We Design Spaces That Tell a Story
An interior design studio rooted in East Africa, committed to spaces that are as beautiful as they are enduring.
From a small studio in Kampala to over 120 completed projects across East Africa
Modern Hearth was founded in 2017 by a team of designers who believed that the East African interior design landscape deserved something different — something less transactional, more considered, and deeply rooted in the reality of how people live here.
We started small. A team of three, a studio in Kololo, and an unwavering belief that every project — regardless of size — deserved the same level of care.
Today, Modern Hearth is a studio of designers, project managers, and sourcing specialists, all united by the same founding principle: that good design is not an aesthetic exercise. It is a deeply practical act of care.
We work primarily in Kampala and across Uganda, with projects completed in Kenya, Tanzania, and beyond.
Design as a Form of Care
We don’t believe in designing for trend cycles or award committees. We design for the people who will wake up in these spaces, who will gather friends in these rooms, who will find rest and joy and focus within these walls. That is the only brief that matters.
Our design philosophy is grounded in three principles: that a space must serve its occupants first; that natural materials age beautifully and should be trusted; and that restraint — knowing what to leave out — is as important as knowing what to include.
Our Values
Craft
We believe in doing things properly. Attention to detail is not optional — it is the difference between a space that is merely functional and one that is truly alive.
Honesty
We are direct about budgets, timelines, and constraints. Great design is built on trust — and trust is built on honesty, even when it is uncomfortable.
Endurance
We design for the long term. Materials that age well, layouts that adapt, aesthetics that transcend the moment. We are not interested in spaces that look good only in photographs.
Rootedness
We are an East African studio, and that shapes how we design. We honour local craft traditions, support regional makers, and bring an understanding of the East African context to every project.
How We Work With You
Every client engagement begins with a conversation — an unhurried discussion about how you use your space, what is not working, and what you dream it could become.
From there, we build a process that is tailored to your project: its scale, its budget, its timeline. We are not a studio that applies one formula to every brief.
We believe strongly in collaboration — between us and our clients, between us and the builders, craftspeople, and suppliers who bring our designs to life.
Begin a Conversation
We’d love to hear about your project. Reach out to arrange an initial consultation — no commitment required.