Mimi Shodeinde, Founder, Miminat Designs, defies categorisation with a multifaceted body of work and a dynamic style that adapts with each project.
British-Nigerian designer Mimi Shodeinde is part of a new wave of young designers breaking on to the global design scene and serving up distinctive projects for her clients.
Mimi designs both interiors and furniture with an artistic and sculptural flair, and is renowned for creating immersive and timeless spaces. Utlising inspiration from her own culturally diverse background, she embraces blending old and new with complimentary and contradictory elements.
Recent projects include a villa in Portugal, a flat in Notting Hill, and a house in Cape Coast, Ghana; and Mimi’s furniture designs have been showcased by the Design Museum. Having founded her studio whilst at university, now still only 28 years old, Mimi’s global approach to artistry is impressive.
Here, Mimi discusses her fascinating design journey and how she continues to carve her own path within the industry.
What is your earliest memory of design having an impact on you?
I wouldn’t say that design was my first love but I always knew I would end up in a creative field. I studied art to A Levels and I’ve always loved art and creating beautiful things. I see interiors and design as an extension of art, so I guess my early love of that has translated into my design work.
Where did you study design and what did you specialise in?
I studied at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland. It was established in 1821 as the School of Arts of Edinburgh. I studied Interior & Spatial Architecture and set up my studio whilst I was studying. I actually went to University and did a year in advertising before switching to Interior Design
What kind of designer did you aspire to be and who are your inspirations?
In terms of inspiration, I look to the Bauhaus design movement for its sparing use of abstract and functional shapes in decor. Designers like Mies Van Der Rohe for his elegant simplicity and less is more approach. Modernist icons like Oscar Neiymar and Lina Bo Bardi for creating spaces and designs shaped by love.
My heritage has influenced my approach to design – I love to capture and balance influencers from both European and African schools of design. I think the interest comes in fusing both cultures together. We tend to work with quite international clients, and I think that the fact my style is not “typically” of one place helps to attract more global projects.
What was your first professional design commission?
I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to showcase my design and art pieces in a gallery in Mayfair, London in 2016 and from there the studio grew, year by year.
What has been your biggest design commission to date?
We are working on a private residence in Ericeira, Portugal which involves transforming a 12 room Portuguese villa. My clients grew up in Japan and 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, which are really close to my heart.
How would you describe Miminat Designs as a studio and a community of designers?
It’s hard to define as I like to explore a mix of influences in my practice but if I had to sum it up in a few words, I’d probably say ‘refined elegance’. With a lot of our work, we try to capture the poetry of movement. I think most of our projects and the furniture I design are probably unified by a certain refined but elegant rawness. Clients quite often describe our style as laid back luxe through the use of quality materials. I think my work is contradictory in that it is in some senses Brutalist but also soft and feminine in elements.
What are the key characteristics you look for when bringing new talent into your studio?
Enthusiasm, a positive attitude, good humour and a love of good playlist.
Where is the majority of your work based? And how has travel helped to shape and influence your ideas on design?
A lot of our work is international, but we still love working in London too. At the moment, we have private residential and commercial projects on the go across the globe in locations such as Kuwait, Portugal and London. I tend to draw inspiration from everything around me and travel, nature and aviation are big sources of creative bounty for me.
What do you think should be a key focus for designers moving forward in 2023?
I would love to see the industry move away from stuffy overly luxe interiors (no more ‘cushion chopping’ interiors). I also hope that we see a greater move towards sustainable materials and design becomes more in touch with nature and the outdoors.
If you hadn’t become an interior designer what would you be doing?
An artist, most likely.
www.miminat.com | IG: @miminat_designs
