My Design Rules (2020): Season 2, Episode 1 - Meet & Greet - full transcript

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[cheerful music]

- Welcome to the launch
episode of season four

of interior design
and reality series,

"My Design Rules", hosted
in beautiful South Africa.

I'm your host Danilo Acquisto.

Join me over the
next 17 episodes,

as we follow the journey of
three aspiring design teams,

as they compete while
transforming three
white box spaces

into dream homes, one
room challenge at a time.

The goal?

To have the judges rule them



to be the best new interior
design talent in South Africa,

unlocking a bright
professional future

and a cash prize
of 100,000 rand.

The homes will be taking
shape in a lifestyle estate,

just outside of South Africa's
economic hub in Johannesburg,

an estate aptly named
the Eye of Africa.

- [Announcer] Positioned less
than half an hour's drive

from the bustling metropolis

of South Africa's capital
city, Johannesburg,

lies the idyllic golf
and residential estates

called the Eye of Africa.

The vision of this golf
and residential estate

is to create
vibrant, recreational

and social community hubs,



thanks to the many
communal leisure areas

and facilities enjoyed
by all of the residents.

It bores a signature Greg
Norman design golf course,

his first on the
African continent.

This is set up to really
challenge every golfer

on the course, and offer a
true championship experience.

The natural landscape
with its rolling hills,

set the mood for
relaxation and unwinding.

But for the more active,

there are walking
trails and cycling paths

where residents can enjoy nature

in the breathtaking surrounds.

There are several housing
developments within the estate,

including the Stone Quarter,

The setting for season
four of "My Design Rules",

which is in the very heart
of the Eye of Africa,

allowing residents to enjoy
the tranquility of nature

while also having the
city on their doorstep.

This estates offers a lifestyle

that is the best of both worlds.

- Talk about an
idyllic location.

Throughout the series,
our talented design duos

will be receiving
guidance and sage advice

from South Africa's
top decor, magazines,

"Visi", "Habitat", and
"House and Leisure".

Let's meet the mentors.

[upbeat music]

- I'm Annemarie
Meintjies, Deputy Editor

for "Visi" magazine.

Visi is a lifestyle magazine,

and we zoom in more
on architecture and
interior design,

and we stay away from
scatter cushions.

I have been in so many homes,

I've been in so many lodges
and I've been in so many hotels

and we're there for days
'cause we photograph.

When we leave a space,

we know everything that
worked and that didn't work.

And I believe that
experience is what I need

to advise my duo to make
the right decisions.

The type of mentor I'll be,

I will let them
come up with ideas,

but it's gonna be very hard
for me to keep my mouth shut

'cause I am a bit outspoken.

[upbeat music]

- My name is Amanda Graham,

and I'm the deputy managing
editor for "Habitat" magazine.

There are various sections
that make up "Habitat";

interior design, decor,
architecture, art, travel

to name a few.

But I believe that my skills,
knowledge and experience

will assist the duo that
I'm assigned to work with

throughout the series.

As a mentor, I'd be working
very closely with my duo,

giving them confidence and
encouragement at all times.

So, I will be very hands on.

And obviously, I would
be very proud of them

if "Habitat" were to
win the competition.

[cheerful guitar music]

- My name is Tiaan Nagel.

I'm the editor at
"House and Leisure".

I feel what sets us apart at HL

is that we celebrate
local design.

We look at international
trends and we digest

and we morph them
for local audience.

I'm looking for someone
with a sensitive opinion,

someone that understands what
they're trying to achieve.

So not necessarily someone
that's slavishly follow trend,

someone that can interpret.

Their handwriting
and personality
needs to come across.

I've been told I'm a
little bit controlling.

So this is gonna be a challenge

for me going into this process.

I hope I would be able
to mentor in a way

that the duo feels that
they've got free reign

to do their thing.

But of course, I'm gonna
give my input as well

and mold and shape where I
think things could be better.

So hopefully, it's a
successful collaboration

if we get it right.

