| 93 T T Kim Newth Coastal kitchen a stand out Melanie Sa’u’s Highly Commended project was for this contemporary kitchen makeover at Maraetai Beach. Melanie Sa’u Design Studio INTERIOR DESIGN Melanie Sa’u Design Studio’s line-up of award-winning projects continues to grow this year, with the latest accolade being a Highly Commended award at the 2025 Trends International Design Awards for New Zealand Kitchens. The standard of entry this year was particularly high, according to Paul Taylor, Chairman of the Judging Panel. Melanie Sa’u’s Highly Commended project was for a contemporary kitchen makeover at Maraetai Beach. In step with the coastal environment and the client’s busy lifestyle, this light, fresh and bright kitchen beautifully balances practicality and functionality with aesthetics. Auckland-based designer Melanie Sa’u has a decade of industry experience behind her and a growing reputation throughout New Zealand for personalised service, meticulous attention to detail and intuitive flair for bringing visions to life. She holds an NKBA National Diploma in Kitchen Design, is a Platinum Member of the Designers of NKBA and has an extensive portfolio of inspiring projects. Melanie’s clients find her very flexible to work with and appreciate the help she gives, for example in exploring flooring and appliance options and in giving guidance on how to prioritise spending within a project to give the best value. “I want my clients to be comfortable with the choices being made.” In 2022, when the Maraetai Beach project first came up, Melanie had only recently established her design studio. It was also her first project with JMA Builders, another newly launched business. It proved a highly effective collaboration that saw an existing family home completely stripped back and reimagined afresh. The kitchen-living area sits at the heart of the newly renovated home, now an oasis of calm and modernity. Gone is the dark, sombre kitchen of old. In its place is a light, white kitchen where an elegant island forms the centrepiece. Melanie initially put together several options for the cli- “My client selected Dekton Trance for its gorgeous colour – she fell in love with that vein.” ent that showed how the space could work in different configurations before the final layout was selected. The long island is topped with marbled Dekton, also used for the splashback and wall finishing. “We chose Dekton for its durability and, at the Consentino factory, my client selected Dekton Trance for its gorgeous colour – she fell in love with that vein.” The island’s distinctive panelling was custom-made so as to be as seamless as possible, with corners mitred together and all doors carefully lined up to leave no gaps. Interestingly, the use of fluted, reeded, or batten-like designs, particularly on islands, made a strong appearance at 2025 TIDA New Zealand Kitchens. Melanie is known not just for inspired kitchen design but also for award-winning bathroom design, joinery (from laundries to wardrobes and fireplace cabinetry), and interior packages for new homes and renovation projects. With her skills in cabinetry design and interiors, Melanie brings together ‘big picture’ thinking with attention to all the small details. “I have a great team around me as well – that was especially true for the Maraetai Beach project, where I worked with an amazing trades team.” Constructing pride with homes Proudly Supporting Melanie Sa’u Design josh@jmabuilders.co.nz jma-builders.co.nz 0210 482 229 Contact Us JMA Builders, specialising in Project Management, New Builds, Renovations, Extensions, Decks/Fences, Landscaping, Retaining Walls and more.
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