A bit of news we're genuinely proud of: two of our kitchen designs picked up recognition at this year's TIDA (Trends International Design Awards), and we wanted to share both, because they couldn't be more different from each other.

 

The Kapiti Showhome kitchen — Winner, TIDA New Zealand Group Home Builder Kitchens, 2026

This one was a collaboration with Landmark Homes, and it's exactly the kind of project we love: a chance to design a whole interior from the ground up, grounded in nature rather than trends. Warm charcoals, soft greens and creamy neutrals run through the space, layered with custom joinery, textured wallpaper, beautiful rugs and a bit of sculptural form here and there. Nothing shouty, just calm, layered and genuinely liveable, which is the whole point.

The Waikanae kitchen — Highly Commended, TIDA New Zealand Designer Kitchens

This one's an airy coastal retreat where modern design meets seaside serenity. White cabinetry and sun-washed oak floors sit under a raked, white-beamed ceiling that pulls your eye straight up, while a reeded timber-edged island in a soft travertine stone becomes the natural gathering point. Plantation shutters filter the coastal light exactly the way you want, soft, never harsh. Clean and calm without ever feeling cold, which is exactly the brief when you're building a home around sand, sea and sky.

Why this matters to us

We say this a lot, but we mean it: a kitchen has to earn its place in your actual life, at 7am on a school morning, not just in a single photo. Both of these projects got recognised for being beautiful, but what we're actually proud of is that they work exactly as hard as they look good.

Huge thanks to Landmark Homes, the awesome trades we worked with, and the families who trusted us with their homes for these two. If you're planning a kitchen, a renovation or a new build anywhere in New Zealand, we'd love to hear about it. Book a consultation or come see us at our Paraparaumu Beach studio.