About us

How we came to be

Made by V is a multidisciplinary design studio founded by Vivian Mwaura an architect, interior designer and visual artist.
The studio grew from a desire to create what was missing: distinctive, thoughtfully designed pieces that belong to the spaces they inhabit.
The idea first took form in 2023 as Pallet World Africa, an interior design and furniture venture based in Nyali, Mombasa.
The experience of building, making and working directly with materials became an important part of Vivian’s creative journey.
Returning to her architectural practice expanded her skills further, and Made by V emerged as the evolution of that vision no longer limited to a single material or category, but open to the full spectrum of design.
The name reflects the philosophy itself.Made by V is personal.
The work begins with Vivian’s ideas, drawings, material explorations and creative direction. Each piece is developed with intention, allowing the story of its making to remain part of the finished work.

The founder

Designed through the lens of architecture. Created through the freedom of art.
Architecture taught Vivian to understand form, function, proportion, materiality and detail.
It taught her how spaces work, how materials interact and how every decision contributes to the whole.
Art gave her something different: freedom.
Through her artistic practice, Vivian learned to see beyond conventional solutions, experiment with colour and texture, and find relationships between elements that may not initially appear to belong together.
That intersection shapes Made by V.
Her design language draws from contemporary, organic and African contemporary influences, while remaining open to colour, texture, natural materials, experimentation and individual expression.

The philosophy

Form. Function. Aesthetics.
At the heart of every Made by V creation are three principles:
Form must make sense.
Function must perform.
Beauty must be felt.
Functionality is never compromised for aesthetics. A piece can be visually striking, but it must also work within its intended environment, respecting proportion, scale, ergonomics and purpose.
Every concept is explored through research, mock-ups, material testing and refinement before it becomes part of a space.
The result is design that is expressive, but considered.

Material as language

Materials are not simply finishes.
They are part of the creative vocabulary.
Wood brings natural grain, warmth and an elegance that comes from its organic character.
Resin offers fluidity and freedom allowing colour, texture, pattern and depth to become part of the design.
Macramé and cotton introduce softness, tactility and warmth while creating a distinctive relationship between textile and light.
Beads bring texture, detail and a contemporary expression of cultural identity.
Across these and other materials, Made by V explores how natural elements, craftsmanship and modern design can coexist.
Materials are selected for more than appearance. Quality, durability, performance and their relationship to the space all matter.

The Made by V standard

Made by V works across architecture, interiors, furniture, lighting, art, materials and bespoke fabrication.
The studio can develop everything from a statement door or sculptural sink to a custom lighting piece, room divider, furniture collection, architectural surface, mirror, artwork, installation or complete interior.
The possibilities are intentionally open.
Each project begins with the same question:
What should this space feel like, and what belongs within it?
Because a memorable environment is not simply decorated.
It is composed.
A light can become a sculptural object.
A door can become an architectural statement.
A material can become a defining surface.
A piece of furniture can become part of the architecture.

Our Vision

Made by V is being built as a design house with no fixed boundaries.
From architectural consultancy and interior design to furniture, lighting, bespoke architectural elements, art and experimental material applications, the studio will continue to evolve with the ideas, materials and opportunities each project presents.
The long-term vision is to take Made by V beyond its beginnings and build an international design house rooted in African creativity, architectural thinking and exceptional craftsmanship.
Every piece will remain connected to the same principle:Original in thought.Considered in form.Made with intention.

Made by V

Architecture. Interiors. Objects. Art.