Photo by Shitota Yuri

Originally Posted On: https://www.shescribes.com/decorate-your-childs-room-or-nursery-with-54kibos-contemporary-african-designs/

New parents are always looking for ways to teach their children a new thing or two. These days there are sites online that sell home decor pieces made by artisans and designers from different countries around the globe. Shopping on these sites is an opportunity to bring a well-made product into the home that also has a great design story behind it. 54kibo is one of these sites; it includes handmade items from over 30 designers who have their roots in Africa or its diaspora including wall art, pillows, towels, blankets, ceramics, jewelry, and kids items, too.

54kibo’s mission is to share stories about African heritage, spark conversations about our past, and hopefully ignite new conversations about family history, too. It is exciting to decorate a child’s room with decor pieces that are beautiful, interactive, and create a greater sense of meaning and tradition.

Founder Nana Quagraine began offering functional art and home decor when 54kibo launched in 2018, but the mother of two quickly expanded into a children’s line after a limited edition blanket became one of their best sellers.

Organic Baby Swaddles and Kids blankets

54kibo created an exclusive line of baby swaddles and toddler blankets in collaboration with Njoki Gitahi, a Brooklyn-based designer from Kenya. Inspired by the traditional symbols of West Africa, 54kibo’s baby swaddles are made from breathable organic cotton providing a plush experience for the newborn. Swaddle patterns originate from African Adinkra symbology. Two symbols – Nkyimu (n-chi-moo), standing for high quality and excellence, and Kyemfere (che-mm-fe-re), representing experience – are joined to create designs rich in cultural significance.

The blanket design provides visual stimulation for baby’s eyes. Scientific studies have repeatedly shown that newborns prefer high-contrast, black and white images rather than colored or pastel visuals. These soft organic cotton swaddles are the only baby wraps on the market inspired by contemporary African design and tradition.

Minimalist Nursery Mobiles

Another designer of children’s home decor produces hanging nursery mobiles that are as much room centerpieces as they are entertainment for the baby. Handmade in Tanzania, these unique pieces incorporate a beading technique used by the Maasai African women for centuries.

Non Toxic Dolls and Toys by Little Pine Tree

It’s love at first sight with this collection of hand-crocheted dolls and toys made in South Africa by the design team Little Pine Tree. Crafted with love, these unique toys are excellent examples of contemporary toy design using time-honored techniques. 100% cotton, no harmful chemicals, and crocheted eyes, these soft toys are suitable for babies and young children. Shop an assortment of dolls and toys, including the Inyosi Bee Doll, Dube Zebra, and newly released Ndlovu Elephant in pink and blue.

To learn more, visit www.54kibo.com. You can also find the brand on social media. Their links are found on the bottom of their website.