Talented Salt Rock interior designer Lisa Twyman has always been a creator at heart. Despite having an honours degree in psychology, she found her true calling in creating beautiful spaces and now furniture and homeware décor pieces. She shares a few design tips with us.
Originally a Zululand girl, Lisa started her interior business in 2007. Design is much more than just a job to her, she says. “I see it as a vocation that saved me because it brings me such purpose and joy.” The homeware side of her business came alive when Lisa started ceramics about eight years ago. “It didn’t come naturally to me at first,” she says, “but then suddenly it seemed like overnight my mind was saturated with ideas for objects and then later for bigger pieces like lights and furniture.” After years spent refining her ideas and finding the right craftsmen and manufacturers for the job, she finally launched her range in October 2020.
PLEASE TELL US ABOUT YOUR RANGE
The range includes all sorts of materials – wood, textured glass, concrete, metal, ceramic, stained glass and textile. Colour is pivotal. I would say the collection has a bold femininity and worldly sensibility. The furniture range is comprised of pieces that are made to order and one-off pieces that will never be repeated. I see the one-off pieces as functional art, statement pieces that will become modern day family heirlooms. I also add some of my hand-crafted ceramic pieces to the online store occasionally and am currently designing some smaller objects for the home.
WHAT ARE SOME COMMON INTERIOR MISTAKES PEOPLE OFTEN MAKE IN THEIR HOMES?
Too much stuff! Too many pieces of furniture. A good interior has negative space, just like a good painting. You need a place for the eye to rest.
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST INTERIOR DESIGN MUST-HAVE/NON-NEGOTIABLE?
A well thought out colour palette. Colour can make or break a space. It needs to be sensitive to the surroundings, the architecture, the quality of light, and, mostly, to the emotional effect it will have on those in the space. I love using pared back colours and unexpected combinations.
WHAT HOMEWARE OR FURNITURE TREND CAN WE EXPECT TO SEE EMERGING IN THE YEAR AHEAD?
Buying once and buying well. I think the pandemic has shed light on reckless consumerism. People are going to make more considered decisions and connect with the stories behind the products. I think people are going to want their furniture and homeware to reflect who they are, and they will no longer want what is mass-produced. They will especially buy locally produced items, and support local small businesses. Resins, recycled plastics and other innovative materials will be seen more and more in furniture and homewares in the coming years.
Details: [email protected], 079 931 6902
