A 300-Year-Old Pattern Got a Refresh With This Illustrator’s West Elm Collab
Africa and California collide in his creations.
Updated Jul 8, 2022 1:54 PM
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When you think of artist Walker Noble’s major brand collaborations—with Madewell and Pottery Barn, to name a few—they often center around a kind of California-cool–style wall art that could make even a Midwestern split-level feel like an oceanside bungalow. Think: soft hues, abstract shapes, and desert-inspired motifs.
But with his brand-new West Elm capsule collection, he’s introducing his first-ever range of rugs, cushion covers, and shower curtains, alongside his signature illustrations, of course. The 11-piece product line starts at $30 and melds Noble’s distinctly laid-back style with his family’s cultural ties, which include his African American background and his wife DiDi’s Brazilian roots.
And he’s also going bolder than usual, namely with a mazelike geometric design inspired by his travels throughout central Africa, where he encountered traditional Kuba cloth, a handwoven 17th-century textile that originated in the region. In his West Elm collection, the ancient lines get the artist’s treatment in two soothing color schemes across the pieces—a tone-on-tone beige and an inky petrol blue. The best part? No matter your decor style, this print plays well with others, from bold stripes to textured textiles. Here are just a few of our favorites from the collaboration that feature the centuries-old pattern.