If not, I'll take them out for
a drink and make up for it.

If they hate me, we'll see.

- [chuckles] Now that we've
met our magazine head honchos,

who'll be mentoring
our hopefuls,

it's time to meet the people
who'll have the tough job

of judging their efforts.

The first is no stranger
to this competition,

having been the winning
contestant in season one.

- The winner is
[suspenseful music]

Donald Nxumalo.

[cheering]
[audience applauds]

- After winning season one,

I was given incredible
opportunities

to work in different areas.

I've set up the business to
work in residential markets,

high-end residential office work

as well as hospitality industry.

And in every case, we have
produced work that is credible

and that is creative and
work that has been applauded

and so it is an incredible honor

to come back as a
judge on the show

and impart my skills
and my knowledge.

Winning the competition
definitely puts you

in a league of its own

because it makes people aware

that you are credible
as a designer.

The exposure that comes
with that means that people

are more aware of you

and you're able to get into
more people's vocabulary

and their homes
because you are on TV.

The process is grueling,
especially putting together

an interior in front of cameras.

I mean, it's difficult
enough doing that

without any cameras
in your face.

So the failures
are seen on camera,

the successes are
seen on camera.

I think having been
in that competition.

I look at it with a
little bit more empathy,

but I know that they have help,

so not too much empathy.

I'm looking forward
to great drama

because of the team
dynamic of the show.

I'm looking forward

to how the teams interact
amongst one another,

but ultimately,
I'm looking forward

to great design and
great competition.

[upbeat music]

- I'm Katlego Kondlo.

I work for Plascon

and I am the premium
category brand manager.

With my background with paints,

color is quite important,

but designers might also tend
to forget about functionality.

That's what I'm
gonna be looking at,

how they incorporate color,

not necessarily
only on the walls,

but also on their
finishing touches,

your cushions and so forth.

Interior designers tend
to have a specific style.

They have personalities and
they tend to gravitate towards

what they've done previously
and what they know.

I believe that having editors
in this season is fantastic

because they tend to have a
wider range of styles and trends

so they won't be limited to
a specific way of designing.

So I think it's fantastic.

When it comes to
judging this season,

I think I will be quite
a practical judge.

The other judges will bring
quite a lot of aesthetic.

looking at design and so forth,

whereas I'm gonna be looking
for more practicality

when it comes to design.

- For each challenge,
Katlego and Donald

will be joined by a guest judge,

a real South African
industry luminary.

So with our panel having
so many industry experts,

we certainly hope that our
design contestants are ready.

After the break, we
meet our duo hopefuls,

so don't go anywhere.

[happy music]

[happy music]

[upbeat music]

This is the season four
premiere of "My Design Rules".

Welcome back.

In the previous seasons,

our contestants have
competed as individuals,

but for this season,

we've decided to double up
on great South African talent

as they compete as duos.

Chosen by team
"House and Leisure"

is a pair who believes that
their professional relationship

will translate into great
design in the competition.

They are Banele Khoza
and Tshepo Sealetsa.

[upbeat music]

- My name is Banele
Khoza and I'm an artist.

- My name is Tshepo Sealetsa
and I'm an interior designer.

- [Banele] We're so excited
to be one of the final duos

only because we've been trying
for the past years to enter.

- It's actually been three years

since we've been trying,

but we are so grateful
that we made the cut

because we didn't believe
that it was gonna happen

'cause on the day
that we got the call,

we waited like the whole day.

And then I remember I tweeted,

"It doesn't matter what happens,

you should always
follow your dreams."

And then nine minutes
after I sent that tweet,

like I get an email.

I read the first few lines.

"Dear Tshepo and Banele,
congratulations."

I didn't even read
the rest of the email,

I was like [screams]

- I actually got my inspiration
and to actually be an artist

from watching television
and also with magazines.

For me, drawing
became a friend to me

'cause I didn't grow
up interacting with
a lot of people.

It's still the same today
and I also actually paint.

