Blackwood Interiors

Creating spaces where people come together to enjoy the real stuff of life - food, fun, laughter and love - never fails to bring me joy.

I’m absolutely passionate about all things design-related, and fascinated by the effect good design can have on a space and the living that goes on there.

Over more years than I care to mention, I’ve studied, obsessed over and worked in interior design and never tired of it once. My work gives me so much pleasure and has introduced me to the most incredible artists, craftspeople and even some lovely friends.

I've established a huge network of suppliers of unique and high quality items and, as an ardent supporter of skilled artisans, I really enjoy introducing clients to both established and emerging New Zealand talents in textiles, ceramics, leather goods, design, furniture and art.

Personalised Interior Design Services
I’m proud to say that most of my work comes from word-of-mouth recommendations and I’ve collaborated with many of my clients over the course of several years and more than one of their homes.

So, whatever your personal style, I know I’ll enjoy working with you to create a compelling design that really engages people and produces a harmonious living environment.

Creating spaces you'll love to live in.
Having a space you enjoy coming home to and can be proud of is important and superior interior design can have an enormous impact on the feel - and value - of your home.

There are many ways I can help you to love your space and I've worked with a wide variety of clients on many different projects.

3D Virtual Design - lets you see ideas come to life.
I work with 2D and 3D software to design virtual plans, so we can experiment with different options and you'll see ideas come to life on the screen before you commit.

Take a look at the outline of services offered and if you don't see something that's exactly right for you, give me a call - every project is unique and I love the variety.

Residential:

• Residential Renovation

Whether you're giving a room a quick refresh or tackling a complete overhaul of your home, why not take the opportunity to improve its flow and comfort? A fresh perspective can really help to achieve astonishing results.

I can work with you to create spaces that work well together as part of a cohesive, well-planned design and each have their own personality.

• New Build

Getting involved at the beginning of a project is ideal, as experience has taught me a lot about what does and doesn't work. I can offer valuable advice and suggest clever details you may not have considered.

If, however, you've already begun but, feel like you've lost your way, I'd be happy to come and work through your ideas to get the project back on track.

I can coordinate trades and suppliers throughout the new build process and will often be the last to leave at the end of the project, having made sure every last detail is just right.

• Interior Finishes

Colour is a vital component of any design and paint colours, wallpaper and feature wall specialty finishes can be put to clever use within the palette. I can help you find exactly the right combination, taking into account the purpose of the space, natural light and your personal taste.

With so many choices available in flooring, tiles, joinery and hardware, it's easy to get overwhelmed. Many people simply don't have the time to research quality and durability issues, sometimes leaving them disappointed with the end result. I'll help you by selecting products that perfectly match your lifestyle, budget and taste and complement each other perfectly.

Texture is another vital component, and soft furnishings add touches of luxury, comfort or snugness. I can help you decide on the best window treatments, fabrics, accessories, cushions and artwork for your space and access trade prices on many items.

• Kitchen, Bathroom & Laundry

The hardest working rooms in the house deserve special attention and I provide complete bathroom and laundry design, along with concept, fixtures, finishings and fittings in kitchen design. Together, we'll create rooms that combine pleasure with purpose.

• Lighting

Although it's unfortunately often an afterthought, great lighting has the power to transform a space and transition a room from day to night, or from casual use to elegant entertaining. Good design and the perfect fittings will show your new spaces in their best possible light.

• Custom Joinery

Clever custom joinery is ideal for making good use of available space - window seating can create a comfortable lounging spot, practical mudroom organisation systems keep things tidy and shelving provides handy storage or a way to display your favourite things. You'd be amazed by what can be achieved with some smart design.

• Project Management & Design Implementation

Once your design has been agreed and approved, I can project manage by liaising with suppliers and tradespeople, organising product and dealing with collaborators, saving you valuable time and keeping the process stress-free, on time and within budget.

Commercial:

• Interior Design For Your Brand

Commercial interior design is part of a company's branding. How your building or office appears will have a big impact on the way your business is perceived and it's essential that your space tells the right story.

Whether you run a financial advisory office or a fitness studio, I can work with you to ensure that your commercial space reflects your company's values and fits with your overall marketing strategy, while also being a practical area that inspires you and your team to do great work.

Services:

Interior Finishes:

• Colour scheme
• Wall finishes
• Flooring
• Tiling
• Hardware selection
• Window treatments
• Fabrics & finishes
• Furniture
• Accessories
• Artwork

Kitchen, Bathroom & Laundry:

• Concept
• Fixtures
• Fittings

Lighting:

• Design service
• Fittings
• Installation

Joinery:

• Custom joinery
• Window seats
• Mudrooms
• Storage
• Shelving
• Display

Design & Project Management:

• Product procurement
• Liaison with suppliers
• Collaborate with services
• Project management service

2D & 3D Floorplans/Design Visuals:

• See your project come to life before we begin

Frequently Asked Questions
When considering whether to enlist the help of an interior designer, you'll no doubt have questions. I've compiled a list of the queries I most frequently receive but feel free to get in touch for a chat - you can ask me anything.

Q: When should I hire an interior designer?
Involving your interior designer early in the process will usually give the best result, but if you've already started and have lost your way, we can still work together to make sure you end up with a look you'll love.

Q: I live outside of the Waikato - can you still work with me?
My preference is to work with clients within the Waikato and in Auckland, but technology is a wonderful thing and my most recent projects have included the complete redesign of a West London apartment for a client I've worked with several times before.

I offer a design service which includes 2D floor plan and 3D modelling so, once we have established dimensions and a few basic details, I can provide my virtual design to you online.

Q: Isn't it costly to hire an interior designer?
I have a completely transparent fee structure, which varies depending on the particulars of each project. Once we've discussed the outline of what you'd like my help with, I can provide you with a tailored quote.

Having access to wholesale pricing often allows me to achieve significant savings for clients, even after adding my fee (usually a percentage of the wholesale price).

Professional interior design advice can save you from making costly mistakes and help you to create a space that you will be happy to come home to for many years to come. I like to think of it as an investment.

Q: I'm not very good as visualising things - how will I know if your suggestions will work in real life?
I work with software that allows me to create designs in 2D and 3D plans, meaning you'll be able to have a virtual walk-through of your room or home. By including dimensions, door and window placements, and many other details, this method really brings design to life so you won't need to rely too heavily on your imagination to see how the end result will look.

Q: Will my product choice be limited if I work with an interior designer?
Some interior designers have arrangements with (or are attached to) particular suppliers but I work completely independently of such ties. I'm therefore able to offer a wide range of products from my huge and well established network of contacts and suppliers throughout New Zealand and beyond.

Q: Do you offer residential and commercial interior design services?
Much of my work is residential, and I also really enjoy the different kind of challenges that a commercial space brings - it must be functional, workable and give precisely the right impression to customers or clients.

I can help to ensure that your office, studio or meeting room accurately represents your brand and conveys exactly the right image for your business.