Du Bois Design: Creating a Modern and Industrial KBB Design

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a modern and industrial KBB design by 2023 SBID Awards Australasian Region Winner, Du Bois Design.

New Zealand based designer Natalie Du Bois of Du Bois Design was commissioned by her clients to conceptualise and detail the interiors of a 562-square-metre new build – a six-hour drive away. The Whanganui project involved the creation of a kitchen and generous scullery for frequent entertaining, alongside a bar that connected to the living area as well as a laundry and five individual bathrooms in keeping with the modern-industrial theme.

What was the client’s brief? 

I was retained as the interior specialist for the construction of a new home in Whanganui, Aotearoa, overseeing the spatial interior and design of various spaces, including the kitchen, scullery kitchen, bar, laundry room, and bathrooms.

My clients, a family of five, desired a meticulously planned kitchen that would cater to their needs. They also wanted a sizable scullery that could function as a secondary kitchen for entertaining purposes and provide their teenage daughter with a dedicated area for her baking endeavours. It was crucial that the scullery could comfortably accommodate multiple users at any given time.

This family with three teenage children, often entertained and desired a modern-industrial aesthetic to align with the contemporary architecture of their residence.

Considering the turnover of both visitors and overnight guests, it was essential to incorporate five bathrooms for convenience, as well as a spacious and well-planned laundry area that catered to the busy family lifestyle.

What inspired the design of the project?

When designing this interior, I was inspired by a Brutalist approach, emphasising voluminous proportions throughout the home. I merged rough-textured plastered walls with dramatic lighting, applying a neutral colour palette consisting of black, white, and grey. Ultimately, my design choices were driven by my clients’ specific needs, lifestyles, and personalities.

What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?

Overall, the project progressed relatively smoothly, and I thoroughly enjoyed working with the clients. The trades faced some challenges in adhering to unconventional design details, such as the panelling around the island. However, they persevered, ensuring that the project remained true to its specifications, albeit a costly and meticulous process.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

Currently, I work independently without a team. The most gratifying aspect of my work is witnessing my clients’ genuine satisfaction with the final outcome and knowing that I played a role in creating it. Additionally, seeing the project come to fruition after months of hard work is an incredibly rewarding experience.

Why did you enter the SBID Awards?

In 2000, as a young designer working in London, I won my first interior design competition. After residing in London for five years, I immigrated to New Zealand, and winning this prestigious award has greatly enhanced my professional reputation in the country over the past 23 years.

SBID stands out to New Zealanders as a highly competitive and challenging awards platform. Competing against designers from other countries amplifies the rewards of participating.

I decided to enter the Whanganui project into the SBID awards after winning the supreme kitchen design accolade at the National Kitchens and Bathroom Association Excellence in Design awards for 2022 in New Zealand. I wanted to aim higher and see if this project could receive international recognition through such a reputable awards platform. I took on the challenge and submitted not only the kitchen but also the five bathrooms, bar area, and scullery, hoping to showcase the complexity, scale, and individual design flair present in each room while demonstrating their interconnectedness.

What has being an Award Finalist meant to you and your business?

Last year, my SBID project was a finalist, and I hope to achieve even greater success this year. New Zealand may be a small country, but the competition within the industry is fierce, constantly pushing us to improve. Participating in SBID reflects that drive for self-improvement.

Being selected as a finalist provides an excellent opportunity to promote my unique and distinctive work, setting me apart from my peers. Clients can feel more confident and trust that I can offer them an exceptionally high standard of design. It also fosters greater respect within the interior design community and among my colleagues. Personally, it is incredibly humbling to know that my design work has caught the attention of esteemed international judges. The international opportunities and exposure that accompany being a finalist have tremendous benefits.

Questions answered by Natalie Du Bois, Founder of Du Bois Design.