Luxury is often mistaken for more. More space, more objects, more access, more options. Yet the luxuries we find ourselves returning to most rarely announce themselves that way. They offer comfort, they carry memory, they reveal taste.

A restaurant that has remained excellent for years. A piece of art that gathers meaning over time. A room that immediately puts you at ease. A familiar scent. The ability to choose thoughtfully, collect intentionally, and surround yourself with things that make life feel richer, calmer, and more meaningful.

For Banke Ajagunna, founder of Decor Nigeria, this philosophy sits at the heart of how she designs, collects, and lives.

Little Luxuries, By Design

“Comfort is luxury, and luxury is comfort. There's no line to be drawn. The little pleasures in life are the true luxuries: time spent with someone who uplifts you, savouring a beautiful meal, a scent or space that brings back a cherished memory. All of that is comfort.”

For Banke, luxury is translating those feelings into the spaces she designs. Creating environments where those quiet, meaningful moments can be relived every day.

Spaces Done Well

When asked where she goes to experience design done quietly well, her answers are specific, considered, and entirely her own.

“I live between Lagos and Abuja. In Lagos, I spend my evenings at MÌLÍKÍ. Its design is deliberate and unique. Nothing feels excessive; every element has intention and belongs.

In Abuja, Boto is my go-to. It’s owned by a Parisian-trained chef, and in a city not known for restraint in design, stepping into that space felt like instant appreciation. Go for the ambience, and stay for the sumptuous food.”

On Returning to Clarity

For someone whose work demands a perpetually sharp visual sensibility, the question of how she recalibrates is worth asking.

“I usually say I just sleep and hope it all goes away. Hahaha. I’m kidding — well, partly.

When things feel loud and overwhelming, that’s usually my cue to recenter and return to myself. When there’s so much going on around us, it’s even more important to stay grounded in who we are and what we stand for.

I go back to my why, and that clarity always sets me back on track.”

Places That Shape Her Eye

“Italy or 'Eatly', as I call it, just gets it. The way historic architecture is preserved and paired with contemporary interiors. Heritage and craftsmanship are second nature there, and you feel the intentionality in everything they do.

Cape Town makes the designer in me leap for joy. Access to beautifully crafted furniture and thoughtfully curated stores gives designers room to experiment and push boundaries.

I'm also inspired by design coming out of Mexico and Japan. Deeply rooted in culture, yet refreshingly modern.

What Nigerian spaces instinctively get right is climate consciousness. A well-built Nigerian space understands our environment and optimises for it. It borrows inspiration from people, places, and objects that move us, but ultimately grounds everything in our lived reality.”

On Nigerian Taste, Beyond the Clichés

Pushed for a short list, and she gives four unapologetically.

“First, Alara Lagos. The architecture alone is worth the visit. Bold, contemporary, yet deeply connected to culture.

If you ever found yourself at the NSA's office in Abuja, you'd marvel (Shhh... don't say I told you). Well-manicured lawns, clean lines, and yet another reminder that architecture influences behaviour.

And of course, the National Theatre Lagos. Monumental, ambitious, and deeply symbolic. They simply don't build like that anymore.

When the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) fully opens, everyone should go and simply soak it in.”

The Luxury of Being a Custodian

Banke’s relationship with luxury has evolved in ways she didn't anticipate. The shift, she says, came over the last few years.

“I never thought I'd become the kind of person who collects art. I remember having a friend who would pay top dollar for collector's pieces, and I used to think that could never be me. Fast forward a few years and it is absolutely me. My understanding of luxury has shifted from simply appreciating beautiful things to valuing permanence, provenance, and story. It's no longer just about ownership, it's about stewardship. Preserving pieces that carry meaning and allowing them to live on beyond you.”

On Unwinding

Banke rides horses. She's recently taken to polo. And on slower days, she reads without the obligation of finishing.

“I absolutely love horseback riding, and lately I’ve taken a real liking to polo. It looks dangerous, but what’s a little danger, eh? There’s something incredibly freeing about the speed, the focus, and the discipline it requires.

On more laid-back days, I enjoy reading a few pages of a random book without the pressure or commitment of finishing it. In my mind, that’s one of the few ways I can rebel without serious consequences.

I also genuinely enjoy surfing the internet for one of a kind pieces in fashion, art, and, or collectibles. Whether I buy them or not doesn’t even matter. I just love seeing what’s out there. It keeps the eye sharp and the imagination active.”

Weekend, Considered

“First, Jara Beach Resort. The hospitality is unmatched. Clean, attentive, and a feeling of being genuinely cared for. For shopping, Alara Lagos and Temple Muse. You're not just buying things; you're discovering pieces with intention. For dining, Talindo Steak House. It's been around for about 15 years and has stayed consistent. Sometimes consistency is the ultimate luxury. And RSVP, especially poolside on a Friday.”

Travel, Taste, and Perspective

On the one indulgence that needs no justification. “Travel.” She doesn't hesitate.

“I actually hate being in the air, especially on long-haul flights. But the moment I land and settle into a new destination, I forget every complaint I had at 30,000 feet. I just get lost in the experience.

Travelling and immersing myself in new environments in my twenties is one of the most important things that shaped my worldview. It expanded my perspective, refined my taste, and deepened my curiosity. That shift still shows up in how I show up today.”

There is a throughline in everything Banke shares: a preference for what endures. The spaces she returns to, the objects she keeps, the cities that continue to shape her eye, and the experiences that remain meaningful long after the novelty has faded.

Perhaps that is the quietest luxury of all: comfort. The feeling of being exactly where you are meant to be.

The Luxury of Comfort: Banke Ajagunna