SONYA COTTER DESIGN
EXCEPTIONAL INTERIOR DESIGN FOR THOUGHTFUL LIVING
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Based in
AUCKLANd NZ
Who we are
Sonya Cotter Design: Premier Interior Design Studio
Sonya Cotter Design is a custom interior design studio based in Auckland. We create carefully considered beautiful contemporary interiors for your individual style. While having a little fun along the way!
Our residential interior designs showcase a refined selection of materials, sophisticated colour palettes, and captivating focal points that inspire and engage. We work collaboratively with our clients to create beautifully crafted home environments that enhance your lifestyle.
Our holistic approach considers every aspect of the project, from space planning to bespoke design details.
We take great care to ensure that your vision is at the forefront, while also infusing creativity and enjoyment into the process. We believe that designing your space should be an exciting journey, and we’re here to make it as fulfilling as possible.
“Great design is a multi-layered relationship between human life and its environment.”
Naoto Fukasawa
PORTFOLIO OF PROJECTS
OUR WORK
Our passion for design drives us to transform spaces, ensuring that every project reflects our client's vision and enhances their environment.
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![luxury interior design coastal home]()
Maui Hawaii
Summer 2024
ABOUT
Studio
Sonya Cotter Design offers a wealth of experience in interior architecture and interior decoration services, project management and procurement. We specialise in creating contemporary luxury aesthetics for residential spaces, transforming homes into beautiful and functional environments. Our portfolio includes residential new builds, extensive renovations, and multi-unit residential interiors.
Sonya is at the heart of every design decision, ensuring the project has a 360° vision.
Founder & CEO
About Sonya Cotter
Sonya Cotter is an accomplished interior designer leading Sonya Cotter Design. Known for her contemporary luxury aesthetic, she specialises in creating beautifully crafted residential spaces that reflect her clients’ unique styles.
Outside of her design work, Sonya enjoys spending her weekends gardening and walking her dog, finding inspiration in nature and the outdoors. This love for the natural world often informs her design philosophy, as she incorporates organic elements into her projects.
After spending significant time on video calls during the recent pandemic, Sonya Cotter is thrilled about returning to in-person client and project meetings, where product textures and finishes can be touched and experienced in their true form. This hands-on experience is what Sonya is passionate about.
Design Services
Interior Design
The studio has more than 20 years of creating a diverse interior design portfolio spanning high-end residential builds and extensive renovations, custom multi-residential interiors and boutique lodge villas.
We value our collaborative relationships with architects, builders, artisans and product suppliers. These crucial relationships directly benefit our clients.
Sonya Cotter Design is a close-knit team where Sonya is at the heart of every design decision, ensuring a holistic vision. All designs are well-thought-out, resulting in a refined and resolved outcome.
Every project is well documented. We produce detailed drawings and images to ensure successful project outcomes.
The essential decorative Finishing
Furniture & Styling
Sonya Cotter Design offers furniture curation, selection and procurement services. From planning the furniture for the home through or the selection of individual pieces, materials & art curation. Maybe it’s just a re-think and a refresh that is needed.
We source and select lighting, rugs, bedding and decor. If needed, we design or customise furniture to suit the interior.
We trust in a collaborative approach with industry professionals and artisans to craft the best results for your home
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MAUI
Summer 2024
Featured Projects
Water’s Edge Home - Maui
This full-scale renovation exemplifies modern, relaxed luxury.
Sonya Cotter Design collaborated with an international team of contractors and local New Zealand suppliers to reimagine this 18-year-old architectural masterpiece by Bossley Architects.
Collaborating with the Bossley Architects the kitchen was redesigned to enhance relaxed flow and update the visual appeal, while the master bathroom was transformed with a new layout, and a completely new guest wing was added.
Our team redefined the home's interior with a complete refresh of furniture and décor, along with expertly crafted kitchen and bathroom cabinetry, thoughtfully selected surfaces, and refined finishes. These elements come together to create a cohesive and modern aesthetic. Bespoke touches, combined with the clients' curated art collection, elevate every space and celebrate the home's unique character.
Experience the harmonious balance of function and beauty, tailored to the spirit of Maui living. Guided by a commitment to craftsmanship and elegance, our team took care of every detail, from the initial concept to the final flourish.
PHOTOGRAPHY : JACKIE MEIRING
HERE’S HOW WE CAN HELP
SERVICES & PROCESES
Everything we do follows a strict process, eliminating the guesswork and allowing us to most effectively craft the interiors we’re known for. Projects vary by need & scope; we handle the challenges every step of the way.
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We understand that every project calls for an individual approach. Our team enjoy working collaboratively and closely with our clients and industry peers, outlining the objective with close attention to detail and providing expert advice to achieve the highest possible result.
