92 | Yellowfox A history of designing beautiful interiors T T Kelly Deeks INTERIOR DESIGN Yellowfox is celebrating national recognition at the 2025 Trends International Design Awards (TIDA), with several projects highly commended in the New Zealand Kitchens category. For one of Yellowfox’s founding designers, Andrea Burney, the accolades reflect not only Yellowfox’s design expertise but also the company’s strength as a full-service design studio with nearly 20 years of proven success. Founded in 2006, Yellowfox has grown from two designers and a design manager into a nationwide operation with studios in Auckland, Tauranga, and Hamilton. While the business has changed ownership over the years, it has retained its collaborative ethos and loyal client base. “We’re fortunate to be well-established, with longstanding relationships with developers, architects, and builders,” Andrea says. “That network, along with word of mouth, has allowed us to remain busy even when the wider building industry has faced challenges. This year we’ve even been hiring new designers.” Yellowfox’s entry at Mellons Bay highlighted the firm’s skill at balancing bold aesthetics with functional family living. Designed for a large new build in east Auckland, the kitchen pairs striking dark tones with warm timber finishes. Andrea’s solution was to create two interconnected kitchens – a sleek front space for family and entertaining, and a concealed scullery designed for traditional cooking on a gas hob. A custom-designed hatch between the two spaces ensures effortless flow, while a hidden scullery door maintains the home’s clean, contemporary lines. “If they had to run in and out of the scullery all the time, it would have felt like a marathon,” Andrea says. Designed for a large new build in east Auckland, the kitchen pairs striking dark tones with warm timber finishes. “The hatch was a simple but impactful solution.” The design was completed with integrated appliances, sophisticated materials such as Dekton Laos and Prime Melamine Fumed Oak Yellowfox also provided full interior design for the home, including bathrooms, wardrobe, and colour schemes, and a feature fireplace clad in heat-resistant Dekton. In contrast, Yellowfox’s Bank Street project was a light, bright renovation that transformed a villa kitchen into an airy hub. The redesign incorporated an existing study into the footprint to allow space for a walk-in pantry with concealed fridge, custom joinery, and a feature bar area. “The bar wasn’t on the client’s wish list, but it was the perfect place to include one,” Andrea says. “It adds both style and function.” The kitchen island was originally specified in timber veneer, but when costs escalated, the team reallocated the budget to a Cosentino Sensa Taj Mahal quartzite benchtop – an investment that became the centrepiece of the design. For Andrea, both projects showcase Yellowfox’s ability to tailor designs to client needs while balancing creativity with practicality. The company’s work spans private one-off homes and large-scale developments, where cost efficiency is critical. “With developers, cost is always front of mind, so we focus on benchtop optimisation, smart material choices, and functional layouts,” she says. “ We also produce colour marketing boards for house-and-land packages, which help buyers visualise their options. It’s about delivering a complete, professional service.” Yellowfox’s TIDA success is a welcome acknowledgement of that approach. With repeat developers still returning after 20 years, and new clients now arriving via referrals from recent award-winning work, Andrea says the company is looking ahead with confidence. “We’re very lucky to have the breadth of experience and the team we do,” she says. “Design is at the heart of what we do, but our strength is being able to offer a full package – from concept and cabinetry to finishes and colours – and to deliver spaces that work beautifully for the people who live in them.” Dulux Mt Hutt Thoughtfully Designed. Beautifully Made. Residium Design Centre 165 The Strand, Parnell, Auckland Lighting design by appointment or shop online www.sociallight.co.nz 027 777 2076 @sociallightnz
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