Behind the Scenes with Notation Design: South Africa’s Bespoke Terrazzo Studio

In today’s interview, we dive into the world of Notation Design, a small, owner-run South African business creating stunning, handcrafted terrazzo pieces that blend creativity, craftsmanship, and sustainability. From humble beginnings as a hobby making concrete candle holders and vases, Notation Design has blossomed into a full-time creative studio producing bespoke terrazzo furniture and surfaces for architects and private clients alike.

We speak with the founders Colin and Jenny Armour to learn about their journey, the unique materials they use—including off-cut marble and semi-precious stones—the meticulous handmade process behind each piece, and how customers can bring a touch of modern terrazzo into their homes and projects. Whether you’re curious about ordering, maintenance, or terrazzo’s suitability for outdoor use, this interview offers a thorough insight into a brand that’s redefining terrazzo design in South Africa.

Can you tell us a bit about Notation Design and how it all started?

Absolutely! Notation Design is a small, owner-run business based right here in South Africa. We specialize in creating high-quality, unique, and modern terrazzo pieces. It all started back in 2015 when we were making small concrete candle holders and vases just for fun, a creative hobby to get our hands dirty. Over time, that hobby grew into something much bigger and by 2019, we were lucky enough to turn it into a full-time business.

That’s an inspiring journey! What kind of products do you make now?

Nowadays, we produce a wide variety of terrazzo furniture, lighting and surfaces for the architectural industry and private customers. Our products are all handmade with great attention to detail and craftsmanship. We love tackling all sorts of projects and often will make completely new custom pieces for clients when called for. We use a variety of aggregates in our terrazzo, sourced from local mines, quarries, and even marble off-cuts from fabricators—materials that would otherwise go to waste. Some of our unique colourways even include semi-precious stones.

Wow, using off-cuts and semi-precious stones sounds really special. Can you walk us through how you make your terrazzo pieces?

Sure! We custom cast every order from scratch—this allows us to drastically minimize wastage as each piece is cast to size. We start by carefully weighing out the raw materials and building the molds needed for that particular job. Then we mix and pour the terrazzo slab. After curing, we grind the surface to reveal the beautiful aggregate beneath. This is always my favourite part, as you get to see inside the stones and discover the beautiful colours that have been waiting inside the slab. It’s a very hands-on process, done by a small team who have developed their skills with us over time. Every member of the team contributes to each piece, making sure it’s truly one-of-a-kind.

How can customers order from you?

We have a range of standard products that you can order directly through our online store. For larger orders or custom designs, customers can reach out to our sales team at sales@notationdesign.co.za. Almost all of our pieces are customizable, so if you are looking for something different than what you see online, we’re happy to help. All products are made to order, with a lead time of about 6 to 8 weeks. We do keep a small amount of pieces in stock, so if it’s urgent, just reach out to us.

Do you make terrazzo for countertops as well?

Yes, we manufacture slabs that granite fabricators can purchase and then fabricate and install for clients—the same as you would do with granite or marble. Customers can ask their fabricators to contact us, or we can recommend fabricators who have worked with our materials before.

Is terrazzo suitable for outdoor use?

Definitely. Our terrazzo can be used outdoors, but it is always important to let us know exactly what type of conditions you are planning to use it in so that we can advise if there would be any limitations. It’s also important to pair it with an outdoor-suitable base. We offer steel bases in stainless steel or aluminium if needed.

Lastly, how should customers maintain their terrazzo products?

Terrazzo is quite easy to maintain. Regular spills and marks can be cleaned with any surface or kitchen cleaner—we recommend Clean Green. For tougher stains, bleach can be used to spot clean safely. To keep the surface smooth and easy to clean, we recommend using a quality surface spray like Mr Min or Cobra Wax periodically.