The powerful activism against the killing of George Floyd [1] has sparked important conversations about how society can better support and advocate for Black lives. One of many ways we can do that is to redirect how we shop — consumers must support more Black-owned businesses [2]. There are tons of incredible fashion [3], beauty [4], and children's brands [5] to shop, but don't forget about how you're decorating your home, too.
Ahead, we've curated a guide to talented Black designers and artists with home brands that should be on your radar. From handmade furniture to vibrant bedding, there are so many inspiring products you can buy to elevate your home. It may seem small, but thoughtfully shopping [6] fuels the Black economy and brings diverse points of view to prominence in creative industries. It's vital now and every day going forward.
Expedition Subsahara
Website: Expedition Subsahara [8]
The Breakdown: Sofi Seck [9], originally from Senegal, West Africa, runs Expedition Subsahara out of St. Charles, MO. She opened her business to support the education of young girls in Senegal by selling products that are authentically made by African artisans — herself included. Expedition Subsahara's brightly-coloured baskets and statement-making placemats add an instant dose of cheer to any room.
Bolé Road
Website: Bolé Road. [10]
The Breakdown: The Brooklyn-based company, founded by Hana Getachew [11], supports artisans in Ethiopia who make handwoven modern designs. From colourful bath mats to pretty table linens, the site is filled with an array of beautiful decor items.
Clare
Website: Clare [12]
The Breakdown: Clare makes paint shopping an easy process with designer-curated colours and mess-free peel and stick paint swatches. Founder and interior designer Nicole Gibbons [13] realised that no paint brands were offering a convenient way to shop for paint, so she decided to change that with her business.
Lolly Lolly Ceramics
Website: Lolly Lolly Ceramics [14]
The Breakdown: Columbus, OH-based ceramicist Lalese Stamps [15] makes the dreamiest mugs we've ever seen. Her online shop isn't open yet, but as soon as it is, we can't wait to stock up on her unique creations.
Marie Burgos Collection
Website: Marie Burgos Collection [16]
The Breakdown: Interior designer Marie Burgos [17] has a luxury brand of cool furniture and decor accents, but what she's truly known for is her phenomenal lighting. Born and raised in Paris, Burgos gets her inspiration from French design and her family's native home of Martinique. You'll see lots of mid-century modern references in her pieces as well.
Tactile Matter
Website: Tactile Matter [18]
The Breakdown: Artist and illustrator Kenesha Sneed [19] sells gorgeous prints and throws through her brand Tactile Matter. Her work promotes female empowerment and self-love — make sure to check our Sneed's incredible murals [20] too.
Johanna Howard Home
Website: Johanna Howard Home [21]
The Breakdown: Founder Johanna Howard [22] collaborates with talented artisans to make bold, graphic pillows and throws. She mixes Scandinavian design with artisan traditions to achieve her signature aesthetic.
AphroChic
Website: AphroChic [23]
The Breakdown: AphroChic sells on-trend poufs, pillows, rugs, lighting, and wallpaper, but the brand spans so much more than home decor. Husband-and-wife team Jeanine Hays and Bryan Mason celebrate "the intersection of modern design and global culture [24] across diverse populations" with a magazine, podcast, and much more.
Oh Happy Dani
Website: Oh Happy Dani [25]
The Breakdown: You have probably seen artist Danielle Coke [26]'s illustrations splashed all over Instagram, especially her recent pieces on raising awareness for the Black Lives Matter movement [27]. Her Ally Collection is currently sold out, but we can't wait to buy her prints in the future.
Soukie Modern
Website: Soukie Modern [28]
The Breakdown: Kenya Knight, alongside friend Taib Lotfi, founded Soukie Modern, a home decor site filled with colourful Moroccan Berber rugs, ceramic candles, and Instagram-worth beach towels. The site also sells vibrant handbags crafted Morocco & California.
Jomo Furniture
Website: Jomo Furniture [29]
The Breakdown: Ethiopian-American industrial designer and artist Jomo Tariku [30] specialises in modern African furniture. Jomo Furniture sells minimalist chairs and stools that'll be the focal points of your space.
xN Studio
Website: xN Studio [31]
The Breakdown: Brooklyn-based brand xN Studio was founded by Nasozi Kakembo [32] in 2011 and offers everything from furniture to kitchenware. "We are the intersection of classic and modern, East and West, innovative and subdued," the site states.
Harlem Candle Co.
Website: Harlem Candle Co. [33]
The Breakdown: Luxury home fragrance brand Harlem Candle Co. offers room sprays, diffusers, and candles with scents inspired by the Harlem Renaissance. Travel and lifestyle expert Teri Johnson [34] founded the business and designs fragrances alongside award-winning perfumers.
Jungalow
Website: Jungalow [35]
The Breakdown: Designer and artist Justina Blakeney [36] founded Jungalow with the intention that it's "a place that will inspire you to tap into your own creativity, connect with nature at home, and help you to bring good vibes home." The creative and modern brand incorporates natural, recycled, recycle-able, and compostable materials as much as possible. Jungalow is also known to donate to a variety of important organisations [37] including Trees For the Future [38]. Did we mention how incredibly cute every single piece on the website is?
Harlem Toile
Website: Harlem Toile [39]
The Breakdown: Harlem-based designer Sheila Bridges [40] started her brand Harlem Toile because she was inspired by the "historical narrative of the decorative arts, especially traditional French toile [41] with its pastoral motifs from the late 1700s." You can see her original prints on upholstered chairs, wallpaper, and even glassware.
Rochelle Porter Design
Website: Rochelle Porter Design [42]
The Breakdown: If you love pillows [43], the options that Rochelle Porter [44] sells are about to be your new obsession. The Atlanta-based designer also sells fun activewear and printed face masks.
