SIA Design

12/09/2026

I heard a saying the other day
"You are only as good as your last project...."

So lets look as one of our last projects... This stunning kitchen was created with a lovely young couple starting their lives together. They knew what they wanted and what they didn't want. On the list of wants:

- Curved benchtop- thanks to Pacific Stone Ltd for ticking that box with a "Lava White" with a leathered finish stunner
- Integrated appliances
- A bright space that didn't feel clinical - I think this room acheives that.
- Bespoke drawer heights that fit specific tall items
- Lighting under the overheads and running along the toe kicks- you can't see it here but the Domus LED lighting from Fit NZ gives an extra wow to the space

I think you'd agree the end result is a great place to be!

31/12/2025

Watch this space....

25/08/2025

17/08/2025

These happy plants aren’t just looking good by chance; they’re benefiting from smart lighting too! The Smally XS Plus LED by Domus Line provides beautiful downward light without the heat, making it ideal for recessed use in cabinetry and shelving.

One of the most loved benefits of Smally XS Plus is the patented innovative ‘plug and play’ system, making it easy to install, disconnect or reposition.

Choose from a sleek black or steel finish, with either natural or warm white light. And because it's a high-performance LED, you won’t see any distracting dot effect.

Featured here in stunning projects by SIA Design, Paeroa.

Share with your kitchen designer or cabinet maker, or explore more here: https://www.fit-nz.co.nz/domus-line-smally-xs-plus-led-downlight

09/06/2025

Handles...
They literally come in many different shapes and sizes. Everyone's tastes and needs are different so it's important to have choice in handles, but also to have a designer who can give expert advice on the best handles for what you need...not just the biggest trend at the moment.
Some of the things we take into account at SIA Design are:
Large hands...some handles are so small that people with large hands struggle to wrap their hands around it.

Sharp edges...A few years ago square handles were the trend but some of those had horrible sharp edges. Particularly dangerous for young children or those who have more sensitive skin.

Want Black?...Great we can do that but some painted handles will have the colour wear off. Fine if your happy with with changing handles in a few years. Or choose a dark metal with a pvd finish.

What size? ...Some handles are just to big/small for the cupboard or drawer. That's ok, we find a style with different sizes.

SIA Design ltd offers handles from many different suppliers. Pictured are a selection from our friends at Elite Hardware and Enko.

03/06/2025

I'm a little bit obsessed...
It's taken me a while to dress my open shelves and find what works...but now I have and I'm a little bit obsessed! I've started turning out all the lights and just having the shelving ones..but it just looks so good!

20/05/2025

I belong to a frugal renovation page...its always interesting to see what people are doing in their reno and the often ingenious solutions they'll come up with.
But recently I've noticed more and more people asking if they had been ripped off by their so called builder/plumber/handy person, or if contractors refusing to repair damage they caused or using inferior products was normal.
The answer is a resounding NO! a trained, qualified, decent tradesperson takes pride in their work and will give advice tailored to your budget. There are too many cowboys out there. And in an industry that is being really hard hit by economic factors these cowboys are giving decent tradies a bad name.

So when looking for a contractor look for their qualifications, ask for recommendations from friends/community members, get job spec and pricing in writing. If the quote says a certain product, unless discussed prior - that is what should be going in. And if someone gives you a funny feeling or it all seems to good to be true...walk away. Rant over 👍💯🔨💪

27/04/2025

Open shelves are having abit of a moment right now...and I am totally on board with this trend. Check out my stunning "classic oak" shelves with feature lighting from Fit NZ ...absolutely love the sensor switch too. Now I just need to decide how to decorate them lol

16/03/2025

Throw out the (design) Rulebook!
Isn't it funny how when you start renovating every man and his dog has a "must do" or "must have" some are smart like there's no such thing as too much storage. Others I'll happily ignore. One I quite happily thru out the window was..."it's a small house, you must have a white kitchen" I tried, I did, I even had 2 cabinets made in white before I realished this is not me, I love colour! From my clothes to my gardens I love playing with and mixing colours. So I changed my kitchen doors to Laminex "Spinifex" it's a greenish /bluish/ light colour which I love and is very calming. I did go with the Pacific Stone Ltd Calcutta quartz which is white but that's because I love it NOT because the rules state I must have white.
We all renovate for a reason, whether it's time for an update or your getting ready to sell. There's different reasons for the choices we make. So make the right decision for you, and if you love colour like I do...forget about white and do what makes your heart sing and makes you happy!