Inspired by nature and rooted in ergonomics, her brand murrmurr is making waves with its organic shapes and neo deco aesthetic.

Cape Town-based, Stellenbosch-raised former Design Indaba Emerging Creative Mia Senekal founded distinct interior and furniture design brand murrmurr after nine years of experience in retail interior design.

She is one of the local designers who contributed to adidas’s sustainability-centric flagship store in Sandton City, Johannesburg, opened late last year. The couch she designed for the store, New Moon, is inspired by the phases of the moon and reflects her main influence – nature and the outdoors – where she draws from elements in the world around us and brings them inside our homes. Murrmurr also places a strong emphasis on ergonomic design, ensuring alignment with the highest standards of comfort. We spoke to Mia about her design philosophy and more.

My typical day is filled with enquiries and sending out information on products – which I’m so grateful for. In between that, I visit my manufacturers to check up on the progress and quality of items. When I have free time, I constantly think about (and sketch) new ideas. It’s the part of the business I’m most passionate about, that creative bubble.

What makes a great piece of design, for me, is originality – and that stems from creating based
on a firm concept, having a story behind the design, and it being relatable to customers. Comfort is also key when designing a great piece of furniture.

Functionality comes first. When I first started exploring furniture design in 2019, I set out to understand the ergonomics of furniture – what makes it functional and comfortable. Once I had completed that research, I started to incorporate what I’d learnt into designs that are aesthetically pleasing, and that translate into pieces of art.

READ MORE: The Flourish Range by Murrmurr

Nature inspires all my designs. For me, a strong concept is hugely important in any range – it gives me a base to design from and room to play; a core to draw on whenever I get stuck or need a new idea. It also creates a story between pieces in a range – a story that is told through design.

The top trends in design that I see coming through in the next year or two will be about incorporating sustainable materials, and playing with various textures and finishes in one furniture piece. Texture and materials have become a big focus in the industry – consumers are looking for something different, something to set an item apart from commonly used materials.

I’ll incorporate these trends into my own brand by focusing on sourcing and integrating sustainable materials, and including a lot of texture – it ties in with our ethos of being inspired by nature.

Among all the pieces I’ve designed thus far, my personal favourite is the New Moon couch from the Moon collection. It was the first piece I ever created, and I’m still in love with its endless curves.

READ MORE: Rising Star: Siyanda Magaba

My advice on the quickest or easiest way to update a home’s interiors is paint. You can also try new plants, fresh linen or one signature couch. That way, you can change things up again in a few years when the urge to uplift a space strikes you.

My favourite room in my own home is definitely my bedroom. It’s a haven that I’ve filled with plants, and a mix of antique and modern pieces that exist in perfect balance. The big bed, with its soft white linen and floral scatter cushions, is so inviting!

My favourite destination for design inspiration is definitely Milan. The furniture industry and fairs are incredible. It’s a hub of design, and it’s filled with energy and creativity.

If money were no object, the piece of design or art I’d treat myself to is Van Gogh’s Starry Night painting. It has been my favourite piece since the age of 16, when I saw it in real life. I was mesmerised.

+ VISI Masterclasses

Mia is also one of our VISI X BHC School of Design interior design course industry experts. Each online course has a Masterclass where we chat to a celebrated professional interior designer, getting their insights and expertise gleaned from years of experience with real-world interior design projects.

• CLINTON SAVAGE – Clinton Savage Interiors and Architecture
• HENDRE BLOEM – Hendre Bloem Interior Design
• PLOY PHIROMNAM & GUY VAN DER WALT – Hoi P’loy lighting
• MIA SENEKAL – owner, murmur furniture design

Looking for more rising stars of South African design or design inspiration? Sign up to our weekly newsletter, here.

The post Q&A with Furniture Designer Mia Senekal appeared first on Visi.

Mirroring the organic shapes found in nature, these pieces bring a comforting element to any space – an ideal contrast to bold and angular contemporary designs.

1. Fantasia Mirror By Dokter and Misses: Named after the fantasy land in the film The Neverending Story, this sculptural mirror tests the limits of balance.

2. Lily Patinated Bowls By Conrad Hicks For Southern Guild: These unique, hand-forged copper bowls are made using traditional blacksmiths’ methods.

3. Slab Live Edge Dining Table By Egg Designs: Each Slab table created by Durban-based Egg Designs comes with a one-of-a-kind African mahogany top and solid cast iron legs.

4. Blob Lamp By Dokter and Misses: Introduce a playful accent with a Blob light – a witty, sculptural desk lamp that originated from a doodle.

5. Nwa-Mulamula By Rich Mnisi For Southern Guild: This striking chaise longue is inspired by the form and presence of artist and fashion designer Rich Mnisi’s late great-grandmother.

6. Bahla Chair By Bofred: Forming part of the BASK collection, the sculptural Bahla chair is made of solid ash wood, and stained with a black natural oil.

7. Full Moon Armchair By Murrmurr: The design of this chair was inspired by the full moon. Various fabric options are available – or can be specified or supplied.

8. Hourglass Glasses By Dokter and Misses: Handmade by expert glassblowers at Ngwenya Glass in Eswatini using recycled glass, these covetable vessels are all reversible.

9. Mensam Meridium (Glowing Dining Table) From The “In The Absence Of Light” Series By Stanislaw Trzebinski For Southern Guild: This bronze and walnut table literally shines – or, more accurately, glows in the dark – courtesy of its pigmented epoxy finish.

10. Sunnyside Mirror By Dokter and Misses: This wall mirror combines a structured grid with an amorphous shape.

The post 10 Organic Designs appeared first on Visi.

Designer and 2020 Design Indaba Emerging Creative Mia Senekal’s brand, murrmurr, draws on scenes and textures in nature to inspire her new, locally crafted furniture collection.

How did your furniture journey start?

I’ve long wondered what form of design would truly captivate me – what I would absolutely love to work on for the rest of my life. In October 2018, I had a kind of epiphany: I decided to stop working full time and start my own furniture business. I’ve always been drawn to the details of design and furniture suited that perfectly.

How did you come to choose the moon as inspiration?

I’m in awe of nature and find most of my inspiration there. At the moment, I’m fascinated by curves. Our apartment has a balcony, and sitting outside one night I looked up at the moon in its crescent form and just knew that I needed to play with that shape. I started looking at the other phases of the moon and it all came together. It just flowed.

What are your favourite pieces?

The New Moon Couch is definitely my favourite. It was the first piece I designed that made me feel like I can actually do this. It’s beautiful and comfortable, it suits any space, and it feels almost endless with the rolling flutes. I also love the Quarter Coffee Table. I love marble – the natural beauty of it and how the unique character of the material makes each piece original.

Quarter Coffee Table

Where do you see your next collection going?

I will be building on the Moon Collection – I still have many designs inspired by the moon – and I will be focusing on marble for a while. I’ll also be bringing lights into the range.

For more information, visit murrmurr.co.za.

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