Journal
Inside Our Reimagined Christchurch Store
Christchurch customers can enjoy an elevated shopping experience in our newly reimagined Merivale store. Following a recent expansion that doubled our floorspace, we partnered with award-winning studio Designwell to create a light-filled showroom that feels distinctly Città. Soft hues, bespoke fixtures, and an expanded layout create a warm, refined environment, while a dedicated consultation space allows customers to customise pieces with the support of our knowledgeable team. The fit-out was brought to life by Alexander Wastney of Designwell and Città designer David Moreland, who previously collaborated on Hamilton’s MADE store. We chatted with Alexander and David to learn more about the transformation. What was the brief for the Merivale store? What did you hope to achieve through the design? David: Moving into a larger-format store is always an opportunity to showcase our ever-growing collection of textiles, accessories, furniture, and lighting in the best possible light. We want our locations to function as both a retail store and a showroom, and with the Merivale expansion we doubled the footprint—meaning the space is now beautifully fit for purpose. Can you tell us about the building itself—any unique features that shaped the space? David: The main goal was to open up the space and create a stronger street presence. We also wanted to soften the overall look and feel, so one of the key upgrades I was adamant about was painting the galvanised ceiling white. It may not sound like a major change, but I think it proved to be one of the most impactful improvements to the interior. You previously collaborated on Hamilton’s MADE store. How did that existing creative relationship influence this project? Alexander: David has a deep understanding of the Città brand, products, and customers, and has an excellent intuition for form, proportion, and detail. Having worked together previously made this project a lot of fun. We were both conscious of creating an environment that feels on-brand and a space that allows for constant change as new products are released. The striking counter is a real focal point within the space. What was the thinking behind its materiality and sculptural form? Alexander: The Merivale store had the staple showroom finishes of polished concrete, crisp walls, and floor-to-ceiling glass. The idea behind the counters was to introduce something warmer and textural to anchor both ends of the space. We were also looking for a material that wouldn't compete with Città's product finishes, and the natural limestone slips worked well for this. David, a version of the Craft Cabinet runs the length of the store, providing both storage and display. Can you tell us more about this feature? David: The Craft collection has been a really successful product for us ever since its release in 2022, so introducing a modular version was a natural extension. We also intentionally use the in-store environment to showcase how functional our products are, helping our clients visualise and understand how they could work in their own homes. What aspect of the finished store are you most proud of? Alexander: I love how clean and light-filled the space is. A big part of the design process was simply editing the existing finishes within the building and carefully layering in display platforms, allowing Città to be its confident, considered, yet understated self. We look forward to welcoming you at 12 Papanui Road, Merivale. Open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, Saturday 10am to 5pm, and Sunday 10am to 4pm. Ample parking is available at the rear, via Derby Street.
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Città Commercial: Project Feature of Panama Suites
With five locations across Hamilton, Panama is a go-to provider for inspiring, flexible work environments. From private offices and co-working spaces to venues for workshops and private functions, Panama offers thoughtfully designed spaces to suit a wide range of needs.
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Città Commercial: Project Feature of CASA
Renowned for its high-end interior design and commercial construction, CASA transforms new and heritage spaces into striking, innovative environments. At Città, CASA helped bring our Grey Lynn flagship store to life—thoughtfully sourcing stone and timber to craft bespoke point-of-sale displays and showcases throughout the store.
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Meet Cameron Foggo: The Designer Behind our Latest Collaboration
At Città, we’re excited to expand our sofa collection with the introduction of two unique new designs: Dialogue and Claret. These pieces are the result of a creative collaboration between acclaimed designer Cameron Foggo and our in-house team.
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Città Commercial: Project feature of Gather Eatery
After more than two decades of bringing Aucklanders vibrant, fresh food, the team behind Ripe Deli is at it again. This time, they’ve introduced a dine-in eatery to a light-filled space at Smales Farm. The vision? Gather Eatery leans into the joy of dining in—slowing down to connect with others and savouring great food and drink.
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Step Inside Our Beautiful New Hamilton Store
Città has a new home in Hamilton. Discover our beautiful store in the vibrant Made precinct, located in the heart of Hamilton East.
