COMPILED BY Michaela Stehr PHOTOS Supplied
Donald Nxumalo‘s name is synonymous with bold, elegant interiors that speak to the focus he puts on context, meaning and making sure a client sees themselves in the space he creates for them.
Here, in the second of our new series celebrating South Africa’s most exceptional interior designers, he chats about his award-winning career.
Bryanston (2020)
This interior (above) was completed while lockdown restrictions were in place. It helped me connect with a sentiment I never appreciated before – being able to look forward to something. There was so little we could look forward to in that moment! I realised that we give clients a sense of anticipation; we not only convey beauty, but also a sense of hope and joy. This beautiful home, layered with luxurious textures, became the ideal lockdown cocoon.
Rustenburg (2022)
My team took over the design of this entire scheme, including the floors, lighting, ceilings, bathrooms and furniture. The project took more than three years to complete, and was quite challenging – but the result is a striking, calm aesthetic with rich, warm tones and textures.
Steyn City (2019)
I started my career at Steyn City in 2014, so designing its new centre was a privilege, and like a return home. Most notable in the design was the houndstooth sofa, which has become a statement and symbol of my work.
Kramerville Showroom (2017)
I had no previous experience in retail, but I realised that, for a young designer who’s fresh on the scene, having a showroom would be a showcase of aesthetic and capabilities. It was tough to manage stock and be a designer at the same time. My team grew substantially while I learnt to manage people and projects simultaneously. Today, I’m able to guide a team of designers, architects and project managers. I love having the showroom – it allows designers to express themselves fully, without restrictions. It was also a great lesson in setting a mood in a space, and enticing prospective clients.
Waterfall Estate (2021)
This expansive family home was inspired by layers of white and cream – and was a lesson in restraint for me. An occasional burst of colour gives warmth and a voice to the distinct white space.
Eye of Africa (2021)
The dark tones, moody lighting and marble features of this home, designed for a bachelor, give it an opulent edge. I usually don’t work with dark tones; this project showed me that I could.
Seaside Home (2018)
The work I did on media personality Somizi Mhlongo’s seaside holiday residence was one of my earliest “out of town” commissions – and quite a big deal when it happened. It was an exercise in maximalism, and I learnt so many lessons, including that the unspoken ingredient in any design project is trust. When you gain and maintain a client’s trust, you’re able to tap into previously unexplored parts of your own creativity. Here, this resulted in a beautifully curated space – and I walked away feeling more confident in my skills as a designer.
Silver Lakes Residence (2018)
Our team was hired to furnish and style this Pretoria property. I enjoyed commissioning the art for it, and working with the artists. For example, Dario Manjate created a portrait of the client’s children using collage – 3 000 pieces of photocopied pictures make up the faces. It was wonderful to see the client’s reaction to it. This project speaks to my belief that every space has a story, because every person has a story.
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