It’s been a good few years for the debut of home goods shops owned by Black entrepreneurs.
One of the latest buzzy openings was the launch of Ayesha Curry’s Sweet July last month in Oakland The earthy and playful space designed by Christine Lin of Form + Field is filled with textiles, sleek canisters, and cookbooks that the actress and cookbook author hopes will help people feel more comfortable at home. “For many families like mine, your home is no longer your sanctuary but also your office, your workout area, and your kids’ school,” she says. “I like to curate pieces that are aesthetically pleasing and super functional, so your space can fit your busy lifestyle but also evoke a sense of comfort and calm we all need right now.”
But before Curry, there were others. In the modern era, Barbara “B.” Smith was one of the first to bring her vision to life with a homeware line that sold at major retailers from Bed Bath & Beyond to Macy’s and HomeGoods. And over the past couple of decades, a growing number of Black artists and interior designers, including AphroChic and Sheila Bridges, have created lines that allow them to share their design flair with people everywhere.
Because filling your kitchen (and the rest of your home) with pieces that are meaningful and made with intention is the best kind of interior design, we rounded up seven of our favorite Black-owned home goods shops for you to explore next time you’re looking to spruce up your kitchen.
Yinka Ilori Store
With the debut of Yinka Ilori’s online housewares destination, the Nigerian-born, London-based artist and designer brings his modernist and colorful home designs to your kitchen. We’re partial to the enamel mugs and tea towels emblazoned with exuberant dots and stripes.
Don’t miss: The OMI mug, with its hopeful squiggly candle motif, makes every day a celebration.
The Jungalow
Justina Blakeney, The Jungalow founder, has built an empire and a huge following for her vibrant and playful designs that mix colors, patterns, and textures in unexpected ways. Her online shop is filled with classics, like her peace sign vase, as well as wallpaper and printed textiles.
Don’t miss: The Primavera Line of napkins, kitchen towels, and runners adorned with sweet little flowers.
Yowie
Shannon Maldonado’s shop YOWIE in Queen Village, Philadelphia, is focused on curating small collections from friends, independent artists, and designers. Her colorful aesthetic grabbed the attention of many on Instagram (her follower count is 47k and counting). Here, you can pick up anything from beeswax twisty candles to the most flavorful Asian sauces and even sweatsuit sets.
Don’t miss: This cornflower blue waves vase that’s sure to bring a dose of sunshine to your countertop.
Goodee World
In 2007, twin brothers Byron and Dexter Peart founded Want Les Essentiels de la Vie, a line of luxe travel essentials. After a decade in fashion, the design duo turned their attention to the world of good design with Goodee. The marketplace is focused on championing companies intent on honoring the environment, their employees, and artisans from around the globe. The international assortment includes woven pendant lamps, sustainable molded children’s chairs, and the most clever oven gloves from The Organic Company.
Don’t miss: The bold stripes of the Bassi Market Tote, crafted from fabric made in Burkina Faso, make any trip to the market feel like an adventure.
Lolly Lolly Ceramics
Ceramist Lalese Stamps’ high school nickname was Lolly. Years later, the playful moniker seemed like a perfect fit for her capsule collection of collectible mugs that feature speckles, terrazzo shapes, and eye-catching handles. Lolly Lolly has a tiny three-person production team and limited inventory, so we suggest following the brand on Instagram to make sure you catch the next drop.
Don’t miss: The 12/100 mug is one of the new icons of kitchen design with its sinuous handle and matte black finish that evokes lava.
Domain by Laura Hodges Studio
This brick-and-mortar shop is owned by Laura Hodges, a Maryland interior designer who creates serene and thoughtful spaces with a focus on sustainability. “I would love our customers to feel that our shop is one where they can discover new artists and makers that represent a wide range of cultural influences,” Hodges says. The store carries kitchen and entertaining goods including locally-made cheese and charcuterie boards, ceramic platters, sleek drinking carafes, and practical spray bottles to fill with your own cleaning solutions.
Don’t miss: These handmade raffia baskets crafted in Uganda.
Estelle Colored Glass
Stephanie Summerson Hall adored the way her grandmother Estelle was an expert at scouring antique shops for colored glass to add to her collection in their corner of South Carolina. Summerson Hall eventually caught the bug too and founded Estelle Colored Glass, a line of luxury hand-blown stemware and cake pedestals in delicious hues.
Don’t miss: This stemless glass set, a little prismatic joy for your table in shades of pink, sky blue, and lavender.