Preparing and Hosting an Exuberant African-Themed Family Gathering, as Demonstrated by Eva Sonaike
Eva Sonaike, a renowned textile designer and creative director, curates a captivating tablescape for her Sunday family lunches. Born to Nigerian parents in Germany, Sonaike's unique style reflects her African roots and penchant for colour, pattern, and eclecticism.
The heart of her living space is a wooden table, adorned with a bold green-accented runner that tells a story. Natural woven placemats, featuring a handcrafted appeal, introduce texture and contrast against the colourful elements. The table comes alive with different and colourful plates, many featuring African-inspired patterns, which give the setting a lively and diverse feel.
Sonaike's approach is characterised by an intentional "overboard" use of colour and pattern, creating a warm and fun atmosphere. She starts with a strong colour foundation, primarily pink and green, and builds upon it with a simple white orchid as the centrepiece, pale pink roses, and other elegantly arranged vases of flowers and foliage in her favourite glassware.
Trinkets and treasures from her travels enrich the table setting, making it both visually engaging and conversation-sparking. A hand woven ochre hued basket keeps warm fresh bread on the table, while a vintage flatware set, salt and pepper pots, a bread basket, and a goat's bell, collected from her travels, add a personal touch.
A carved resin elephant ornament, available in two sizes, serves as a talking point on the table. Sonaike's Kano Tabletop Collection, featuring vibrant pink batik designs inspired by the intricate decorations of Hausa buildings in Northern Nigeria's largest city, adds a distinctive personal touch to the table settings.
Before founding her own studio, Sonaike worked as a fashion journalist on glossy magazines and television. Today, she is considered a trailblazer in bringing the vibrance and craftsmanship of African interior design to contemporary homes around the world.
In an exclusive video for Homes & Gardens, Sonaike shares her tips for curating the perfect tablescape. Bright colours and graphic prints can be used to recreate her style, as genuine African plate designs are hard to come by. Sonaike's tablescape for a simple Sunday lunch is bold, welcoming, and fun, reflecting her personality, heritage, and love for colour, pattern, and eclecticism.
[1] Homes & Gardens [2] Eva Sonaike [3] The Spruce Eats [4] MyDomaine [5] The Everygirl
- Eva Sonaike's Sunday family lunch table, as showcased in an exclusive video for Homes & Gardens, exudes a bold and welcoming atmosphere through an intentional use of color and pattern, characteristic of her African roots in interior design.
- Sonaike's Kano Tabletop Collection, inspired by the intricate decorations of Hausa buildings in Northern Nigeria's largest city, adds a distinctive personal touch to her tablescape, making it a conversation starter and a testament to the vibrance and craftsmanship of African lifestyle in contemporary homes.
