About Deborah Still

Designing spaces for artful living

With over 40 years experience at the forefront of New Zealand design, I am proud to design spaces for artful living around the country.

I believe good design should be accessible to everyone and that it should prioritise impeccable quality, simplicity and timeless elegance.

Whether the scope is a full scale renovation, commercial new build or simply adding a few touches to liven up a too-familiar space, I can provide the creative inspiration, procurement experience and project management to see it through.

My design philosophy

In my work you’ll see a coordinated fusion of clean lines, natural New Zealand colours, and unique, high quality products by local and international artisans. 

I collaborate closely with clients, co-constructing much of the design process. Working together means reaching an outcome that everyone loves, and ensures attentive management of a project’s concept to its fruition.

A childhood surrounded by art and poetry made design an obvious choice

My early years in interior design were balanced against my responsibilities as a young mother. However, bolstered by family support and with a drive to succeed against the odds, I built my own practice from the ground up. A short stint at Ballantynes department store gave me experience and contacts, while my parents’ art background gave me the grounding I needed to succeed in the field.

Curiosity keeps me moving with the times

Gone are the days of creating my own paint swatches and typing up quotes on a typewriter! New technologies and software developments have added more possibilities to my design work including ways to visualise a space and work closely with clients in other parts of New Zealand. However, while I keep on top of new, useful tools, it always comes back to my clients, and a close attention to detail around their goals.

Creativity alone does not sustain a busy design studio

Communication and professionalism are at the core of Deborah Still Design’s longevity. I achieved ISO 9001 Quality Assurance Accreditation in 1994, a rare feat for an interior designer. This has created confidence in my clients that I will deliver a high quality design. Investing in solid business protocols means I can focus on the most important work of connecting personally with clients, listening to their needs and creating a space that speaks volumes about those who use it.

“Deborah’s experience and knowledge of a broad range of materials made for an easy, stream lined project. Material colours and designs chosen for the fitout were (in some cases) new to the manufacturers. The results elevate the products to a finish that even the manufacturer was delighted with – all within a range of materials that did not increase the final price of the items. Her input was probably the best investment I made in the fitout.”

– Dr Sarah Creegan, Waimate Medical Centre

“Experienced” is an understatement

With over 1200 projects completed across 40 years in business, there’s not much I haven’t done. Some of my most memorable projects include high end lodges in alpine areas such as Ohau and Aoraki Mt Cook, where I am able to flex my luxury design muscle by combining sleek, textural fabrics and finishes.

See the story behind this Aoraki Mt Cook project

Educational and medical facilities are also incredibly rewarding, as spaces that make a huge difference in people’s lives. Clients often come back to me again and again with new projects, and I’m proud to have developed a long-term, trusting relationship with many of them.

See Timaru Dental Care

“From start to finish Deborah managed the project from the ground up, she was innovative and professional when it came to my many design demands and budget. I am enormously proud of what she has helped me create. My practice is building rapidly, and I look forward to needing her services again as we expand soon.”

– The Strand Veterinarian

My Services

  • Design

  • Custom Window Treatments

  • Procurement

  • Project Management

Find out more about my services

  • "Deborah was a delight to work with from start to finish. She listened to what we were aiming to achieve, took it away and blended it with her years of expertise, and offered us some solutions that were better than what we could have achieved trying to make the decisions by ourselves. Deborah makes the decision making process easy, and fully invests herself into the outcome of your job."

    Kharols Langman

  • "She could fully see our vision and was only a call (or FaceTime) away when we were unsure of something. Mark & I love our new home and still question whether Deborah would approve when buying anything to go inside!"

    Jen Porritt

Suppliers

Andrew Martin

Aspect Blinds

Bianca Lorene

Blendworth

Camengo

Carlucci

Casadeco

CC Interiors

Charles Parsons

Montreux Furniture

Morris & Co

Nettex

Nina Campbell

Osborne & Little

Pegasus Fabrics

Romo

Sanderson

Scion

Harlequin

JAB

James Dunlop Textiles

Kirkby

Kovacs Design Furniture 

Luxaflex Blinds

Martec Tracks

Maurice Kain

Mokum Textiles

Sekers

Slender Morris

Textilia

Unique Fabrics

Villa Nova

Warwick Fabrics

Windoware Blinds

Zinc Textiles

Zimmer + Rhode

Zoffany

Chivasso

Christian Fischbacher

Citta

David Shaw

Designs of the Time

Duralee

Elitis

FR One

French Country