Here, we ask designers to take a selfie and give us an inside look at their life.
Age: 27
Occupation: Designer.
Instagram: @miminat
Hometown: London.
Studio location: London.
Describe what you make: I design furniture, lighting, and sculptural objects, as well as interior spaces. With my sculptural design pieces I aim to break down the relationship between form and function, allowing art and design to intersect. My work dovetails an artistic aesthetic with architectural discipline and the spaces I create embody a relaxed elegance.
The most important thing you’ve designed to date: Every project is special and so important to me, but if I had to choose two of my most recent commissions have been particularly rewarding. In my furniture practice, I was proud to exhibit my Howard Desk at the Design Museum London in 2021. Interiors-wise, I’m working on an incredible private residence in Ericeira, Portugal, that’s currently a huge focus—it’s an incredible space architecturally and my clients have amazing vision.
Describe the problem your work solves: My furniture work is sculptural and bridges a gap in the market for contemporary statement pieces that merge innovation with craft. My practice seeks to explore traditional ways of craftsmanship and I work with a small team of artisans primarily based in the UK. This makes for quite unique pieces that combine sculptural modernity with age-old techniques.
My interior design work is about creating timeless spaces, celebrating the use of light, materials, texture and furniture. I seek to add character when designing a space through the use of emotion, connection, and function.
Describe the project you are working on now: We’re working on a private residence in Ericeira, Portugal, which involves transforming a 12-room Portuguese villa. My clients grew up in Japan, are very inspired by Japanese culture, and want the design to reflect traditional Japanese notions of design. It’s a challenge but feels very aligned with my own philosophies. I’m also working on two projects in Lagos, Nigeria.
I’m also working on a couple of self-initiated retail concepts as I would love to work on more hospitality and retail spaces. Furniture wise, I’m working on a couple of private commissions and a collaboration with a British furniture design house.
A new or forthcoming project we should know about: I’m releasing a new series of pieces inspired by the pilot Howard Hughes. Each of my furniture series is inspired by a different historical figure and the upcoming series took inspiration from the American record-setting pilot Hughes and the drama of flying and the sculptural pieces draw influence from the art of aviation and the act of flight.
What you absolutely must have in your studio: I need incense burning, a bowl of olives, Spotify, good humor and laughs, and pukka herbal tea on tap!
What you do when you’re not working: I love to paint, visit galleries, hang out with friends, family, and my partner. I also adore going to jazz concerts and drinking lots of wine.
Sources of creative envy: Oscar Niemeyer, Lina Bo Bardi, Mies Van Der Rohe, Vincenzo de Cotiis, Carlo Scarpa, Gio Ponti, Richard Serra, and Kanye West.
The distraction you want to eliminate: The Daily Mail.
Concrete or marble? It would have to be concrete for its rawness.
High-rise or townhouse? Townhouse. You can’t beat the beauty of London’s townhouses.
Remember or forget? Forget. Forget the things that go wrong and move on.
Aliens or ghosts? Ghosts. They have stories to tell.
Dark or light? Light. I’m obsessed with daylight and the way light can change a room.