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Our journey begins as we develop the unique aspects of every project. Design development addresses the functional elements of the brief and the visual concept of the design through the production of 3D conceptual sketches or sourcing concept images and physical materials to bring the project to life, enabling clients to understand each proposed design detail.
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The success of many interior design projects is based on spatial awareness and understanding. We look beyond the obvious and explore the operational and physical requirements of different spaces and how that can influence the design layout of the dwelling.
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Each project is detailed and documented to the highest standard through superior knowledge of space planning, joinery construction techniques, and specific interior detailing. Sonya Cotter Design's high level of technical capability ensures the accuracy of all project documentation, allowing for ease of construction. Design documentation ensures that all parties understand and approve the proposed design before construction begins.
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The studio works with clients to understand their needs for these hard-working spaces in the home. We offer full design and specification but can also oversee the project from start to finish. We produce detailed plans and elevations with 3D visuals for client approval.
We have a longstanding relationship with bespoke cabinetmakers who turn our developed concepts into reality.
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We pride ourselves on looking beyond the obvious and creating a unique and individual conceptual direction tailored to each project. Our knowledge and ability to access an extensive range of materials results in a level of finish to meet every client's expectations and sets our designs apart.
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Our intention to create a unique interior is accentuated throughout the detailed styling of each project. Custom-designed furniture is layered with a selection of artwork, accessories and products, all complementing the client's existing pieces.
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The studio strives to design well-considered, aesthetically driven pieces while not overlooking functionality. We regularly collaborate with local tradespeople and artisans to handcraft our furniture. Each piece can be customised to meld with existing or planned spaces.
Clifftops Home
Autumn 2021
Featured Projects
We are honoured to be awarded Interior Home of the Year for Clifftops.
Nestled on the clifftops between two volcanic landmarks, Lake Pupuke and the majestic Rangitoto Island, the surrounding organic forms influenced the home's interiors.
Our client has a significant art collection and the home's architecture is a sculpture in its own right. We successfully created intimate spaces despite the almost overwhelming sense of scale. We filled the vast areas with textures in both surfaces and in form, customising unique finishes and adding warmth and a sense of welcoming.
We had a wonderful client who trusted us to create a home for his family with a design that was unique and would endure.
We worked closely with Bossley Architects and associated craftsmen and contractors to ensure this successful outcome.
PHOTOGRAPHY : JACKIE MEIRING
What People Are Saying
“I can highly recommend Sonya Cotter for all your interior design, colour advice and kitchen design work. She was a dream to work with, especially as it was our first time building and we both work full time also. Sonya has an impeccable eye for style but also really considered all of our functionality requirements, particularly important in key areas such as the kitchen and living spaces.
We will build again and I will certainly be using Sonya when we do”
Tiffani Graydon
“1 had the pleasure of working with Sonya on a top-end project in Fisher Parade.
As the builder and project manager, it’s important to me that I get on with the designers and that they can deliver. Sonya has great ideas were easy to work with and gave me the answers I needed quickly. This keeps the job moving which is crucial at the thin end of the job
I would happily work with Sonya again in the future.”
Craig - Evolution Builders Ltd
“A new home is a daunting task and the scale of the decision-making on a remote farm build almost had me heading for the city and reneging on my dream abode. But Sonya made it all so easy for me. Once she knew my general preferences she honed in on cleverly curated recommendations like an expert sharpshooter finds a target. She made it so easy for me to simply select my personal favourite. It cut out hours of decision-making and days of trudging from one stockiest to the next. Sonya has it all sussed from lighting to paint colours, limestone tiles, bathroom fittings, curtains, furnishing and the kitchen Oh sweet lord the kitchen. I LOVE my kitchen and I am eternally grateful that Sonya gently coerced me (the only time) into the black stone bench top and its solid steel cradle. It is a memorable show-stopper and everyone marvels at it.
I’m excited to get to our beautiful new farmhouse each weekend and the moment I approach it I feel pleased and at ease.”
Deborah Pead, Pead PR
Browning Street
Spring 2019
CRAFTING BEAUTIFUL SPACES
More than a decade of design excellence.
Contact
Think we might be a good fit for your upcoming interiors project? Reach out — we’d love to talk details and see how we can help.
We have multiple models of engagement: We can work directly with individuals for private residences, partner with builders and contractors or simply be involved in the planning process.
If you have any questions or ideas, we’d be happy to schedule a consultation.
PHONE
Sonya Cotter : 021 802 587
LOCATIONS
FISHER POINT DRIVE, FREEMANS BAY. AUCKLAND
MATATKANA VALLEY ROAD, MATAKANA
