The Graphic-Turned-Interior Designer Letting His Global Upbringing Lead the Way
For Virginia-based Malcolm Simmons, Jr., becoming a designer was written in the stars. Fascinated with art and animations since childhood, Simmons pursued a degree in graphic design to express his creativity before realizing he can use space as an artistic medium. “My studies and career in graphic design–and branding, inherently–highlighted an adjacent interest in designing for physical space, which led me to eventually jump into interior design in a more intentional capacity,” he says.
In 2018, Simmons founded Mas Means More to design aspirational but affordable interiors. Spending a considerable amount of time growing up in Central and South America has informed many of his design sensibilities today: classic, collected, and with a DIY moment. A design essential he keeps in his back pocket is to build an element by hand so that it complements the existing structure of a room. “By playing up the elements of a space that make it unique, you immediately create something bespoke and interesting that can’t be directly replicated, which always delivers a big impact.”
A significant moment in Simmons's career was working with Emily Henderson’s on her blog. The posts granted him "visibility on a scale that felt like a dream," he recalls, when he initially launched his design firm. But his audience now leans in to watch as Simmons unveils projects. To date, the redesign of his Arlington bedroom (stylish but utilitarian, familiar but inventive) garnered one of his favorite responses: “The result was a DIY project that I think inspired tons of people–which is ultimately the goal of anything I do," says Simmons. "Inspiration is magic, and being able to create inspiration is such a privilege."
House Beautiful: Who was your first design crush?
Malcom Simmons: It’s definitely a tie between Candice Olson and Nate Berkus. They were both huge reasons that I started to think about space as an artistic medium, and they hugely influenced my early design sensibilities. I remember watching Candice Olson’s Divine Design on HGTV back in the day and being awestruck by the way she was able to transform a space, and being inspired by reading Nate Berkus’s The Things That Matter to better understand the connection between environments and emotions.
HB: What's your favorite room of all time, and why?
MS: I recently visited Barcelona and was completely taken by Gaudi’s amazing body of work there. I visited Casa Battlo–which he designed in the early 1900s–and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about the way he designed the living room of the house. Custom-carved (and curvy) wood paneling, beautifully swirled ceilings, and an extremely inventive bay of windows all work together to create a room that’s both incredibly impressive and uniquely satisfying.
HB: What design trend are you ready to stop seeing?
MS: Honestly, I’m happy for any and every “trend” to continue if they make someone happy. I think we get too caught up in what’s “en vogue” and what isn’t, when ultimately, good design is solely meant to make people feel good about the environments they inhabit. Preferences are certainly valid, but I don’t think my personal design sensibilities should dictate how other people find happiness and comfort in their homes (as long as those decisions are safe and sanitary).
HB: What's your favorite item to collect?
MS: Vases (and other similar vessels). Such an easy way to switch up the vibe of a room, and easy to put away if/when you get sick of it.
HB: What's your favorite online shop?
MS: Right now, it's Vinterior. I bought my vintage dining chairs through them, and I just love browsing the site to see what’s available nearby.
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