African Print Inspired Furniture Design

A lot of people love the vibrancy of African prints and fabrics but are otherwise conservative dressers and do not see themselves rocking Ankara fashion pieces. BUT who says the fun has to end with fabric in fashion. Some seriously talented designers have taken things a step further. You can enjoy beautiful colours, prints and patterns in the comfort of your own home. Literally.

Here are my favourite furniture designers and upholsters who each have their unique interpretations and applications of Ankara print fabrics. Each one a statement piece nevertheless. Do visit their sites for even more of their work.

FEETCHAIR

Charlene Fenton is the founder and inspiration behind FeetChair. From her workshop in north London, she creates contemporary bespoke footstools with a modern twist.

ENITAN

Enitan is a Brooklyn-based vintage and repurposed furniture line founded by actor and activist, Gbenga Akinnagbe. The name Enitan is of Yoruba, Nigerian origin and means “person of story”.  Each piece is 100% unique, designed with love, and the perfect addition to any space.

ECLECTIC CHAIR

Heather Linnitt runs Eclectic Chair which is based at Blackbird Vintage shop in North Leeds, from where she sells her own pieces, and carries out upholstery for her clients. She also makes cushions from an eclectic variety of vintage and new fabrics such as African wax fabric, Welsh tapestry blankets, needlepoint tapestries and vintage Heals designers.  Contact her if you have a piece of furniture that you would like to be considered for reupholstery.

YINKA ILORI

Yinka Ilori is a London based designer who specialises in up-cycling vintage furniture, inspired by the traditional Nigerian parables and African fabrics that surrounded him as child. Humorous, provocative and fun, each piece of furniture he creates tells a story.