AT THE TOP OF HER GAME

abode GOES BEHIND THE SCENES TO MEET WITH AWARD-WINNING INTERIOR DESIGNER DAVINIA SUTTON AND EXPLORES WHAT’S BEHIND THE SUCCESS OF HER COMPANY, DETAIL BY DAVINIA SUTTON.

Davinia has been designing interiors for over 20 years and has won numerous awards for her work. She is widely considered to be one of the leading experts in her field, and her work has featured in many homes and publications.

Having always been interested in design and with a flair for creativity, Davinia counts her mother as a significant influence and role model growing up, encouraging Davinia to pursue her interest in design and the arts.

After graduating in 2001 with a Degree in Spatial Design and a Diploma in Interior Design, Davinia launched her career working for Ingrid Geldof in 2002 and later working with fellow designer John Gaynor. After establishing a solid reputation and credibility in the industry and having multiple published works and a few key national awards under her belt, Davinia struck out on her own, and set up Detail by Davinia Sutton in 2009. Today, Detail employs seven staff and is growing.

Based in Christchurch, Detail has clients around New Zealand specialising in both interior architecture and interior design. It’s not unusual for Davinia and the team to design all the interior spaces for a new build; the kitchen, bathrooms and powder rooms, as well as all the soft furnishings within the space.

“We have a great team in the office, and the designers take real pride in what they do,” says Anna Liddell, studio manager at Detail. “It’s important for the team to hear what the client really wants and also what their honest feedback of suggested designs is, so we can create a space that perfectly reflects them and their lifestyle.”

It’s clear all of Davinia’s team enjoy working with her and are inspired by her creativity. “Davinia is incredibly humble and gracious and loves giving back to the design community where she can,” says Anna. “She’s great to work with, and inspires us with her creative ideas and ability to work under pressure.”

In 2021, Davinia achieved a new high in her career and made history at the National Kitchen and Bathroom Association (NKBA) Excellence in Design Awards by taking home, among other awards, the Supreme Kitchen, Supreme Bathroom and Designer of the Year awards; the first time ever that one designer has scooped all three awards in one year.

Outside of the NKBA awards, Detail also won the 2021 TIDA (Trends International Design Awards) International Bathroom of the Year, and in March of this year won 2022 TIDA Kitchen of the Year. Detail by Davinia Sutton is also one of four finalists in the prestigious Interior Awards New Zealand.The winner will be announced in mid-July 2022.

Davinia and the team at Detail aim to create amazing spaces for their clients that they will love; the focus is not on winning awards. So to be recognised in this way is huge, and both Davinia and the team are always surprised, humbled and grateful when they win awards. “Winning awards on an international level takes those feelings up a notch when the studio’s designs are competing on the world stage,” says Anna. “It’s so gratifying to know that the beautiful and original work we produce here in the New Zealand design industry can foot it with the best designers internationally.”

Davinia has recently been announced as a judge for this years’ prestigious NKBA for a forth year and the Kitchen Studio Awards for the forth year running. Being able to give back to the industry is always an honour for Davinia. Her success is clearly being felt around the globe.