Samsung announced the winner of the Bespoke Home Challenge, closing the curtain on the interior design competition that ran from October 2022. Zwelibanzi Nzuza’s design took the honours after seeing off stiff competition from his three fellow finalists. Zweli, as he’s affectionately known, won a cash prize of R100 000 that will help him kick-start his interior design career and propel him into his future of creativity.

Coming all the way from Kwa-Zulu, Zwelibanzi’s design philosophy is based on vision, inspiration and a leap of faith. He is very adventurous in his designs and often looks at results that inspire people beyond the norm. What sets him apart is his willingness to explore, expand himself in every project and produce something fresh at all times. “I perceived a high-spiritedness in the Bespoke fridge, which is the centrepiece of the design. That inspired sophistication and playfulness in my approach and I tried to use that as an anchor and a common thread in everything else in my space. I wanted something warm, welcoming, relatable, easy on the eye, and not overbearing or intimidating,” said Zwelibanzi.

For the first time, Samsung opened the Bespoke Home Challenge to young designers. The challenge was made to encourage the creators to design an integrated kitchen and living room space with the Bespoke Refrigerator as the centrepiece of their space. Being in a class of its own, the Samsung Bespoke Refrigerator range brings a kaleidoscope of colour, innovation, and unparalleled customisation to life.

The four finalists had to each put their best foot forward and do their designs at the new Samsung Lifestyle store at Design Quarter in Johannesburg. The other finalists were:

• Maresa Maartens (Gauteng) – Won second place in the Bespoke Home Challenge and walked away with R50 000 cash prize. Maresa was adamant that when designing, it is important to create rooms that feel like sanctuaries, where people can find ease of use, comfort, durability and low maintenance, she believes in design solutions and spaces that make users feel good mentally and physically and want to slow down.

• Keneilwe Mothoa (Gauteng) – Inspired by African heritage and culture and marrying this with modern and western inspirations. Her designs are based on African research and focus on the history for the future. She designs for both functionality and aesthetics, capturing all the senses: touch and feel to name a few.

• Mbali Maseko (Gauteng) – Mbali believes that going forward design should be minimalistic with a touch of Africa. She would like to add a touch of Africa to any beautiful, personal and Bespoke home.

The challenge focused on up-and-coming young designers and was a way to give them a unique platform to test their skills and an opportunity to design and give their own interpretation of a perfect Bespoke Home. After being identified for the final round at the end of September 2022, the four finalists had a chance to showcase their creativity and skill at the brand new Samsung Lifestyle at Design Quarter.

Media entrepreneur and International Speaker, Jo-Ann Strauss, who formed part of the judging panel, said the bar had been raised in this edition of the competition. “Samsung is renowned for always going big in everything they do and it is exciting to see that the My Bespoke Home Challenge competition was no exception. It’s amazing how this competition has grown bigger and better. It is such an excellent platform for young up-and-coming designers and I’m proud to be part of it for the second time. A competition like this is important to celebrate what the young designers learn as it prepares them for the real world and the work environment. The designs of all four finalists were absolutely beautiful and made it tough for the judges. I was particularly impressed by how the contestants brought their own personalities to the fore through their designs. I also enjoyed hearing the personal stories from the contestants about their individual journeys and we all thoroughly enjoyed Zweli’s personal story.”

Zweli said he is over the moon at being crowned the winner and takes it as a reminder that he is on the right track in terms of following his passion and love for interior design. “This is like a dream. Never in a million years would I have imagined I would win such a competition. I have learned a lot more than I thought I would in this competition. I feel grateful and absolutely humbled by the entire experience.  The fact that my family is also here to celebrate with me makes it extra special. I will be investing the prize money towards realising my dream and growing my business,” said Zweli.

