Little Lagos by Sandra Githinji

Sandra Githinji’s design for Newtown restaurant Little Lagos is informed by restaurateur Ade’s childhood tales of food markets in Nigeria. The interior colour palette reflects the tones of Nigerian cuisine – rich in tomatoes, capsicums and chillies – with loud colours juxtaposed against restrained, pale blond timbers. Tying the scheme together is the ochre-toned fabric draped above the 10-metre-long banquette seat and hanging in the brick archway that leads to back-of-house. Known as Adire, this dyed cotton fabric is traditionally made by women throughout Yorubaland in south-western Nigeria. A gallery wall highlights the work of local artists on a rotating basis and, on weekends, the restaurant holds gig nights. Githinji’s design has delivered on the brief for “a bistro and bar filled with good energy, authentic Nigerian cuisine and great music.”

Photography — Simon Whitbread

Sandra Githinji — sandragithinji.com