Credit: Revamp Design for Black Artists and Designers Guild Obsidian Showhouse

WHAT IS SUSTAINABLE HOME DECOR?

54kibo’s designers are deeply connected to their design heritage. Part of that pride is shown in their commitment to sustainable home decor and ethical production. For many, this means working with local artisans from their local community to create handmade products. For others, this means weaving sustainable and local materials into their designs. With more consumers looking to source ethically-made and sustainable home decor products, these designers provide quality products that shoppers can connect with on many levels. They are not only beautiful, but also created with minimal impact on the earth and society.

Credit: @suitedreams.us

UPCYCLED MATERIALS

Recycled materials are present in many sustainable home decor products at 54kibo. From jewelry to furniture, repurposed wood and metals shine a light on the versatility of sustainable home decor sourcing. Designer Candice Lawrence, founder of Modern Gesture takes wood offcuts from the production of their striking lighting fixtures to create smaller products for the home such as wall sconces and planters and they also had this to share: “The water-based varnish is eco- friendly & the wax cord we use in a sustainable way to reduce waste. We also designed the woven pendant lighting to be flat packed, to reduce packing material and bring down the cost of transport. We have gone beyond just thinking of the design of the lights but considered our environment and people as well. We also designed our small woven mirrors to be ordered with our woven lighting as their sizes are the same and both can be placed in one box.”

Ghanaian furniture design house Tekura upcycles wood offcuts sourced from reforested wood in Ghana to manufacture their sleek sustainable home decor side tables and benches. Kenyan jewelry designer Adele Dejak uses recycled metals to make her bold handmade jewelry. The recycled brass is shaped into sculptural pieces that stand out but are still minimal in their sleek design.

LOCALLY SOURCED AND NON-TOXIC MATERIALS

Sustainable home decor items that are create from locally source materials include Kiliim’s rug collection, Dounia Home lighting as well as AAKS raffia handbags. 54kibo’s Ethiopian textiles are also exclusively made from locally sourced cotton fibers. The throw blankets and napkins and tea towels make thoughtful housewarming gifts and reusable napkins help to make a more sustainable table setting. Their timeless designs will grow with you, becoming a staple in your home for years to come. South Africa based Little Pine Tree makes adorable children’s toys that are safe and non-toxic. Founder Goeun Bae sought to give agency to local women by engaging them in a new craft and teaching them marketable skills. The collection of soft, hand-crocheted dolls are a perfect companion for little ones, suitable for babies and small children alike.

ETHICAL PRODUCTION

Mother-daughter duo Eu’genia bring the best quality shea butter products to market with ethical sourcing in mind. Not only do they have a higher concentration of pure shea butter than most others available, but they also work hard to ensure that their products do social good. Working with sustainably paid farmers, Eu’genia ensures that they can add to the economic growth of Ghana while also making products that appeal to consumers everywhere. As an added bonus, their small tins can be repurposed once empty!

Another mother-daughter team seeking to be agents of change is ONEOFEACH. They have set out to share their love of Africa with the world by creating luxury handbags in an ethical way by paying fair wages and providing formal training to artisans in their community. Their clutches are handmade in South Africa.