Ones to watch: Mimi Shodeinde

Mimi Shodeinde started her business, Miminat Designs, while still at university in Edinburgh; the four-strong studio is now based in London, designing furniture as well as interiors.

How did you get started?

Initially I started doing freelance design work, but in 2016 I was lucky enough to showcase my design and art pieces at GAFRA, a gallery in Mayfair, and from there the studio grew year by year.

What have you become known for?

Grand in scale furniture and relaxed, elegant interiors defined by a global perspective.

What inspires you?

Everything! It’s hard to narrow it down, but nature, movement, sculpture, art, architecture and music are the things I tend to gravitate towards when looking for inspiration.

What’s the thread that runs through every scheme, regardless of the aesthetic?

When it comes to interiors – character, context and light. Pulling inspiration from a studied palette of materials, creating refined and calm spaces. A lot of people characterise my interiors as relaxed, timeless, functional and elegant.

Is there any business advice you wish you’d known when you started out?

You can’t do it all.

What projects are you working on at the moment?

Private residential projects across the globe in locations such as Kuwait, Portugal and London.

What projects have you got coming up?

We’re in discussion about our first-ever hotel project – with hopefully more to be revealed soon…

What’s your latest discovery at the Design Centre?

Lighting from Tollgard