about identity. It’s about imagination. It’s about them transforming whatever space you give them to feel more like you,” Lucy concludes.
So here’s to Tamar — the designer who listens like a therapist, thinks like an artist, and builds like a visionary. And to Lucy Bunyenyezi, thank you for letting us step into Tamar’s world through your words.
Because some spaces don’t just reflect who you are — they remind you who you’ve always been.
