Talking Trends With Mad Design Studio

Local circles are abuzz with exciting new developments in the world of interior design. Here to talk about the trends and her own personal design style is Nqobile Mthembu, Managing Director & Interior Designer at Mad Design Studio.

Here’s what she had to share…

How would you describe your personal style?
Style is a definitive trait for a person. I grew up in a family of creatives, born by a mom who used to sew – almost anything – with so much class and elegance! Her taste for the finer things, along with her ambitious nature made me bold! I am unapologetic about my love for elegant, luxury things. I don’t try to impose my love for finer things on my clients, by I do try to open their eyes to seeing different, possibility better possibilities for their spaces. I always say, “If you’re going to do it, decide, do it once, do it to the best of your abilities or don’t do it at all!”

What qualities define your favourite shade of colours?
The ambiance and mood I am trying to create in a space defines the colours I use. I believe in layering colours by starting with a “base” or “foundational” colour palette and then I layer it with accent colours. In my selection of accent colours, I prefer colours with depth that offer calming or warming properties to make a space more habitable and comfortable. I also look for “longevity” or “timelessness” i.e. how long will the person in the space “enjoy” looking at the colour on the wall as there are colours that are nice in the beginning, but over a short period of time can be “off-putting”.

What is your personal favourite colour combination?
Neutral/ earthy palettes like greys, beiges in their various shades – depending on how light or dark I want my “base” to be. I then layer with colours that offer “definition” and finish with decorative accent colours – i.e. trendy tones that can be changed seasonally i.e. peacock, jungle green, mustard etc. I never leave a bit of sheer and luxury textures like velvets! Beautiful colours, on textured fabrics are “everything” when creating a luxury space! Almost all my projects have velvet, somewhere – honestly!

What is the most recent purchase you’ve made for your home and why?
This is one of our coldest winters yet! The last thing my husband (and business partner, Mholi Mthembu) and I bought was a beautiful, faux fur throw from Hertex Haus! Besides the fact that it stole my heart with its beauty and luxurious texture, it’s both warm and comfortable! I snuggle with it, glass of wine and my laptop on hand!

What one design element, trend or furniture item can you not live without?
Decorative mirrors – every space I design has some variation of mirrors. I find they are such an understated and overlooked accessory whose reflective powers not only enhance the beauty of an interior space, but also offer volume and depth i.e. they present a “window effect” where the onlooker can see the space within the frame while appreciating their own beauty within it! It’s even better now when we can customise the colour of the frame, the shape and the size – depending on the effect we’re looking for the mirror to have in a space!

What design influence has had the greatest influence on your work and business?
Modern, Contemporary Interior design with the influence of Italy and Milan! I am the biggest fan of their detailed patterns, luxury textures and finishes, and layered spaces! I’m a modernist and a simplistic at heart, but I believe that modernity shouldn’t be colourless or uncomfortable. I love opulence, but I believe it does not have to break the bank. We all must have the wisdom of knowing “when” and on “what” to spend. I’m also a firm believer of customization. As Africans, we have all the skills we need – right here on home ground. We CAN be inspired by global trends and fashions, but we must look for every opportunity to infuse our own personality into spaces and the pieces that fill them.

What has been one of the most challenging projects you have worked on?
The interior design and furnishing of the Natal Portland Intercement (NPC) offices on Ridgefond Circle, Umhlanga. You see, it wasn’t the scope of the work that was difficult, but that they were under tight timings to relocate due to an impending deadline to demolish their then’ current building. Their new office building of choice, was still under construction!! There had to be a lot of collaborative effort with the professional teams who’d already been on the “building project, the landlord (Growthpoint Properties), the construction company (Trencon) etc. to try and coordinate the interior installation and meet timings. The project became a full time job for those few weeks and it needed our project management skills to be “on-point” to respond to upcoming challenges and provide timeous solutions to ensure the programme is not delayed. In the end, the project was a great success and NPC made a special “award” to thank our team. We’re grateful for the challenge of this project, we truly learned so much and are better and more equipped now on the other side of it.

How would you describe the design/decor industry in South Africa at present?
I feel like this is the rise of a new dawn for the South African design market and probably the whole world! I believe COVID-19 which ultimately lead to lockdown allowed us some much needed quiet time through which we’ve reflected inwardly and perhaps for the first time in a long time – forced us to re-evaluate the way things have been running and challenged us to think of how we can improve in order to create the brighter future we all hope for. It was probably the best coincidence that George Floyd had to be a sacrificial lamb to spiral the #blacklivesmatter movement AND because people were “receptive”; it then spiraled conversations of lack of diversity and inclusion – EVEN within the design industry. It’s partly because of this movement that we saw key industry organisations like The IID take a “Design for Diversity Pledge” of which we are glad and we look forward to seeing how this pledge is translated into tangible, measurable action.

What trends do you think we should keep an eye on in upcoming seasons?
There are a couple of trends…

1. “holistic interior design” which seeks to encourage the consideration of the wellbeing of the mind, body and spirit of the people who will inhabit the space.

2. “multifunctional residential spaces” that accommodate how one space i.e. a home can accommodate the multiple needs of the people who live in the home. Ensuring that the home can provide an environment where its inhabitants can cook, rest, be entertained and leisure.

3. “sustainable, responsible design” i.e. the thoughtfulness in our choices, finishes, furnishings and supply chain when approaching our projects!

What exciting products do you have planned within the next year?
Growth is top of the agenda within the next year. We have some exciting projects and collaborations that we’re working on an in time they will be revealed! My husband and I are firm believers of God’s grace and we believe that He will continue to unfold the vision He put inside us.

For more info visit Mad Design Studio.

Images Zwelibanzi Dube of @blacksheep_lab”  for the photographs.