Burning Red Design

It’s always amazing to see how a simple gibbed wall can be completely transformed into something elegant just by adding a few timber moulding profiles.

Here are some ‘before and during’ photos from one of my current projects, where this beautiful old building — which has been altered many times over the years — is slowly being restored to its former glory.

Sometimes it’s the simplest details that make the biggest difference. Timber mouldings aren’t overly complicated or expensive to add, but what a transformation they can make!

I’m loving seeing some of the character and charm of this old building coming back to life. Can’t wait to see the finished result.

There’s something very rewarding about visiting a project and seeing the original vision come to life. Watching it evolve from a simple sketch and elevation into an impressive, beautifully finished bar (well nearly) never gets old.
It’s exciting to see the Kerikeri Retirement Village new community centre nearing completion. In just another week I’ll be back to stage the bar, café and the surrounding community spaces. I’m looking forward to seeing the finished result and celebrating the transformation with the team and residents.
@ Kerikeri Retirement Village

Grace O’Malley’s Irish Inn in Whitianga has long been a favourite with both locals and visitors and its recent refresh is looking pretty impressive.
While the project isn’t quite 100% complete, here’s a sneak peek at the transformation so far.
A big shout-out to Rob and his team at Pokeno Builders for the fantastic result. It’s amazing what can be achieved after sourcing items from demolition yards and give them a second life. With Rob’s craftsmanship, attention to detail and genuine care for the project, the outcome speaks for itself.
Just take a look at the before and after photos — the transformation is pretty incredible.
Grace O'Malley's Irish Inn Whitianga

What a refreshing start to the week. Yesterday, I enjoyed a stunning scenic drive up the coastline to measure a new project site near Coromandel. When life gets busy, it’s easy to overlook the simple things and forget just how fortunate we are to live in such a beautiful country. Taking a moment to slow down and appreciate our surroundings can make all the difference. Sometimes it really is about ‘stopping to smell the roses’ or in my case, pausing to enjoy the fresh sea breeze and breathtaking coastal views. Wishing everyone a positive and productive week ahead!

After a big site measure yesterday in sunny Auckland, I was reminded (again) just how critical accurate site measurements are.
It’s something I can’t stress enough with clients — if your base plan isn’t right from the start, everything that follows is compromised.
I recently worked on a project where I was given a landlord’s plan to design from. After three attempts trying to make the layout work, it became clear the issue wasn’t the design, it was the plan itself. No one had actually been to site to measure, it was all based on outdated council drawings.
One quick site visit and a proper measure later, everything fell into place. The space planning worked exactly as it should and the project has been running smoothly ever since.
But getting to that point… a lot of unnecessary time lost.
If a client is investing in a space, the foundation has to be accurate. A proper site measure ensures there are no discrepancies down the line — whether with builders, joiners, or other trades.
Get the base right and everything else becomes a whole lot easier.