DON'T MISS A THING

Born in Austria and a global citizen by experience, Theres Hoyos is the visionary founder and creative director of the revolutionary furnishing company MAIE. After completing her studies in the UK at Cambridge and King’s College London, she built her professional foundation in marketing. Theres always found herself drawn to the world of design, and her creative passion guided her into the world of bespoke home furnishings.

Driven by a passion for crafting durable, aesthetically pleasing furniture, Hoyos leads MAIE with a commitment to high-quality craftsmanship and environmental responsibility. Each piece from MAIE is meticulously designed to inspire moments of ultimate self-expression while promoting mindful consumption. Her work reflects a blend of cultural exploration, sustainable practices, and holistic well-being. Components that make MAIE a leader in creating mindful, intentional living spaces.

Join us as we take a peek inside the creative mind of Theres Hoyos in this edition of Love Happens’ Design Questionnaire.

Lh Design Questionnaire with Theres Hoyos of MAIE

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

I am not sure perfect happiness exists. Happiness comes in many shapes and forms and can manifest in lots of different ways for me. Happy work moments, happy life moments, glimpses of joy in the mundane… What those moments tend to have in common for me are a feeling of peace and determination in pursuing my purpose.

Finding my centre of gravity, while being fuelled and inspired by what I do every day is my current definition of happiness.

Designs by MAIE | Photos by Charlie Goodge

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Overcoming my fear of failure (to some extent) and pursuing my dreams of starting a design business. More specifically, the courage of starting my ‘second life’ in design, and with that leaving behind a beautiful career in the world of marketing.

What profession does your alter ego have?

For the longest time, I would have said designer or interior designer. Having now made the switch from marketing to design, I would say secret agent. I am very attentive and notice just about every little detail–whether in a room, or out and about in the world.

The project you will never forget.

Since my work falls into two key areas, there are two projects that immediately come to mind: One showcasing MAIE’s bespoke work and one of my interior design projects.

SpaceNK, Duke of York Square
This unique space was designed by EMYP Studios for SpaceNK and includes a number bespoke pieces by MAIE. The red thread for the concept came in the form of a unique pink marble called Rosa Aurora, which features prominently in the space across tables, consoles, and smaller accessories, like marble mirror bases and marble brush holders.

Space NK | Photos by Nic Ford

Small London space reimagined
An interior design project close to my heart, this was a pioneering collaboration with suppliers in the industry doing better by the planet. Featuring eco-friendly paints and surface finishes, repurposed flooring, and one or the other MAIE piece, every corner of this urban space was conceived with future-forwarding design principles in mind.

Your favorite design material.

It would certainly be a natural material, and there are a few too many beautiful options to choose from. Natural stone and specifically straight-vein travertine is my current favourite. I love the perfect imperfections of the material and its ability to add texture without adding noise to a space.

Designs by MAIE | Photo by Edward Howell (L) and Charlie Goodge (R)

What inspires you? 

Nature, travel, fashion… just about anything and everything outside of the industry. I love looking beyond interior design for inspiration and food for thought. Some evergreen sources of inspiration for me include the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, the serenity of South-Asian spas and spiritual places, Daniel Lee’s
refined, but not so uptight aesthetic for Bottega Veneta as well as Phoebe Philo’s ever-lasting minimalist masterpieces for Celine. Closer to home, the Bauhaus era of sleek functionality and the sculptural wonders of Zaha Hadid’s work.

Your design mission.

My mission is to make home moments matter, with people and planet in mind.

As such, our mission goes far beyond the pieces in the collection: it’s a more wholesome, sustainable way of life and an appreciation for the little everyday moments spent in and around our homes. At MAIE, we design forever home pieces, made to order by local craftspeople from natural and non-virgin materials. Connect consumers and other designers within the trade to local craft makes our mission all the more meaningful to us.

Our Portugal-based publisher, KOKET, also makes décor. What comes to mind when you imagine a collaboration between MAIE and KOKET?

Perhaps an exciting way to repurpose offcuts or waste from KOKET’s line into unique décor items, such as tableware or even vanity accessories.

Love Happens when…

… we trust in the beauty and timing of the universe. In other words, love happens all the time–around us and within us.

Explore more from Theres Hoyos and MAIE

Introduction and Copyediting by Bridget Kitson
All Photos Courtesy of MAIE

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