The Oscars of interior design: Gregory Mellor takes the spotlight
Andrew Martin announces Gregory Mellor Design the winner of the International Interior Designer of the Year Award for 2023.
In an exclusive award ceremony held in Johannesburg on the 7th of November, Martin Waller, the founder of Andrew Martin, presented this coveted accolade to South African interior designer Gregory Mellor.
In a significant milestone for the African design community, Gregory becomes only the second South African and African designer to claim this prestigious title, following in the footsteps of local design luminary Stephen Falcke in 1999. Gregory’s achievement is a testament to his dedication to timeless, human-centric design, crafting sumptuous yet approachable living spaces, from luxurious game lodges in East Africa to laid-back holiday homes in the Pacific.
With a global portfolio spanning over two decades, Gregory has cultivated a knack for prioritizing comfort and craftsmanship. He began his journey at Thomas Hamel in Australia, honing his skills before embarking on his own entrepreneurial path. Notably, Gregory has been joined by partner Marc du Toit, whose expertise in furniture design has contributed to several remarkable hospitality projects across Africa. Marc’s keen eye for creating authentic, layered designs complements the studio perfectly.
Upon receiving the esteemed Andrew Martin Interior Designer of the Year Award, Gregory expressed his elation, saying, “It is undoubtedly a crowning accomplishment to be acknowledged with this wonderful and esteemed accolade. We are humbled to join the ranks of our long-admired design heroes. We are genuinely pinching ourselves in disbelief… and we are thrilled. It is also an opportunity to showcase what the interior design community can achieve here at the southern tip of Africa and, importantly, to be able to help shine a light on the incredible workmanship and quality of the suppliers and workshops with whom we collaborate.”
Gregory’s design philosophy revolves around making spaces that harmoniously align with how clients want to live, ensuring they connect with both the inhabitants and their surroundings. The studio’s pursuit of timeless quality and authenticity is evident in their work, encouraging, enhancing, and contributing to their clients’ lifestyles. They predominantly adopt a traditional approach but fearlessly incorporate diverse elements… this is a team that works passionately and with integrity.
Martin Waller, the founder of Andrew Martin, admires Gregory’s super-relaxed style, acknowledging the discipline and precision it requires to achieve such effortless elegance.
Established in 1996, the Andrew Martin Interior Designer of the Year award stands as the highest international honour for interior designers. It celebrates the world’s most talented and extraordinary interior designers, featuring design icons like Kelly Hoppen, Axel Vervoordt, Thomas Pheasant, Nicky Haslam, and Jamie Drake. It has rightfully earned the moniker of the design world’s Oscars.