International furniture design customised for Kiwi comfort

Designers’ Collection has been designing customised furniture collections since 1986 and the team is hugely experienced. Producing everything from upholstered beds and bedsides to dining furniture, sofas, chairs and coffee tables; their selection, along with a handful of exclusive international brands, is vast.

Their large trade showroom located in Parnell’s Foundation Precinct is a relaxed, calm working space designed to offer inspiration. It’s somewhere they encourage architects and designers to bring their clients to sit down and have a conversation about specific requirements; to problem solve around what will work in their interior or exterior.

The public is often bamboozled by the amount of choice we offer, says owner Rod Hanna.

“That’s why the conversation with the designer is so important. You eliminate the less relevant options, making the decision easier. The designer’s appreciation of the design concept is important and that problem solving part of the business is where you get a fabulous result.”

Because the Designers’ Collection team works with four key, passionate, boutique local Auckland manufacturers that they have worked with for many years, they can provide the flexibility to tailor their furniture to exactly what clients are looking for.

“Personalisation is what we do,” says owner Rod Hanna. “We enjoy the creative challenge and we’re constantly evolving. That’s our focus. We try to provide inspiration in this space so people can see what’s possible. And we like pushing the boundaries.”

The key to really making the most of what they offer, he says, is getting involved early in the design process of any project.

“As New Zealanders, we love to design our own homes and make them individual.”

Designers’ Collection has just launched several new designs, which they regard as just the starting point for a client’s project.

Rod explains that each piece can be taken literally for what it is, while alternatively, a designer can work out how the concept for the piece can be modified with different shapes, sizes and materials specifically for a client’s individual space. For example, a timber coffee table could inspire a dining table. A marble occasional table could be made in timber.

While Designers’ Collection uses a lot of timber and steel, because it gives a nice crisp profile, they are constantly evolving the materials in their designs to produce new pieces.

“When designing a piece, we say, this is our recommended size. But we will make it to suit the space. And we also take responsibility for our own quality control. Somebody personally checks every piece before it’s delivered.”

Rod says, it’s important to keep an eye on what’s happening internationally. But he’s very conscious of the New Zealand lifestyle and how to make their furniture super relevant to local requirements.

“Over 35 years, we’ve developed a broad portfolio from classic lines to a more modern look.

It’s a look and feel that suits New Zealand homes. Because we have our own manufacturers, some of whom have been with us for over 30 years, we also have the flexibility—within reason—to create exactly what the client is looking for.”

A good example is the Viktor modular sofa, which is great for the Kiwi style of open-plan living.

“It’s a huge part of the way New Zealand homes work, whether living or entertaining. We can make suites to fit specifically within the client’s space, playing around with dimensions and the fills to suit the firmness or softness required.”

Rod explains that New Zealanders appreciate comfort. There’s a lot of cool furniture around that’s hard to sit in, he says. Their discerning, mostly older—45 years-plus—audience is more confident to voice what they like and don’t like.

“They want a home that looks beautiful. But they also want it to be comfortable for their individual needs. We put a lot of energy into applying materials on the frame so it’s soft to sit on.”

Internationally, many sofas are lower and deeper.

“But that’s not necessarily how we like to sit. If it’s too low, our customers won’t connect with it.”

The Designers’ Collection incorporates some low, slouchy pieces, but they also offer sofas that are really accessible and easy to get in and out of.

He adds that it’s hugely satisfying to be able to produce pieces like this and to see them in prestigious projects.

Their latest collection includes:

Prego table—a cantilevered timber coffee table incorporating a strip of brass wrapped around the side, in line with architectural designs.

Madison table—a large coffee table incorporating a thin brass cross. The showroom piece is in American ash veneers in a pepper tone showing the interesting linear grain.

Tyla chair—stunning to look at and comfortable to sit in, a curvy little occasional chair that has evolved from the popular tub chair suitable for apartment living or the office.

Aria bedside table—simple clean-lined timber table with easy glide drawers which will complement a lot of bedroom situations without becoming a dominant feature

Ashby bedside table—a cute, three-legged design with a curved drawer unit.

Marni chair—great for New Zealand architecture offering the ability to swivel to check the view.

Another big advantage they offer is short lead times. Because they manufacture locally, Designers’ Collection can make furniture to order in Auckland in just 6–8 weeks, which is highly desirable, given the current challenges of importing.

Learn more about how you can individualise your home with customised furniture by visiting the Designers’ Collection showroom at 8 George Street, Parnell.