So after painting, I've learnt

that there's a career
in collecting as well.

So I also curate spaces.

So that's why I actually
began everything

in regards to interior spaces.

It's been my secret
love, like ever since.

And I'd do it when my
mother would be at school

and I'd just started
shifting things around.

And then she'd
always be impressed.

When Tshepo left his job
as an interior architect,

I thought he was crazy.

[laughing]

But it was great
'cause it inspired me,

the fact that he
can actually focus

and say, this is
what I want to do.

Meaning he didn't want to
do nine to five anymore.

And then I called him into
my company and asked him,

can you please help me
with just a few things

so that we get things going,

only because I knew
he's avid with detail

and for me, I'm not
so much into detail.

I'm just like,
okay, that's fine.

And he's like, no, that's-

- I'm crazy with detail.

- He is.
- I'm obsessively crazy.

Another thing that
makes it interesting

is that our different
design backgrounds,

he's a fine artist, I'm
an interior designer.

So we felt like
that would be like

a nice combination

and it will bring about
something different.

We've known each
other for six years.

And since we've known
each other that long,

I believe that we're
gonna be like the bomb

- Yes!
- In this competition,

we're gonna kill it.

- Our next design duo will
be combining their passion

for design and aesthetics

with their love for
community development.

Chosen from all the
entries by "Visi" magazine

is Mpho Mphaga, AKA Mpho
Designer, and Lesego Masekela.

[upbeat music]

- I am Lesego Masekela.

I am a interior designer.

And I'm going

to be South Africa's
greatest interior designer.

- Hi, I'm Mpho Designer and
I'm an interior designer.

I studied at Tshwane
University of Technology.

So, this is a platform
for me and Lesego

to expose more about ourselves.

And we think it's
about time now,

we let South Africa know
what we are capable of doing.

- I am the youngest
of two children

and I was raised
by a single mother.

I'm very close with my mother,

and she actually inspired me

to carry on into interior
design with her love

for beautiful things and
specifically, beautiful homes.

- I'm based in Soshanguve.

And like I get most
of my inspiration

that I implement in the
designs from where I come from.

So I'm a community based
guy that does a lot of,

I wouldn't say
community based work,

but advise most
residents where I stayed

to now have better understanding
of how design works.

- Mpho and I have very
different personalities.

He's got a very good
eye and a good vision,

whereas I'm more technical.

And we also are very
inspired by modern art

in our city right now.
- Yeah.

- [Lesego] We love
to go to galleries.

- Yeah, yeah.

- And look through what's
happening right now

or what people are seeing

as happening right
now in the art world.

- [Mpho] Lesego, she's a
very brilliant designer.

She's the person
that makes me think

that design is like music.

You can speak two
different languages,

but as long as you can
flow with the song,

it can be a beautiful song.

- Definitely, definitely
agree with that.

Sometimes I do put him to work

and make him do things
he doesn't want to do,

but he has to do it.

- She's like a mom.

Hey, you know how mom goes.

"Go and do your homework!"

- No.
- So I ended up

doing my homework.

- Yes.

But we are definitely
going to be

the best duo.
- The best, yeah.

- Our final duo are partners,

both professionally
and personally.

They've achieved success
in the fashion industry

and are looking forward
to extending that success

to the world of interior design.

They'll be representing
"Habitat" magazine.

Say hello to Brad and
Abiah "Superstar".

- My name's Abiah
"Superstar" Mahlase.

- And I'm Bradley
Muttitt and watch out

for us to razzle-

- Dazzle and take over
the interior world.

- I started out
growing up as a child

that was obsessed with fashion.

I spent my life
dressing up dolls

as a child. [laughs]
- Of course.

I can see you doing that.

- And after school,
I went to go study

my BCom in Communication,
yeah, it wasn't for me.

In my late twenties, I had
this still this creative urge.

And that's when I
decided to study fashion.

- I have the same
background as Bradley

where I also started at
law, like studying law

and it was a hell no.

