At the heart
A look at some of the highlights in kitchen design from the 2025 TIDA New Zealand Kitchens Awards.
GREEN HOMES
A serene feel and a connection to nature earned Green Homes Queenstown and Forager Studio the 2025 TIDA New Zealand Group Home Builder Kitchen of the Year award for this show home kitchen in Queenstown.
The vision for this kitchen was to create a space that was not only highly functional and visually refined but also engaging and timelessly appealing. This was achieved by using natural, inviting materials and a rich variety of textures that create warmth and comfort.
One of the biggest design challenges was maintaining a sense of openness. To do this, the scullery was opened up and the back bench was significantly extended, which allowed more natural light to pour in. A generous workspace was also created – perfect for a coffee station or larger appliances. The result is a kitchen that feels expansive and seamlessly connected to the rest of the home.
The thoughtful use of light and natural materials was central to the design philosophy. Forager Studio was very conscious of how the space would make people feel, with the goal of crafting an environment where visitors to the Green Homes Queenstown show home would feel calm, inspired and completely at home.
PALAZZO KITCHENS
Palazzo Kitchens was highly commended
in the 2025 TIDA New Zealand Kitchens Awards for this sleek, high-quality kitchen, which is both luxurious and family-friendly. With materials such as walnut timber veneer, matt lacquered concrete and dark metals, the aesthetic is modern and warm. Ample storage and seating ensure the space is functional as well as beautiful.
SOBESPOKE LTD
Fowler Homes Christchurch North needed a functional and inviting kitchen in its new show home. In response, SObespoke’s concept embodies open plan living. Layers of warm colour and texture provide an interesting backdrop, with practical surfaces to appeal to an array of people. The kitchen design was highly commended in the 2025 TIDA New Zealand Kitchens Awards.
ARMSTRONG INTERIORS
This modern country kitchen was part of a larger full-home renovation in Tai Tapu, Canterbury. The approach to the design was to create a sanctuary – an expression of the owner’s personality and passions.
Highly commended in the 2025 TIDA New Zealand Kitchens Awards, the kitchen in this spacious abode features a grand Calacatta Macchia Vecchia marble kitchen island that anchors the heart of the home, beautifully complemented by the enduring allure of French Oak flooring. Light oak and warm grey cabinetry are offset by a crisp white-tiled splashback and range hood.
Armstrong Interiors were the interior designers on this home and worked closely with the homeowners to achieve this look.
