In brief
African interior design is evolving with unique influences from indigenous cultures, as designers like Kelechi Ejikeme and Amechi Mandi challenge conventional design narratives.
After transitioning from a successful legal career, Kelechi Ejikeme, a Nigerian-British interior designer, has made waves in the interior design industry. Attending the recent Decorex design show in London, she unveiled her innovative rug collection, drawing inspiration from Nigeria's rich landscapes—rolling hills, meandering rivers, and vast savannahs. “It’s symbolic of the environment we walk on daily,” she mentioned, reflecting on the rugs' connection to her heritage.Ejikeme, who has been a full-time designer for six years, crafts her rugs from eco-friendly jute, a material traditionally used in Nigeria for its culinary uses rather than for textiles. To realize her designs, she collaborates with artisans in India and Nepal, where the jute industry flourishes. “I want the essence of my homeland to resonate with every piece,” she explains.Meanwhile, Amechi Mandi, a Cameroonian-Nigerian designer and winner of the House & Garden's Rising Star award in 2022, shared his journey from fashion to interior design at the same event. With a degree in furniture and product design, Mandi grew disenchanted with the overuse of “clichéd” post-colonial motifs prevalent in many African interior designs. His work emphasizes the revival of pre-colonial heritage and traditional textiles that have faded from modern discourse, challenging the dominance of imported fabrics like “ankara.”“I pull inspiration from indigenous cultures and give it a contemporary twist,” Mandi asserted as he addressed the misconceptions around his work, which often gets dismissed as “not African” due to its departure from ankara prints.Both designers recognize that interior design in Africa is still nascent compared to the fashion industry, which has flourished globally. Ejikeme’s own journey into the world of design included a dual commitment to law and decorating, until she decided to devote herself fully to her passion in 2017. Over the years, she has worked on diverse projects that range from private homes to commercial spaces.Reflecting on the design heritage of Africa, Ejikeme noted the absence of a coherent history of African design that tracks the evolution of styles and traditions. This realization prompted her to document and categorize African design periods, utilizing her findings to influence her projects creatively. Her explorations took her across Nigeria, from the Bogobiri art gallery in Lagos to bustling local markets, where she uncovered historical artifacts.Mandi, who echoes Ejikeme’s sentiments, claims that the traditional African approach to design emphasized functionality over aesthetics, particularly due to the social disruptions of the transatlantic slave trade. “Our society didn’t have a chance to evolve in that way,” he remarked, highlighting a shift as more affluent Africans now aspire to imbue their homes with personal narratives reflecting their culture.As more individuals in Africa gain financial stability, both designers agree that there is a poignant shift toward creating interiors that tell a story. “People desire beauty that holds meaning," Ejikeme concluded, emphasizing a new wave of African designers poised to challenge existing aesthetics in the global market. The rise of African interior design is not just about style; it’s a movement rooted in reclaiming identity, heritage, and the narrative of modern Africa.