If I'm gonna be the judge,
it's the judge of fashion,

So studied fashion and that's
where we met each other.

And from the get go, we just
knew we wanted to be the first

and the last word in fashion
and try take over the world.

We started a fashion
brand together

and one thing led to another.

They say, business
doesn't mix the pleasure,

but we like to break the rules.

I'd say, and I always
call him my baby daddy,

'cause we've got two Yorkies
and I give them hell.

Baby Boss and Baby
Beach keep us very busy.

- [Brad] Sure.

- [Abiah] They are
little fashionstas.

- [Brad] I actually did
design like a capsule range

for them, which we stocked
at the local store.

- [Abiah] Yes, yeah.

Brad and I, think the
we have the same taste.

- Absolutely.
- And over the top OTT.

So if it's not more, it's less.

More is more.

- Always.

- Always, yes, always.
[Brad laughs]

We are super duper
over the moon.

- Stars, sun.

- And the galaxy, excited.

You know when a wild card wins?

That's how it felt
when they picked us,

'cause it was usually, "No,
no, you guys are too much.

Whoa, stop the lorry,
stop the truck"

And this time around, it
was so nice to be chosen

because we love decor.

- Yeah, we entered
it previous years.

We've watched it every year.

- We love it, so we thought
we'd use our creative flare

and give this
competition a shot.

- [Brad] Yeah.

- With fashion keeping us
busy, and now interior,

that's gonna turn
that wheel round

and around and
around and around.

- Three completely
different design duos

who will undoubtedly produce
three completely different

and amazing homes.

After the break, they
get to open the door

to the white boxes that
will be their blank canvases

for this competition.

And the work begins.

[upbeat music]

[upbeat music]

Welcome back to
"My Design Rules".

There's a popular
saying that goes,

"Success is a journey
and not a destination."

And if that's the case,

then the "My Design
Rules" journey must begin.

Here at the Eye of Africa
golf and residential estate

our "My Design Rules" duos
are about to receive the keys

to the homes they'll
be decorating and
meet their mentors.

Let the competition begin.

[cheerful music]

- It's time to take out
our hammers, drills, nails.

'cause Team Habitat-

- Is the dream team and
we're in it to win it.

- We're in the game, and
we're going to kill it.

- And I think we're
gonna show South Africa

what we're capable of doing.

- [Tshepo] This is
a dream come true.

- And we can't wait to get
our hands dirty. [laughs]

- Contestants, welcome.

Behind me are the three homes
that you'll be decorating,

and I'm sure you're
dying to get started.

But first, we need to determine

which units you'll be calling
home for the next 14 weeks.

Inside this hat are three keys

with each design
contestant team.

Come and select one set
of keys from the hat.

- We're actually very
nervous right now

because we don't know which
house we're going to get.

And also will it
have enough light?

- So nervous. [laughs]

- [Lesego] Well, we definitely
hope we get the best unit.

- I'm betting with all my heart
that Lesego has magic hands.

- [laughs] Yes, lucky fingers.

- [Abiah] I hope we get
the stand that's far off.

Far away from our neighbors.

- Yeah, it's three stands.

Two stands are
next to each other.

One stand's around the corner.

- Sure.

- [Brad] Sure.

We don't want
neighbors peeping over.

- Well, there you have it.

Contestants, the key in
your hand could represent

the key to the future
of your design success.

Contestants, go
forth and decorate.

[upbeat music]

- We've just walked
in and seen the house.

♪ It's amazing.

- Yes.
- A lot's gotta be done.

- A lot.

Slashing down walls.

- Putting in glass.

But we're glad.

- We're glad.
- We're so glad.

- Okay, so this will be what?

Like the first bedroom.

- The first bedroom, yeah.

- Are the lights on?

[screams and laugh]

- Yes, the lights are on.

Woo, we are off to a good start.

Winning one.

[upbeat music]

- Hello.

- [Abiah] Hello, hello, hello.

- Hi.

How are you?

- Good and you?

