Jon Batiste and Suleika Jaouad are bringing their unique home-decor style, Tunisiana, to homes everywhere with a 46-piece collection for Anthropologie Home. The collection spans furniture, tabletop items, decor, and entertaining pieces, drawing inspiration from the couple’s Tunisian and Louisianan heritage. Tunisiana, a portmanteau of Tunisia and Louisiana, reflects the shared French and African roots of these regions, a theme central to the collection’s design philosophy.
A Festive Take on Piano Seating
One standout piece is a piano stool designed by the couple. It features a dark wood octagonal base with pointed arches, a mustard-colored velvet seat, and a twisted fringe skirt. Jaouad mentions that it can also serve as a side table, ottoman, or extra seating. The stool’s design is a response to Jaouad’s dislike of traditional piano benches, which she finds bulky and heavy. The octagonal base is modeled after Ottoman-style side tables common in North Africa, and the seat swivels and adjusts in height, adding both functionality and whimsy. “It feels like a little whirling dervish,” Jaouad notes, emphasizing its versatility and festive charm.
The most expensive item in the collection is a spacious armchair inspired by Jaouad’s watercolor painting. The chair’s fabric displays a loose blue-green print reminiscent of marbled paper or an antique French woven wall hanging. It is mounted on brass casters for easy mobility. The print originates from a woodland scene Jaouad painted for a tray in the collection, which she later adapted for upholstery. The chair’s design maintains the fluid, blended look of watercolor, creating a piece that is both artistic and functional.
A Record Player That Demands Attention
A record player, created in collaboration with Crosley, addresses the issue of bulky turntables. It folds into a suitcase-style box decorated with Jaouad’s painted foliage design. The player includes a set of vinyl records that hold personal significance for the couple, featuring albums by Labi Siffre and Batiste himself. The Labi Siffre record is particularly meaningful, as it was the soundtrack to their first date in London. The Batiste records include Monk Meditations and Black Mozart, both recorded in a single day in their home, and We Are, for which Jaouad took the cover photo in Tunisia. The record player’s design ensures it’s not just a functional item but a decorative centerpiece.
The tabletop items also incorporate personal elements. A pale blue teapot with a cobalt spout and diamond patterns was inspired by a broken glass teapot Jaouad discovered in Tunisia. Accompanying cups feature a leopard and red butterfly design. Additionally, a cocktail shaker includes a rotating chamber that displays seven drink recipes. The teapot’s shape and color palette pay homage to Tunisian craftsmanship, while the leopard and butterfly motifs add a touch of whimsy. The cocktail shaker’s rotating chamber not only serves a practical purpose but also becomes a conversation piece.
Conversation Starters and Musical Ornaments
Jaouad’s preference for group conversation during dinner parties is reflected in a deck of conversation prompts. The collection also features dessert plates that combine Jaouad’s illustrations with Batiste’s handwritten affirmations. Holiday ornaments are designed in the shape of musical instruments and incorporate Batiste’s musical notation. Batiste proudly declares, “I have never seen hipper ornaments than these,” highlighting their unique blend of art and music. The conversation prompts are designed to support a sense of community and connection, aligning with the couple’s hosting philosophy.
Back in 2023, AD readers got a look at the couple’s then-newly renovated Brooklyn town house in a piece Jaouad wrote for the magazine. Much of the updated decor came directly from Jaouad, a writer and painter, who reupholstered furniture and taught herself fresco painting and plasterwork. This hands-on approach to design is evident in the Tunisiana collection, which feels both personal and universally appealing.
The Tunisiana collection will be available starting October 15 on the Anthropologie website. With its blend of personal touches and practical design, it provides ample reasons to host a dinner party – just remember to bring a record.
