I am delighted to announce that the Robert Langford x Eva Sonaike furniture collection has been awarded the Livingetc Style Award for Best Furniture Collaboration 2025.
Chosen by a panel of leading editors and designers, this accolade celebrates the creative synergy between Robert Langford’s timeless, elegant furniture and my pattern-rich textiles, which bring colour, heritage, and narrative into contemporary interiors.
A Memorable Evening at The Dorchester
The awards ceremony took place at The Dorchester Hotel in London – a night that brought together some of the most inspiring names in design. The atmosphere was vibrant, with the room buzzing with conversation and elegance. Being there with my team made the win even more meaningful, as we shared the moment surrounded by peers and fellow creatives.
Sarah Spiteri, Editorial Director at Livingetc, summed it up perfectly: “Eva makes using pattern look easy – especially when it’s executed as well as this collection.”
The Design Vision
This collaboration began with a shared ambition: to create an elegant furniture collection that is inspired by African culture. Robert Langford, originally from Port Elizabeth, South Africa, brings a refined, modern approach to furniture-making – celebrated for clean lines, enduring quality, and timeless appeal.
By combining Robert’s expertise with my own West African-inspired patterns and colour palettes, we have merged African design influences from different parts of the continent into a unified, contemporary collection. The result is a dialogue between cultures – one that honours heritage while presenting it through a modern, design-led lens.
For the collection, I created exclusive colour-ways from my Kano Collection:
- Ayo Blue – serene and uplifting, symbolising joy
- Ife Beige – soft and calming, inspired by love
- A batik blend of green, beige, and light blue – reflecting nature and balance
These fabrics were carefully matched to each piece, ensuring they enhance the furniture’s form while energising the surrounding space.
Collection Highlights
- Battersea & Charlie Swivel Chairs – sculptural silhouettes in Ayo Blue and Ice Beige, offering comfort and style
- End‑of‑Bed Ottomans – in Ife Beige and Sky Blue Batik, adding an elegant finishing touch
- Ottoman Coffee Table – with wooden inlay in Sky and Beige Batik, combining artistry and practicality
- Classic Round Ottoman – in Ife Beige and Ayo Blue, bringing versatility and understated glamour
Why This Award Matters
The Livingetc Style Award is an important recognition of what can be achieved when different design traditions come together with a shared vision. This collection proves that bold pattern and vibrant colour, when thoughtfully applied, can sit comfortably alongside understated craftsmanship to create furniture that feels unique, enduring, and personal.
On a personal level, I feel truly honoured by this recognition. It reflects not only the hard work and dedication behind the collection but also my passion for bringing African design into the global interiors conversation. Seeing these patterns, colours, and stories celebrated on such a respected stage reaffirms why I do what I do – to create spaces that are not only beautiful but also meaningful, uplifting, and reflective of a rich cultural heritage.
Explore the Award-Winning Collection
I invite you to experience the Robert Langford x Eva Sonaike collection for yourself – to see how pattern, colour, and craftsmanship can transform a space and inspire daily life.
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