“The My Bespoke Home Challenge competition is Samsung’s effort to invest in young designers and youth as part of our design and concept store. These post-COVID times have highlighted the importance of our personal spaces and the role they play in our overall wellbeing. It is what inspired this challenge as well because our homes have become multifunctional as spaces where we need to work, relax and entertain ourselves, so they need to be optimal for all those purposes and more. Our vision at Samsung is to allow our consumers to be able to make their spaces look and feel the way they want that also reflects their own personalities and tastes,” said Mike van Lier, Vice President for Consumer Electronics at Samsung.

Samsung proudly supports Busan’s bid for the World Expo 2030.

for #MyBespokeHomeChallenge 2022

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – 12 October 2022 – Announced at Decorex Cape Town in June this year, with a focus on channelling and testing the unique design perspective of South African youth – Samsung has revealed the top four (4) candidates for its sought-after, ultimate home challenge: the #MyBespokeChallenge.

The four (4) interior designers that have been selected for this year’s #MyBespokeChallenge – will compete by conceiving and building their own BESPOKE Home “Space” using the BESPOKE colour range as the hero in their space, allowing them to showcase their unique, local design styles and talent. These incredible, young creators are now challenged to create a local design concept based on a BESPOKE colour, and showcase their own BESPOKE space, from a kitchen, living area, study – transforming any home space with the highly-customised BESPOKE Refrigerator range.

What sets a Samsung BESPOKE refrigerator apart is its customisable and interchangeable front panel design, modularity that allows you to choose and add the optimal storage configurations to suit your needs, and a sleek, modern look that fits seamlessly into any kitchen. The top four (4) candidates were selected through a rigorous entry process and were narrowed down from 11 young, up-and-coming designers.

Ecstatic about being chosen, see below what the #MyBespokeChallenge 2022 finalists representing their provinces, had to say about their opportunity to participate in this exciting challenge:

• Keneilwe Mothoa – owner of Neimil (Gauteng) – focuses on interior decorating, fashion and the love of art. Design language – loves telling African stories and integrating these into every design to make it functional for any person living in a home.

Inspired by African heritage and culture and marrying this with modern and western inspirations. Her designs are based on African research and focus on the history for the future. Keneilwe’s designs are from the heart – they are based on what she feels is right. However, she also understands – just like Samsung – that every person consumes products/spaces differently and uses them in their own specific way. She designs for both functionality and aesthetics, capturing all the senses: touch and feel to name a few.

• Zwelibanzi Nzuza (Kwa-Zulu Natal) – Final year design student that entered the competition to showcase and communicate his creative vision.

He sees this challenge as a great opportunity to meet and learn from other young, up-and-coming designers. Also, he believes it is a privilege to be critiqued and guided by design judges that he respects in South Africa. His design philosophy is based on vision, inspiration and a leap of faith. He is very adventurous in his designs and often looks at results that inspire people beyond the norm. What sets him apart is his willingness to explore, expand himself in every project and produce something fresh at all times.

• Maresa Maartens (Gauteng) – Honour’s Degree Design student who started understanding the true meaning of art during her journey through studying. Inspired by a quote from designer and architect, Adrian Cohen:

“Designers have a unique ability to interpret reality with the capacity to look at problems in different ways and present solutions.” Maresa is convinced that design can contribute to driving innovation, create value and develop workable solutions to tough social issues and sees the BESPOKE challenge as an opportunity to do just that. She is adamant that when designing, it is important to create rooms that feel like sanctuaries, where people can find ease of use, comfort, durability and low maintenance. She believes in design solutions and spaces that make users want to slow down and those that make them feel good mentally and physically.

• Mbali Maseko (Gauteng) – Inspired by the diversity and richness of Africa through multiple cultures. South Africa – the Rainbow Nation with 11 official languages – each with its own textiles and patterns. She believes in the importance of representing all of this in a global scale.

She is proud to be part of a young generation that is fearless, bold through social media and collaborations with big brands. Design manifesto – is personal, distinctive and unique to each individual hence the phrase: “Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder” and her design preference is minimalistic with a touch of personality. For Mbali, a BESPOKE home should be personal to whoever is using or living in it. Mbali believes that going forward design should be minimalistic with a touch of Africa. She would like to add a touch of Africa to any beautiful, personal and BESPOKE home.

