Du Bois Design Ltd

25/08/2026

Who said a stairwell has to be serious?

Our little cluster of floating ‘jellyfish’ lights by Bocci brings an unexpected sense of play to the Te Arai stairwell.

Each glass colour was carefully selected to create the right balance as the pendants float at different heights against the landscape beyond.

What I love about these lights is that they’re fun without taking away from the sophistication of the interior. There should always be room for a little playfulness in design.

The Next Chapter — Te Arai interiors By Du Bois Design * KITCHENS * BATHROOMS * INTERIORS
Photography by jackie meiring
Architect Matt Brew Architects

15/08/2026

My Parnell Tea House apartment has been named a finalist in the 2026 Best Design Awards, and I’m incredibly grateful to see this project receive yet another wonderful recognition.

The Best Awards represent some of the very best work in our industry, so to have Tea House recognised amongst such strong competition means a great deal.

When I think about what made this project so successful, so much of it comes back to the relationship I had with my client. She waited more than six months for me to become available to work with her, and from the very beginning there was an extraordinary level of trust and mutual respect between us.

She trusted me implicitly with her home and gave me the freedom to develop the design in a way that truly reflected her, while also allowing me to push ideas, refine details and work through the inevitable challenges that come with a project of this complexity.

She was an absolute joy to work with, and I feel incredibly fortunate that such a rewarding project also introduced me to such a wonderful person.

As with every project, the finished result is also the work of many talented people, and I’m enormously grateful to everyone who played a part in bringing Tea House to life.

But above all, this project is a reminder of just how important the relationship between designer and client can be. Trust creates the freedom to do your best work, and I couldn’t have asked for a better client to share this journey with.

I’m immensely proud of what we created together and so grateful to see Tea House recognised amongst some of the best in our industry.

My Parnell Tea House apartment has been named a finalist in the 2026 Best Design Awards, and I’m incredibly grateful to see this project receive yet another wonderful recognition.

The Best Awards represent some of the very best work in our industry, so to have Tea House recognised amongst such strong competition means a great deal.

When I think about what made this project so successful, so much of it comes back to the relationship I had with my client. She waited more than six months for me to become available to work with her, and from the very beginning there was an extraordinary level of

11/08/2026

For those of you asking for the links to my ✨ SBID International Design Awards 2026 finalist projects ✨ — public voting is now open!

Public voting contributes 10% of the final judging, so I would be so grateful for your support. You can view each project and vote directly through the links below.

KITCHEN DESIGN — TWO FINALISTS

I have two projects competing in the same category, so have a look and let me know which is your favourite — Option 1 or Option 2?

Please note, you can only vote once per category, so choose your favourite of the two. 🤍

OPTION 1 — No Stone Unturned — Te Arai Kitchen
https://www.sbidawards.com/award-entries/2026/06-kitchen-design/no-stone-unturned-te-arai-kitchen/

OPTION 2 — Tea House Apartment Kitchen
https://www.sbidawards.com/award-entries/2026/06-kitchen-design/tea-house-apartment-kitchen/

RESIDENTIAL APARTMENT UNDER £1M

Tea House — Parnell Apartment Renovation
https://www.sbidawards.com/award-entries/2026/12-residential-apartment-under-1m/parnell-apartment-renovation/

RESIDENTIAL HOUSE OVER £1M

The Next Chapter — Te Arai New Home
https://www.sbidawards.com/award-entries/2026/14-residential-house-over-1m/the-next-chapter-te-arai-new-home/

To have four projects recognised internationally in one year is something I’m incredibly proud of.

If you enjoy these projects and feel they are worthy of winning, I’d be so grateful for your vote.

And please feel free to share this post with anyone who might enjoy seeing the projects too. 🤍

Thank you so much for all the support.

Natalie x

Natalie Du Bois of Du Bois Design transformed a conventional apartment kitchen into an individual interior shaped around the client’s way of living. A substantial stone island creates a generous setting for cooking, conversation and entertaining, while concealed storage and a dedicated tea room br...

09/08/2026

✨ And finally… finalist number FOUR! ✨

My Parnell “Tea House” Apartment has been named a finalist in the 2026 SBID International Design Awards, in the Residential Apartment Under £1M category.

To have four of my projects recognised as finalists on an international stage this year is something I’m incredibly proud of — and I’m so grateful to everyone who has been part of bringing these projects to life.

Now I’d love your support. 🤍

Public voting contributes 10% of the final judging, so if you feel Tea House Apartment is worthy of taking home the award, please click the link in my bio and cast your vote.

Every vote really does count, and I’d absolutely love to see this project go all the way! ✨

Tea House Apartment | SBID International Design Awards 2026 Finalist
Residential Apartment Under £1M
Designed by Natalie Du Bois sbid
Photography by

07/08/2026

And now to share my 3rd finalist project in the SBID International Design Awards 2026 ✨

TE ARAI — THE NEXT CHAPTER
Finalist | Residential House Over £1M

This project was the full interior design of a new home build, set in a beautiful rural coastal landscape at Te Arai with views stretching out towards the sea.

