Interior designer Lisa Twyman’s new range of locally produced furniture is bold and playful, writes Candice Botha.
Pictures: Lar Photography
Interior designer Lisa Twyman’s new range of colourful, contemporary furniture perfectly reflects the combination of modern lines and fun elements evident in all her work whether it’s an interior, ceramic piece or painting.
“I think my style is joyful. Exciting,” she says. “As an interior designer, I emphasise how a space feels, and how this will impact the users of the space. I like to create interest by juxtaposing unexpected elements. The furniture collection speaks to this ethos too. Some pieces have a playful element, while colour and the use of different materials create depth.”
The furniture was a natural extension of her work and she says the timing felt right to create a series of pieces that would appeal to the current market for products made by small businesses and the move away from mass–produced furniture. “I think there is a niche group of people looking for something special, something with a story. Even though there are bigger companies out there with cheaper products, I felt the time was right to service the smaller niche market, those buyers who are interested in locally produced heirloom pieces. I also sensed that the realm of South African design was gaining momentum and I want to be a part of it,” she says.
Her background in psychology has led Lisa to a deeper understanding of how our homes and the items we surround ourselves with can impact on our moods and overall well–being, and even as a child, she says she was constantly thinking about how to move furniture around. Lisa’s home showcases many of her favourite items from her range, including the one-off Mrs Wallace stained-glass cabinet. “I also love the simple lines of the Beatrix sofa. The proportions are just right in both looks and comfort,” she says. Proportion is important in her work and her home reflects this with a series of spaces that flow into one another and blur the boundaries between indoors and out with an enormous tree growing seemingly through the roof of the living area. It’s dramatic yet completely inviting – like her furniture.
Lisa’s creativity extends to several artistic mediums and she is a renowned ceramicist and painter. “Playing in my art studio is important for my sanity. Without the creative play I am unsettled and a bit lost. Painting, although the most challenging cognitively, leaves me feeling the most grounded,” she says. “I’d say the ceramic work, painting, and the furniture and interior design complement each other by allowing me different channels of creative expression, and by fulfilling the various processes I enjoy, from conceptual and analytical through to material completion.”
Her furniture has been well received and she plans to extend the range this year. “I aim to connect with other South African designers and platforms, too. I love the side of my furniture collection that offers one-off pieces that will never be reproduced. It means I can constantly be creating. I think the next product will be something small, such as a table lamp or pendant light.” *
FOR MORE INFO: Lisatwyman.com
Pictured: Ballito interior designer, Lisa Twyman, feels the timing is right to create a series of furniture pieces made by small businesses.