The entry process for the challenge was driven from social media and encouraged interested interior decorators to enter by providing an image of each designer, a two-to-four minute video on why they should be considered for the challenge as well as a mood boards reflecting their interpretation of a #BESPOKE Home. The young designers have the privilege of being mentored by influencer and media personality, Jo-Ann Strauss and #MyBespokeChallenge 2021 Winner, Cassandra Twala as part of their unique journey of designing and creating kitchen/living spaces that reflect Samsung’s vision for customised and connected homes.

The judging panel for this year’s #MyBespokeChallenge includes some South African heavy weights in the design space: Anita Bloom, the Creative Director at Decorex Africa. The Samsung BESPOKE Home Challenge is hosted by JoAnn Strauss and can be viewed online on www.samsung.com/za/ Ts & Cs apply.

demonstrate South African talent.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – 19 August – With Samsung expanding its Bespoke appliance range and introducing new colours, the time to discover and recognise new and upcoming creatives has arrived. The Samsung Bespoke Challenge begins again and once more, four designers will go head to head in a contest of creativity and skill. Entries have opened and soon the selected designers will create a Bespoke living space that showcases their unique vision for a customised and well-connected home – and how they’re able to bring that vision to life through their unique abilities.

This year’s contestants will build and showcase their Bespoke spaces at Design Quarter in Johannesburg for well-known industry experts, who will preside over their efforts as judges in order to determine a final winner. The judging panel includes; Donald Nxumalo, Anita Bloom and Jo-Ann Strauss (who will also be the host). They will be joined by this year’s mentors, the accomplished creative entrepreneur, Cassandra Twala, and Clout Creative Director, Tracy Lynch.

“It is such an honour to be back on the Samsung Bespoke Challenge, especially because I will be mentor to the incredible creatives that Samsung always manages to bring to the forefront of South African talent. For me, it’s truly exciting, and I cannot wait to lend a hand in pushing fellow South African creatives forward,” says, Cassandra Twala, creative entrepreneur.

The contestants will have two weeks to build their own kitchen and living space. The final day will be dedicated to the big reveal, where the spaces will be open to the public to vote for their favourite space. The four selected contestants will be revealed on the 19^th of August 2022. Following this announcement will be a public vote on the 21^st of October 2022 leaving the winner to be declared on the 17^th of November 2022. The winner will take home a cash prize of one hundred thousand rand, and a host of Samsung electronics so that they can fast track their success journey with a business of their own¹.

The competition will be a showcase of South African creativity in full display – inspired by Samsung’s vision for multifunctional homes that offer a more exciting and beneficial way of living. It’s the Bespoke Home vision come to life in a new and expressive way that simultaneously helps pull the youth further towards their dreams and potential. This competition illuminates what’s possible when it comes to the home experience, and with the recent launch of the Bespoke French Door Refrigerator, Samsung is taking that home experience to a whole new level, offering a wider selection of innovative refrigerators that come with new colours. The Bespoke Refrigerators set themselves apart from every other appliance with customisable and interchangeable front panel designs, modularity that allows you to choose and add the optimal storage configurations to suit your needs, and a sleek, modern look that fits seamlessly into any kitchen.

The Samsung Bespoke Challenge can be viewed at Design Quarter and online. The winner will be announced virtually, where the inspired influencers will walk away with Samsung Home products and partner products. Visit https://news.samsung.com/za/samsung-announces-launch-of-mybespokechallenge-2022 for more info on the unmissable Samsung Bespoke Challenge.

¹Terms and conditions apply

with an exciting new focus on young designers

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – 06 July 2022 – The Samsung South Africa #MyBespokeChallenge will return on 1 October. The 2022 iteration of the popular design challenge was announced at Decorex in Cape Town. This ultimate home challenge, which captivated South Africans in its launch last year, will once again see four designers compete to conceive and build their own Bespoke Home “Space”. However, for 2022 instead of using influencers as the designers, Samsung has placed a focus on harnessing and testing the unique perspectives of youth.

