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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Celebrated local interior designer Donald Nxumalo shared five of his top winter decor tips with VISI, from using prints to making use of colour.

Use Moody Colours

Yellows, purples, rich burgundies and emeralds will help add warmth to a space. Along with these colours, you can incorporate artwork or plants. I usually use Delicious Monsters. As seen in one of our more recent projects, we incorporated both artworks and yellow in a selection of bold statement pieces, which created a warm, harmonious space.

Use Your Own Snaps

Making use of photography is a great decor option to consider for the new season. We are living in an era where social media and selfies have taken over the world of photography, so why not enlarge and frame these images? The less professional images create a sense of warmth, as they are more fun and less staged.

Create a Feature Wall

Using paint in a rich, bold hue or a striking wallpaper to create a feature wall is another good option to consider. Textured wallpaper creates the illusion of cosiness and prints bring spaces to life. When it comes to prints, try and look at those that have a warm undertone. For example, use different shades of green, as we have done in our winter collection that’s on display at our Kramerville showroom.

Don’t Forget The Curtains

Another thing to remember when getting your place winter-ready is curtaining. Colour also plays an important role when selecting the right curtains. Always try and offset different colours.

Prints Are Here To Stay

Florals and prints are always on trend. Don’t shy away from adding some bold prints, including botanicals and florals, to your space. These could be in the form of wall art, a scatter cushion, or even a throw. | donaldnxumalo.africa

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The post 5 Winter Decor Tips From Donald Nxumalo appeared first on Visi.

We chat to Donald Nxumalo about the striking fabric collection he designed for Hertex. It’s called the the A-List and it is inspired by the City of Gold.

How did the collab come about?

After working with fabrics so much in the interior design industry I really wanted to do something that would not only reflect my personality but also that of the city I love so much, Johannesburg. I wanted to have some patterns, like zebra stripes, that are appreciative of our landscape and not just appropriating it.

Which features of the city were you trying to express?

I wanted to encapsulate glamour, adventure and the colours of Johannesburg. My favourite design in the collection is Merge, which is a mix of blue, yellow and white – it’s a beautiful colour combination that injects some personality and character into the fabric repertoire in South Africa.

Where in the home do you think these textiles would work best?

There is a wide range of finishes and textures. One can do an entire house with the range of fabrics, including upholstery and window treatments.

How would you describe the colour palette and style?

We use blues, yellows, some mustards, whites and metallic hues. The style is definitely glamorous.

What’s next for you?

Doing more work in the hospitality sector and just championing design in Africa; and working not only across the continent but also with international clients, some of which have already landed on my desk. I want to be known for quality and efficiency.

What advice do you have for people pursuing their interior design dreams in South Africa?

Go for it and do your best. Always put your clients first. Take risks; there’s always a great adventure to be had. Learn from people. Find great mentors. Find your style and find your niche.

To view more of the A-List collection, visit Hertex.

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