{"id":45354,"date":"2025-08-23T14:15:59","date_gmt":"2025-08-23T12:15:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/highway-berea\/?p=45354"},"modified":"2025-08-18T14:25:24","modified_gmt":"2025-08-18T12:25:24","slug":"celebrating-home-the-african-way","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/highway-berea\/blog\/2025\/08\/23\/celebrating-home-the-african-way\/","title":{"rendered":"Celebrating home, the African way"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hillcrest-based creative Germaine Jacobs is turning handmade textiles into modern heirlooms. Quietly. Beautifully. And with purpose.<\/p>\n

When Germaine Jacobs first stumbled across a striking piece of mud cloth while decorating her home, she never imagined it would change the course of her life. She was just about ready to buy it online from a US store when she discovered the textile\u2019s origin, Africa.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was convinced I could find it here,\u201d she recalls. \u201cBut after a deep dive into local stores and online searches, I came up with nothing. That\u2019s when it hit me … something that\u2019s part of our own heritage wasn\u2019t even accessible to us.\u201d<\/p>\n

That quiet moment of frustration became a spark. It wasn\u2019t about just finding fabric anymore – it became about celebrating it.<\/p>\n

\u201cI couldn\u2019t stop thinking about how African textiles, which carry so much story and tradition, were being overlooked – especially here at home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Germaine\u2019s background is in pharmaceuticals, but design has always been a love language for her. What began as a decor blog more than a decade ago evolved over time into something much deeper.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was my creative outlet. I didn\u2019t always know how to make it a full career, but I knew I needed to stay connected to it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Once she sourced her first batch of mud cloth, there was no turning back.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt felt raw but refined, ancient yet modern. That was the moment I realised African design doesn\u2019t have to shout to be powerful. It can be minimal. It can be chic. And it can absolutely hold space in contemporary homes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"Today, as the founder of Spases, a brand she officially launched online in 2019 that champions sustainably handmade African design, she\u2019s on a mission to show that African textiles can be both rich in heritage and unapologetically chic. She works with handmade textiles from across the continent – Mali, Senegal, the Ivory Coast, Morocco. Each piece is chosen not just for beauty, but for its story and to create timeless homeware. Think minimal yet textured pillows, ceramics, candles and handmade bags.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese fabrics aren\u2019t mass-produced, they\u2019re crafted using generations-old techniques and natural processes. There\u2019s memory in every thread,\u201d Germaine says. \u201cFor me, these aren\u2019t just decor items. They\u2019re vessels of culture, history and identity.\u201d<\/p>\n

What\u2019s perhaps most inspiring about Germaine\u2019s approach is her restraint. She isn\u2019t trying to keep up with trends or fill catalogues. Instead, she designs slowly and thoughtfully, producing everything locally in Durban with a small team of artisans.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a certain energy in something made with hands and heart. You can feel the difference in a handmade piece. It\u2019s personal. It breathes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her aesthetic blends earthy textures, quiet prints and architectural forms.<\/p>\n

\"\"\u201cI\u2019ve always loved minimalism, even in fashion,\u201d she admits with a laugh. \u201cI\u2019m obsessed with stripes and sculptural shapes – rounded mirrors, curved headboards, anything with a little personality.\u201d<\/p>\n

In a design world often saturated with imported looks, Germaine is gently nudging us to turn inward – towards our own continent, our own craft, our own stories.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think we\u2019ve been conditioned to look to the West for inspiration. But there\u2019s so much richness right here. We just need to give it space.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her hope is that African homeware will continue to gain the global recognition it deserves – not just as a trend, but as a movement rooted in pride and identity.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne day, I\u2019d love to create a real-world space where people can touch and feel these textures, experience their beauty up close. But for now, I\u2019m just focused on telling stories with intention.\u201d<\/p>\n

And perhaps that\u2019s what sets Germaine apart. In a fast-paced, trend-chasing world, she reminds us to slow down. To honour the handmade. To make room for memory. To celebrate home, not just as a place, but as a reflection of who we are.<\/p>\n

Details:\u00a0 Visit spases.net<\/em><\/p>\n

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Small touches, big impact<\/strong><\/p>\n

Want to add some African flair to your space without a full makeover? Germaine shares her top tips for creatiing African elegance on a budget.<\/p>\n

Style with books<\/p>\n

Coffee table books featuring African photography, fashion or art bring culture and personality into a room. They\u2019re functional and beautiful.<\/p>\n

Start with soft touches<\/p>\n

Textiles are a game-changer. A few mud cloths or Baule print cushions instantly add warmth, texture and story – no need to change your furniture.<\/p>\n

Frame a statement print<\/p>\n

A simple framed illustration, textile photo or abstract African figure adds a subtle but powerful presence to your walls.<\/p>\n

Let objects speak<\/p>\n

Display what you love. A beaded necklace, woven fan or clay figurine can be turned into meaningful decor when styled intentionally.<\/p>\n

Use ceramics creatively<\/p>\n

Ceramics double as catchalls – use them to hold keys, jewellery or little keepsakes. They\u2019re small pieces with a big visual impact.<\/p>\n

Layer thoughtfully<\/p>\n

Stack books, add a candle, a bowl and a small plant – playing with height and texture lets handmade items really shine.<\/p>\n

Edit, don\u2019t overfill<\/p>\n

Less is more. Choose a few meaningful pieces and give them space to breathe. It\u2019s not about how much you have – it\u2019s how you curate.<\/p>\n