Danielle Bates on timeless interiors, tactile materials and designing with instinct

Auckland CBD Penthouse by Danielle Bates Design.

Danielle Bates did not arrive at interiors through a conventional route. Before interiors, she worked in advertising, first in New Zealand and later in New York, where she specialised in strategic planning and branding. It was there, in the late 1990s, amid the rise of boutique hotels and design-led hospitality spaces, that something clicked.

“I was travelling quite a lot and became inspired by the multitude of restaurants and hotels embracing this surge in savvy design,” shares Danielle. “Branding and interiors were uber cool and tightly integrated— with some notable design firms scooping up multiple contracts for cutting-edge hospitality premises.”

That curiosity eventually led her to Parsons School of Design in New York, where she studied before moving into hospitality architecture and interiors. After returning to New Zealand and starting a family, she began importing mid-century furniture for clients, sourcing pieces internationally and building a business that naturally evolved into full interior design projects.

“I found that clients interested in the furniture I was importing wanted me to help them with a full interiors package, ” she says. “And then I guess things just grew by word of mouth.”

Today, Danielle works across high-end residential and hospitality projects throughout New Zealand, collaborating with architects on homes in Auckland, Queenstown, the Bay of Islands and beyond. Restaurants remain a particular passion, with recent work including the refurbishment Rātā in Queenstown.

While her portfolio spans diverse architectural settings, a clear thread runs through her work. Her interiors are calm, tactile and highly resolved, with a restrained material palette and an instinctive understanding of how people want to live in and enjoy their houses.
“Clients and architects often describe the spaces I design as calming,” she says. “I feel that people want tranquil living spaces that aren’t over-designed and interiors that have an understated elegance to them.”

Rather than chasing trends, Danielle focuses on trying to create timeless interiors. The perfect combination of marble, metal and timber is integral to the final design, layering them in ways that feel architectural rather than overly decorative.

“A unique piece of stone can be as impactful as the perfect artwork,” Danielle says.

This philosophy is also reflected in her preference for neutral palettes, allowing individuality to emerge through art, accessories and furniture rather than statement finishes or trend-driven colour choices. Her approach favours tonal texturing, material cohesion between interior and exterior spaces, and interiors that feel individualised rather than formulaic.

“I don’t have a particular style,” shares Danielle. “The end result is driven by a synergy that evolves between myself and the client—this relationship is a natural part of the process and rarely feels forced.”

That collaborative process begins long before materials are selected. Danielle places importance on the initial client meeting, describing it as a process of understanding personality, instinctive preferences and the emotional tone clients want their home to embody.

“Having that connection and mutual understanding is inherently what makes successful design projects.”

From there, she works carefully and methodically, guiding clients through each stage rather than overwhelming them with too many decisions at once. Core architectural materials are prioritised first, followed progressively by furniture, textiles and softer detailing.

“I find that a lot of clients can find the number of decisions overwhelming, especially if it is their first project,” she says. “So I like to compartmentalise stages of the project to make it easier.”

Visual communication also plays a significant role in her process. Clients are encouraged to gather reference imagery and inspiration from the outset, helping establish a shared visual language and a clear design direction.

An evolving image document becomes a practical tool throughout the project, incorporating plans, fittings, materials and detailing references that help align everyone involved, from clients through to builders and contractors.

This clarity and structure appear to shape not only the projects themselves, but also the relationships Danielle forms with clients. She speaks warmly about the collaborative nature of her work and the trust that develops over time.

“I’ve been quite fortunate with the people that I’ve worked with,” she says. “I have stayed in touch with a lot of them even after their projects are completed.”

Herne Bay House by Danielle Bates Design.

Danielle also designs a lot of bespoke items such as cabinetry items, furniture and door hardware. One of her favourite commissions is a set of oversized layered timber front doors for a fully refurbished 1980s Ron Sang house .

Current projects include an ambitious multi-level residence on Drake Street in Auckland, featuring layered residential spaces and an expansive rooftop entertaining area. Alongside large-scale architectural projects, she continues refining one of the aspects of design she finds most nuanced: the layering of furniture, textiles and objects that ultimately bring warmth and personality into a space.

Furniture sourcing also remains an important part of the studio’s offering, with Danielle continuing to import pieces internationally through longstanding supplier relationships including the reputable international brand, Restoration Hardware. She has also recently signed on SNOC, a stunning exterior furniture brand out of Turkey.

The business has also become something of a family affair, too, with her daughter Chloe recently joining the studio and assisting with presentations, documentation and design support.

“She is very good with design, and we share a similar aesthetic,” Danielle says. “I am very impressed with what skills Chloe is bringing to the process.”

As the studio continues to grow, platforms such as ArchiPro also play an important role in connecting Danielle and her team with clients, suppliers and industry professionals—bringing together projects, products and expertise in one place, and helping streamline the journey from inspiration to execution.