High End African Home Decor
Home Decor simply means Home Decoration or Home Accessories. It is the art and science of designing, decorating and furnishing both the internal and external space of a home. It's main goal is to make it more attractive and functionally useful with various design elements in order to have a livable interior. As a subcategory of Interior design, It is a reflection of a person's cultural heritage, tastes, hobbies, living habits, personal style, point of view, and economic situation with the end goal of creating a space one feels comfortable with as well as functional for all its users.
African Home Decor
In the past, a home decorator or an interior designer is hired to handle the designing of space(s) in a home. However, with the abundance of information available online and in magazines, you can pretty much "Do It Yourself" (DIY) to create a personal atmosphere you so much desire. As a result of this, It is now much easier than ever to introduce a touch of Africa into your home especially if you reside in Diaspora countries like UK, France, Italy, Germany, Canada, America, Brazil, Australia, etc. From styling the front room to the living room, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, and others with African Home decor brands we are featuring.
See the list of contemporary African home decor brands we love below:
The curated list will be featuring African Home Decor brands across homeware, furniture, furnishings, accessories, decoration, and interior products (cushions, blankets, lampshades, wall arts, carpets, ) designed in both Africa and its diaspora community. Their characteristics include handmade, limited run, one-of-a-kind style, and design; while some were made in partnership with local artisans and their communities i.e. women in order to create long-term socio-economic impact. (sustainable sources …. manufactured with respect for the local environment and its inhabitants … buy online or offline at their various stockists). From low cost to luxury price points, again it all depends on your pocket. The majority were proudly Made in Africa, while others were not. However, they still celebrated the continent's creativity and cultural heritage.
Banke Kuku Textiles
The award-winning luxury lifestyle brand puts a modern twist on traditional African techniques. Banke Kuku, the Creative Director, and textile designer is known as the "Queen of Colour". The Nigerian-British home decor, fashion and lifestyle brand has collaborated with Duro Olowu, Swoon; stocked worldwide with Selfridges, Wolf and Badger, Alara Lagos and much more. Collections range from cushions, to pouffes, wallpaper, curtains, furniture, resort wear, silk scarves, etc.
Ile Ila
Proudly Made in Nigeria, Ile Ila is a lifestyle and furniture design brand founded in 2017 by Tosin Oshinowo of CMDesign Atelier. Ile Ila, is a Yoruba word that translates as "House of Lines" in English. The brand celebrates Africa by predominantly using "Aso Oke" – an African handloomed fabric created by the Yoruba tribe from the South West of Nigeria. The period-conscious furniture with a contemporary twist is designed and hand-made with love in Lagos. It has previously had two African powerhouses in the Afrobeats Music industry as its muse. Adekunle Gold and Chidinma are artists who both celebrate African culture in an urban context.
Copper Dust
The Made in Britain luxury home decor brand specializes in bespoke handmade lampshades, accessories and limited edition illustrations. Copper Dust London is inspired by its Founder & Creative Director Vanessa Agyemang eclectic infusion of her British and African (Ghana) culture giving a taste of the exotic, whilst remaining quintessentially unique. "Every product purchased from Copper Dust should make your home feel special. We pride ourselves on the investment decision you have made, hence why we follow the philosophy of #slowdesign. Each item is carefully curated and crafted and work such as this cannot be rushed." – says Vanessa.
TAEILLO
Premium Afrourban furniture and lifestyle brand made in Nigeria harnessing traditional forms, materials, local resources, and modern technology through incorporating Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR) and 3D Visualisation. Taeillo was founded by Olajumoke who is on a mission to create furniture for Africans wherever they are in the world. With a tagline "We make furniture as rugged as Africans". We are assuming this is a testimony to the quality of their products. Who wouldn't want to invest in strong and durable pieces of furniture that is also great value for money? Their collection which includes Adire "Tie Dye" & Ankara Duvets; Lamp; Chairs; Tables; Wardrobes & Storages; and finally kitchens are centered around how as Africans we are changing the narrative through culture and design. They were also part of the team involved in the interior styling of Danfo Bistro – a new cool and artsy bistro at Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria inspired by popular Lagos Transport "Danfo". If you ever go to Lagos, its a place definitely worth visiting based on its unique twist on African street food.
Eva Sonaike
The London-based eponymous lifestyle brand utilizes African prints as well as African-Inspired textiles to create beautiful fabrics and colourful luxurious accessories for home decor, interior design and, fashion. Eva Sonaike signature collections range from soft furnishings like vibrant cushions, pouffes, footstools, rugs, lampshades, unique interior fabrics, trays, notebooks, and makeup bags; combining the richness of the African aesthetic with the finest velvets and leathers. The Creative Director who was born in Germany but of Nigerian origin revealed that her mission is to "Bringing Colour to Life". She places emphasis on hand finishing, distinct designs, and high-quality manufacturing. With stockists and suppliers all over the world, no matter where you are, you can always find one by clicking here.