- I'm delighted with our duo.

They were my first preference.

I think they're flamboyant,
they're aesthetic

They've got great energy.

I think we're going
to work well together.

I'm looking forward
to mentoring them.

How do you think that we
should best utilize this area?

I think that we should
possibly consider concealing

a portion of the kitchen area.

- Absolutely.
- Absolutely.

Just to give privacy
between kitchen.

- Yes, and the living room.

- Yes, and the person
doing the dishes.

[laughing]

You don't want your
guests arriving

[laughing drowns speaker]

You wanna see the
rest of the place?

- Yes, I'd love to.
- Let's take you around.

- I think if you have
a vision generally,

which they do have for fashion,

they'll be able to
apply that to design.

- We're overwhelmed.

The reality has set in

and we're about to
start this competition.

- [Mpho Voiceover] And I'm
glad that it's a white box,

that we need to
work inside of it.

But we're gonna have to
think outside of the box.

- [Lesego Voiceover]
And inside the box.

- [Mpho] Yep.

- [Both] Ooh, ooh,

- I think it's gonna be
a very amazing bedroom.

What do you think?

- I think is gonna be amazing.

- I think we can have
the bed there, headboard,

wallpaper, curtains everywhere.

- Just like a hotel.

- You get my point,
like, [hand claps]

- Yes.
- Yes, let's do this.

- I love it.

- Hello.

Ah, there you are.

You've been through everything?

- Yes, we have.

- Annemarie.

- Oh, wow, what do you think?

- Well, I think we
can turn this space

into a marvelous place.

- It's a nice duo.

They're young, they're creative.

And they think young,
which is not a normal thing

when you get to
designers or decorators.

There's always too
much fabric involved

and too many scatter cushions.

I bought you some magazines.

- [Lesego] Oh, lovely.

- Let's talk.

Let's keep communicating.

- Definitely.

Excited to see you again.
- Good luck.

- Cheers!
- Bye.

[gentle upbeat music]

- Ooh lalala.

- Oh my word, wow.

- This is so beautiful.

- We are walking into the
house for the first time

and all we seeING
is a blank canvas.

I'm so scared.

I didn't have enough practice

with designing a
whole entire house,

but I've had a bit of
experience with my place.

Like just curating it
and doing all that.

- [Banele] Oh wow.

I think this is
the master bedroom.

- It'll be so lovely to
have the bed that side.

I think that's where
it's supposed to be.

- No, I want it that side.

- We have two plugs that side.

- No, I want it this side.

- We have a mentor,

so I hope he's here,
then we can ask him.

- Yes, and I think

he'll agree with me.
- I think he'll agree with me.

[laughing]
[gentle music]

- Hi Tiaan.

- Morning.

- Tshepo, how are you?

- Nice to meet you.

- Banele.
- Cool.

- We are already having
a tiff in the bedroom

about the positioning
of the bed.

Haven't strangled each other.

You just got here on time.

- I'm really excited to be
working with Banele and Tshepo.

Both of them have
artistic background

and they both seem
calm-tempered and well mannered,

all of those things
that you need

to take you through
to this process,

I'm looking really forward
to working with them.

- So this is where
we fought a lot.

We think, like I was
personally thinking

of having the bed that
side since the plug points

are already that side.

I think it will be easier.

And for privacy.

- Yes, I agree with you.

You don't wanna walk
in and see your bed.

- The bed, yeah.
- I think

there's something nice

about having that on that
side of the room, yeah.

- I just wanted to be spicy.

- Don't be spicy, no spices.

- There's already
been a bit of rivalry

between the two of them,

which I think would
create healthy competition

and would make all the projects.

And as the rooms unfold, give
it a little bit of dynamic.

- Looks like we're in for a
whole lot of inspired design

and creative ideas
on "My Design Rules".

Watch as our duos get started

on decorating their first space.

Who will unlock a door
to a bright design future

and who will rule supreme
on "My Design Rules"?

[cheerful music]