A creative journey with a talented team

Consistently striving to provide quality experiences for their customers, The Sellers Room team have long been associated with collaboration and encouraging the next generation of young joiners and designers into the fold. So, it is only fitting that this year’s winner of the Best Joiner Apprentice Project at the regional JADA 2023 Awards was Nhan Nguyen, whose entry was a stunning tribute to mentor, encourager, and co-owner of The Sellers Room, Myles Sellers.

Originally known as the Supreme Award at JADA events, the trophy was renamed in Myles’s honour after his passing in 2021. Nhan spent nine days hand-carving an incredible piece of art that incorporates Myles’s greatest loves: his wife Margarette, two daughters Olivia and Hollie, his love of joinery and life. The river symbolises a living body that ebbs and flows, and the paddle, his passion for rowing. Made from gifted tōtara, the piece is symbolic of a mighty chief who has fallen in the great forest of Tāne. “To say we are proud of our team is an understatement,” says Margarette. “But we especially want to thank and congratulate Nhan on the dedication and skill that has gone into making the incredible award. We are honoured that it was recognised by the judges of JADA 2023, for Best Apprentice Project.” Nhan has been with The Sellers Room since June 2018, and has just completed his apprenticeship with the company. “Myles would be so very proud” says Margarette. The Sellers Room team also received the award for Best Creative Small Space at the 2023 event.

“The JADA Awards are a fantastic way for prospective clients to gauge the level of respect and recognition within the industry. The standards are very high in the region, and it is great for our own teams to be recognised for their contribution, and for all Master Joiner members to celebrate this success together.”

Very much focused on creating a strong synergy with everyone they work with, Margarette is excited to introduce The Sellers Room newest member of the team, designer Iona Priest. Iona’s passion for her role shines through with her willingness to think outside the box on every project. “Iona is extremely intuitive, honest, and has a fresh and exciting perspective on life. She offers a different vision within design, ergonomically and practicality, and is not afraid to tackle a challenge, complementing the team’s skillset perfectly,” says Margarette. “Her knowledge is phenomenal, and she has an amazing awareness of space. She listens to a client’s needs and easily builds an excellent rapport with people.”

Taking clients on a journey of product and design choices, with a conscious approach to practical solutions, Iona says she likes to sit down with a client and fully understand their vision before helping to connect the lines in creating their dream project. “We work collaboratively with them to get a perfect outcome” It seems her role is one that she was born for, with Iona having studied in London at Kingston University and followed in her father’s footsteps of interior design. “I have always had a love for creativity and my studies enable a better understanding of the ideal functional, yet designed, space.” Passionate about her role, Iona is leading the charge for some exciting developments within the company’s showroom. “We will be making a few changes and creating a space that will be innovative for other creative minds.” thesellersroom.co.nz