THE VOICE OF A TRUE CALLING With her identity status issues resolved, Lumka Jordan pursued a professional career in architecture and interior design, specializing in creating bespoke kitchens, wine cellars, and custom cabinetry. Reflecting her varied expertise, her designs are marked by aesthetic precision and structural integrity. "I discovered a field that perfectly blends my architectural knowledge, creative flair, and project management skills," she says. In South Africa, the market for custom-designed cabinetry is small and therefore competitive, and also not devoid of curiosities. Unlike many other parts of the world where handmade design is considered a luxury, in South Africa, we find entirely different dynamics at play. The presence of affordable carpenters actually renders handcrafted cabinetry a cost- effective solution—albeit not always the best one. "Most people gravitate towards getting a carpenter to put something together," Jordan notes. "I'm trying to bridge that gap by showing clients the long-term benefits of an adequately designed kitchen that fits their space and lifestyle," she says. Jordan's approach truly sets her apart. She strongly emphasizes client engagement, making them an integral part of the design process. "Clients here often lean towards trends, especially for kitchens," she observes. The spirit of traditional African design comes through more in the interior decorating aspects—prints, fabrics, and accessories."
EXPANDING HORIZONS BY MISS JORDAN Cabinetry by no means marks the limit of Lumka Jordan's entrepreneurial spirit. Under the brand umbrella of Miss Jordan, the creative director and founder of DIZAIN also launched several new lines, each reflecting different facets of her ideation. "iPhunga" is a home fragrance collection of handmade reed diffusers and room sprays. "Dyala," named in honor of her father, showcases bespoke wine furniture, while "Marble Bones" offers homewares like cutting boards and kitchen essentials. One of the less predictable chapters in Lumka Jordan's career is her collaboration with Iron Banister, a steel furniture manufacturer. It began serendipitously when a client requested a unique design featuring a metal structure integrated with cabinetry. "The client specifically wanted Iron Banister to fabricate the steel components for her kitchen," Jordan explains. This project also led to Lumka’s creation of the Tetris Shelf, a system composed of steel rods and rectangular boxes cascading down a wall like pieces from the classic video game, that she proudly highlights as one opened up my mind as a designer," Jordan reflects. The experience of seeing her products come to life in the factory allowed her to understand the material and its possibilities better, which affected subsequent designs: of her best designs. "Working with steel
“I wanted to create something that looks beautiful and is functional. It’s meant to bridge the gap between the haves, the have-nots, and everyone in between.”
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aesthetically pleasing, structurally sound, and manufacturable.
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