A time
comes when an old system becomes overused. Processes that once served us begin
to slow us down, ideas that once felt fresh start to lose their edge, and the
brand we built no longer reflects the depth of who we have become. In the
evolving world of interior design—where creativity, wellness, and human
experience constantly progress—standing still is not an option.
A relaunch is not a
reset; it is a renewal. It is an intentional decision to evolve with
clarity, purpose, and elevated standards. It acknowledges growth: of vision, of
skill, and of the clients and communities we choose to serve. It is the moment
we as Design Café step forward with a refined identity, improved systems, and a
stronger commitment to excellence.
This
relaunch represents a shift from simply designing spaces to crafting
environments that transform the people who inhabit them. It is a
declaration that the work must not only look beautiful, but also feel
meaningful, restorative, and aligned with modern needs.
By
rethinking our brand, redefining our offerings, and refreshing the way we
communicate, we make room for innovation and authenticity. We allow ourselves
to deliver at a higher level—creatively, professionally, and emotionally.
The idea
of the relaunch is, at its core, about expansion. It is about honoring where
we’ve been, embracing who we’ve become, and confidently stepping into a new
chapter that reflects our purpose: designing spaces that heal, inspire,
and elevate everyday living.
2026relaunch HealingCenteredDesign DesignForWellbeing DesignWithPurpose DesignCafeStudio
SUSTAINABILITY:
Design For Waste Reduction
Sustainability is a current consideration in all sectors and Industries in the world. Sustainability comprises design that heals the past and builds the future.
Construction has
been going on for many decades. As the population grows, there is need to
provide new spaces. Shelter is a basic need and from time in memorial, there
has been a plan by governments and individuals to provide new housing for the
growing population.
The African society and set-up had its own unique way of life. The population was generally small in comparison to what we have today. Most people lived in village set-ups where each tribe had its own individual design for the houses. There was a community set-up in every homestead where they had a lot of centralized and shared functions such as Kitchens, stores, animal pens etc.
Homestead
design
Each village
comprised of a series of homesteads. Homesteads were created by individual families.
The general set-up was culturally influenced by how each family was set-up. The
number of structures, size, shape, geographic location and function determined the
layout. In a Kikuyu traditional home for example, structures where human beings
dwelled were round and were made of mud with grass thatch. The idea of round structures
was because the people then did not have any measuring tools to be able to measure
and create other shapes. They did not have joinery knowledge and since they did
not have equipment either, they build something that could be done with their
bare hands. A round structure also ensured security because one could see all round.
Mud was the most common material used because they could get soil everywhere and
only mix with the amount of water that particular soil needed. Smoothening was
done with dung because every homestead reared cows, goats or sheep. The sizes
of the houses depended on the number of people that would use it. The man’s hut
for example was much smaller because he only used it by himself. The wives’ huts
were bigger because it was intended that they inhabit it together with the
children. The planning and implementation of this construction process was sustainable.
Development of materials
Along the way, mud
was viewed as a material that is not long lasting. Often, it required
maintenance or rebuilding. This then inspired the search for other materials
that were much more long lasting. Masonry stone for example is one material
that became widely used and is still in use till date. The idea of mining stone
was good because it naturally occurred on earth. Different types of stones are
mined in different regions and are treated differently when it comes to their
use in construction. This material has proven to be good for use.
Sustainable construction
materials
Sustainable building
materials are also termed as Green building materials. They are materials that are
environmentally friendly in which their production, use and maintenance has a
low environmental impact. They are durable, re-usable or recyclable and locally
sourced. These materials are natural and are not affected by cold, heat or
humidity.
Construction is
one of the industries that has the highest waste materials. At construction,
buildings consume 20-50% of the physical resources according to their environment.
23% of the national waste stream is estimated to be construction and demolition
waste. About 30% of materials delivered to site end up as waste. 94% of
construction waste comes from demolition. Construction waste encompasses
healthy and unhealthy waste such as Asbestos, Lead, PVC etc.
Refurbishments are
one of the major engagements Interior designers take up. Refurbishments entail
complete stripping down of a building with the intention to create a new space.
Conversions are currently major projects as the economy and usability of spaces
keeps changing. Urban centres are expanding forcing previous residential areas
to be made commercial. Free standing houses are being converted to Hospitals,
Offices, schools etc. The construction design process has been simplified and
broken down to segments that can help interior designers become more intentional
to waste reduction.
Learning points.
Plastic waste can be converted to useful construction materials. See how this local company has created bricks from Plastic trash.
Stones are a very common material used in construction both internally and externally. Stones are a naturally occurring material that is sustainable and hence recommended for use in green design. The stone properties are what makes it be categorized as one that is good for use indoors or outdoors. Stones have over the years been used for construction of houses, temples, tombs etc. Due to this, different technologies have emerged to assist in harvesting, shaping, and finishing the stones for appropriate use.
The distinctive qualities of stone are due to the complex geological processes that occur during its formation. The stones formed under high heat and pressure are strong and can be used outdoors and as foundation elements.
