Yinka Ilori Celebrates His British-Nigerian Heritage With Debut Homeware Collection

London-based artist Yinka Ilori has revealed his first homeware collection, taking inspiration from his British-Nigerian heritage and childhood to create a collection of soft furnishings. The focus for the first release is on tabletop and textile pieces including cushions, tablecloths, stoneware and rugs.

All of the pieces are designed with various colorful patterns and prints running across them. Stand-out items include the jacquard-weave cushions, Tibetan wool rugs inspired by Lodon’s Royal Docks and the River Thames, and a vibrant set of bowls and plates handcrafted in Portugal.

Speaking about the launch of the collection, Ilori explained its influences, “My first homeware collection is a continuation of design work inspired by my own British-Nigerian heritage and childhood. It’s a colourful celebration of two cultures expressed through abstract, technicolour pattern and contemporary craft. Unexpected, functional household items — that evoke memories from my own upbringing — have been reworked as colourful artworks. Each has their own narrative and back-story, meant to instil a sense of optimism and joy, to act in their own small way as a distraction to the dark times that we’re facing this year.”

The full collection is available now from Yinka Ilori’s web store, and will also be sold at select stockists around the world.

For more design news, Earl of East has opened its BookWorkShop store in London.