May has always been a special month for me. Not only because it is my birthday, but because it carries a sense of renewal with a shift in light, energy and perspective. This year, that feeling is even more meaningful as I introduce something I have been quietly developing for quite some time: our new Eyo Collection.
As the founder of my design studio, I am constantly exploring the balance between structure and softness, and how a space can feel both grounded and expressive. This collection marks a new chapter for Eva Sonaike, with the introduction of our very first luxury linen range. It is a subtle shift, but an important one, towards something softer, more tactile, and very atmospheric.
The Poetry of Ojú Eéyọ
The Eyo Collection, which I often think of as my Shadow Series, is rooted in the Yoruba concept of Ojú Eéyọ: the interplay of light and shadow.
This is not a collection that demands attention. It draws you in more quietly. It invites you to slow down, to notice how light moves across a surface, how texture changes throughout the day.
The patterns themselves are inspired by traditional Hausa architectural forms, where light filters through latticed screens and creates ever-changing shapes. I have always been fascinated by this gentle rhythm of how structure can feel soft, and how shadow can bring warmth and texture.
At its core sits the Ife motif from my Kano Collection, reinterpreted here with a softer, more fluid hand. It becomes less about repetition and more about rhythm, holding that delicate balance between presence and calm.
A New Chapter in Materials: The Linen Debut
This collection is also the beginning of something new materially.
For the first time, I am introducing a linen base cloth into the collection. Linen has a natural softness to it: slightly irregular, beautifully textured, with a delicate feel. It brings a relaxed refinement to our designer cushions and fabrics by the metre, allowing them to feel both elevated and easy to live with.
For those who appreciate the richness and structure of our existing pieces, our pouffes and lampshades remain crafted in our signature half-Panama cotton to ensure the highest durability.
Our reversible cushions sit at the heart of the collection. The patterned side carries the batik-inspired Ife motif, while the reverse offers a quiet, tonal batik pattern. Finished with our signature wool-fringed piping, each piece feels considered from every angle.
A Softer Approach to Colour
One of the most common conversations I have is around the hesitation to use colour. There is often a concern that it might overwhelm a space.
The Eyo Collection approaches colour differently.
The palette, comprised of soft sage, muted ochre, powder blue, lilac, and warm blush, is designed to sit gently within a room. These are colours that evolve with the light rather than compete with it. They allow you to introduce colourful interiors in a way that feels calm, balanced, and personal.
What I particularly love about this collection is its versatility. I have seen my work live in many different environments, ranging from minimal, architectural spaces to more layered and opulent interiors, across a variety of cultural settings. The Eyo Collection is designed with exactly this in mind.
It gives you the freedom to explore colour at your own pace. Whether as a quiet starting point or as part of a more expressive scheme, these pieces don’t impose a style: they support your way of living with colour.
An Invitation to Explore
If you have ever felt unsure about introducing colour into your home, this is a gentle way to begin. And if you already love living with colour, it offers a softer, more nuanced, and highly versatile new layer.
I invite you to explore the Eyo Collection in your own way, through texture, tone and the feeling it brings into your space.
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