8 Ways to Bring African Pattern Home

From mud cloth to indigo and colorful wax prints, textiles featuring traditional African patterns, or inspired by them are finding a place in trendy, modern spaces all over the globe. Designers, artisans and creatives alike are finding that textiles obtained by way of the African continent, from countries such as Mali, Uganda and Nigeria, offer strong graphic and geometric design along with vibrant, striking color stories. In spaces with a contemporary look, these designs are stylish and impactful while adding a global touch to the decor. As African people moved around the globe, traditional African designs took on new shapes in new worlds. This Mustique print by Malene B for Oluwa and Celestin is a perfect example. Though inspired specifically by the Caribbean, the importance of African heritage in Caribbean culture can be been in the design. According to the designer, "the pattern design, Mustique, was inspired by my mother’s home country, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Mustique is one of the islands in the Grenadines. My brand aesthetic is modern tropical and the brand inspires you to embrace island living anywhere."

Actor and designer, Gbenga Akinnagbe (The Wire, The Deuce) has taken notice of the power of African prints and created his own home furnishings line that incorporates them. ENITAN Vintage offers storied pieces, where vintage and antique European seating is reimagined through Akinnagbe’s extensive collection of African textiles. "I wanted to preserve many of these pieces where I could, using influences from the Continent that also transcend space and time," says Akinnagbe about pieces like this Victorian settee that’s upholstered in a fuchsia African Dutch Wax Print fabric.

African textiles don’t only just stand out for their patterned designs. It’s the colorways as well, that draw you in. Interior designer Genevieve Gorder developed a version of mud cloth where the color palette stands out. Her Mali Mud Cloth Inked Pillow features faded black and cream. According to Gorder the faded shade provides a "grounding effect."

In addition to traditional African patterns, new patterns are being designed by artists and artisans. The Day Rug by our own company AphroChic is one such example. The dark blue shade is reflective of indigo design that can be found throughout West Africa, while the pattern is inspired by the designs of the famed antebellum, African-American craftsman, Thomas Day. The print with a mix of lines and circles feels similar to many of the geometric prints found in traditional indigo print fabrics from the Bamana people of Mali and other West African cultures.