The designers furnishings, offered under hereponymous brand, stand out for their bold African-inspired patterns and colors.
Still, the space is distinct from her professional persona in many ways.
Ahead, Sonaike shares more about her design inspirations, coziest furnishings, and favorite rooms to bask in.
The Spruce / Illustration by Amy Sheehan / Eva Sonaike
Anna Stathaki
How did you first discover your home?
What about it appealed to you?
Our home was the first house we viewed there and we fell in love with it.
Eva Sonaike
I remember holding my husband’s hand and pitching each other, as we knew it was the one.
Eva Sonaike
Does your home fit in with your neighborhood’s vibe or does it stand out?
The houses in the area are all in the same style from the outside.
Eva Sonaike
Plus, we sourced our furnishings and accessories from unusual places.
How would you describe your style and approach to decorating your home?
I would describe my style as eclectic African luxury.
Eva Sonaike
I strongly believe that a well-designed home tells a story of the people who inhabit it.
This can be a time-consuming process.
Many people move in and sometimes put a beautiful design together in a very short time.
Eva Sonaike
Our house is therefore a work in progress.
I tried many differentcolorsand layouts until I found what really works for us.
And as we constantly grow as a family, the house grows with us.
Eva Sonaike
Who or what are your biggest design inspirations?
I love Nigerian artistYinka Shonibatewith his expressive sculptures and pieces.
The colors and meanings behind his work are so powerful.
Eva Sonaike
And I also love ChiefNike Davies-Okundaye, a Nigerian batik and adire textile designer.
How do your Nigerian and German backgrounds inform your style?
I feel that both my Yoruba heritage and my German upbringing have an immense influence on my design style.
Eva Sonaike
I love the colors and patterns of the West African designs.
you’re able to see them reflected in my furniture designs and also my interior design style.
But I also have some beautiful German heritage furnishings that are very dear to me and blend in perfectly.
Eva Sonaike
Any other cultures you take design notes from?
I always want to highlight thediversity of the African continentand its people.
I have some items from these places displayed in my home.
Eva Sonaike
What were the greatest finds in your home?
Can you share a story behind any of them?
Oh, that’s so difficult because I love many of them.
One is the wooden German chest, a central piece in my living room.
I used to hide inside of it when I was a little girl playing hide and seek.
Do you have a favorite design feature or room?
If so, where is it in the house and what makes it unique?
But my favorite room is our open-plan living room with split levels.
It has very high ceilings and is perfect for entertaining and relaxing as a family or alone.
This is a great space to start the day in meditation.
