Precision in every detail
Refining the structure, flow and detail of a home, creating interiors that feel considered and deeply resolved.
Sa’u Studio is led by award-winning designer Melanie Sa’u, whose work is grounded in the belief that good design should enrich the way people live every day.
At the heart of Melanie’s design ethos is a commitment to creating homes that feel considered, functional and deeply personal — spaces her clients can’t wait to come home to. Whether designing a kitchen, refining an interior layout or crafting bespoke cabinetry, she brings together form, function and detail to create spaces that feel beautifully resolved.
For Melanie, homes are about so much more than aesthetics. They are places of connection, comfort and daily ritual. This understanding drives her to create interiors that not only look beautiful, but support and elevate everyday life.
2026
Judge - Kitchen Studio Design Awards
Judge - NKBA Excellence in Design Awards
Highly Commended - TIDA Kitchen of the Year
2025
Winner - NKBA People's Choice Bathroom
Winner - Kitchen Distinction $60-90k
Winner - NKBA Platinum Kitchen Design
Highly Commended - TIDA Bathroom of the Year
Highly Commended - TIDA Kitchen of the Year
Highly Commended - TIDA Interior of the Year
2024
Winner - NKBA Outstanding Kitchen Renovation
Winner - NKBA Platinum Bathroom Design
Finalist - HOME Magazine Kitchen of the Year (Maraetai Residence)
Finalist - HOME Magazine Kitchen of the Year (Mellons Bay Residence)
Finalist - Home Magazine Emerging Designer of the Year
2021
Winner - CDS Kitchen Design Award
Runner Up - NKBA Auckland Chapter Recognition
Highly Commended - NKBA Auckland Chapter Recognition
2020
Winner - Kitchen Distinction Award
Winner - CDS Bathroom Award
Highly Commended - TIDA Bathroom of the Year
Meet Melanie Sa'u
Melanie’s practical design experience, combined with strong industry connections, enables her to deliver interior projects that are thoughtfully considered from concept through to completion.
She holds an NKBA National Diploma in Kitchen Design and is a Platinum Member of the Designers of NKBA.
Alongside her studio work, Melanie is actively involved in the wider design industry as an awards judge, Vice Chair of the Designers of NKBA Advisory Group, and a board member of the NKBA Executive Board.
Her extensive portfolio is testament to her versatility, technical skill and considered design approach.
Clients praise her collaborative and transparent process, meticulous attention to detail, and intuitive ability to understand and bring their vision to life.
Accolades
What We Do
01
Interior Architecture
We shape the internal rhythm of a home, refining spatial flow, proportion and detail to create interiors that feel considered, functional and deeply resolved.
02
Kitchen &
Bathroom Design
We design the most hardworking spaces in the home with precision, balancing beauty, function and craftsmanship to create kitchens and bathrooms that feel effortless to live in.
03
New Homes
Partnering with trusted builders, we bring clarity and cohesion to the new build process, guiding the architecture & interior direction from early planning through to final detail so every space feels connected, refined and personal.