As an Interior designer, stones are materials that I largely use in my projects. They are used as floor and wall finishes as well as countertop, fireplace, and staircase cladding. I love the natural look of materials and therefore, I prefer using stones in their natural occurring state, colour, and finish. Stones can be polished or honed and the selection of either is based on the intended use.
There are
over 8 types of stones used in construction. These are and not limited to:
a. Basalts
Basalts can achieve a variety of thicknesses and therefore, machine cut basalt stones can be used as an interior or exterior cladding material.
Second to Basalt, Granite is also a hard and impervious stone. Due to its formation, granite is extremely heat, scratch and chip resistant. This makes it an excellent material for use indoors and outdoors. It being chip resistant, it is largely used as a floor material outdoors. Polished granite can be used at the entry porch, round the house corridors and even courtyards. Honed granite can be used in driveways, walk-ways and garages. In Interiors, it is a perfect material for use as kitchen and bathroom counter tops. The most common colours are black, white, green, blue, grey, red, pink and brown. Granite however has poor resistance to fire.
c. Limestone
Limestone is a much softer stone. It is of sedimentary nature and is made of calcium carbonate. In structure, limestone is fine textured. Its colours range from pure white (chalky) to grey and dark varieties. Not all limestones are useful in construction; some are too soft and brittle. Limestone that is usable is dense, compact and fine textured. Since it’s quite porous and reactive to chemicals, it should not be used in areas where the air is polluted with industrial gases or in coastal regions directly exposed to salty water. The best use of Limestone is as a tile both on floors and walls and as a cladding material. Locally, the most commonly observed limestone is Mazeras; generally used as an entry area or poolside tile and Coral stone; mostly used as a cladding material. Limestone is produced in a honed finish since its brittle nature does not allow it to be polished.
d. Marble
Marble is a metamorphic rock formed when
limestone is subjected to high heat and pressure. It is softer than Granite but
harder than Limestone. In the past, marble was commonly used for facing and
ornamental work such as decoration of monuments, sculptures and columns. Marble
can be polished to an almost glass look. Due to this, it is considered a very elegant
product and therefore used in high end projects such as hotels, residential
houses and palaces. Marble is porous and easily stains and therefore, one should
be careful when handling it as a Kitchen top and floor tile. Avoid spilling
turmeric, beetroot or food stain in the kitchen. One should also be careful not
to step on it with muddy shoes as the red soil will leave stains.
e. Quartz
Inspiration pour le Journee
Julie Khuu is
an Interior Designer who puts out amazing content on Interior Design tips for a
home. She has wonderfully outlined her best materials for use as a Kitchen
counter top with their pros and cons. Check out her video.
What would
you like me to blog about? Let me know and have an exclusive feature in my next
blog.
A while back, I got inspired by tiny homes. This was when I was living in a rental property and after moving thrice, I realised that it is sometimes impossible to afford space enough to fit all your needs. As you progress in life, you realise that you need additional space e.g. an office, a kids play/school room, a laundry/offload room etc. All this spaces end up requiring one to get a bigger house every other time. This for sure is not sustainable.
As a single person, it is easy to have a small space that fits all. To date, I still admire the functionality of the tiny home designed by Ana white. Check out my blog on “The Tiny house”: https://interiordesigncafe.blogspot.com/2017/10/the-tiny-house.html .
In it is a
link to Ana White’s video: Open Concept Modern Tiny House with Elevator Bed.
In my last blogpost, one reader commented:
As an Interior designer, I believe the goal should be creating solutions that make your house work for you and not necessarily adding up horizontal space. Before you consider renting a bigger space, always ensure that you have exhausted every corner horizontally and vertically. Your house should be a living space and not a storage space and therefore, also ensure that everything in the house is usable and has not just been stored for future use. Procure items that fit the users of the house and a few spares for sleep over guests. Do not rent up real estate with guests in mind as that is an additional procurement and maintenance cost that is unnecessary.
1. Purpose of the room
2. Has furniture been installed that fit this purpose taking into consideration the size of space available?
3. What other function can the room serve as?
4. Do we have sufficient storage for items used in this room to avoid visual clutter?
Visual clutter is one of the things that
affect comfort and aesthetics in small spaces. A space without visual clutter
always feels bigger and more spacious.
b. Nursery
This is one of my most favourite spaces at the moment as I prepare for my little bundle of joy.
For expectant moms or those with small
babies that do not have the luxury of acquiring a bigger space, function is
key. Inbuilt storage works best in order to make use of vertical space. In your
bedroom, one can take up one wall and make it a nursery. The necessity of a
baby is sleeping, bathing and feeding. Baby items can be stored in the overhead
inbuilt units to avoid cramping up the space horizontally. When shopping, only
buy necessities. Diapers, oils and soaps should be usable for only one month or
two as they are can easily be procured.
c. Dining room
Dining tables need circulation all around for access. In the event one does not have a dedicated space for a dining room or where the space provided is small, a corner booth seat can be considered with a loose table and seats on the other end. The booth seat reduces on circulation on two sides. If the family has an infant, a baby feeding seat can be placed replacing one dining chair. A storage space can be created on one wall to act as a library or office supplies storage so that this space can also be used as an office or kids homework/crafts area. The booth seat base can have drawers for additional storage.
d. Bedroom
Bedrooms are one of the most badly furnished spaces in the house. One of the biggest mistakes users make is to buy a bed that does not fit the room. Most people want a 5’ x 6’ or 6’ x 6’ bed and yet the room floor area does not allow for this. For a small room, in-built furniture around the bedhead is a good way to provide storage. One can wire within the cupboard and provide new sockets or switches near the bed for ease of use. Clothes, shoes, electronics or even books can be stored separately. Cabinets at the highest level can be uses for spare items or items not used on a daily such as suitcases.
e. Living room
The main secret to designing a small living room is Decluttering, Lighting and Essentialism.
