British-Nigerian designer, Yinka Ilori, exploded on the design scene in 2011 with his refreshingly bold and colorful take on “upcycled” chairs. Finding discarded chairs and giving them new life through the use of brilliantly hued West African-inspired fabrics, Ilori established himself as a creative force on the rise. He’s now applied his colorful perspective to a new line of home furnishings that are meant to represent a fusion of British and Nigerian traditions. He has recently expanded his range to include a 20-piece collection of homeware. Bright, colourful and created with a range of different craftsmen and suppliers, it comprises rugs, cushions, stoneware, even tea towels and trays, coasters and placemats. Many of the pieces have nostalgic significance for him personally – and hint at deeper meaning. In his family, tea towels were used by all members of the household for different purposes, while a tablecloth signalled a special occasion.
SOURCE: DESIGN INDABA
