3.0

Notes

Ongoing reflections, project developments, and studio perspectives.
Design is not static. Here, we document what evolves, what emerges, and what challenges our thinking.

3.0

Notes

Ongoing reflections, project developments, and studio perspectives.
Design is not static. Here, we document what evolves, what emerges, and what challenges our thinking.

Graphic showcase of the letters 'Aa'

1/24/26

DECOREX Africa 2026 The Soft Life

The Soft Life is Decorex Africa’s 2026 theme: a design-led response to burnout, speed and overproduction, placing wellbeing, ease, joy and human connection at the centre of how we live. Conceived by Beheld, the theme invites designers, brands and audiences to imagine interiors not just as beautiful spaces, but as softer systems of care, comfort and everyday restoration.

A diverse group of six people are sitting around a table in a well-lit conference room. They are engaged in a discussion, with laptops and papers on the table.

12/2/25

Beheld Places South African Craft on the Milan Design Stage

In April 2026, Beheld founders Alan Hayward and Garreth van Niekerk curated a South African craft presentation for SaloneSatellite in Milan, forming part of the international Skilled Craftsmanship + Innovation exhibition. The presentation brought together leading South African makers across ceramics, beadwork, weaving, textiles and object design, positioning local craft as a contemporary, intelligent and globally relevant design language.

A woman in black stands focused over a laptop on a table, surrounded by colorful paper samples pinned to a white wall, creating an artistic, thoughtful atmosphere.

10/25/24

ANNOUNCING Decorex Africa's

In late 2024 RX Africa appointed us — Garreth van Niekerk and Alan Hayward — as joint Executive Creative Directors of Decorex Africa and 100% Design Africa. The brief was simple and enormous: reimagine Africa's largest design and decor platform from the ground up. The 2025 editions introduced the first African Design Pavilions in the show's history, a Future Talks programme, the Capitec handmadeAFRICA Design MRKT and the first continental Designers of the Year. We are back for 2026 under the theme The Soft Life.

Graphic showcase of the letters 'Aa'

1/24/26

DECOREX Africa 2026 The Soft Life

The Soft Life is Decorex Africa’s 2026 theme: a design-led response to burnout, speed and overproduction, placing wellbeing, ease, joy and human connection at the centre of how we live. Conceived by Beheld, the theme invites designers, brands and audiences to imagine interiors not just as beautiful spaces, but as softer systems of care, comfort and everyday restoration.

A diverse group of six people are sitting around a table in a well-lit conference room. They are engaged in a discussion, with laptops and papers on the table.

12/2/25

Beheld Places South African Craft on the Milan Design Stage

In April 2026, Beheld founders Alan Hayward and Garreth van Niekerk curated a South African craft presentation for SaloneSatellite in Milan, forming part of the international Skilled Craftsmanship + Innovation exhibition. The presentation brought together leading South African makers across ceramics, beadwork, weaving, textiles and object design, positioning local craft as a contemporary, intelligent and globally relevant design language.