Blackbird Orchard Home, New Zealand

PROJECT TYPE: Residential Interior Redesign

Scope: Kitchen, Dining & LIVING AREA

THE BRIEF:

The homeowner and his girlfriend live and work on the property, so their home needs to support both relaxation and daily admin work for their kiwi orchard. Right now, the layout doesn’t work well—the square-shaped living room feels awkward, and the first thing you see when entering is a blank wall with two small windows. Large reclining sofas and a rowing machine make the space feel crowded and cluttered.

The current layout lacks cohesion, and the overall space feels cold and impersonal. There’s minimal warmth or personality, and clutter tends to accumulate due to limited storage and zoning. The living, dining, and kitchen areas feel disconnected, making the space less functional for daily family life. While the dining area is frequently used, it lacks character and feels underdeveloped - it could use more character.. The kitchen is cramped, with a layout that disrupts the natural flow of movement during meal preparation. The living room struggles to feel like a comfortable, central hub for the home.

With structural walls needing to remain, there are limitations to how much the layout can be changed—making it a challenge to create a space that feels both open and practical. The overall atmosphere is missing a sense of calm, order, and identity that the homeowners want in their daily environment.

SITE EVALUATION PHOTOS

THE PROPOSAL:

This proposal aims to improve the layout, functionality, and overall feel of the client’s living, kitchen, and dining spaces. The current setup feels cluttered, awkward, and lacks warmth—especially in the living room and kitchen.

The kitchen will be redesigned to improve flow by replacing the peninsula with an island, updating cabinets, and adding better storage and marble countertops. The dining area will stay in place but be enhanced with styling elements like artwork and lighting to add character.

The living room will be reconfigured with an L-shaped sofa, a defined office nook, and a tea/coffee area. A real wood fireplace will be placed and will become the central feature of the space. Clutter will be reduced through built-in storage and a timber slat divider will be added for privacy at the entrance.

Throughout the home, lighting will be layered to soften the current clinical feel. Outdated blinds will be replaced, and dining chairs will be swapped to better match the existing acacia table. The wall color will be refreshed with neutral tones while keeping the ceiling as-is to save costs. Styling touches like plants, textiles, and décor will be layered in to give the space warmth, personality, and a calm, modern vibe.

The final design will reflect a minimalist and functional lifestyle while supporting the couple’s daily routines—whether relaxing, working from home, or welcoming guests.

PROPOSED FLOOR PLAN

SAMPLE B OARDS With CLICKABLE LINKS

Design Presentation & Specification

To bring the client’s vision to life, individual moodboards were developed for each area, reflecting their design preferences, lifestyle, and desired atmosphere.

The final design package included the following deliverables:

• Two Curated Moodboards
  Each moodboard was tailored to align with the client’s preferred style—modern, minimalist, and warm with natural elements.

• Two Detailed Sample Boards

  Providing a tactile and visual representation of the design direction for each space, including material finishes, color palettes, and texture combinations.

• FF&E and Lighting Schedule

  • A comprehensive breakdown of Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment, as well as Lighting selections, including:

    • Product descriptions

    • Material selections

    • Product codes and color references

    • Supplier names with direct links for sourcing

• Proposed Floorplan

  • A functional layout showing the updated flow.

RENDERING SAMPLE