HOW ECO-FRIENDLY INTERIOR DESIGN WILL RULE THIS SPRING

Art fairs and fashion weeks influence interior design. Home decor manufacturers and interior designers turn to these events for colour scheme, pattern, product design and eco-friendly interior design ideas. Fairs and fashion weeks on the African continent are valued for the innovation and beauty that they add to design. This fall saw the return of physical iterations of some of Africa’s premiere art and fashion events in Lagos, Nigeria and Johannesburg, South Africa. Here, we dive into some of the trends that emerged from Art X Lagos, South African Fashion Week and Lagos Fashion Week.

Credit: https://blog.artgence.co/post/artist-spotlight-mona-taha

The rise of Art X Lagos

Art X Lagos is an international contemporary art fair held annually in Lagos, Nigeria. The fair showcases work by leading and emerging artists from Africa as well as the diasporas. Tokini Peterside founded Art X in 2016 “to tell the African story” and create a platform for Nigerian and African artists to exhibit their work internationally. Since then, it has become one of the most important cultural events on the African continent and beyond. Works featuring striking, colorful figures dominated this year’s edition which took place from 4th - 7th November. The figures, created using various mediums including paint and charcoal, were depicted posing or doing mundane things like laying down. For instance, Ugandan artist Mona Taha’s captivating charcoal drawings portrayed women in quiet, pensive moments.

Figures dominate: As more people embrace art and make it part of their home decor, figures are likely to be one of eco-friendly interior design’s biggest spring trends. Invigorate dull hallway, bedroom or dining room walls with this Assiata Print by Malene B. This vibrant piece blends mustard yellow, brick red and aquamarine blue to depict a woman, Assiata wearing a headpiece. Dramatic, bright abstract prints were also prominent at the fair and are already revered in the world of eco-friendly interior design. Add vibrance to your mealtimes with this Kariba Cereal Bowl set. The bowls’ enchanting swirling pattern pays homage to African basket weaving techniques.

Purple Reign, Feeling Blue

Deep purples, indigo and cobalt blues were the dominant colors at Art X and Lagos Fashion week. Artists like Amoako Boafo and Patrick Joël Tatcheda Yonkeu both employed these colors in their grand oeuvres. The same colors were also seen in fashion collections by Lagos Space Programme, Lohije and Adara designs.

Co-existing with Our Planet

This year’s Lagos Fashion Week casts a spotlight on the importance of sustainability. #TheFutureStartsNow theme was an urgent call to the global fashion industry to value the conservation of the environment. Designers took heed and utilized eco-friendly materials in their collections. Lohije’s presentation featured garments with buttons crafted from coconut shells while breathable materials like organic cotton and linen defined FIA’s collection. Similarly, in Johannesburg, there was an emphasis on waste reduction and recyclability. South African designer Fikile Sokhulu’s collaboration with Italian designer Ilaria Bellomo involved various textile yarn manipulation techniques.

Make your Home Eco-friendly: Environmentally friendly interior design is already in and is here to stay. Usher in spring with this Kilim mustard yellow rug made using Egyptian wool on a cotton foundation. Wool is a biodegradable, breathable material making this rug a great way to incorporate sustainability.

Credit: https://www.bellanaijastyle.com/fikhile-sokhulu-discover/

Bright colors, abstract prints, figures and eco-friendly interior design will rule this spring and summer. Let us show you how to incorporate each trend into your home.