The entrants will be responsible for designing around a Bespoke colour and creating their own Bespoke space, from a kitchen, living area, study – transforming any home space with the highly-customised BESPOKE Refrigerator range.  What sets a BESPOKE refrigerator apart from every other appliance is that it has a customisable and interchangeable front panel design, modularity that allows you to choose and add the optimal storage configurations to suit your needs, and a sleek, modern look that fits seamlessly into any kitchen.

Samsung will soon announce the selected contestants who will be mentored by influencer and media personality, Jo-Ann Strauss and #MyBespokeChallenge 2021 Winner, Cassandra Twala. Joining them as part of the judging panel in 2022 is Anita Bloom, Creative Director at Decorex Africa with more judges still be unravelled to the public for #MyBespokeChallenge 2022.

Samsung is excited to announce that for this year’s challenge, entries will be open to young up-and-coming designers. The young designers that make it to the final round and take part in the #MyBespokeChallenge will design their own kitchen and living space. The winner this year stands a chance to win R100 000 cash prize and so much more¹. All spaces will be showcased in the Samsung Bespoke store, Design Quarter, for one year after completion. Samsung is looking for enthusiastic, motivated, and hardworking designers to participate in the #MyBespokeChallenge. Only four designers will make it to the final round.

Samsung has also recently announced the addition of the BESPOKE French Door Refrigerator to a range that has captivated those seeking out living spaces that truly reflect their tastes and aesthetics. The contestants will have access to the full BESPOKE in their quest to win the #MyBespokeChallenge 2022.

Entries for contestants are open until the end of July.

¹Terms and conditions apply

Cassandra Twala has been revealed as the winner.

CASSANDRA:

“It has been an absolute pleasure working with Samsung and the team on this project. A one of a kind refrigerator deserves a one of a kind launch, and this entire experience has truly been out of the ordinary. Samsung and supporting sponsors created an environment for creativity to thrive – support, resources, mentors and amazing people.

I am proud of what I have been able to accomplish and hope that it inspires others to boldly showcase their personality in the spaces they inhabit. Winning the ‘My Bespoke Home challenge’ has given me a renewed affirmation of bespoke design –  there is only one you, and that deserves to be translated into your living space.”

NAQIYAH:

If I have to create a ‘Love List’ of all the things that identity as my passion and purpose, I realise that I consciously pursue it through how I Iive every day. My passions are what bring me to life; finding experiences that enrich my mind.

Unrestrained perseverance has been the catapult for my dreams. I am so thankful for the opportunity to have worked work with Samsung Bespoke and its partners; for the teams that have worked hard to assist in putting this together and to my management and support team, family, friends and readers who have indulged me in this moment.

Here’s to many countless things that just make life more interesting.

SHELLEY:

The Samsung Bespoke Challenge has been such an incredible journey and I am so happy to have been chosen to be a part of this campaign.

Thank you to the judges and the public for selecting my space. I’m so glad to have been able to design a space that resonates with you all.

Celebrated Interior Designer, Donald Nxumalo kept a keen professional eye on the contestant’s design progress during the challenge as they sought the inspiration to create an integrated living space like no other.

The #MySamsungBespokeChallenge, included JoAnn Strauss as MC and a host of partners including Le Creuset, Consentino, TOP Carpets, SHF Decorex Africa, Versus Paints and Design Quarter, who joined forces to inspire the contestant’s creativity and spark new ideas. All the challengers received cash cards with funds to spend at sponsors stores, to enhance and complete their allocated living spaces.

The challenge was inspired by a time when our homes have become multifunctional. Living rooms are now doubling as gyms, movie theatres, and versatile offices. From the way we use our rooms to the materials we use in our interior design, so many things have changed inside our homes. Samsung has a vision for a new kind of home – a Bespoke Home – in which appliances are beautifully designed, flexible to fit every lifestyle, and seamlessly connected for maximum convenience.

