Born in South Africa, I grew up during a time of political and economic turmoil. It wasn’t always easy to find things that were well-designed.
But there was a place I loved to visit. It was my uncle’s house, a professor of architecture. The house was not particularly big, but it was unlike any place I’ve ever known. There was something about the layout and the shapes of things – the pool for one was was a perfect circle, and there was a tiny courtyard in the shape of an amphitheater. The scale of things, and the textures, the way the light moved on the walls – it was magical. I would absorb every corner of that house and could never get enough of it. It was here that a world of possibilities opened for me. I still treasure the memories of that house in Melville.
After my formal education and a few stints in Europe, I started a design studio in the iconic city of Cape Town.
Over the years I’ve worked with wonderful people and have been involved with fabulous projects. The business grew steadily with repeat clients, and new clients being sent our way.
In 2016 I moved with my husband and two children to the States. Exciting as it was, it was also pretty daunting being in a new place far away from things dear to us. I was pulled out of my familiar comfort zone and felt a little like the guy on a spinning tricycle trying to enter the busy highway. But Seattle is an amazing place – beautiful, friendly, close to nature, lots of things to do outdoors, and there’s a strong appreciation for the arts – all the things I love. It was easy to reset and focus on what I love, and do what I’m good at.
To me, design is powerful. It affects every aspect of our lives – our health and happiness, our energy levels and motivation to stay fit and eat healthy. The spaces we create for ourselves shape who we are, and who we become.
These are the thoughts that drive the way I design.
When our space is organized and works well, we are more efficient. When our surroundings are comfortable and in tune with our natural rhythms, we sleep well, and wake up refreshed. When there’s harmony and beauty, we feel happy. When our home is healthy, we can thrive.
There is much we can do to make it better.
Let’s connect
Mia
WHAT DO I LIKE?
In design, I like to delve a bit deeper, going beyond the obvious to discover the place where personality and space make magic. The fun is to find the quirky bits, add the extraordinary, and to create the interior stories that make people tick, keep them together, and set them apart.
Personally, I like clean lines and light filled spaces, natural materials, sculptured pieces and earthy textures. If I can, I like to add contrast with something unexpected and push the limits slightly to create rooms of character and verve.
If not in my studio, I may be out for a run, or somewhere in nature looking for inspiration in small things.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
At In Form Design we try not to take ourselves too seriously. We work hard, we welcome new ideas, and we absolutely love what we do.
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
- We rely on our experience and expertise to do the job right from the start.
- We run our business on the principals of quality, integrity, and transparency.
- We believe in fair pricing, and strive not to be wasteful.
- Our goal is to consistently deliver on time and on budget.