interior design services
Interior design guided by story, built to last.
Studio Sio is an interior design studio providing residential and commercial interior design services internationally. We work on private homes, hospitality, retail, and commercial projects, delivering full-scope design from early planning through to construction and installation.
Residential interior design
Full-scope interior design services for private homes, including renovations, new builds, and adaptive reuse projects.
Our residential work typically includes space planning, kitchen and bathroom design, material and finish selection, colour consultation, custom joinery, and selection of lighting, furniture, and soft furnishings.
We specialise in hunting out vintage and antiques that create timeless and layered spaces. Services can be provided from concept through to construction and move-in and installation.
Hospitality interior design
We provide interior design services for hotels, restaurants, bars, and wellness spaces.
Our hospitality services include concept design, layout and circulation planning, material and finish specification, custom furniture, lighting and joinery design, and detailed documentation to support hospitality fit-outs and renovations.
We regularly work on international and remote projects, coordinating with local teams to deliver hospitality interiors clearly, efficiently, and in alignment with operational and construction requirements.
Retail & commercial interior design
We provide interior design services for retail, workplace, and commercial environments. This includes spatial planning, interior architecture, finish and material selection, custom joinery, lighting, furniture specification, and coordination with consultants and contractors to support commercial fit-outs.
Our retail and commercial projects focus on translating brand identity into physical space, creating environments that are clear, functional, and consistent across customer and staff experiences.
Property Selection Support
Selecting the right property is the foundation of a successful construction project, whether residential or commercial. We provide early-stage property selection support, reviewing plans, assessing existing conditions, and identifying spatial and design potential before commitments are made, or negotiations take place.
This service is particularly valuable for renovations, adaptive reuse, and commercial fit-outs.
Furniture, lighting & custom millwork design
We design custom furniture, lighting, joinery, and one-off objects. This includes initial concepting and developing original designs for bespoke pieces, preparing technical drawings and specifications for fabrication, and coordinating with makers and fabricators to ensure each element is accurately produced and integrated into the overall project.
We have trusted partners across the world who assist us in manufacturing our bespoke pieces at both small and large scales.
Documentation, renderings & construction support
We prepare detailed interior design documentation, schedules, and renderings suitable for pricing, consenting, and construction. This includes producing drawing sets for builders and fabricators, as well as visual material to clearly communicate design intent (i.e. - showing you what your finished space is going to look like!)
We provide construction support throughout the build process, including responding to site queries, reviewing shop drawings, and carrying out site visits as required. We work closely with architects, builders, and consultants to ensure the design is executed accurately and consistently from concept through to completion.
frequently asked questions
What cities do you work in?
Our offices are based in Auckland, New Zealand, and in Manhattan, NYC but we work both locally and internationally.
Do you work on homes or commercial projects?
Both—if the brief feels aligned with our vibe, we’re in. We take on residential and commercial work at all scales, from small homes to larger spaces, as long as we think we would be a good fit.
Do you work with other trade professionals?
Yes—and we believe the best projects are deeply collaborative. While we don’t hire trades on your behalf (you’ll contract them directly), we’ll work closely with everyone involved to make sure the vision stays cohesive and beautifully executed.
Is there a contract?
Yes—we use a clear and friendly design agreement. It outlines the scope, fees, and expectations so we’re both on the same page from day one. No surprises, just transparency.
I don’t know what style I want–can you still help?
Of course, that’s the magic of working with us. We’ll take all those swirling ideas in your head and help shape them into a clear direction that feels like home—and feels like you.
How do you charge?
Most of our work is billed hourly, invoiced biweekly. For larger and commercial scopes, we offer a flat design fee once we have a good idea of the brief.
Are you interior designers or architects?
Whilst we mostly focus on interior design and interior architecture, we offer overall architectural services when required. If you would like to use your own architect on your project and have us jump in to just manage the interiors, we are happy to do so too.
What does an interior designer do?
Every designer has a slightly different process, but ours usually looks like the list above—we are flexible in which stages you might want us to jump into however.
What’s the difference between an interior designer and an interior decorator?
Designers handle structural layouts, joinery, lighting, materials and finishes, plumbing layouts, furniture, and art—everything but the outside cladding (although we often consult on that too!). We can also be called “interior architects.” Decorators focus more on the finishing layers: colours, fabrics, styling. At Studio Sio, we do all of these.
When should I hire you guys?
Ideally, early—before the project starts so we can make sure everything will work. But we can step in at any point, whether you’re building, renovating, or just want a fresh take. We’re especially useful when time, energy, or vision are in short supply.
Do you have access to more products than I do?
We do. We work with trade-only suppliers and have access to custom pieces that aren’t available off the shelf or are fully customisable. That means more options, more finishes, and more ways to tailor a space just for you.
What will our project cost?
That depends on the size and complexity of your project. If you have a rough budget, we can guide you on where and how to allocate it. We always provide clear estimates for every element of the design and implementation—and you approve everything before we order anything.
Do we need to use your contractors?
Nope - you’re totally free to contract your own builder or trades. We’re happy to collaborate with whoever you choose — and if you need recommendations, we have a ever-growing list of great people!