WELCOME TO THE HOUSE OF NAMBILI!

House of Nambili (HoN)—Nambili meaning "twelve" in Zulu—is a celebration of creativity, culture, and craftsmanship. It’s a space where art, design, and curated living come together, rooted in sustainability through reusing, recycling, and upcycling whenever possible. Every piece in our collection, from Afro-centric home decor to clothing imbued with uplifting phrases, tells a story of individuality and style.

At the heart of HoN is niCo Robinson, an artist whose journey began when she was an unstoppable 12-year-old, creating art and trusting her instincts. But as puberty hit, the weight of others' opinions dimmed her creative spark. Years later, she rediscovered that fearless mindset, embracing the mantra, "Anything I want, I already have!" This became the foundation of her work and the inspiration behind Forever 12 LLC, her photography and videography venture. The name Forever 12 pays homage to that unshakable, creative spirit she had at 12, while Nambili—meaning "twelve" in Zulu—reflects the evolution of that spirit into a thriving, multifaceted creative journey.

Through Forever 12 LLC, her images have been published in VIBE Magazine, The Source, The Fader, the book MFON: Women Photographers of the African Diaspora, and her photographs have been exhibited in London, New York, and Hong Kong.

While photography remains a core passion, niCo has always been drawn to design—particularly the art of chairs. To her, chairs are more than functional objects; they are works of art. She’s been known to tear up over the curve of a leg, the choice of fabric, or the precision of pattern matching. “Chairs are dope to me because they can be functional and gorgeous simultaneously,” she says.

This love for design led her to SewFresh Upholstery, the upholstery and furniture restoration “room” of HoN. Here, she combines sewing, painting, woodworking, and crafting to breathe new life into old pieces, whether restoring heirlooms, updating vintage finds, or rescuing furniture from the landfill.

House of Nambili is also home to Ivy’s Closet, where handmade shoelaces, streetwear, and other unique designs come to life. Each “room” of HoN serves a purpose, reflecting niCo’s belief in creativity, resilience, and staying true to oneself.

Welcome to House of Nambili—where every stitch, photo and pattern tells a story.