One on one with Natalie Vice

For Natalie Vice, innovative online home decor and gift shop Sugar and Vice is the culmination of a lengthy journey of enlightenment, lots of long, hard nights, lack of sleep and a few good life lessons. The born-and-bred Capetonian started her career working in a variety of industries and, after returning from the Camino de Santiago, decided to start her fledgling business. Natalie is passionate about supporting local producers and suppliers, and produces a range of products that are quirky and functional, perfect for those looking for original home decor products.

Design allows me to let my imagination run wild. I love getting lost in my own little world while illustrating; it’s my meditation time. It also allows me to share my creativity with others.

I define my products as all the things I love and that I wish I had in my own home. They are unique, really well made and suited for everyone.

It’s hard to choose my favourite products, as I won’t sell anything that I don’t like, but the coffee mugs are probably one of my favourites.

I am fascinated by nature, patterns, human anatomy, mandalas, henna, tattoos and geometric motifs.

A good designer should always try to think outside the box and listen to what his other customers want.

My travels inspired me to realise that I should focus on what makes me happy, and trust that everything else would fall into place, which is exactly what has happened. In 2014, I walked 200km through the French and Spanish countryside as part of the Carmen de Santiago. The route is often deemed a retreat for spiritual growth, and it was an incredibly personal journey for me, one that made me realise that owning my own business and being able to share my creativity with others is my true desire.

There’s nothing like a hike on a mountain to recharge your batteries and give you a fresh dose of creative inspiration.

The home is always a work in progress. I am constantly busy with ongoing DIY projects.

My dream project would involve collaborating with talented designers on a new product line or creating custom ranges for a homeware chain store.

My designer crushes are Mia Widlake, Honey and the Hive, and Pedersen and Lennard.

In the next 10 years I would like to grow my business and brand extensively by stocking more stores locally and intentionally. I am extending my product range to incorporate bags, t-shirts, clocks, wall art and wallpaper, to name a few. EventuallyI want to get a store and create a beautiful space to sell my products and host fun, social and creative workshops.

You can find my work at Sugarandvice.co.za.