Shop Stylish South African Home Decor Now Available in the U.S.

Introduction

If you’ve stayed at the Silo Hotel in Cape Town or a Singita Lodge elsewhere in South Africa, you may have noticed elegant woven baskets discreetly positioned under sinks or by bedsides. These beautiful pieces come from Mo and Michelle Mokone, the talented sisters behind the Pretoria-based decor company Mo’s Crib.

Innovation of Mo’s Crib

This innovation proved successful; the sisters won a market award for the best new product, which led to the official launch of Mo’s Crib in 2016. Presently, their collection includes laundry and storage baskets, placemats, trays, plant pots, and wall art—many crafted from natural fibers, such as the sisal plant. In 2021, Mo’s Crib expanded its distribution to the United States through Crate & Barrel and, more recently, Target.

Design Inspirations

Several designs, including the “spark orange” baskets, celebrate South Africa’s vibrant culture, as noted by Mo. In contrast, their signature black-and-white line symbolizes unity among different races, inspired by Ubuntu, a humanist concept meaning “I am because you are.”

Future Ambitions

In September, the sisters will unveil a new basket crafted from banana-tree bark at Crate & Barrel. However, their ambitions extend beyond this. “We would really like to have our own retail stores,” expresses Michelle. “I want to one day look back and say, ‘This was a dream, and now it’s here.’”

A version of this story first appeared in the September 2023 issue of iBestTravel under the headline “A Tisket, A Tasket.”