Having the opportunity to design the entire interior meant every space, material and detail could be considered as part of one complete home — from the kitchen and living spaces through to the bathrooms, bedrooms, utility areas and joinery.

I’d love you to follow the link in my bio to see more of The Next Chapter and explore the full interior. And please let me know if you’ve checked it out — I’d love to hear what you think.

Public voting contributes 10% of the final SBID judging score, so if you think The Next Chapter deserves to win, I would be incredibly grateful for your support and your vote. 🤍

Thank you, as always, to everyone who helped bring this home to life.

Interior architecture by Natalie Du Bois
Architect Matt Brew Architecture
Photography by
.sbid

04/08/2026

My next piece of good news… ✨

My Te Arai kitchen – No Stone Unturned has been named a finalist in the SBID International Design Awards.

This was such a rewarding project to design. I first started working on it 5 years ago with clients I’d previously worked with.
There is something incredibly special about working with returning clients—the trust is already there, giving you the freedom to challenge ideas, push the design further, and refine every detail in a way that’s difficult to achieve on a first project.

Every material and product was selected with intention. The natural stone was chosen for its connection to the surrounding landscape and the distant sea views, helping to bring the outside into the heart of the home. Every decision had a purpose and contributed to the overall design.

A huge thank you to everyone who helped bring this project to life.

If you enjoy this project, I’d love it if you could like, 👍 If you feel this kitchen is worthy of winning, I’d be so grateful for your support. Public voting contributes 10% of the final score, so if you’d like to vote, please follow the link in my bio under No Stone Unturned, or send me a message and I’ll happily send the link through.

Interior and kitchen design by Du Bois Design * KITCHENS * BATHROOMS * INTERIORS
Beautiful new home building by Matt Brew Architects. Matt Brew Architects Wonderfully captured photographs by Jackie Meiring jackie meiring

31/07/2026

I couldn’t be more pleased. My Tea House kitchen has been named a finalist in the SBID International Design Awards.

This project was never just about designing a beautiful kitchen. It was about taking the time to truly understand my client—her lifestyle, her culture and the rituals that bring her joy every day.

🍵Tea is at the heart of her home, so we created a dedicated tea room to house her treasured collection of teas and additional storage for her teapots and serving pieces. Every detail was carefully considered so that the design reflected not only how she lives, but who she is.

As a designer, I believe the most successful interiors begin by listening. Every client has their own story, and I love discovering what makes them unique. It is that understanding that transforms a beautiful space into a home with meaning.

A heartfelt thank you to my wonderful client, Karen, for trusting me with my vision, and to everyone who helped bring this project to life. I couldn’t have achieved this without you.

Here’s hoping the journey continues. 🤍✨

To have my Tea House kitchen design recognised on the international stage is an incredible honour, and I would love to see it progress from finalist to winner.

Please see the link in my bio above to see the SBID entry and to cast your vote if you think it’s worthy of winning.

Designed by Du Bois Design * KITCHENS * BATHROOMS * INTERIORS
Photography by jackie meiring

DuBoisDesign TeaHouse DesignExcellence

31/07/2026

The best feeling as a designer is seeing every element come together as intended. Each material, finish and product has been chosen with purpose, considered not only for how it looks, but for the role it plays within the overall design.

One of my favourite photographs of the master bathroom at our Te Arai project.

Designer: Natalie Du Bois Du Bois Design * KITCHENS * BATHROOMS * INTERIORS
Photography: jackie meiring

03/07/2026

Winter weekends are for cosy library moments.

Tucked into a mezzanine, this intimate library was designed as a quiet place to pause, read and retreat.

Dark stained oak joinery, warm leather and sculptural furniture create a richly layered corner that feels both cocooning and connected to the home.

Would you curl up here for the afternoon?



Interiors by Du Bois Design * KITCHENS * BATHROOMS * INTERIORS
Photo by jackie meiring

24/04/2026

TIDA Finalist — Titirangi Kitchen

Thrilled to share our Titirangi kitchen has been named a finalist in this year’s TIDA Kitchen Awards.

This project was never going to be quiet.
Not afraid of colour, not afraid of form — and definitely not afraid to lean into the architecture we were given.

Set within its rainforest setting, the design responds directly to the home’s existing angles and lines. Rather than soften them, we enhanced them — allowing the geometry to become a feature, not a constraint.

The deep green palette anchors the space, creating a rich, immersive backdrop, while the sculptural fluted island introduces texture and rhythm. The veined stone from Infinity Benchtops was a key move — bringing a natural energy that ties beautifully back to the landscape.

Functionally, every detail has been considered. Even the freestanding fridge has been visually minimised by painting it into the joinery — allowing the kitchen to read as one cohesive form rather than a collection of parts.

What stands out is the balance between boldness and control. It’s expressive, but resolved.
Layered, but calm.

A kitchen that feels completely at home in its environment and completely unique to the people who live in it.

— Natalie Du Bois
Du Bois Design
Real homes. Real clients. Real design. Photo by