Our brand story

From Fashion in Nairobi to Soapstone in Kisii:

The unexpected journey that inspired Soapstone Interiors

Some of life's greatest opportunities arrive disguised as endings. Mine began in December 2020.

After years of running a high-end fashion business in Nairobi, the COVID-19 pandemic forced me to close its doors. Like many entrepreneurs, I found myself standing at an unfamiliar crossroads. With my business behind me, I relocated to Kisii County, hoping that a change in environment would bring clarity about what came next. Instead, I found myself in a place that felt completely foreign.

I barely knew anyone. I didn't speak the local language. My professional network was hundreds of kilometres away, and the luxury fashion business I had built simply wasn't suited to the realities of my new market. The uncertainty was overwhelming, but deep down I knew one thing- I wasn't ready to stop creating.

For a while, I tried taking the conventional path. I found employment within Kisii town, hoping stability would eventually lead to fulfillment. Three months later, I walked away.

It wasn't fear that made me leave. It was conviction.

I knew I was meant to build something of my own.

Months later, in August 2021, curiosity led me to Tabaka, Kenya's renowned soapstone carving community. I wasn't looking for a business opportunity. I simply wanted unique décor pieces for my home.

I expected to discover beautifully designed objects that celebrated one of Kenya's most remarkable natural materials.

Instead, I left disappointed.

Although the craftsmanship was evident, many of the products felt disconnected from contemporary living. I couldn't help imagining what soapstone could become if paired with thoughtful, modern design.

Something about that visit stayed with me.

The following day, I returned- this time determined to understand the craft itself.

I barely knew anyone. I didn't speak the local language. My professional network was hundreds of kilometres away, and the luxury fashion business I had built simply wasn't suited to the realities of my new market. The uncertainty was overwhelming, but deep down I knew one thing- I wasn't ready to stop creating.

Without knowing my way around, I drove through Tabaka searching for the quarries and local artisans. After getting lost at a T-junction, I met a kind-hearted artisan who generously offered to show me around.

That unexpected encounter changed everything.

Standing at the quarry, seeing raw soapstone emerge from the earth for the very first time, I experienced something difficult to describe. It wasn't simply admiration for the material- it was possibility.

To thank the artisan for his time, I commissioned a custom piece for my home.

A few days later, it was ready.

It wasn't flawless, but it possessed something far more important: character. I could already envision what it might become with intentional design.

Back home, I began sketching.

I invested my savings, partnered with the same artisan, and together we combined traditional craftsmanship with a fresh design perspective. The result was unlike anything I had seen
before - minimal, sculptural, and unmistakably modern while remaining deeply rooted in Kenyan artistry.

When I shared the pieces with family and friends, the response exceeded every expectation. The compliments quickly turned into questions.

The questions became orders. And those first orders became the foundation of what would eventually become Soapstone Interiors.

Our very first collection consisted of just three designs: the Wishbone Vase, the Donut Vase, and the Cute Face Vase. Years later, they remain among our most loved and iconic creations.

Then came another turning point.

One of our earliest customers shared her soapstone pieces on Instagram. That single post introduced our work to a wider audience, generating inquiries from people who had never before imagined soapstone as contemporary home décor.

The momentum had begun.

Today, Soapstone Interiors exists for people who appreciate craftsmanship with meaning. Every piece is still handcrafted in Kenya by skilled artisans in Tabaka, where generations have perfected the art of soapstone carving. Our role is to honour that heritage while reimagining it through timeless, contemporary design.

Looking back, what once felt like the end of one chapter became the beginning of something far more meaningful.
Soapstone Interiors was never simply about creating beautiful objects.
It was born from resilience, shaped by curiosity and inspired by the belief that traditional craftsmanship deserves a place in modern homes around the world.
Every piece we create carries that story forward.

~ Dorothy Owuor: Founder, Soapstone Interiors