Media Features - Isle of Design | Interior Design & Home Styling

meet marcelle

Creative Director of Beautiful Living

For me, design has never been about simply making things look beautiful. It’s about creating spaces that evoke emotion, tell a story and enrich the way people live.

Over the past two decades, I’ve built a career bringing brands, homes and experiences to life through thoughtful design. My journey has taken me from luxury international brands and prestigious events to beautifully curated homes here in Northland, always driven by the same belief—that great design is deeply personal.

Today, Isle of Design is the culmination of everything I’ve learnt. It brings together my love of interiors, creative direction, styling, art and storytelling to create timeless spaces that feel authentic, layered and uniquely yours.

A Creative Journey

My career has never followed a traditional path—and I believe that’s one of my greatest strengths.

I hold a Bachelor of Visual Communication from Stellenbosch University, formal qualifications in Interior Décor, and a Culinary Diploma from The South African Chefs Academy. While those qualifications provided a strong creative foundation, it has been over twenty years of working across multiple design disciplines that has truly shaped my approach.

Throughout my career I’ve collaborated with internationally recognised brands including Louis Vuitton, John Lewis, Fashion TV, Gatineau (Revlon), Pirelli, and The Berkeley Hotel, while leading creative direction for the prestigious Salon Privé Concours d’Elegance at Blenheim Palace in England.

I’ve also styled editorial features for leading wedding publications, created luxury brand identities, designed product packaging, directed visual campaigns, developed retail environments and produced bespoke creative experiences that connect people with brands in meaningful ways.

Every experience has taught me one thing:

Beautiful design isn’t just seen—it is felt.

Designing Beautiful Living

Today, alongside leading Isle of Design, I work as a Visual Merchandiser and Interior Designer for Freedom Furniture Northland, where I help clients transform their homes through considered furniture selection, thoughtful space planning and beautifully layered interiors.

Working closely with homeowners every day keeps me immersed in evolving design trends, furniture collections, colour palettes and the practical realities of creating homes that are both beautiful and functional.

It’s a role that perfectly complements Isle of Design, allowing me to blend international creative experience with hands-on interior styling and a deep understanding of how people truly live within their homes.

My Design Philosophy

I don’t believe beautiful homes are created by following trends. The most memorable interiors reflect the people who live in them.

Every home has its own rhythm.
Every family has its own story.
Every space deserves its own identity.

That’s why I take the time to understand how you want your home to feel—not just how you want it to look. By thoughtfully layering furniture, lighting, artwork, texture and carefully chosen details, I create interiors that feel welcoming, timeless and completely personal.

Because luxury isn’t about having more – It’s about choosing well.

Beyond Design

When I’m not designing interiors, you’ll usually find me creating artwork, searching for vintage treasures, exploring Northland’s coastline or spending time with my family.

I find inspiration everywhere—from architecture and travel to nature, fashion, art and beautifully collected objects.

These influences naturally find their way into every project, creating spaces that feel effortless, authentic and rich with character.

“Working as the Head of Design for Salon Privé Concours in the UK was an incredible experience that honed my skills in luxury brand marketing and high-end event coordination. Being part of such a prestigious event not only sharpened my eye for detail but also deepened my understanding of delivering exceptional experiences to discerning clientele. It was an honor to contribute to an event where excellence is the standard.”

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Featured in My Wedding Day. Our studio had the pleasure of creating a truly unique and unforgettable wedding experience with our innovative designs. We crafted intricate laser-cut invitations, elegant mirrored fans, and vintage postcard R.S.V.P.s that added a touch of nostalgia. Our creative flair extended to styling a charming picnic basket and making bespoke hanging displays for the wedding car. We also designed custom laser-cut brooches, menu serviette wraps, and eye-catching tags for food displays, along with personalized laser-cut platters. This feature celebrates our dedication to pushing the boundaries of wedding design, making every detail of the big day as special as the couple themselves!

Our bespoke wedding stationery, featuring futuristic designs crafted from engraved perspex, has set a new standard for modern elegance. We’ve also introduced unique handmade touches like personalized toothpicks and coasters as guest gifts, adding a memorable and thoughtful element to the celebration. Our multi-layered, stitched booklet invites have captivated couples, combining intricate craftsmanship with innovative design. It’s an honor to be recognized for pushing the boundaries of wedding stationery and inspiring fresh trends in the industry!

Isle of Design was also proudly featured in Wedding Inspirations Magazine 2011, where we were recognized for our forward-thinking approach to wedding design. We predicted the rise of golds, metals, and jewel tones, which have since become staples in modern wedding aesthetics. Additionally, we anticipated the growing trend for city weddings, blending urban sophistication with timeless elegance. Our studio’s ability to foresee and shape these trends highlights our commitment to staying ahead of the curve, ensuring that our clients’ weddings are not only stylish but also trendsetting.

Isle of Design was honored to participate in creating stationery for a stunning all-white event, which was beautifully showcased in My Wedding Day magazine. The event’s serene and sophisticated aesthetic perfectly captured the essence of timeless elegance, making it a standout feature in the magazine. Being part of this extraordinary event not only highlighted our expertise in event design but also underscored our ability to bring a visionary concept to life with style and precision.

Experience & Credentials

Bachelor of Visual Communication – Stellenbosch University
Interior Décor Qualification
Culinary Diploma – The South African Chefs Academy
20+ years of creative industry experience
Visual Merchandiser & Interior Designer – Freedom Furniture Northland
Creative Director – Salon Privé, Blenheim Palace
Former Head of Design – Gatineau (Revlon)
Luxury brand collaborations including Louis Vuitton, John Lewis, Fashion TV, Pirelli and The Berkeley Hotel