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In this episode of Between the Walls, Janey and Verity sit down with Michelle from MAD.Interiors — a Wānaka-based interior designer known for creating kitchens that feel deeply considered, beautifully practical, and full of personality.

From the forgotten details (like where the rubbish bin actually goes) to the big decisions around layout, materials, budget, and lifestyle flow, this conversation explores what really makes a kitchen work in the real world.

Michelle shares her journey from studying interior design in Amsterdam to building a life and business in Wānaka — and why she describes the kitchen as the true workhorse of the home. She walks us through how she reads a client’s lifestyle, the questions she always asks, and the small details that can completely change the way a kitchen feels.

If you’re planning a new build, renovating, or simply wanting your kitchen to finally function the way you do, this episode is full of grounded, practical insight.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• The MAD.Interiors story
 • Kitchens as the workhorse of the home
 • What homeowners forget
 • Lifestyle-first design
 • Budget brackets
 • Materials & finishes
 • Outdoor flow
 • Colour & personality
 • Power points & splashbacks
 • Open shelving
 • Tech & future kitchens
 • AD Library collaboration
 • Kitchen consults
 • Michelle’s guiding principle

Michelle’s Takeaways for Homeowners

• Design for how you actually live
 • Know your budget early
 • Be brave with personality
 • Trust yourself — it’s your home

Connect with Michelle

mad.Interiors
 Website: www.madinteriors.co.nz

 Instagram: @mad.interiors.nz

For kitchen design, full interiors, colour consulting, or a kitchen consult at AD Library, Michelle works with clients across Wānaka, Queenstown, Central Otago, and beyond.

Connect with AD Library

Website: www.adlibrary.nz

AD Library brings materials, brands, and expert guidance together under one roof — making design and building simple for professionals and anyone planning their next project.

Are you feeling overwhelmed by all the decisions you need to make for your new build or renovation and have no idea where to start. The Architecture + Design Library is your answer. A one stop 'shop' for finding designers and trades, sourcing materials and products and gaining education on those items so you know you are making the right decisions.