90 | INTERIOR DESIGN Blakhaus Design T T Virginia Wright Shaping interior spaces Rustic accents bring warmth and practicality, crafting a space equally suited for everyday living and entertaining. Kyla Potter began her career in interior design with a focus on kitchens, landing her first job with a kitchen manufacturing company straight after completing her Diploma in Interior Design. Fifteen years later and now a mother of three she still works with the same company part-time, continuing her passion for kitchen and cabinetry design. Seven years ago, following the birth of her first child, Kyla launched her own Auckland-based interior design studio, Blakhaus Design. “After having children, I wanted to delve back into the full scope of interiors, to shape entire spaces, not just the kitchen and cabinetry,” she reflects. Today, Kyla balances her roles as a designer, business owner, and mother, bringing a thoughtful, family-focused perspective to every project she takes on. Whether it’s a kitchen, custom cabinetry, or a full interior project, Kyla approaches each space with the same intent: to create something uniquely tailored to the individual. “It’s about using interesting textures, materials, and colours that reflect each client’s personality, to design spaces people love, want to live in, and truly feel at home in,” she says. Some clients come in with a clear vision, while others are starting from scratch and Kyla tailors her role accordingly. “It really depends on the client,” she explains. “Some just need a second opinion and help pulling everything together, while others are figuring out what they do and don’t like from the ground up. “Everyone’s different, but I usually get a good sense of what my clients are drawn to. I try to draw out what they really love, maybe it’s a particular flooring that’s a bit of a splurge, and in that case, I’ll say ‘if you love it, invest in it. We can always balance the budget elsewhere’. ” The kitchen that recently earned a Highly Commended at the 2025 TIDA (Trends International Design Awards) was a collaboration with a client who is herself an architectural designer. She designed the extension the kitchen sits within, bringing a strong eye for detail and design to the project. “She already had a great sense of style, and we had a really strong working relationship,” says Kyla. “That connection allowed us to bring the whole space together seamlessly.” Designed to meet the needs of a busy family with three energetic boys, this Modern Country kitchen manufactured by Kitchen Dynamics prioritises functionality. Rustic accents bring warmth and practicality, crafting a space equally suited for everyday living and entertaining. The generous indoor-outdoor flow enhances the sense of openness and showcases the sweeping country views. A standout feature is the sliding barn-style pantry door, inspired by the MasterChef Australia kitchen. Behind it lies a fully equipped scullery that serves as a prep and storage zone for everyday use, easily concealed when entertaining. The kitchen’s 250mm-wide, rustic-grade engineered European Oak flooring adds rich texture underfoot and echoes the brushed and sawn cabinetry finish. This subtle cohesion allows the sculptural beauty of the expansive marble island to take centre stage, just as intended. By combining natural materials, warm tones, and industrial-style elements, the design achieves a timeless appeal. At the same time, the integration of state-of-the-art appliances and smart technology ensures the kitchen functions seamlessly as the hub of a busy household. www.kitchendynamics.co.nz | Proudly suppor ting Blakhaus Design FORTE.CO.NZ FORTÉ ON SITE BOOK AN ON SITE VISIT
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