Jon Batiste and Suleika Jaouad Launch Anthropologie Home Collection
The 46-piece Tunisiana collection merges North African heritage with functional Brooklyn-inspired home decor.
1The Tunisiana Design Concept
Jon Batiste and Suleika Jaouad introduced Tunisiana, a design aesthetic blending their Tunisian and Louisianan heritages. This 46-piece collection for Anthropologie Home spans furniture, tabletop items, and decor. The collaboration draws heavily from their shared French and African roots, aiming to bring their unique, personal Brooklyn townhouse style to a broader consumer market.
2Functional Piano Stool Innovation
Addressing the bulkiness of traditional piano benches, the couple designed an octagonal stool inspired by North African Ottoman-style side tables. Featuring a mustard-colored velvet seat, it swivels and adjusts in height. The base includes pointed arches, while a deep fringe skirt provides a decorative touch, allowing the piece to function as an ottoman or table.
3Artistic Upholstery and Armchairs
The collection’s premium armchair features fabric derived from a woodland watercolor painting created by Jaouad. The blue-green print mimics marbled paper and vintage French verdure tapestries. Brass casters are integrated into the base, ensuring the piece remains mobile and practical for various room layouts, reflecting the couple's focus on both aesthetics and utility.
4Collaborative Record Player Design
Partnering with Crosley, the couple developed a suitcase-style record player designed to remain on display rather than hidden away. The exterior features Jaouad’s foliage print, while the interior lid showcases a painted bird. It includes a curated vinyl set featuring Labi Siffre and Batiste’s own albums, such as We Are and Black Mozart.
5Tabletop and Narrative Decor
Tabletop items incorporate personal history, such as a pale blue teapot inspired by a broken glass find in Tunisia. The collection includes dessert plates featuring Batiste’s handwritten affirmations and cocktail shakers with rotating recipe chambers. Holiday ornaments are shaped like musical instruments, specifically incorporating Batiste’s own musical notation into their final physical design.
6Facilitating Social Dinner Parties
The collection includes a deck of conversation prompts designed to encourage group interaction during dinner parties. Jaouad emphasizes that high-quality objects can elevate simple gatherings, suggesting that even delivered pizza feels sophisticated when served on curated plates. These items aim to simplify the hosting process while fostering meaningful connections among guests at home.
7Design Process and Inspiration
Jaouad, who previously renovated their Brooklyn home, utilized her skills in fresco painting and plasterwork to inform the collection's textures. By creating pieces she personally desired but could not find in the market, she ensured the line maintained a distinct, non-mass-produced feel. The result is a cohesive range that reflects their specific lifestyle.
8Market Availability and Strategy
The full 46-piece collection officially launches on October 15 at anthropologie.com. By blending high-end artistic expression with accessible home goods, the collaboration targets consumers looking for narrative-driven decor. This launch marks a significant expansion of the couple's creative footprint, moving from personal home renovation to a scalable retail partnership with Anthropologie.