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Behind Our Photoshoot at the Award-Winning Pocket House, Otāhuhu
We recently had the opportunity to style our furniture and textiles in one of DAA’s Pocket Houses—an innovative project that rethinks urban housing. Designed by Dorrington Atcheson Architects (DAA), the two statement orange-clad homes make smart use of a small “pocket” of land in Ōtāhuhu, Auckland.
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Behind the design: bringing the Pinch vase to life with Jamie McLellan
At Città, we’re excited to introduce the latest addition to our accessories collection—the Pinch vase. This distinctive design emerged from a creative collaboration between internationally renowned designer Jamie McLellan and our in-house design team.
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Relaxed Brunch Entertaining with Miss Polly’s Kitchen
Miss Polly’s Kitchen is an Instagram favourite for inspiring home-cooked recipes. Polly has proudly launched her second cookbook, Seriously Delicious, with 70 new recipes available now at your nearest bookstore.
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Behind the Scenes: Designer Nikolai Sorensen Returns to Vietnam
In 2023, Città product designer Nikolai Sorensen made the bold move to Ho Chi Minh City with his young family. Immersing himself in the vibrant culture, he gained new inspiration and perspectives that naturally influenced his design process.
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Friends of Città: Courtney Adamo invites us into her family beach house
Our summer content series continues. This week, we get to know Courtney Adamo, an Australian-based mother of five, author, and content creator. Courtney welcomes us into her stunning mid-century-inspired family beach house, sharing her summer plans, tips for defining your decor style, and how to curate a home you truly love.
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At home with Città: Margot’s favourite designs
Happy International Women’s Day! At Città, we take pride in our team of more than 100 talented women, including our visionary female founder and CEO, Margot Acland. Margot started her career as a chartered accountant before deciding to follow her creative drive to make something of her own. After an inspiring trip to Italy in her early 30s, she founded a business importing and wholesaling hand-painted Italian ceramics. This venture laid the early foundations of Città, and over the past 35 years, we have evolved to become an esteemed New Zealand design brand. Margot welcomed us into her Auckland home and shared what she loves about her favourite Città and Vitra designs. Vitra Jean Prouvé Fauteuil de Salon Armchair I love the Jean Prouvé armchair for its perfect blend of beauty and practicality. They’re comfortable, easy to move around, and everyone who comes to visit us loves them. In our Città stores, we carry a curated selection of Vitra products and look forward to expanding this range. Our direct relationship with Vitra also allows us to order any products, including customisable furniture pieces like this. Fossil Vase Glass vases can get dirty easily, so we designed the Fossil vase as a ceramic solution. I love the subtle, irregular form and the intentionally narrow neck. It doesn’t require a big display—it makes a statement with just one or two garden stems. AB Table Lamp The AB lamp pairs artisan glass-blowing with sophisticated technology. The design is really technical and intricate in the way it connects. The dimmable LED light allows you to create the perfect ambience. Vitra Wooden Doll I find these really addictive. What began with just two in the bedroom has now expanded to eight scattered across the house! I’ve also given them as presents to both of my daughters on various occasions. The dolls were first designed in the 1950s and remain relevant today. Each one is meticulously hand-painted, and effortlessly complement any room they’re displayed in. Halo Ceramics The Halo ceramics have a beautiful form—modern, but slightly classical with its lip detail. I take joy in cooking simple food and plating it in bowls that I’ve collected over the years. I might serve a basic risotto alongside roasted carrots; and as everyone sits down, they exclaim how amazing the spread looks! It's incredible how the right bowls and dishes can elevate an dining experience. Cushion Covers For over 20 years now, we’ve been recognised for our cushion covers. Our textile designer, Imogen Tunnicliffe, has been with us for 19 of those years, and we’re just so lucky to have her. Imogen holds a master’s degree in fine arts, and was an exhibiting artist before joining Città. What sets us apart is our use of high-quality fabrics and Imogen’s unique designs. Because cushions are an integral part of our foundation, we’ve just got better and better at them. Remarkably, we still collaborate with the same manufacturers we partnered with two decades ago. Discover Margot’s favourite designs online and in Città stores. For product enquiries, including Vitra orders, please contact citta@cittadesign.com.
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