Kayu Studio marks five years in business with new bricks-and-mortar showroom in Takapuna
On Friday 5 June, New Zealand furniture and homeware brand Kayu Studio, marked five years in business with the opening of a new showroom on Takapuna’s Hurstmere Road.
Founded in 2021 by New Zealander James Mitchell, Kayu Studio is a considered furniture brand centred on timeless design, natural materials, and enduring craftsmanship.
The new Takapuna space offers the most refined expression of the brand to date, made to feel like visitors are stepping into a home rather than a retail environment. It brings together Kayu Studio’s in-house furniture collections, objects and homewares in a way that encourages exploration and relaxation.
Kayu Studio has carved out a distinct aesthetic, blending elements of minimalism with natural, organic textures, and the kind of precise detailing that comes from working closely with skilled makers such as hand-finished surfaces, traditional joinery and weaving techniques.
The result favours thoughtful construction over fast production, and materials that are chosen for both their inherent unique characteristics and to age well over time, from solid wood and marble to handcrafted ceramics.
James Mitchell says after five years, he feels like Kayu Studio has really found a clear sense of direction and a quiet confidence in its own aesthetic.
‘It’s always been about making pieces we’re genuinely proud to put our name to, that are not only beautiful, but built to last,” he says. “In the early years there was a lot of learning, but now we can say every piece in our collection has earned its place.”
Mitchell opened the first Kayu Studio store in Mount Maunganui, his hometown, to showcase pieces he had sourced throughout Indonesia. It quickly became popular for its unique design perspective.
Mitchell is now based between Indonesia and Mount Maunganui, and the business has grown to encompass an Auckland-based head office and showrooms in the Mount, Grey Lynn and Takapuna.
Within its showrooms, Kayu Studio offers a signature collection developed in-house and made exclusively by selected craftspeople.
“With a dedicated team on the ground, we maintain a direct connection to our makers and specialist manufacturers,” says Mitchell. “This close collaboration allows us to refine details, adjust finishes and respond quickly to the evolving needs of our customers.”
Since opening its Grey Lynn showroom in late 2024, Kayu Studio has been well-received by the Auckland community. The new Takapuna location is the natural next step, bringing the brand closer to North Shore customers seeking design-led yet accessible pieces for the home.
“We don’t see ourselves as being for a specific demographic, it’s about people who appreciate design and value quality whether buying a candle or vase, or sourcing furniture and homewares for a whole home,” says Mitchell. “We want to offer something unique and that lasts, both in how it’s made and how it feels to live with.”
Kayu Studio
Shop 5/138 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna
kayustudio.co.nz or @kayustudio_ on socials.