Before embarking on the design, identify
how you use the space. If you use the space for relaxing after a long day and
watching TV, then a comfortable seat and TV need to be included in the room. If
you prefer reading books, then a small library needs to be included. One seat
and most preferably a Pull-out couch is sufficient. Mobile Ottomans that can be
stuffed under the TV cabinet or rather maybe also used as stools can be
considered. A set of nesting stools is more preferable to a large coffee table.
Inbuilt TV cabinet/library shelving will maximize space. Wall mounted TV and
sound system will reduce visual clutter and reduce on hanging cables. Light
white sheers (or none) can be used to ensure maximum light filtration and
reflection in the room. The main paint palette to be white or off white to
ensure the space remains as bright as possible.
Inspiration pour le Journee
I love House
and home because of all the fantastic ideas they put forth in Interior design.
In this video
“Bungalow Makeover: How to make a small home feel big”, the Designer Brian
McCourt designs an amazing small house. He takes into consideration all tips
that one can use to maximise space.
1. While making use of vertical space, consider vaulting ceilings to acquire room height which eventually makes the room feel bigger.
2. Take advantage of the vaulted ceilings to introduce Skylights.
3. Install tinted windows to avoid curtains or blinds where necessary.
4. Break down unnecessary walls to open up space.
5. In the event walls or screens are required, consider using glass.
What would
you like me to blog about? Let me know and have an exclusive feature in my next
blog.
Maximalism is a term that most people have not heard of. In essence, it’s the direct opposite of minimalism. The general rule of thumb with maximalists is that “More is More”. Maximalism as an aesthetic began in the 1950 with the early Styles of design such as Victorian, Georgian and Gothic styles. Read more about the Victorian style from my 2017 blog: https://interiordesigncafe.blogspot.com/2017/08/understanding-styles-01-victorian_28.html
In this style, there is no limit. All elements of design are used together in extra potions. The style encourages boldness and excess. Maximalists are sometimes seen to be materialistic. In this design, the eye wonders throughout the space. There is so much of everything. A bold mix of patterns, textures, colours and scale is observed. This style by far is loved by collectors.
The entry porch is the first area of contact and visibility when getting into a home. In a lot of homes, this area is set up as an easy sitting area so that guests who are just passing by can rest for a few minutes. It’s an area of entertainment and therefore, it needs to be well designed. As in the picture above, different styles of furniture can be put together to bring character. Multiple colours and prints can be used in scatter cushions to bring the pop of colour. Multiple plants placed on the table, floor or hang on the wall also bring the garden feel.
b. Entry hall
The entry hall is the area immediately after
the entry way. Most entry halls are corridors because in modern day design, the
entry way is uses to connect to the other parts of the house. The corridors give
good wall space for displays. A lot of people use these walls as a photo
gallery for the family and a sort of a memoir. Other times, one can use these
walls as a collectors display area. One can mount art, pictures, mirrors or any
other collectibles that can be mounted on the wall. This creates a point of
interest as you transit from the entry to the rest of the house.
Bedrooms are those spaces in the house that are personal and can be personalized. The idea of excess can be implemented in patterns and not necessarily in quantities of things. A bedroom is a place of rest and therefore too much can take away this comfort. Excess can become clutter both physical and visual. For a maximalist’s bedroom to look and feel well designed, one can select a colour scheme and work within 4 colours to avoid conflict. Out of the four colours, one colour should be bold, one colour neutral and the rest subtle. Use of white as the accompanying neutral colour makes the bold colour pop while use of black tones it down.
Sunrooms are not a common type of space here in Africa and within the tropics. This room ideally was created for homes located in the northern and southern hemisphere that receive little amounts of sunlight and with adverse weather. The sunroom therefore allows the sun rays to come through while sealing off wind, rain or humidity. This area is characterised by large panes of glass and therefore, very visible from the outside. Plants and a play of colour can make this place not only comfortably but also aesthetic. Like in the case above, one can use bright and bold colours to bring character. By reducing the number of colours, one can have many items within this space without making it feel overly cluttered or too off the top.
Inspiration pour le
Journee
As Featured
in the September 2020 Issue of House & Home Magazine, More is more!
Designer Cynthia Ferguson takes us inside her 1930s bijou Toronto home
saturated with color, pattern and artwork. She shares the dos and don'ts of
maximalist design. Watch more of this in the video below.