The recent launch of the BESPOKE 4-Door Refrigerator is a captivating example of this. What sets this refrigerator apart from every other appliance is that it has a customisable and interchangeable front panel design, modularity that allows you to choose and add the optimal storage configurations to suit your needs, and a sleek, modern look that fits seamlessly into any kitchen. This refrigerator is an innovation that will no doubt bring many South Africans own winning vision to life.

^{* iF DESIGN Award- Gold(Germany), IDEA Awards 2020 (US)}

See how Mary-Anne Gwayanya designed a bespoke space that honoured the African aesthetic

Inspired by the theme of “Under African Skies” Mary-Anne transformed her Bespoke Refrigerator colour of Glam Navy into a simple, modern, minimalist, contemporary aesthetic with brave pops of colour and neutral walls. She used bold colours to seemingly conjure up a space that felt as alive and vibrant as the continent she was inspired by. Already enhanced by sustainable materials such as marble, wood, stone, leather with accents of aluminium black, Mary-Anne seamlessly combined navy and orange in her unique space, and added white to bring a balance to her creation. For her the Bespoke Refrigerator Challenge was an opportunity to be bold with a twist that was uniquely hers.

Check out Mary-Anne’s showcase video

Each of the four passionate creative minds brought a unique perspective and dimension to the #MySamsungBespokeChallenge, which included a host of partners including Le Creuset, Consentino, TOP Carpets, SHF Decorex Africa, Versus Paints and Design Quarter, who joined forces with Samsung to inspire the contestant’s creativity and spark new ideas. All the challengers received cash cards with funds to spend at sponsors stores, to enhance and complete their allocated living spaces.

Your chance to view, vote and stand a chance to win R50 000 e-store Samsung vouchers in the amazing Samsung Bespoke Refrigerator Challenge has been extended. Voting is now opened until midnight, 19^th January, 2022.

Does Mary-Anne get your VOTE?

How to Vote:

• Visit our Bespoke Home showroom at Design Quarter, and vote for your favourite space^* to stand a chance to win Samsung and Design Quarter vouchers; or
• Visit the Samsung Bespoke Refrigeratorand complete online form to vote and stand a chance to win Samsung and Design Quarter vouchers.

You now have until the 19^th January 2022 to experience these incredible influencer-designed living spaces at Design Quarter in Fourways or view them online.

^*TS & Cs apply.

Discover the inspiration and thinking that led to Cassandra Twala bringing her love of Africa home.

Designing from the heart, Cassandra started her BESPOKE journey by pulling together all the things that she loves and finding a way for them to exist in harmony. Armed with her Satin Taupe Bespoke refrigerator hero colour, she crafted a mood board that represented a collection of ideas that became uniquely South African and completely Cassandra. Her ultimate aim was to inspire others to boldly showcase their personality in the spaces they inhabit.  As Cassandra says, “there is only one you, and that deserves to be translated into your living space. With the BESPOKE Refrigerator I had a canvas for innovation, creative ingenuity and absolute fun.”

Check out Cassandra’s showcase video

Each of the four passionate creative minds brought a unique perspective and dimension to the #MySamsungBespokeChallenge, which included a host of partners including Le Creuset, Consentino, TOP Carpets, SHF Decorex Africa, Versus Paints and Design Quarter, who joined forces with Samsung to inspire the contestant’s creativity and spark new ideas. All the challengers received cash cards with funds to spend at sponsors stores, to enhance and complete their allocated living spaces.

Your chance to view, vote and stand a chance to win R50 000 e-store Samsung vouchers in the amazing Samsung Bespoke Refrigerator Challenge has been extended. Voting is now opened until midnight, 19^th January, 2022.

Does Cassandra get your VOTE?

How to Vote:

• Visit our Bespoke Home showroom at Design Quarter, and vote for your favourite space^* to stand a chance to win Samsung and Design Quarter vouchers; or
• Visit the Samsung Bespoke Refrigerator and complete online form to vote and stand a chance to win Samsung and Design Quarter vouchers.

