Designer Yinka Ilori's new homeware collection brings bright and cheerful colours to modern living

Yinka Ilori and his new homeware collection.

From designing a shop window for Selfridges to a basketball court in Canary Wharf and the British Red Cross’ latest campaign, among other notable projects, London-based Yinka Ilori’s bright and cheerful signature work are firm fixtures in London’s design scene.  Once seen, his designs leave a deep impression.

Yinka Ilori and two chairs from his Types of Happiness chair collection 2019.

As a multi-disciplinary artist of a British-Nigerian heritage, the award-winning Ilori specialises in storytelling by fusing his British and Nigerian heritage to tell new stories in contemporary design, and the results are humorous, provocative and fun; every project that he creates tells a story. 

Bringing Nigerian verbal traditional into playful conversation with contemporary design, Yinka Ilori’s work touches on various global themes that resonate with different audiences all over the world.

The first homeware collection is a continuation of design work inspired by his own British Nigerian heritage. 

Expect vibrant, colourful pieces including tableware and linens, cushions and trays, as well as tea towels and socks, all influenced by traditional Nigerian dress and parables told to the designer as a child by his parents.

It’s a colourful celebration of two cultures expressed through abstract, technicolour pattern and contemporary craft. Unexpected, functional household items - that evoke  memories from his own upbringing - have been reworked as colourful artworks. 

Yinka Ilori's Ere cushion in woven cotton jacquard captures his vibrant spirit, which led to him securing the London Design Festival’s prestigious Emerging Design prize. The graphic geometric pattern reminiscent of The Colour Palace, the designer's 2019 Dulwich Pavilion. 

Each has their own narrative and back-story, meant to instill a sense of optimism and joy, to act in their own small way as a distraction to the dark times that we’re facing this year.

Yinka Ilori's set of two tea towels.

Yinka Ilori’s latest homeware collection is launching at SCP.co.uk

All images from SCP.