Are there any design gurus whose work you admire?

Interior designer Kelly Hoppen, who was born in South Africa and now lives in London and works around the world; and the Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer.

What’s your advice for young designers?

In an era when social media dominates our lives, let the time you spend in this “clouded” world inspire you rather than make you wish you were living someone else’s life. Follow people who are active in the same career as you, who are passionate about the trade.

Describe a memorable recent project.

I completed an informal living room for a young couple who love colour. I accessorised an oversized U-shaped sofa upholstered in Moonlight White leather with scatter cushions in tones of blue, orange, yellow, purple and green, and positioned a sunshine-yellow floating drawer unit below the TV. Two large artworks by Nelson Makamo hang above the sofa. The most exciting piece is an occasional chair that I had made. The back is upholstered in a graffiti-style watercolour image from a stock image library of a woman with an afro.

What’s inspiring you currently?

I’m deeply inspired by azulejos, Spanish and Portuguese hand-painted tiles.

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