You now have until the 19^th January 2022 to experience these incredible influencer-designed living spaces at Design Quarter in Fourways or view them online.

^*TS & Cs apply.

See how Naqiyah Mayat brought the outdoors inside in an imaginative way.

For Naqiyah, the Samsung Bespoke Refrigerator Challenge was an opportunity to infuse colour into spaces you wouldn’t usually consider. She described her BESPOKE journey as a fulfilling and rewarding few weeks, an outlet to bring out her personality in a very dynamic and broad way. After being selected to participate in the #SamsungBespokeChallenge she decided to create a functional kitchen space that that would easily accommodate her four kids and husband – in her own unique BESPOKE way. From concealed pantries, interchangeable refrigerator panel decisions to tablescaping ideas Naqiyah found inspired ways to integrate her BESPOKE Refrigerator colour of Clean Greenery. Her living space became a remarkable interpretation of personality, vision and flair.

Check out Naqiyah’s

Each of the four passionate creative minds brought a unique perspective and dimension to the #MySamsungBespokeChallenge, which included a host of partners including Le Creuset, Consentino, TOP Carpets, SHF Decorex Africa, Versus Paints and Design Quarter, who joined forces with Samsung to inspire the contestant’s creativity and spark new ideas. All the challengers received cash cards with funds to spend at sponsors stores, to enhance and complete their allocated living spaces.

Your chance to view, vote and stand a chance to win R50 000 e-store Samsung vouchers in the amazing Samsung Bespoke Refrigerator Challenge has been extended. Voting is now opened until midnight, 19^th January, 2022.

Does Naqiyah get your VOTE?

How to Vote:

• Visit our Bespoke Home showroom at Design Quarter, and vote for your favourite space^* to stand a chance to win Samsung and Design Quarter vouchers; or
• Visit the Samsung Bespoke Refrigerator and complete online form to vote and stand a chance to win Samsung and Design Quarter vouchers.You now have until the 19^th January 2022 to experience these incredible influencer-designed living spaces at Design Quarter in Fourways or view them online.^*TS & Cs apply. 
  

Discover how Shelley Mokoena created a showcase of Wabi Sabi in a contemporary style

Wanting to incorporate natural textures which create beauty from imperfection, Shelly complemented her BESPOKE vision with clean and sophisticated elements to create a harmonious space. She played around with opposites: masculine and feminine colours, rustic and smooth textures as well as comfortable and minimal pieces to create a warm and inviting space. Drawn to Glam Pink as her BESPOKE Refrigerator colour she was able to incorporate her unique style into a natural and muted space. This gave her the freedom of adding seamless accent colours to a holistic space that felt like warm and inviting. For Shelley, it was a vision that instantly felt like home.

Check out Shelly’s video:

Each of the four passionate creative minds brought a unique perspective and dimension to the #MySamsungBespokeChallenge, which included a host of partners including Le Creuset, Consentino, TOP Carpets, SHF Decorex Africa, Versus Paints and Design Quarter, who joined forces with Samsung to inspire the contestant’s creativity and spark new ideas. All the challengers received cash cards with funds to spend at sponsors stores, to enhance and complete their allocated living spaces.

Your chance to view, vote and stand a chance to win R50 000 e-store Samsung vouchers in the amazing Samsung Bespoke Refrigerator Challenge has been extended. Voting is now opened until midnight, 19^th January, 2022.

Does Shelly get your VOTE?

How to Vote:

• Visit our Bespoke Home showroom at Design Quarter, and vote for your favourite space^* to stand a chance to win Samsung and Design Quarter vouchers; or
• Visit the Samsung Bespoke Refrigerator and complete online form to vote and stand a chance to win Samsung and Design Quarter vouchers. You now have until the 19^th January 2022 to experience these incredible influencer-designed living spaces at Design Quarter in Fourways or view them online.
• ^*TS & Cs apply.