Is South African Style On Your Radar? It Should Be For Its Authentic, Sustainable, Unapologetic Ethos

“South Africa is climbing the influence charts within interior design circles”, says Sarah Bianchi, CEO of Arighi Bianchi. “And now’s the time to take a fresh look at this design-forward destination.

“South African style often gets stuck in a tired narrative – kids safari themed bedrooms or a surface-level nod to ‘tribal’ design that can come across as culturally vague. The influence of South African style is so much more – and 100% relevant to the direction UK home décor trends are heading: it’s a movement rooted in sustainability, earthy palettes and storytelling with modern elegance.

“The country has a phenomenally cool contemporary design scene. Cape Town Design Week is jaw-dropping for its vibrant celebration of creativity rooted in cultural authenticity, sustainability, and social impact, spotlighting fresh talent across fashion, art, and innovation. With the city as its living canvas, it brings together diverse voices to co-create, disrupt norms, and reimagine the future of design.

“South Africa is also a design powerhouse that’s spawned brands like Dokter and Misses, Wiid Design and Weylandts; local artisans working with rattan, ceramic, leather, and which celebrates bold colour palettes that play with sun-bleached tones and raw natural textures. Totally 2025-6 trends that are gathering pace!”

Sarah adds: “Today’s South African design speaks to a new generation of interiors – one that values storytelling over trend cycles, and texture over mass production. From hand-carved furniture to sun-faded tones, this is a design language grounded in place, but fluent in global luxury.

“And there’s a quiet power to South African interiors – a softness to the palette, a rawness in the materials, and a sincerity in how things are made. That balance of earth and artistry is what makes it so relevant to how we want our homes to feel today.”

Arighi Bianchi unveils its latest design direction, embracing the rich textures, earthy palettes and authentic craftsmanship of South African style

With influences spanning from the Cape’s artisan studios to the wide skies of the bushveld, Arighi’s new Postcards from South Africa collection embraces:
• Afro-minimalism – a design philosophy rooted in less-but-better, where form meets function through heritage craftsmanship
• Natural materials – think sun-drenched woods, woven grass, stone, linen and clay
• Sustainability by design – ethically sourced, low-impact, and built to last
• Emotive palettes – warm neutrals, clay reds, sage greens and sand tones that echo the South African landscape

Key looks:

South African Serenity

Arighi’s Postcards from South Africa collection not only responds to a global appetite for slower living and conscious consumption, but also reflects the rise of South Africa as a bona fide design destination – with Cape Town now globally recognised for its creative industries and cutting-edge aesthetic.

The Cape Island Collection

The Cape Island Collection is a luxurious South African lifestyle brand that beautifully captures the essence of the country’s diverse landscapes and rich cultural heritage through fragrance. Based in Cape Town, the brand is best known for its elegant home fragrances – from candles and diffusers to hand creams – all inspired by iconic local settings like Clifton Beach, the Winelands, and the wild Garden Route. Each product is cruelty-free, ethically produced, and presented in recyclable or reusable packaging, with signature gold-detailed glassware that feels as premium as it smells. Cape Island isn’t just about scent – it’s about storytelling, sustainability, and celebrating the spirit of South Africa, one room at a time.

The Rekindle Collection

Rekindle Candle Company, based in Cape Town, is a standout example of South African design rooted in sustainability and soul. Specialising in hand-poured, small-batch candles made from repurposed wine bottles and locally sourced essential oils, Rekindle blends eco-conscious practices with a refined, minimalist aesthetic. Each candle tells a story of the Cape – from the earthy notes of indigenous fynbos to the fresh, coastal scents inspired by the Atlantic. It’s more than just a candle brand; Rekindle captures the spirit of slow living and conscious craft that defines the new wave of South African interiors.