Ebotan Interiors
Dress the table with exquisite dinnerware from Ebotan Interiors; that aspires to communicate and preserve African oral traditions through symbolism, colour and texture. Designed by Josiane Raphael based in Maryland, USA, Ebotan tableware cherishes the dining experience of bringing families and friends together to share a meal and tell stories around a beautifully laid table whether elaborate or simple in its decoration. In a combination of African and European artistry the beautiful, timeless collections are produced in Limoges porcelain.

With a background in architecture and product design Josiane established her business Ebotan Interiors, specialising in high-end interior design, and citing her faith as a strong motivator chose the name ‘Ebotan’, which means ‘blessings’ in the Beti language of Cameroon. Designing tableware was a way of expressing her African heritage; Josiane grew up in Cameroon and as the eldest of six children recalls how when it came to setting the table for dinner each child was assigned a specific task; Josiane was always entrusted with the delicate items in the family home, putting out the fine linens and china that came from Europe. This daily ritual instilled in Josiane the desire to create meaningful objects that can be passed down through the generations complimenting the oral traditions, this echoes the western tradition of passing down culture through the inheritance of objects like rare dishes and jewellery.

Five stunning dinnerware collections named Ebotan, Sanaga, Okavango, Akan and Kita; depict legends, culture and places from across the continent; from mighty animals roaming the African plains to using precious metals of gold, silver and platinum that represent Africa’s mighty ancient kingdoms. The Sanaga dinner service named after Cameroon’s largest river tells the tale of the legendary ‘golden crocodiles’, portraying messages like unity, friendship, fraternity, and strength through the illustrations. The Akan collection takes the user on a journey through the ancient Akan kingdom’s gold mining history along what was known as the Gold Coast; round gold pieces placed along the edge are known as ‘weights’, once a form of currency in use over many centuries and later used to make jewellery for kings and queens. The Kita collection pays homage to the culture of weaving richly hued luxury fabrics, often worn by members of royalty and dignitaries. The Okavango collection refers to the region for which it was named, the Okavango Delta in Botswana and depicts lush vegetation in vibrant green hues combined with the warm earth tones of the Kalahari. Images of the Cheetah, an elegant and endangered species are surrounded or hidden amongst the greenery. To complement the dinnerware range’s Josiane also created a range of cutlery called Minga that celebrates women and children through elegantly rounded forms and sculpted images on the handles. 

…elegant tableware to be cherished, telling our stories through the generations

Snob - African Furniture and Interior Accessories
I stumbled upon the Green Tea Design's blog arriving on a page displaying some stunning bulbous Egyptian pendant lights adorned with intricate patterns, and followed the link through to Toronto based interiors boutique, Snob who have a whole range of gorgeous interior furniture and accessories to covet. Sourced from across the African continent Snob's products are personally selected by owner Denise Zidel who brings away with her the story each craftsman and designer has to tell in the form of a beautifully crafted object. The philosophy of Snob is to convey one of life's simple pleasures; the one that comes from being surrounded by things that have been lovingly handcrafted, serving to connect us to each other and the world in which we inhabit.

Handmade from solid copper the Egyptian pendant lights are as the name suggests, made in Egypt and come in a choice of nickel, silver, brass or oxide plated finishes. Due to the handmade nature of the pendants the size, shape and decoration may vary slightly making for a beautiful unique object. For added dramatic effect cluster them together at various heights suspend them from the ceiling; the higher the better to make a stunning focal point. When I look at them I am reminded of the post I did a while back on the equally stunning Tunisian pendants from Dido Designs. Some of the other beautiful and unusual interior treats that captured my attention included products from Cameroon, Mali, Burkina Faso, Madagascar, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

… a veritable treasure trove of African handicrafts perfect for bringing a sense of being into the modern home

Bamileke Feather Headdress/Safari Fusion
I love Sunflowers; they're so big bright and happy and was instantly reminded of them when I saw the strikingly colourful Bamileke Feather Headdress's currently available at Australian-based store Safari Fusion.

Creating a strong focal point and bringing a burst of colour to virtually any room, these ceremonial headdresses come from Cameroon and are also known as Tyn or Juju hats. Traditionally made from brightly coloured bird feathers and said to symbolise prosperity, the visually stunning headdresses are handmade by the Bamileke Tribe who originate from Cameroon's West Province. The feathers are usually sewn onto a raffia fiber base which is then covered with material on the outside, allowing them to splay into a wide circle when opened. When not in use the hat folds neatly in on itself for easy storage. The headdresses were historically; and continue to be, worn by chiefs, senior dignitaries, prominent officials and important dancers during events including those within the royal courts.

Itself visually vibrant, online store Safari Fusion was born out of a passion for Africa and the desire to bring African contemporary design to the Australian market; and their product choices infused with the joyous spirit of Africa certainly reflect that. Here you will find lovingly handcrafted items ranging from intricate beadwork to imaginative wirework sourced from across the African continent.

…the delicious range of colours including a limited edition range, make it very hard to choose a favourite, gorgeous! 

Pyromaniac by mp
The legendary unpredictability of the British weather calls for the need to be prepared at all times when venturing outdoors and gives rise to a spring/summer staple; the trench coat, a wardrobe must-have in classic beige but mix it up with some colourful options for head turning style. Fusing timeless and with a touch of African glamour and designed to give a flattering chic silhouette, Pyromaniac by mp have a couple of bold, graphic print knee length trench’s that would look good whether dressed up or down.

Hailing from Yaoundé, Cameroon, the driving force behind Pryomaniac is designer and stylist Michèle P who currently resides in Montreal, Canada. This is after a time spent in Paris learning her craft and honing her skills at various ‘maisons de couture’ around the city. Living in three continents combined with various travels and her upbringing has shaped Michèle P's designs; her mother is a well-known and locally acclaimed fashion designer in Cameroon influencing her love for clothes.

Michèle P’s debut collection entitled ‘Be Wear’ envisions a daring, fiery woman who embraces her femininity and was inspired by the classic 50’s pin-up look characterised by defined busts and cinched in waists, all brought up to-date with striking prints, embellishment and fabric combinations such as cotton, leather and silk. I was enamored by the simple style and colourful print of the dress below, cute and perfect for summer; and as an added touch you can choose your hemline length from the playful mini to elegant just below the knee.

…I do love trench coats - they make me feel empowered, sexy and stylish... I guess its because I always think they give a polished, often mysterious look to the wear