Right now with SA’s finest design and decor brands
This past weekend, some of South Africa’s most loved decor brands were showcased at Decorex AFRICA in Cape Town. The four-day exhibition brought together more than 200 brands, ranging from everyday appliances to unique and bespoke homeware. We interviewed some of these brands to find out more about the philosophies and trends informing interior design right now.
Transforming space using lighting with The Artisan
SL: How can you use lighting to change a space?
TA: Lighting is the main focus of space; without lighting you won't be able to see a space. But more than that, lighting can change the mood. White, bright light can feel quite depressing, while warmer, softer light feels more welcoming and makes a space feel like home.
SL: What lighting style do you find exciting right now?
TA: I love minimalist design. Often it is the simplest design that is the most effective.
Local luxury with Lemon
Luxury handmade furniture that is designed with longevity and intentionality in mind, is what Lemon is all about. All of their pieces are made in South Africa and are designed to reflect and capture your personal style.
SL: What philosophy informs the design of your pieces?
L: We look to the past for inspiration. We aim to design pieces that last and can be passed down for generations. So timeless design and staying away from trends is a central tenet for us.
SL: What design style do you love right now?
L: I’d say mid-century modern. I’ve been drawn to rounder, softer pieces lately.
Bringing mid-century into the modern with Frystark
F: For us, the past empowers the future. We follow the values of some of the mid-century modern designers from South Africa in the 50s, which is really about drawing on the styles from the past era and adjusting them to modern sensibilities.
SL: What’s your favourite aspect of mid-century modern right now?
F: Sophistication and clean minimal lines.
SL: What do you hope contemporary design could adapt from mid-century modern design?
F: Probably the sophistication of mid-century modern. Though we seemed to have moved away from the bland, dull greys of modern interior design, I think we could always draw on the intricacy and warmth of mid-century modern.
Add a dash of colour with Robin Sprong
While Robin Sprong specialised in bespoke wallpaper, their offering extends to surface design of different materials, from wood to glass backsplashes.
SL: How does colour affect the energy of a space?
RS: Colour really has a big impact on our mood and so, the way we approach or occupy a space. Warm, inviting colours draw you in, while dull or dark colours have the effect of pushing you away.
SL: What colour do you find people drawn to right now?
RS: People seem to be really drawn to brighter, bolder colours at the moment. Colours like yellow, pink and blue really brighten up a space, which is something I think we all really need right now.
The future of design with Always Welcome
The multi-brand retailer, Always Welcome, celebrates and supports the work of local designers and artists.
SL: Where do you hope to see the local design industry heading?
AW: South African design has quite a compelling story to share with the rest of the world. We’re at a kind of inflexion point at the moment where there’s this critical mass of products emerging from southern Africa, and we’re just trying to get people around the world to see that.
SL: What’s your favourite design trend right now?
AW: It’s quite cheesy, but probably, the sustainable design movement. We’ve reached a point where being sustainable is crucial to any brand that wants to survive. We have been seeing a lot of brands shifting to sustainable design, but also a consumer market creating a demand for this kind of work, which has been really gratifying.