Rising Star: Tanisha Neill

COMPILED BY Steve Smith PHOTOS Supplied


N I S H, Tanisha’s Cape Town-based furniture design studio is getting a lot of attention – especially with her inspiring collaborations. She talks to us about her design philosophy and creative process.

Rising Star Tanisha Neill – The B D screen, created for an Infinity Surfaces furniture collaboration, was named after Tanisha’s grandfather
The B D screen, created for an Infinity Surfaces furniture collaboration, was named after Tanisha’s grandfather

Tell us about your journey to becoming a designer… what inspired you to become one… and how did you become one?

My journey to becoming a designer started with my inherent creativity. As a child, I found an outlet in dancing, which allowed me to express myself despite being painfully shy. At school, I struggled to find my niche because I wasn’t artistic enough for art class and too reserved for drama. However, I always loved visiting people’s homes and exploring neighbourhoods, admiring the architecture and design of the houses.

After school, I danced semi-professionally for a few years before deciding to move on. Realizing that I wasn’t cut out to be a CA, coder, or engineer like many of my siblings and cousins, I decided to try interior design school. To my surprise, I found immense joy and a sense of belonging in the field. After working at ARRCC for a year, I stumbled upon a Product Design course in Madrid. On a whim, I applied and was accepted, with a significant discount on the tuition fees if I paid immediately.

After discussing it with my family, I made the bold decision to move to Europe. This overseas experience, or “OE” as my dad calls it, was a pivotal moment for me. It pushed me to become more independent and allowed me to grow into myself, solidifying my path in design.

Upon returning home, I was immediately thrust into lockdown. Trying to keep up my motivation and inspiration from my year abroad was challenging. During this time, reality kicked in, and I was approached by OKHA Design Studio to help with their projects. Initially hesitant to commit to working for someone else because I wanted to be my own boss, I ended up staying with OKHA for 1.5 years. This experience was invaluable, and I am incredibly grateful for it as I learned so much and wouldn’t be where I am today without it.

During this time I’d also started a small fashion business as a side project. It grew organically, and I thought I could leave OKHA to pursue it full-time. I was wrong but learned a lot from running my own small business. Feeling a bit lost and realising that fashion wasn’t my true passion, I decided to follow my love for furniture design. This led to the launch of N I S H at Decorex in 2022, marking the beginning of a new and exciting chapter in my design career.

Describe your typical working day…

A typical working day for me starts with waking up and going to Pilates, followed by a coffee and a cold water swim. This routine leads to the most productive days. Once I’m back home, I reset my space to ensure a clear working environment. I then sit down to check emails and plan the day ahead.

The morning often involves running around to manufacturers for meetings and quality control. I also spend time creating social media posts, planning photoshoots, paying invoices, and sending out purchase orders. The second half of the day,  is usually spent at the studio for a change of scenery, unless I decide to work from home.

Every day is different, which is what I love about my work. Some days are spent running all over the city, while others are slower and more mundane, involving long hours in front of the laptop. This variety keeps my job interesting and fulfilling and I love being in control of my own time.

What’s your philosophical approach to design … ie what do purpose do you think design should have in human life… what makes swell designed product?

My philosophical approach to design is to embrace and be inspired by restrictions; it’s like problem-solving. Restrictions can alter the path to the desired outcome but may lead to creating something unexpectedly new and exciting.

For me, design is about making someone’s soul sing. A particular piece doesn’t need to resonate with everyone, but it will capture someone’s heart and become incredibly special to them. The idea that someone will fall in love with a piece of furniture and recognize it as the perfect addition to their home is what excites me most. Yes, it’s functional and practical, but the best part is that it adds an extra layer to life.

You can choose mundane pieces for those not interested in design, but when you put effort into curating a space with beautiful, thoughtfully designed items, there’s a noticeable difference. It elevates the experience of living in that space, transforming it from ordinary to extraordinary.

Describe your aesthetic

My aesthetic is currently experimental, constantly evolving as I explore and refine my style. I gravitate towards a masculine sensibility, characterized by the use of solid, substantial materials. Each piece I create has a weighty feel and look, embodying a sense of permanence and durability. This evolving approach allows me to constantly push boundaries and explore new design possibilities, ensuring that my work remains fresh and dynamic.

Where do you take inspiration from for your work?

As I expand my collection, I feel like I’m building a house and furnishing it piece by piece, designing everything I would need in that house. I create pieces until I fall in love with them—if I wouldn’t want a design in my own home, I don’t consider it complete. This approach may seem selfish, but it allows me to design with authenticity, following my gut instincts on what I personally like and dislike. When I get stuck, I seek inspiration from other existing pieces by browsing online or through magazines. Often, I find myself inspired by elements far removed from the item I’m designing, like the arch of a window in a photo of a house, and I translate that inspiration into features of the piece I’m working on, such as a chair.

And then how does that evolve into a design… ie do you sketch something… prototype it etc

Once I’ve decided whether the piece will be a chair, desk, or something else, I can usually visualize the finished product in my mind before putting it on paper. I start by sketching the design, refining it until it captures my initial vision.I will then take it into a 3d programme to help get a more accurate version and tweak proportions If needed, I sometimes create prototypes to test the design in a real-world setting, making adjustments as necessary. This process ensures that each piece is not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional and something I am genuinely excited to include in my collection.

What materials do you prefer working with and why?

Timber is my go-to material because it’s what I started with, and I have developed a great relationship with my manufacturers, making the process more enjoyable and less stressful. Recently, after experimenting with the JD | Floor Standing Candle Holders in stainless steel, I’ve become very intrigued by this material. Stainless steel adds a certain edge to any design, and I’m excited to explore its potential in future projects

Of your work, what is your favourite piece?

The G I G I is my ‘OG’  favourite as it’s the first piece that came from N I S H. Additionally, my JD | Floor Standing Candle Holders are also a top favourite because they are a great accessory that transforms a standard pillar candle into a sculptural artwork.

Who have been your biggest design influences?

I would say one of my design influences would be Kelly Wearstler. I admire how she ‘lives’ her designs and has created a whole persona encompassing her family, her home, and even touches on fashion. Another significant influence is Apparatus. It’s not just their designs that inspire me, but how they present themselves as a holistic brand—their content, showroom spaces, packaging, how they display material samples for customers, and even the scent in their showrooms. I am very inspired by and strive to emulate companies that have a holistic approach, where every detail is considered and represents their brand exactly as they envision

And what pieces of 1. local and 2. international design do you covet

  1. Anything from LEMON including their wallpapers!
  2. Most 70’s Italian vintage finds

What new designs are you working on at the moment?

2024 has definitely been a year of collaborations for N I S H, which has been amazing for experimenting with my own style and being inspired by the work of fellow designers.

One of my new collaboration pieces, The BD Screen with Infinity Surfaces, launched at Decorex 100% Design. It has a slightly different look compared to the usual N I S H designs. I loved how it turned out, and it was a pleasure to be supported by a company that helped bring the design to life.

I am also working on a textile design in collaboration with Britt Appelgryn, which will be applied to one of my existing pieces and potentially inspire a new upholstered armchair or daybed. Watch this space!


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