Trendsetting on our own turf

Michelle Anderson: ”Keep it simple”.

There has often been a perception that local goods are somehow not quite as good as overseas products and consumers would often spend far more to purchase an overseas product than buy the local equivalent. And while that applied to consumer goods, it also tended to apply to store design. Naturally, local outlets of overseas franchise chains had to follow the corporate style, which was anything but ‘African' in concept, and design, even when applied to wholly South African-owned enterprises, tended to be influenced by the same US/European design criteria. Now, however, it appears that due to a number of factors, local designers are leading the way in finding a unique style that will be very much… ours.

The South African design space is a very dynamic one - both in terms of setting its own trends and creating unique styles. Michelle Anderson and Dylan Missing have recently joined the Switch Group as interior designers.

When asked for their views on what's happening in the local design space, here's what they had to say…

Q: What trends do you see emerging in the area of interior design?

MA: There has been a lot of emphasis on texture and the “African” theme the last couple of seasons, but I think people are becoming more aware of designer items and there now seems to be an infusion of styles. This has created the freedom to express your personal style: a little quirky, a bit eclectic, a dash of trendy, and so forth.

DM: I think that stores like @home and Mr Price are pretty much dictating the trends with regard to the general public and their perception of interior design. These stores are normally a couple of seasons behind as opposed to the actual industry.

As far as design trends in South Africa are concerned, in my opinion there has been a huge emphasis on texture and natural products, stone cladding, grass wall-coverings and so on which I think is almost at its end. There's now a move towards a minimalist, contemporary African approach to an interior, which is being seen in all the interior design magazines. People are also becoming more aware of feature furniture pieces by well known designers, which are “design pieces” in their own right. There is additionally a far more toned down approach being taken to finishes. We're also starting to see a completely stark minimalist interior, with the use of saturated colour in very specific places to draw attention to these.

Q: Do you think people are becoming more design conscious when it comes to both their homes and offices? Why? Why not?

MA: Definitely! The world is becoming smaller thanks to things like the internet and easier and cheaper travel. Instead of us having to wait a season to see what's “hip”, it's now as simple as going onto the net. The latest designs and trends have become incredible easily to access and discover for those who want to know. It's important to note though that by “freely accessible” design, I am NOT talking about the free “home owners” magazines that get shoved under your gate at home! That's NOT design!

Most of us spend more time at the office than at home and some are lucky to work from home. Taking all these elements into consideration I think that the approach to corporate design has softened, creating a friendlier office environment as opposed to the masculine environment from before. This change in the design approach of office spaces gives designers more freedom to explore and design.

DM: Absolutely. People are entertaining more at home and like to show off their houses. Homes have also become an extension of our status, and where we are in life. If you had to look at a bachelor's approach to a home as compared to that of a married couple with two children, there would be a vast difference. In the first instance, the bachelor would be more willing to follow trends; pushing boundaries when it came to texture, fabrics and so forth, and thus not necessarily taking durability into account. The married couple's approach would probably be the exact opposite - with fabrics in their home being both easy to clean and functional.

Homes are also becoming very eclectic in nature, with meaningful items from other countries being used as decorative objects.

When it comes to offices, these are moving away from the “corporate” feel, showing a more adventurous use of this space. I think this is great - no more cherry wood!

Q: What's influencing South African interiors at the moment? Why do you think this is the case?

MA: I think we have traditionally drawn largely from Europe and its influence. More and more though, local designers are drawing inspiration from our immediate environment, and then mixing it with these other sources of influence. We're really starting to create our own eclectic style. We are definitely keeping up with, if not ahead, of the pack.

DM: I think our environment and climate influences our design a lot.

Although we mostly follow the Europeans, we are slowly creating our own specific style infused with multiple cultural influences too. I think as an industry we are growing in stature, and are definitely able to give some of the international firms a run for their money!

Q: The spaces we work in and live in seem to be shrinking at the moment. How is this affecting interior design?

MA: Hopefully it's going to de-clutter these spaces and make us rather hang onto things that are special, while encouraging us to find innovative solutions to create new things. Unfortunately I think it will also turn design/decorating into an easily disposable form of art - like cellphones, constantly changing! We will also have to have to start considering recycling in this country.

DM: Space - or a lack of it - is becoming a real factor to consider in South Africa. It's definitely keeping us on our toes as designers: having to come up with innovative ways of fitting everything, including the kitchen sink into a 40m² space. This inhibiting factor has been around in Europe for years and they have mastered the art of designing around it. It's up to us to learn from them, yet keep our own design identity at the same time.

Q: How is the environment playing more of a role in your work?

MA: We're becoming much more environmentally aware and responsible as designers. More and more this is being reflected in the way we design and the materials we use. It's important for us to do our bit to ensure we're using sustainable resources for example, and that our designs impact positively on the environment.

DM: As designers it's up to us to set the standard when it comes to the environment. We need to come up with alternatives to using natural products: reconstituted stone instead of granite - this sort of thing.

Q: If you had one tip you could give someone when decorating their home or office, what would it be?

MA: Decide for yourself what it is that you like and investigate this further. Keep it simple though - you don't have to use all your ideas at once!

DM: Stick to one train of thought and try to carry detailed elements throughout your design. This creates a continuation of style through your home. Invest in quality products and finishes - “cheap” usually ends up looking cheap.