Commercial fitout for Glamour in Palmerston North. A modern studio with a beige stone freestanding sink, a gold faucet, a mirror with an organic shape, white rolled towels, black soap dispenser, and minimalist design elements.

Architectural & Interior Design Studio

— Palmerston North · Manawatu · Available Nationwide

Emma Brown Design is an integrated architectural design, interior design and construction project management studio. We take your project from concept through to completion, including residential renovations, new home builds, and commercial fitouts across Palmerston North and New Zealand.

GLAMOUR

PALMERSTON NORTH

70+ years combined experience 4 Integrated services 1 Studio. End to end. Award Recognised Studio

FIND YOUR PATH

What brings you to Emma Brown Design?

01

I want to build or renovate

You have a property and a vision. Whether it's a new build, a full renovation or a considered extension, we handle design and consents so your project starts right.

EXPLORE ARCHITECTURE SERVICES

02

I want to transform a space

Your structure is staying, but the interior needs to feel different. We create spatial plans, specify materials and finishes, and manage the full fitout.

EXPLORE INTERIOR SERVICES

03

I need someone to manage my build

Your plans are sorted, but coordinating trades and keeping the project on time and budget is overwhelming. Kirk and the team take that weight off you, start to finish.

EXPLORE PROJECT MANAGEMENT

WHAT WE DO

Architectural & Interior Design Services in Palmerston North

From spatial planning and building consent drawings to construction project management and interior styling. We offer a fully integrated approach that saves you time, money, and the stress of coordinating multiple contractors.

01

Architectural Design

Our architectural designer, Sarah Cheetham (ADNZ, LBP Design 2), manages residential and commercial projects from initial consultation through to building consent approval. We handle territorial research, feasibility, 2D/3D design documentation, and full council consent administration, so you don't have to.

NEW HOME BUILDS RENOVATIONS BUILDING CONSENT 3D MODELLING CAD DRAWINGS

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02

Interior Design

From a single room refresh to a full new-build interior concept, we help you visualise, plan and execute a cohesive space. Services include spatial planning, 3D renders, bespoke kitchen and bathroom design, colour and wallpaper consultations, furniture sourcing, and full installation and styling.

COLOUR CONSULTATION SPATIAL PLANNING SOFT FURNISHINGS KITCHEN DESIGN STYLING

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03

Construction & New Builds

Whether you're building new, renovating, or fitting out a commercial space in Palmerston North or Manawatu, we take care of everything from start to finish. Our network of trusted builders and specialist trades means the vision and execution are always aligned, reducing costly miscommunications and delays.

RESIDENTIAL NEW BUILDS HOME RENOVATIONS COMMERCIAL FITOUTS PALMERSTON NORTH

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04

Construction Project Management

Managing multiple trades and suppliers is complex without expert oversight. Kirk Brough brings 25+ years of construction experience to every project. We manage timelines, budgets, tradies, specifications and logistics, keeping your project on track and within budget from the first pour to the final coat of paint.

BUDGET MANAGEMENT TRADE COORDINATION SITE MANAGEMENT MANAWATU

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WHY PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS MATTER FOR YOUR PROJECT

LBP DESIGN 2

LEGALLY COMPLIANT DRAWINGS

Sarah Cheetham holds a Licensed Building Practitioner (Design 2) licence, meaning your architectural drawings meet NZ building code and council requirements.

ADNZ MEMBER

PROFESSIONALLY ACCOUNTABLE

ADNZ membership means adherence to a code of ethics and a commitment to continuing professional development. Your project is in qualified hands.

BRANZ AFFILIATE

CURRENT WITH NZ BUILDING SCIENCE

Affiliation with BRANZ means the team stays current on NZ building research, performance standards and regulatory changes as they happen.

FEATURED IN YOUR HOME AND GARDEN

AWARD RECOGNISED STUDIO

Our work has been recognised nationally. Emma Brown Design brings a level of craft and finish that attracts editorial attention for good reason.

