MOVERS & SHAKERS Eva Sonaike brings a bold West African vibe to interiors

Creative director, Eva Sonaike

‘Just a little colour can enhance the mood and feel of a room,’ enthuses German-born, London-based

Eva Sonaike. Her love for vibrant patterns and hues inspired her to found her eponymous luxury textiles and soft furnishings brand, infused with a dynamic West African aesthetic, just over a decade ago.

Drawing on her family’s Nigerian heritage, and its ‘strong culture of storytelling’, Eva says, she started her first collection as a creative side to her then day job as a fashion journalist. ‘I was on maternity leave and gave our flat a makeover, sewing cushions from African wax fabric,’ she recalls. ‘I really enjoyed it and began selling to family and friends.’

Today, she runs her interiors company full time, with designs sought after by stores in London,

Zurich, New York and Hong Kong, counting interior designers such as Hubert Zandberg as fans. Her ‘bringing colour to life’ collections reflect myriad influences, including the Aburi botanical gardens in Ghana, Yoruba embroidery, childhood memories of rainy skies in Lagos and West African post-colonial architecture. Eva has worked these designs across cushions (made with the Working Well Trust), pouffes, wallpaper and fabric, all manufactured in the UK, while her Nepalese rugs are made in collaboration with the global charity Goodweave.

Her latest collection, àsà, was inspired by traditional Yoruba adire cloth. This old tie-dyed batik technique has been given a rich contemporary feel on soft cotton velvet in shades including dusky pink, fresh green, warm yellow and deep indigo. ‘I wanted to create something subtle and simple, like a breath of fresh air,’ Eva says. ‘I love its versatility.’

Her chic geometrics and stylish palm prints not only champion luxurious African pattern and texture but, with bespoke upholstery and customised colouring services available, can be worked to fit into any space, from industrial modern to relaxed boho. ‘For one client, I upholstered an antique Biedermeier chair with my zigzag Odi fabric. I loved the elegant effect of two such diverse cultures coming together.’ →

Eva with, to her left, pieces from her new ceramics range, handmade in Nigeria (price on request)

Pouffes in àsà in Sage, Copper and Gold, £399 each

Brightly coloured tie-dyed velvets from the new àsà collection in Sage, Indigo, Copper and Gold, all £125m

Fabrics, from top: Ijoba in Blue, Aburi collection; Aye in Pink, Eko Eclipse collection; Odi in Purple, Falomo collection; Aye in Blue; Ona in Blue, Aburi collection

Lampshade in àsà in Copper velvet, £145; àsà ceramic base, £140; pouffe in àsà in Stone velvet, £399; on wall, àsà wallpaper in Gold, £125 a roll

Eva has recently added ceramics to her range, alongside the new àsà collection, including the àsà in Indigo pouffe, £399

Okuta in Indigo pouffe, £329; cushion in Ala in Blue (top), £75; àsà large cushion in Indigo, £125