The Aga Concept
The Lagos-based Made in Nigeria minimalist aesthetic design and lifestyle brand was founded in 2015 by Olubunmi Adeyemi. The Aga Concept takes inspiration from African pop culture – fashion, music, food, language, and everyday living."Àga" in Yoruba means a functional object or furniture piece. The collection ranges from Oko chair & stool; Mortar & Pestle; Omorogun – Turning Stick; Hand Spice Bowl; Mmiri Salad bowl & spoon Set; Keepsakes; Ayo – Traditional African Game and much more are effortless designed fusing both its Afrocentric roots with Contemporary design.
Alaga Collections
The contemporary Made in Nigeria furniture and interior design brand is dedicated to telling African stories with the elements of space. Alaga Collections has different collection and pieces ranging from Chairs – Agbantara, Danfo, Osuka, Aduke, & Akanke; Tables – Danfo, & Osuka; and Stool Apoti Irorun designed and developed using traditional African textiles like Aso oke, and Adire. "Our aim is to create furniture that reminds and encourages talk about our culture and tradition."says its creative director Oreoluwa Oluwatobi.
Woodbender
The family-owned South African furniture company was founded in 1988 by Charles Mast and later joined by his wife Shirley, and father, John. Woodbender's curiosity in the ancient art of wood bending and love of woodwork birthed the high-quality home decor brand. It is known for its beautiful, durable, comfortable and excellent value for money designs. It utilizes solid Ash Timber, the certified forests they get them from are so vast they naturally replenish themselves. "Every piece is handcrafted, ensuring that the chair or table is as unique in character as the tree it's made from."
The Ninevites
South Africa-based design studio and collaborative platform founded by Nkuli Mlangeni-Berg. As a collective, their goal is to tell authentic stories of the black culture and unheard indigenous voices through beautifully Handwoven and inventive designs. The Ninevites Old heritage meets New handicrafts. "Our textiles are meticulously handcrafted by artisans in the Cape and Lima using 100% South African-grown mohair and Peruvian sheep wool." Collections and Pieces – rungs, throws, and prints are bold with the presence of geometric patterns which are inspired by African basketry, pottery, murals, and beading executed with exceptional quality and durability.
La Basketry
The handcrafted basket company was founded by two Senagalese sisters Tabara and Mamy who were born in Paris, France. La Basketry was created in order to share traditional basket weaving with the world and generate regular employment and extra income for its weavers. Our mission is to "bring colour and individuality into contemporary houses. At the same time provide shelter, food, education, and healthcare for artisans and their families. As well as grow the network of artisans and job opportunities for women n rural areas of Senegal."Their range includes storage to hand fans, bowls and much more.
Mungo
The homeware textile company is based in South Africa. Mungo was founded in 1998 by master weaver Stuart Holding. The one-man team has now grown into a family of over 80 people."Although we are growing, our foundational values remain the same – to produce beautifully designed homeware textiles, woven with care for our community and the environment. Our mission is to create heirloom-quality woven goods with integrity in an open and transparent manner" says founder. You can shop towels, throws, blankets, apparel, cushion covers, bedding, table, and kitchen linen with them.
Something Good Studio
The proudly Made in South Africa home accessories brand celebrates and collaborates with local talent, through the curation of iconic art pieces which is then woven into beautiful blankets and throws. "The core of Something Good Studio is rooted in South Africa, and every aspect of the brand reflects that, with a contemporary twist. Ethically produced in Cape Town, supporting and celebrating local craftsmanship, using fibers sourced from local farmers" says founder Zydia Botes.
Mifuko
The combination of Finnish design and Kenyan handicraft skills birthed the Made in Africa home accessories brand. Mifuko was founded in 2009 by two designers from Finland, Mari Martikainen and Minna Impiö. All products are made by artisans in the rural villages of kenya using locally sourced materials and traditional techniques. Their Artisans find working with the brand to be creative and fun co-operation between different countries and cultures. "We support artisan to carry on a tradition that has been passed down from one generation to another, a technique learned from their mothers and grandmothers," says founders.
People of the Sun
The Made in Malawi home accessories company work with low-income artisans to combine centuries-old craft tradition plus generations of indigenous knowledge using natural resources with a modern twist. People of the Sun created an online platform for them to sell their products. "To generate demand we partner with talented designers and respected international brands, creating innovative, irresistible designs, raising our public profile and strengthening brand awareness. This ensures our artisans have a regular income, their enterprises grow steadily and their communities are continually enriched."
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Source: https://www.bidhaar.com/2019/08/15/14-contemporary-african-home-decor-brands-we-love/