If I Were a Chair . . .

If I were a chair, this one would be ME! But y’all, hear me out!

A few months ago, and much like Darryl Sharpton, co-founder of Albany Park - from where I received this chair - my African roots gained a bit more specificity after cross-referencing two DNA tests! I used both 23andMe and Ancestry.com to learn more about where my family’s legacy began. And come to find out, a little over a quarter of my bloodline started in Nigeria, y’all! Now, if you follow me on Instagram, you’ll know that I LIVE for Afrobeats, jollof rice and fufu, and Nollywood movies! So finding out my ancestral connection to Nigeria is a BIG thing for me!

For so long, the other parts of my ancestry had such pinpointed origins - like the exact regions in France, England, Spain and parts of the Caribbean. However, my African heritage - although obvious - was only reported as “from the continent”. So finally receiving a full breakdown of where my family’s history started before the Americas helped complete a missing part of my identity! The other African countries where my heritage was reported are shown below - although Ethiopian heritage has recently shown up!

My heritage influences everything I do and the beauty with which I view life. More importantly, it also influences how I choose to curate my home; after all, our homes are simply an extension of who we are. So why not have it represent me in totality?!🙌🏾

From the art I purchase to the colors, textures, and fabrics - and plants - I select to bring into my home, I want every space to tell a little about who I am, where I come from, and what I love.

Featured artwork by: Frances Berry | Ẹkáàbọ̀ Armchair from Albany Park

So when I saw this Ẹkáàbọ̀ Armchair from Albany Park, I knew this was a piece of furniture I had to have in my home. Other than its amazing colors - y’all know I LOVE pops of colors - and its print being one of my favorite Ankara variations (the ‘Record Disc’), this chair is another piece in my home that represents ME; that represents my family!

Another factor that won me over with this chair style is the fabric. In designing my sunroom - more photos and information to come on this space VERY soon - function, colorful pattern play, and comfort were at the top of my list of elements to incorporate. Amazingly enough, these chairs are crafted from the plushest velvet Ankara fabric - a combination not often seen! So, to add to being some of the most comfortable chairs I’ve owned in my life, their uniqueness adds another layer of interest and storytelling to my home.

I often spend my days writing blogposts, drafting my goals, or simply staring at my plant collection while sitting in these chairs - I have two and alternate which one’s I want to sit it . . . because balance, right?

The Ẹkáàbọ̀ Armchair comes in the Akwaaba and Koyo (the one I have) colorway. And because I had the honor and privilege of partnering with the Albany Park team in selecting these chairs and designing my sunroom, I’m able to offer you a discount code for shopping this style, or many others from their site! Just use “David10” when checking out, and you’ll get 10% off your Albany Park purchase.

Oh, and might I add the word Ẹkáàbọ̀ means, “Welcome Home”; fitting of curating our homes to beautifully reflect exactly who we are!

How do you like to add your personality to your homes? Let me know in the comments below!

Happy curating! (and stay tuned for the full sunroom reveal a little later this week!)🌿