HOW IT WORKS

Concept to completion: our integrated design and build process

01

Free consultation

Book a 15-minute chat with the team to discuss your project, budget and vision. No obligation, no cost. Available in-studio at 33 George Street, Palmerston North or via video call anywhere in New Zealand.

02

Scope & proposal

We create a tailored service proposal outlining our strategic approach, deliverables, timeline and fees, so you know exactly what you're getting at every stage before committing.

03

Design & consent

From concept design and 3D visualisation through to working drawings, engineering coordination and council building consent, our team manages the entire design and documentation process.

04

Build & Handover

Our construction project manager oversees every phase of the build with our trusted trade network. We handle the detail so you can focus on the excitement. Key handover day, your vision becomes reality.

SELECTED WORK

Residential & commercial projects across Palmerston North

Close-up of a wooden cabinet with a black and white wood grain pattern and white handles, situated in a contemporary kitchen with a white countertop and drawers.

At EBD we lovingly craft your bedroom as a sanctuary, with warm refined lighting, rich and colourful fully-upholstered headboards and mood setting wallpapers to suit your needs.

Interior of a modern restaurant or cafe with white paper lanterns hanging from the ceiling, black tables, white stools, and a red abstract mural on the wall.

A reimagining of a heritage bathroom with William Morris wallpaper, mosaic tiles and timber wall panelling. All of the colour and texture palette seeks to bring out the clients personality and their connection to the heritage of the existing house.

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WHAT CLIENTS SAY

“If it is possible to fall in love with a bathroom - then I am. Emma Brown Design was recommended to us and they did not disappoint us as they did not disappoint our friends. We were well consulted and they kept within our reasonable budget. They found and recommended good quality and well priced bathroom and laundry fittings (new shower vanity unit and laundry tub and flooring. Some other things were well repaired (we have an old house so we knew some repair might be inevitable when wall covering was removed.

These were additional costs but we felt they were reasonable in todays world and we were consulted throughout. All the work was project managed which was bliss. We received regular emails telling us when various work teams would come in, so that we were prepared. All workers and staff were considerate and polite. We are very happy with this service and recommend them.”

HAPPY CLIENTS, RENOVATION PROJECT, PALMERSTON NORTH

Emma Brown is our creative director, bringing a wealth of experience in business, strong connections to the surrounding community and a passion for helping people find their space and delivering peace of mind throughout the process.

THE TEAM

The people behind your project

Sarah Cheetham is our lead architectural and interior designer, with over a decade of experience within residential and commercial architecture she knows how to make your dreams happen with innovative solutions.

EMMA BROWN

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

SARAH CHEETHAM

LEAD ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNER | LBP | ADNZ

KIRK BROUGH

PROJECT MANAGER | CONSTRUCTION

HANNAH THOMAS

SPATIAL DESIGNER | ADNZ

Sam Whitburn, our architectural and interior designer. Sam has 7 years experience in commercial interiors and residential spaces with a focus on workplace design and bespoke joinery design.

SAMUEL WHITBURN

ARCHITECTURAL & INTERIOR DESIGNER | ADNZ

MICHELLE MIDDLETON

STUDIO MANAGER

Journal

Psychology of Colour

Your home is talking.

Right now, while you are reading this, the colours on your walls, in your soft furnishings, and across your surfaces are sending signals to your brain, your nervous system, and every single person who walks through your front door.

The question is not whether your home has something to say. It is whether you like what it is saying.

Colour is not a finishing touch.

It is not something you decide after everything else is sorted.

It is the mood, the energy, the whole vibe of a space distilled into a single decision, and most people make that decision based on what feels safe rather than what feels right.

We are not talking about trends

We are talking about how Butter Yellow makes your kitchen feel like a place worth being in before 8am. How Burgundy turns a bedroom into a room you never want to leave. How Rust grounds a bathroom in something that feels ancient, warm, and completely of this moment all at once.

Whether you are standing in a paint aisle feeling completely overwhelmed, or you have been living with the same neutral walls for five years telling yourself you will change them soon, this is your sign. Your home has a lot more to say. Let it.