Addis Ababa has seen a surge in lighting across the city, with large companies dominating outdoor supply while smaller studios shape interior aesthetics. Among them, Mella Studio has spent the past three years building a niche with handcrafted pendant and hanging lights inspired by Ethiopian heritage and made from mostly locally sourced, recycled materials. Founded by three architects who left traditional careers, the studio creates artistic, story-driven pieces for cafes, restaurants, and homes locally and abroad. Each product is carefully designed—often customized—with a production process that can take up to 15 days, using materials like fabric, wood, clay, and scrap elements. Their designs carry a distinct Ethiopian identity in both form and concept. The studio blends rustic and contemporary aesthetics while prioritizing sustainability. Their use of LED lighting enhances warmth and ambiance, reflecting a strong focus on how light affects mood and space.
Addis Ababa has seen a surge in lighting across the city, with large companies dominating outdoor supply while smaller studios shape interior aesthetics. Among them, Mella Studio has spent the past three years building a niche with handcrafted pendant and hanging lights inspired by Ethiopian heritage and made from mostly locally sourced, recycled materials. Founded by three architects who left traditional careers, the studio creates artistic, story-driven pieces for cafes, restaurants, and homes locally and abroad. Each product is carefully designed—often customized—with a production process that can take up to 15 days, using materials like fabric, wood, clay, and scrap elements. Their designs carry a distinct Ethiopian identity in both form and concept. The studio blends rustic and contemporary aesthetics while prioritizing sustainability. Their use of LED lighting enhances warmth and ambiance, reflecting a strong focus on how light affects mood and space.
The ideas here stay close to culture, product design and the practical rituals that make them feel lived in.
Addis Ababa has seen a surge in lighting across the city, with large companies dominating outdoor supply while smaller studios shape interior aesthetics. Among them, Mella Studio has spent the past three years building a niche with handcrafted pendant and hanging lights inspired by Ethiopian heritage and made from mostly locally sourced, recycled materials. Founded by three architects who left traditional careers, the studio creates artistic, story-driven pieces for cafes, restaurants, and homes locally and abroad. Each product is carefully designed—often customized—with a production process that can take up to 15 days, using materials like fabric, wood, clay, and scrap elements. Their designs carry a distinct Ethiopian identity in both form and concept. The studio blends rustic and contemporary aesthetics while prioritizing sustainability. Their use of LED lighting enhances warmth and ambiance, reflecting a strong focus on how light affects mood and space.
Seen through a news lens, the story keeps returning to warmth, restraint, and the role handmade light plays in daily life.
Addis Ababa has seen a surge in lighting across the city, with large companies dominating outdoor supply while smaller studios shape interior aesthetics. Among them, Mella Studio has spent the past three years building a niche with handcrafted pendant and hanging lights inspired by Ethiopian heritage and made from mostly locally sourced, recycled materials. Founded by three architects who left traditional careers, the studio creates artistic, story-driven pieces for cafes, restaurants, and homes locally and abroad. Each product is carefully designed—often customized—with a production process that can take up to 15 days, using materials like fabric, wood, clay, and scrap elements. Their designs carry a distinct Ethiopian identity in both form and concept. The studio blends rustic and contemporary aesthetics while prioritizing sustainability. Their use of LED lighting enhances warmth and ambiance, reflecting a strong focus on how light affects mood and space.
Every article is an invitation to look closer — at the craft, the culture, and the light that connects them. Begin your own Mella story.
