Nestled in the heart of Auckland’s design district, at 130 St Georges Bay Road, Parnell, Matisse’s new showroom not only marks a moment of evolution for the brand, but stands as the embodiment of the elevated and globally-renowned design on which Matisse has built its reputation. From its incredible layout to its fine finishes, this new showroom is a celebration of 12 of the most renowned international furniture, kitchen, bathroom and lighting marques under one roof, and has come together in such a way as to rival any design showroom of a similar ilk around the world.
Here, a tone of calm sophistication is set from the entrance, where two walls finished in Patricia Urquiola bricks stand alongside a small but beautifully landscaped garden, dotted with deciduous trees. It is an apt introduction to the perfectly-realised spaces that lie beyond.
The first thing you notice upon entering Matisse’s showroom is its eye-watering scale. From the sprawling ground floor, curated almost like a gallery and bathed in natural light, to the two upper levels, here, soaring ceilings are paired with contrasting material finishes — warm timber alongside cool concrete and metal — to deliver spaces that feel both vast and inviting. There is even a 25-year-old olive tree standing proudly in the showroom’s centre, casting the pieces around it in a soft, natural light, and serving as a reminder of the European origins of Matisse’s sought-after stable of brands.
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Venture inside further and you’ll come across a series of exceptional kitchens, from the Antonio Citterio iteration in vintage stainless steel and black peppered veneer, to the sleek Arclinea design, uniquely finished in bronzed stainless steel and boasting a scullery space hidden behind beautiful tri-folding doors.
The main area of the showroom has been specifically curated by B&B Italia and Maxalto, showcasing the best designs from each of their catalogues and comprising floor-to-ceiling wall units, large scale sofas and coffee tables in exquisite finishes. There are also two incredible staircases rendered in recycled New Zealand Rimu timber with metal balustrades, designed to lead you up to the bridge and mezzanine level, where you can discover brands like Rimadesio, Arrital, Cassina, Moroso, Gessi, Herman Miller, AntonioLupi and Agape, all of which are exclusive to Matisse in New Zealand.
The thoughtful layout and striking finishes of the showroom were created in collaboration with the clever team at Bureaux, whose expertise was called on to bring Matisse’s vision to life. From the metal pillars with inlaid timber, to the aforementioned Patricia Urquiola bricks, to the recycled timber and concrete floors to the breathtaking full-height curtains, Bureaux’s unique eye was able to bring a number of disparate ideas together in harmony, and the result is truly spectacular.
Ultimately, Matisse’s move to 130 St Georges Bay Road is more than just a relocation; it is the dawn of an exciting new era for the brand as it continues to give discerning New Zealanders access to the world’s finest design brands and residential furnishings. After nearly four decades in business, Matisse knows its clientele intimately, and is answering their collective call for a more international level of choice and sophistication when it comes to their interiors. This showroom is the manifestation of that aim.
It is also Matisse’s promise to continue building on its already incredible legacy, and its commitment to bringing the best of classic and contemporary European design to our shores, with renewed vigour and a refreshed vision for the future.
Matisse
130 St Georges Bay Road
Parnell
