Decor Amour - Black Owned Decor Brands
Ha couldn’t resist the cheesy rhyming title. This week’s decor amour features 5 (new to me) black owned decor brands.
From top left to bottom right: Twist Candle (image from Yowie) | Serving Platter (image from 54 Kibo) | Black Spout Vase (image from Naked Clay Ceramics) | White Vases (by Tracie Hervy, photo from Bloomist) | Textile Wall Hangings (image from Studio Nom)
With all that’s going on right now, it’s been a major wake up call that I need to be better about supporting black owned brands. I do believe in “voting with my dollar”, but admittedly thought about it mostly from the sustainability standpoint. Well from the death of Breonna Taylor to George Floyd (and many others) my heart has been extremely heavy the last few weeks, and it’s clear the path that we’re on in America is not socially sustainable at all.
I’m proud to be a black woman in America, and it’s not lost on me how fortunate I have been and how many opportunities I have been afforded thus far. However, that’s not to say that I don’t still get followed around Walgreens or clothing stores because some of the employees automatically think I’m going to shoplift. People I would consider friends have asked me to my face if I got into an Ivy League school because I was black. At my corporate jobs I’ve been called “bull-doggy and aggressive” and told “I need to smile more”, when really many will tell you I’m much friendlier and more mild mannered than most of my non-black co-workers.
I am thankful everyday that I have my life and my family is safe. But look, we have to do better. And I know I have to do my part as well by keeping the dialogue open even after this initial wave on social media. In addition to donating where I can, and supporting black owned creators and businesses.
Whew, that was heavy! Normally I would apologize here for speaking about my feelings, but I just don’t think that’s conducive to change anymore.
See below for some amazing decor! But be warned you may want something from each shop!
1. YOWIE
From top left to bottom right: Twist Candle | Multi Candle | Vase | Great Bieri Candle (all images by Yowie)
Yowie is a Philadelphia based curated shop. The founder is a young woman named Shannon Maldonado who also offers interior design and styling consulting. The above are just a few of my favorite things I found on their website, but they have a ton of unique and affordable home accessories that would add a little accent to any space. I especially love their selection of sculptural candles, but I know I would never have the heart to actually burn any of them!
2. 54kibo
From top left to bottom right: Serving Platter | Table Lamp | Mobile | Chair (all images by 54kibo)
As someone who always finds herself on international websites where shipping is a nightmare, 54kibo is my dream concept of a store. 54kibo is a shop that sources contemporary designs from all over Africa, and makes them accessible to the US consumer. This is one of the pricier shops I found, but they have a broad selection of categories from dinnerware to lighting and even some furniture. This is where I would look if I was looking for an investment/statement piece. I’m already dreaming of the living room and bedroom design possibilities built around that chair.
From top left to bottom right: Cylinder Vases | Small Bottle Vase | Round Tray | Large Bottle Vase (top images from Bloomist, bottom from Ryland Life Equipment)
The ceramics by Tracie Hervy are beautifully minimalist in white glazed stoneware. You can find her ceramics sold at a variety of different shops both online and in-store. I am eyeing that large vase to hold a bunch of eucalyptus branches on our coffee table.
4. Studio Nom (nom fibre art)
Shop all images above at Studio Nom’s Etsy Shop
Studio Nom makes some pretty stunning textile art as seen above. The owner Nom was born in Swaziland and worked in fashion before starting her own shop! Her designs are striking and most are quite long at >50”. For around the same price you’d pay for something like this at Anthropologie or West Elm, you can shop small and know exactly who made your product!
All images by Naked Clay Ceramics
I have a serious thing for ceramics in case you couldn’t tell already. Naked Clay Ceramics just sold out of their most recent release and closed their shop down mid-Aug. However, they are planning to re-open sometime by early October. If you love the look of their pieces above, definitely go sign-up from their newsletter to be notified of their next re-stock!
If you’re looking for more black-owned decor brands, blogger Ijeoma Kola put together a great list to start. From there if you find brands that resonate with you, Instagram is a great place to continue looking as they’ll often suggest similar brands/accounts!
Hope you enjoyed! Have you found any black (or BIPOC) owned brands you recommend?