interior decor

Join professional interior designers Melissa Guerra, Melody Smith, and Timm Dolley as the discuss the gritty details of the interior design world! In this episode, we discuss client responsibilities and how they can impact the overall aesthetic - and experience - during the design process! From simple things, like providing inspiration, to more complex problems, like actually reading their contract, clients can have a positive or negative impact on the outcome of the project! The tea is piping hot. Come get a sip, and join us in Surviving Design!

Music Credit: StockAudios

Shades and Layers returns for the New Year and wishes you all the good things you desire in 2022.

This is episode 7 of Season 3 of Shades and Layers: On Creative Entrepreneurship…

Today my guest is Candice Lawrence, Founder and Design Maker at the Cape Town-based furniture and interiors company, Modern Gesture.

 So, the picture of successful entrepreneurship that we are often sold is that of fast paced growth - you know, the famous hockey stick sales and growth projection, millions of dollars in venture capital investments and a superstar celebrity CEO. Nothing wrong with that, if that’s your vibe, but there’s a lot  to be said for a different approach.

 Candice and her team of four have been plugging away at their designs for the past six years and they are growing steadily and sustainably while achieving international success. I love the story of how Modern Gesture started out as a hobby. Most importantly, the impact that this team is having, not only aesthetically, but within their community, is truly meaningful and visible. 

 After completing her Bachelor’s degree in Surface Design at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, she soon won a prize for her now famous Woven Necklace Lampshade. That win catapulted her into full-time entrepreneurship, and the rest as they say, is history. 

 Starting with an in-depth description of her work, Candice shares her story generously in this conversation and I hope you will walk away wiser and as inspired as I was after listening. 

Thank you Candice, it was an absolute pleasure chatting with you.


MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Nando's
Woven Necklace Lampshade
 

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In this episode, listen to Tracy Metro talk about Los Angeles, sustainability, interior design, and so much more. 

MALUTI MAGIC

In today’s episode, we head to the magical kingdom of Lesotho, where we meet Moliehi Mafantiri, the co-founder of the fast-growing sustainable homeware brand, Barali. 

Moliehi co-founded the company with her high school friend, Mookho Ntho, with the aim of sharing Basotho culture through storytelling, preserving local traditions and contributing to the Lesotho textile industry in a sustainable way.  

The two women also run a design studio, which funds their homeware brand, while amplifying their fellow Basotho’s voices, and they have started a digital story archive called Bonesa, which means to illuminate … 

In between all of this Moliehi is pursuing her Masters in Environment and Society at the University of Pretoria.  

We had this conversation just as she finished her mid-years, and we had the chance to explore topics like the challenges of finding local interest in sustainable design, the joys of reflecting traditions they treasure in their work with Barali and paying homage to other trailblazers who are choosing the road less traveled. 

Mentions and Links in this episode

Fair Trade - this links to an article that cites the pros and cons of Fair Trade. In the context of this episode of Shades and Layers this topic is discussed with Barali's working environment in mind. They source directly from mohair producers in rural Lesotho and South Africa,  with the intention of bringing fair, equitable and sustainable manufacturing practices to the Lesotho Textile industry.  Could the Fair Trade model be one to copy?

Dianamarena (pl.)/Seanamarena (sing.) - Lesotho traditional blanket
Here is more about Mookho's art:
Mokorotlo Hat - Traditional Basotho hat made from grass.
Bonesa - A Sesotho word meaning 'to shine a light on or illuminate'. Follow the link to read the story 'Mapei' by author Moso Sematlane
Mohair Industry - for a deep dive. A good read if you're interested in some facts an figures about this fine textile. 

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LOVE AFRICA

In this first episode of the season, Sweden-based South African designer, Nkuli Mlangeni-Berg discusses her take on Sustainability, Collaborative Partnerships on and Artisanship. Nkuli is an award-winning designer and Creative Social Entrepreneur, who uses her collaborative platform  The Ninevites, to tell stories about her beloved South Africa, amplify African voices and to reignite interest in the work of weavers and other underappreciated traditional craft makers.

Nkuli grew up in Kagiso, in the west of Johannesburg where she lived with her grandmother and her cousins. This is where she spent most of her time daydreaming and cultivating a love for fashion and the creative industries. She was also subconsciously taking in the influences of her Ndebele and Swati heritage, the echoes of which can be seen in her work. What you also get from the story behind each Ninevites rug or throw cushion is Nkuli's love for archives and deep research into South African and other African history.

She deeply believes in creativity for social good and in this conversation we discuss slow design, sustainability and being conscious about how we consume goods. You are going to love her personal story.

Mentions and Links :

Nkuli was recently part of a new international design event,  South Sweden Design Days, where she brought together her fellow South African designers to exhibit their work. In this interview she discusses her approach to creative entrepreneurship and preserving traditional crafts.

Thomas Sankara
Robert Sobukwe
Miriam Makeba
Winnie Madikizela Mandela

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Join me while I chat with entrepreneur and creator of Mandy Ryan Designs! She's a "Yellowstone" and Hallmark movie junkie and a hardworking mom of four who shares how she gets her inspiration and encourages you to believe in yourself, find your niche, and get moving! 

Check out her custom interior and exterior decor designs and hit her up for a fun paint party with your friends, where she offers wood cutouts for painting your own seasonal decor! Super cool! Find her on Facebook at Mandy Ryan Designs.

If you need some inspiration to get moving on your own adventure, check out my vision coaching calls, vision board gigs, and my Ignite Your Vision mini-course (coming soon!) You can find all my offers at mandysawyer.com.

Love fun graphic t-shirts, hoodies, backpacks, water bottles, etc.? Then check out my merch shop, Mandy's Creative Vision! 

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