Interior design is a constantly evolving innovation, as the trends move from time to time. Thus, to keep up with the pace of the sector especially in Nigeria where the drive for quality and aesthetic designs are highly sought after, it is imperative to keep creativity alive and evolve with the trend.

Founder/Chief Executive Officer, HNK Interiors and HNK Designs Centre, Dr Adefunke Soyibo, stated this during the official commissioning of the HNK Interiors Manufacturing and the unveiling of the HNK Designs in Lagos during the week.

According to the design expert, the two purpose-built facilities are created to transform how furniture is manufactured and spaces are designed in Nigeria. “They represent HNK Interiors’ continued investment in innovation, creativity, local manufacturing and the future of the Nigeria design industry.”

Soyibo noted that HNK has been in existence for 19 years. “Five years ago we opened a furniture manufacturing company in Nigeria. Five years after that, we realised that the space was no longer conducive –we were not able to achieve as much as we wanted to, so we decided to move into a more purpose-built manufacturing space where we can express ourselves.

The Manufactory facility is established to increase production capacity while maintaining the highest standards of craftsmanship, innovation and quality. It is equipped with modern machinery, an improved production system and a growing team of skilled artisans.”

On the ideology behind the centre, Soyibo said it was built to offer multiple signature lifestyle sets in one location.

“The HNK Design Centre is a space to showcase all and everything that we can manufacture locally. It is a premium creative destination designed for creators, entrepreneurs, brands, photographers, filmmakers, influencers and businesses seeking a beautifully curated environment for content creation and intimate events. Also, we are trying to promote the Made in Nigeria brand and have people get quality furniture items at a very affordable price.”
Importation Of Furniture and Interior Designs Is No Longer Sustainable

The design expert noted that with the high rate of inflation and staggering economy, it’s impossible to keep up with importation alone. “Any attempt to restrict this sector to importation alone would mean that a lot of people, the everyday Nigerians won’t be able to afford quality furniture and interior designs. So, what we have done with the HNK manufacturing factory helps to make furniture affordable while maintaining the standard and the quality of the imported.
However, there are materials that we still have to source abroad while we get the ones readily available to us here in Nigeria.”

Why We Bring Artisans From Benin Republic
It was discovered that about 80 per cent of the HNK artisans are from Benin Republic and when asked why this is, Soyibo said: “Unfortunately, when we started the manufacturing factory five years ago, we started with Nigerian artisans. We started with a lot of Yoruba and Igbo artisans. But it’s disappointing to say that a lot of Nigerian artisans still don’t have the discipline that this type of work requires. It was a nightmare working with Nigerian artisans. They never meet up to target and there was no way we could succeed with that kind of indiscipline. This is why we got the artisans from the Benin Republic. First, they pay so much attention to detail. They are very good at what they do and they are not lazy. They do their job passionately and this has really helped the brand over the years.