If a space is a blank canvas, then Donald Nxumalo, Bilala Mabuza, and Daniela da Rocha are three distinct brushstrokes shaping South Africa’s interior design story. Donald blends urban elegance with bold sophistication; Bilala creates cocoons of memory through scent, texture, and ritual, and Daniela fuses European heritage with contemporary luxury, designing sensory, and intentional spaces.
Though their styles differ, they share a philosophy: design is a dialogue between people, place, and purpose. A room must tell a story – one where the inhabitants see themselves reflected in every detail.
Their work breathes with intention. Texture, light, and colour are chosen not just for beauty, but for meaning. These designers are more than creators of beautiful rooms — – they are storytellers, alchemising interiors that elevate the everyday and leave a lasting emotional imprint.
Donald Nxumalo – Donald Nxumalo Interior Design
In a city where glass towers meet heritage facades, Donald’s interiors feel like the perfect handshake between past and present. His spaces are bold yet thoughtful, rooted in African-urbane elegance that honours history while embracing the new. That duality has defined his rise from Pretoria local to one of South Africa’s most recognisable design voices.
Born in Tshwane, Donald studied design at the Tshwane University of Technology and founded DNX Interior Design in 2012.
“My parents let me paint my floors with a stencil and paint my bedroom walls black whilst still in high school. They didn’t really understand, but they gave me the space to express myself boldly,” he says.
From modest beginnings, he built his brand, winning the SABC3 reality design competition Win A Home in 2014 – a turning point that elevated his profile and allowed him to launch his studio in Kramerville. His practice centres on “value, longevity, and sustainability,” and is described as “functional, beautiful, and dramatic.”
Donald’s design philosophy hinges on collaboration and empathy. “The client must see themselves in what I bring together,” he says, describing his process as a vessel for the client’s vision.
This intuitive, respectful approach has drawn clients ranging from celebrities to consular homes, boutique hotels, and gallery-like offices across Africa.
“Right now, clients are attuned to the fact that they can call us before they even build the house and we can be involved in the construction of their home,” he adds.
Projects such as his heritage-home-turned-studio in Parktown reveal his genius for marrying old and new. The space balances original architectural details – like exposed brickwork – with contemporary inserts, fluted glass doors, and elegant boardrooms, paying tribute to both lineage and modernity.
Donald’s career isn’t just about gorgeous interiors – it tells a story of how his mom was one of his first clients, of winning a national platform, establishing a firm, and becoming a design figure of significance across South Africa, and beyond.
“Winning the Designer of the Year in 2024 from the Department of Arts and Culture meant I was being seen as someone who has made an impact on our local design stage,” he says.
Bilala Mabuza – Cocoon Lifestyle Studio
Step into one of Bilala’s interiors and you can almost smell the cinnamon, aniseed, and vanilla that inspired it. Her work is deeply personal – a living archive of memory and ritual inspired by the women in her family. For her, design isn’t just about style; it’s about creating spaces that feel like a warm embrace.
Bilala Kanye Mabuza is the Creative Director, Designer, and Curator behind Cocoon Lifestyle Studio based in Johannesburg’s Steyn City.
“Cocoon Lifestyle is a love letter to two remarkable women who raised me; my grandmother, Mme Masoenki Kanye – now 102 years old and a strong creative influence in my life – and my dear mother, Masechaba Kanye – a house-proud entertainer and educator,” she says, emphasising how they taught her that homes are sanctuaries.
Her background in corporate and retail management equipped her with organisational savvy and deep relationship skills. “These skills became foundational when I set up my own practice. They helped me navigate the complexities of running a design studio and equipped me to engage with clients confidently and effectively,” explains Bilala. “The business of design is just as important as the creative,” she advises.
“Design is memory,” she says of her philosophy. Her design studio was inspired by childhood flavours – cinnamon, aniseed, vanilla, mint – layered into scent and material choices. “The studio is more than just a workspace; it feels, smells, and sounds like a memory. Flowers and art are always present, and there’s always a candle burning when I’m around,” she explains.
Her accolades include both the inaugural Woman in Design and Designer of the Year awards at 100% Design Week and Decorex 2025. Yet for Bilala, the greatest reward is the moment a house becomes a home, when clients gather in spaces she’s created and linger there naturally.
“By taking the time to understand who our clients are, we craft bespoke spaces that resonate on a personal level,” says Bilala. An especially meaningful project was when a client’s 14-year-old son stepped into the design journey after his mother relocated – showing how design can evolve with life’s unexpected turns.
Bilala’s work bridges interior design, product curation and retail. Through Cocoon Maison, she sources furniture, art and objets, and is preparing a summer furniture collection infused with bold energy and form.
“I don’t necessarily follow set rules in design, even though I understand that scale and proportion matter. I like to experiment, prefer asymmetry with appreciation for form, materials, texture and negative spaces with unexpected moments,” she says.
Three design tips that guide her creative process? Bilala rejects rigid rules, values scale and texture, surrounds herself with items she loves, and practices rituals – flowers and candles – that infuse her spaces with life and memory.
Her digital presence, especially on Instagram, is an extension of this: sharing work, connecting globally, and archiving creative stories in real time.
“I love living with art – the temporary nature of beautiful flowers reminds me not to take anything for granted.”
Daniela da Rocha – Da Rocha Interiors & Atelier
“Coming from a family that owns its own interior and furniture design company, Da Rocha Interiors, I already had the foundation to succeed in the industry,” says Daniela, Creative Director and Stylist at Da Rocha Interiors & Atelier, a family-run Johannesburg atelier known for handcrafted luxury furniture and bespoke turnkey interiors.
Her Portuguese roots in furniture craftsmanship, combined with formal training in Interior Design, Architecture, and Decorating from DVR Design Academy, feed her design sensibility.
In Daniela’s world, luxury is never loud – it’s a quiet confidence built from precision and an instinct for balance. She approaches each project like a conductor assembling a symphony, where lighting, texture, and proportion work in harmony to create interiors that feel effortlessly composed yet deeply considered.
Known for her signature “neutral palette with black and brass detailing,” Daniela weaves muted tones with rich textures and clean lines to create luxurious tranquillity. Her design philosophy encapsulates calm, balance, and timeless elegance.
One memorable collaboration was with Dorothy Van’t Riet during design school, where she was mentored early in her career. “This experience led to our collaboration on an exceptional Italian villa project, which was later featured on Top Billing,” she says.
“My design philosophy centres around creating calm, balanced, and timeless interiors that blend African grace with simplicity with European luxury,” she says.
Daniela fuses her heritage with contemporary workmanship, sensory richness, and high-quality finishes. Her brand is synonymous with curated sensory experiences – from furniture to lighting, fragrances to décor – delivered via full turnkey service.
Her approach is holistic. “We work closely with our clients to understand their lifestyle, values, and vision,” she explains, meaning every detail – from layout to texture – works in harmony to create beautiful, personal environments.
Daniela thrives on turnkey projects, where the designer handles every stage, from concept to final styling. “I truly enjoy working on new turnkey solution homes (…) bringing a blank canvas to life, creating cohesive, move-in-ready spaces that reflect the client’s vision while ensuring every detail is thoughtfully considered,” she says.
“One of the biggest misconceptions about interior designers is that their role is purely aesthetic-focused, making spaces look beautiful. In reality, interior design is a highly strategic and technical discipline that balances form with function,” she notes.
