Top: Images of the bedroom at Malcolm's home © Keyanna Brown, Bottom: Images of the foyer and dining room at Malcolm's home © Malcolm Simmons 

From constructing e-designs for clients, to contributing regularly to international design publications, to reaping creative inspiration from his “multinational experiences," Malcolm is a paragon of the cross-disciplinary nature of the design industry. Today, Malcolm Simmons welcomes the Artsper team to his studio to speak about the inception of his design agency Mas Means More, his journey from graphic to interior design and, of course, his current favorites in the world of fine art! 

1. Hello Malcolm, thanks for taking the time to speak with us! Could you start by telling us a little bit about yourself and how your interior design company Mas Means More came to be?

Hello there! Thank you for taking an interest in my strange little world. I've always had a keen interest in design in various capacities. When I was a kid, I wanted to be a computer animator. Once I realized I didn't have the patience for that, I decided to pursue something more instantly gratifying: graphic design. While obtaining my degree in the medium, I fell in love with the cross-disciplinary nature of it—particularly as it pertains to physical space. I was fascinated by the way the branding of an environment relates to movement, structure, connection, and feeling. As such, I decided to pursue interiors in a more intentional capacity, with my background in graphic design influencing most of my sensibilities. I started by designing my own home, and over the years, I've been lucky enough to be able to empower others to feel confident in their design decisions via e-design services, my Instagram account, and many articles I've written for Emily Henderson Design as a design contributor. 

2. Your company seeks to make “good design achievable for everyone." Could you tell us what good design means to you, and how this impacts the way you approach a new project?

Good design is mostly subjective, which is simultaneously inspiring and absolutely overwhelming. There isn't ever one right answer to a design problem, and when it comes to designing interiors, I think people tend to get stuck in “option paralysis" to the point where they don't feel inspired to make forward movement in any direction at all. Ultimately, though, good design is built upon a thorough understanding of various elements and principles of design— contrast, hierarchy, and movement, to name a few—and once relevant principles are established in a space, the options for finishing touches become far more obvious and considered. That's the secret to creating an intentionally-designed space, and my goal is to help people understand that good design is absolutely achievable for them underneath an often-intimidating shroud.

3. Do you have a favorite project to date? What was the design inspiration behind this project?

In 2021, I completed a pretty robust renovation of my primary bedroom in Arlington, Virginia. That project marked a fairly significant turning point in my design career and sensibilities. I was motivated to create a space for myself that helped to establish daily routines, spoke to my evolving tastes, and allowed me to experiment with some new ideas. The resulting space showcased a variety of interesting dichotomies— vintage heirlooms mixed with new wares, DIY projects combined with professionally-installed fixtures, and a healthy balance of masculine and feminine qualities—that all worked together pretty seamlessly to create a fully balanced space. I'm especially proud of the reeded headboard treatment, which I conceptualized and built on my own.

Images of Malcolm's office © Malcolm Simmons

4. Being based in Washington D.C and London, do you feel that location influences your creativity or style? 

Oh, one hundred percent! Since moving to London, I've gained much more of an appreciation for thinking about design in terms of history. America—while obviously the birthplace of many popular design styles—certainly doesn't have the same heft of design tradition that exists here in the UK (and in Europe, more broadly). I've been inspired by colorful tiles that adorn tube stations, handsomely designed storefronts on Savile Row, and the architecture of businesses housed in tunnels underneath train bridges. These uniquely British experiences have profoundly impacted my choices while making decisions about projects for both myself and clients. As a kid, I grew up in countries throughout Central and South America, which I also think has an ongoing influence on my design perspectives. These varied, multinational experiences have absolutely shaped my creativity and style.

5. At Artsper, we believe that interior design and fine art go hand-in-hand. Do you feel that art plays an important role in your design choices? Do you have any favorite artists at the moment?

They go hand-in-hand indeed! Fine art often influences my entire design process. Whether it be a Nigerian batik print, a William Morris wallpaper, or vintage oil paintings, art always tends to have a guiding impact on the entire design of a space. For example, I've procured these vintage oil seascape paintings to help me decide which dining chairs I'd like in my flat. The “connective tissue" there is no coincidence—it's all art, in a sense! Furniture and finishes are forms of art—by all intents and purposes—and so it makes sense that interior design and fine art would be natural reflections of one another. Currently, I've been obsessed with Kehinde Wiley after seeing his “Portrait of Melissa Thompson" at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. The theme present in painting—touching on identity and representation in the art world—is one that I identify with on a daily basis. Moreover, Wiley pulled inspiration in his painting from William Morris' iconic floral design prints, which I also love.

Images of the bathroom at Malcolm's home © Malcolm Simmons

6. We're curious, what's one dream design project that you would love to work on? Where would it be, and what design influences would you incorporate?

I would absolutely LOVE to get into the hospitality industry. It's always been a dream of mine to design a boutique, roadside motel. It would be located just outside of a major city like London or Washington, DC. It would be a modern, tailored, and handsome twist on an quintessentially American lodging experience. Each room would be designed with common design threads, but different specific detailing. I'd pull out all the stops to establish design baselines throughout the motel: reeded glass detailing, customized wood paneling, and unique tiling themes for the bathrooms, to name a few. The motel would also include retail spaces in the lobby—spaces for small businesses to rent out to sell unique goods that would be available for use in the rooms. I could go on for ages, but I think you get the drift!

7. Lastly, what advice would you give to a budding interior designer?

I often feel like a budding interior designer myself, so it feels surreal to be asked this question! My biggest piece of advice would be to trust your instincts. Some of my proudest design epiphanies have come to me in a random spark of inspiration, a dream, or by accident… but one thing holds true, in my opinion—that it's important to trust visceral reactions and feelings when they come to you. Those feeling might align with a design trend or they may seem completely out of left field, but there's something very powerful about listening to your instincts and allowing them to set you apart.

Portrait of Malcolm Simmons © Malcolm Simmons