Design Week 2026: Intimacy, Design and the Things We Love
I believe everyone should, at least once in their lifetime, experience design beyond its aesthetic appeal, discovering the personal perception, nostalgia and emotion that give the objects around us their meaning. Design Week South Africa 2026 offered a perfect reminder of this, particularly through The Things We Love, an exhibition curated by Simone Schultz, which invited guests into the intimate worlds of South African creatives.
More than a showcase of carefully considered pieces, The Things We Love offered a glimpse into the personal spaces and sensibilities of its featured artists. By sharing treasured objects from their own homes, the contributors showed that our relationship with the things we keep extends well beyond their tangible value. Each piece was very nearly a direct reflection of an acquired taste, a lived experience and the stories we choose to surround ourselves with.
A heartfelt vote of thanks goes to the featured artists, among them @a_k_jenkins, who shared a scent chosen to suit their own body chemistry, @lezanneviviers, whose beloved mother-in-law gifted a cosy blanket, and Pumla Maswanganyi (@swangs_express), who showcased movement through a Xibelani gifted to her by her aunt when she was seven.
Thank you also to @boemodiale, @joepaine_studio, @lebokkn, @mjturpin.studio, @mphovackier, @nandi.dlepu, Rendani Nemakhavhani (@prsdnthoney), Roberta Coci, @vickyross, Vus Ndima (@bobthestylist), @zandiletshabalala_ and Zanele Kumalo (@whatzandidnext) for generously sharing a piece of their homes with us as their guests. It takes a certain vulnerability to let others encounter the things we hold dear, and this openness turned the exhibition into something far more meaningful than a standard display. It became a celebration of craftsmanship, personal expression and the intimate connection between design and identity.
Equally memorable was the intimate setting. Rather than a formal gallery experience, the space encouraged open dialogue among mingling guests, which left room for ideas to be exchanged, perspectives to intersect and creative relationships to form organically. In many ways, the atmosphere embodied what design is meant to do, which is to bring different people together through shared curiosity, appreciation and, perhaps, a little aesthetic appeal.
Beyond the exhibition, Design Week 2026 offered a compelling programme of events curated by @rolandpostma, @margot_molyneux and @simschultz, with Pinterest as its title sponsor. The programme brought together an immersive cross-section of the creative community and opened up conversations around culture, art, design and the ever-evolving possibilities within the industry. Insights from @eoincarrigan of @pinterest, together with @nandi.dlepu, who joined the panel, offered valuable perspective on the relationship between digital discovery and creative practice, and underscored the role of platforms that connect ideas with the creatives who bring them to life.
Pinterest’s sponsorship of Design Week South Africa 2026 carried particular significance, as it is the first time the platform has sponsored a Design Week anywhere in the world. This milestone signals an exciting intersection between digital inspiration and tangible creative expression, and it affirms the value of South Africa’s design community within an international conversation.
Ultimately, Design Week 2026 reminded us that design shapes the way we live, share and interpret the world around us. The experience celebrated creatives, a love of ordinary objects and the connections that continue to form our creative landscape.
What stayed with me: Design is at its most beautiful when the human experience we share is what gives it life.
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