Seugnét Snyman is an Interior Designer & the founder of Kanaän Design Studio based in Port Elizabeth. We asked her 12 Questions where she shares more about her passion for Interior Design & everything creative!

1. What inspired you as a child/teenager to become an Interior Designer?

 The need to solve a problem was what drew me to the Interior Design profession. From a young age, the ideas I had for projects at school (and even university) seemed somewhat impossible. My dad would make a great witness, he usually had to help me make my ideas come to life, now my poor husband is on the receiving end! 

2. Where did you study & what was your favorite and most challenging part of your studies?

I studied at the Nelson Mandela University (NMU) – then the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) – in Port Elizabeth. I most enjoyed the Design-module, especially formulating a concept for design projects, but time management was most certainly a challenge! 

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3. How would you describe your niche?

I wouldn’t want to associate myself with a specific niche – not that there’s something wrong with finding/having a niche – I rather do enjoy working with a range of interior spaces. One could say that I founded Kanaän Design Studio to create spaces/environments that are human-centered with a bold identity. 

4. As a business owner, what would you say is the most important thing that you have learned since the start of your business?

Don’t be afraid to fail!

5. Kanaän is your business name, what does this name mean to you?

Kanaän is Afrikaans for Canaan – the promised land. To me, it’s a personal reminder of a promise – a continuous journey towards the fulfillment of my calling/purpose.

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6. When you get a new project to work on, what do you do to start the creative process?

I start by putting pen to paper! My sketches aren’t that great, but there’s nothing that kick-offs creativity and starts the flow of ideas quite like the old-fashioned pen and paper.

7. You have to design a living room, you are only allowed to use 5 items in the space, what items would you choose?

A glorious standing lamp, a comfortable sofa, a quirky side table, a statement rug to anchor the pieces and of course a plant! 

8. What do you do when you face a design block?

When I experience a creative block, it’s usually because I’ve been staring at the design problem for too long. So, I’ll grab a coffee, take a drive or go for a walk. It’s also quite helpful and refreshing to bounce ideas off someone outside of your creative field, they look at it from a whole other perspective.

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9. What furniture design project would you like to do in the future & why?

Any furniture or products that would aid with the current pandemic. Our present circumstances renewed my awareness of the vital role design plays not only in the spaces we live, learn, work and heal in, but also the elements we use within these spaces. 

10. What is your favorite space to design & why?

I definitely get more excited about designing spaces that are less personal – such as retail and corporate interiors. I think the wider audience is quite intriguing to me, the users – each with a different culture and background – experience the space differently, accordingly. 

11. What is your favorite coffee shop in your hometown?

I love this question! (I’m a self-renowned coffee snob!) I can’t choose just one, but I’ll list my top 5 (in no specific order) – Heritage Café, Holiday Coffee, Brioche, Seattle and Hello, it’s me. 

12. Where can readers follow you to keep up or contact you for consultations?

They’re welcome to email me at hello@kanaandesignstudio.com or follow Kanaän Design Studio on Instagram and Facebook.

Facebook: @KanaanDesignStudioInstagram:

Instagram: @kanaandesignstudio

Thank you for joining us!

Bren