THE ALCHEMY OF INTERIOR STYLING... with Martin-Shawn

Walking up the path to Martin-Shawn van Huyssteen’s new Haenertsburg home-showroom, you immediately sense that something magical is about to unfold. The air is crisp, the garden a riot of green with the iconic backdrop of the Iron Crown peak in the distance.  The man himself meets us on the stoep with his usual warmth and dynamism. Inside, it is a kaleidoscope of colour, texture and soul - a place where velvet meets brass, where a chandelier creates drama, and where each room has its own personality.

Martin-Shawn is the force behind Black Apple Design, a name long known in Limpopo’s design circles for its sophisticated, soul-filled interiors. But today, there is a new chapter in his trajectory. The Interior Lab is his fresh evolution into digital design, DIY-friendly services and what he calls a ‘Room in a Box’ as an online solution for everyone, no matter where they are in the country.

Stepping into Martin-Shawn’s world is like stepping into a curated dream. Our eyes dart from embroidered pillows from Kaross to crushed paper light-fittings… from deep, moody walls to layers of vintage charm. There is a sense of theatre here, yes, but also design that speaks of both comfort and play. ‘I have always loved beautiful things,’ says Martin-Shawn as he offers us coffee in delicate glass cups that feel lighter than air. ‘But more than that, I love how spaces make people feel.’

It is here, part home, part studio, that Martin-Shawn’s creative alchemy comes alive. ‘I’m a mixer,’ he admits. ‘I find joy in repurposing something forgotten - a colonial-style skin table with horns I’ve had for years, a chair from my mom reupholstered in a bold print, my grandmother’s old couch given new life.’  And a walk down the hallway is like a backstage tour. Mood-boards hang from the walls… swatches of velvet, linen and raw silk line up next to wood samples and brass fixtures.  ‘This is where the magic happens,’ Martin-Shawn says, gesturing to a light-filled corner of his studio.’ 

‘Every room starts with a feeling, a spark,’ he says. ‘Sometimes it may be a colour, other times it is a piece of art or even just the light falling into the space which creates the starting point for me.’ For two decades, Martin-Shawn has built his brand on intuition and integrity. ‘I started Black Apple Design after leaving the corporate world. I was working in an environment where creativity felt more like a production line… bottom-line focussed, with no room for spontaneity or flow. I felt stifled as a creative, so I decided to take the leap and become my own boss - that is how Black Apple Design was born.'

Since then, he’s taken on everything from luxurious bush lodges to tiny town cottages which has meant that we can take on any design for all kinds of clients. Recent highlights include styling the private villa at Bushveld Terrace near Phalaborwa Gate and collaborating with a Belgian client on a stunning 5-star lodge in Nylstroom. But whether he’s designing for an estate or a little lounge, Martin-Shawn says. ‘It is never about imposing my style - I prioritise really listening to my client to fully understand what they really want.  I take into account the key elements of the interior, the light and the exterior of the building but then look deeper to make sure that their living space revolves around their lifestyle.’

Still, his signature style finds a way to sneak in. ‘I suppose if there’s one constant,’ he laughs, ‘it’s the blue. There is always something blue in my spaces. Even if it is a little vase or a stripe on a cushion.’ It’s a philosophy of layering memory, sentiment and surprise. And Martin speaks about colour with the fervour of a poet. ‘Colour can lift you up and change your whole outlook.  When you walk into a space the psychology of colour is impactful but I also play with patterns and textures.  A lampshade made of organic material, a knotted rug, a silky curtain - they change how a space feels.’

His formula? A grounding 60% in neutrals and earthy tones, 30% dedicated to patterns and layered textures and 10% left open for a touch of the unexpected. ‘That last percentage is where the fun lies,’ he smiles. ‘It is where the dramatic scatter cushions come in or the neon pink vase. It’s the rule-breaking 10% that brings personality to the space and can easily be changed with the trends.’  But he also stresses planning interiors from the start. ‘Too often people spend their entire budget on bricks and mortar, and leave nothing for the interiors. We offer a custom planning system that runs alongside the architectural phase.’

One of Martin-Shawn’s most endearing quirks is how often he designs a whole room around a single artwork. Art, he says, is always personal. ‘When a client has a piece they love, I start there. It tells me who they are.’In his own home, a Koi painting above the dining table was the catalyst. ‘When we moved, I couldn’t bear to put it in storage. So I built the room around it.’ Beneath the painting now sits a polished kudu horn, a spiraling sculpture in its own right. Around the table, sheepskins drape over auction-bought chairs and overhead, an ethereal series of lamps - part cloud, part blossom spills soft light across the room.

Martin-Shawn may have the refined eye of a Parisian style-curator, but he remains deeply grounded. He collaborates with Limpopo-based artisans and artists, building a community and celebrating local creativity. He is also part of the Annie Sloan chalk-paint team, adding yet another dimension to his colour-driven universe.  In a world of fast furniture and fleeting trends, Martin-Shawn’s approach is always refreshingly rooted. He works in phases, offering clients different timelines depending on their needs and budgets saying ‘if it is quick and cost-effective, know you will replace it soon. If you want quality on a budget, we will do it slowly, but properly.’

But if you want to transform your study, your lounge or your Airbnb cottage on your own and don’t have time or even know where to start. Martin-Shawn’s new service, The Interior Lab, is an easy, fuss-free solution for remote clients.  You have a chat, share photos of the space along with your dreams, and voila…a custom-designed room arrives at your door complete with furnishings, finishes and even that perfect scatter cushion. ‘We source, wrap and send,’ Martin-Shawn says with glee. ‘And when your doorbell rings not long after… you know that your room in a box has arrived.’  

This innovative new service offers accessible design that doesn’t lose the heart or flair of a bespoke experience. And now, with The Interior Lab’s YouTube channel in development, Martin-Shawn will soon be bringing tips, tricks and full-room makeovers to a broader audience. ‘It’s exciting,’ he says. ‘People are craving spaces that feel meaningful. And I want to help them create those, wherever they are.’ For Martin-Shawn who believes that crafting spaces means transforming lives, he invites you into his magical world.  ‘Your dream space is just a conversation away - let’s design your story together.’

Call 082 802 4178 or visit www.theinteriorlab.co.za | www.blackappledesign.co.za