Heather Walker at the new Parnell COCOHILLS showroom.
For Heather Walker, founder of COCOHILLS, success was never a straight path. It was built from resilience, hard work, and a belief that style and quality should be accessible to everyone. Now, more than a decade after opening her first store in Remuera, Heather is celebrating a bold new chapter with the launch of her expansive showroom in Parnell.
But Heather’s story begins in a very different place. “I was a single parent with three kids. When I was first on my own, the twins were six and my eldest was ten,” she says. At the time, she was working in a corporate role and dreamed of moving to something more creatively fulfilling. “I naturally gravitated toward creating a future from two of my passions — interiors and property.”
What began as a few small jobs for friends, helping source new pieces for their home and styling what they already had, slowly evolved into something more. “People would call me and say, ‘Can you help me with this?’ Or, ‘where would I find that?’ I liked the challenge and the hustle, and I quickly realised this was my new calling.”
As the opportunities grew, so did the scale of her projects. What started as small, informal design help soon evolved into a considered venture, leading Heather to open her first bricks-and-mortar store in Remuera.
Those early days were humble but full of energy. The store began as a consignment shop, but over time, wholesalers started approaching her. Slowly, COCOHILLS evolved into a boutique interiors destination with a loyal customer base and a reputation for honest advice and fair prices.
“People could trust me — I was their go-to-girl,” says Heather. “I’m not pushy, and I’ll always give advice whether they’re buying from me or not. If I don’t have what they want, I’ll help them find it.” That open, personal approach became the foundation of her business. “I don’t turn anything away,” she says. “Some designers might think a small job isn’t worth their time, but I think it’s all part of building relationships. You never know where it will lead.”
Heather’s clients range from homeowners seeking a single piece to developers furnishing entire properties. She’s done everything from small styling jobs to full turn-key projects. One of her early milestones was a five-bedroom home in Wanaka, a high-end Airbnb brought to her through an architect she’d worked with before.
“I pulled it all together over about three months, from kitchenware to custom sofas,” she recalls. “It was a big success and led to more opportunities because people could see I made it happen.”
That phrase—“I make it happen”—sums up Heather’s approach perfectly. She’s known for being resourceful and relentless, someone who can find exactly what a client needs, often on tight deadlines.
Behind that drive lies a clear philosophy about design and service. “I work with 23 wholesalers and do custom-made furniture too, so I can cover every price point and every style,” she says. “People like the variety. They walk into my store and go, ‘Wow, you’ve got more range than we’ve seen all day!’”
The new space means customers can see the furniture arranged in settings,
Whether someone is furnishing a new home or updating a single room, Heather’s aim is to create spaces that feel right for each person. Her passion for interiors runs deep. “My mother was an antique dealer and my dad was a developer,” Heather explains. “We grew up around property and building sites. I was always visual and focused on spaces being functional but also beautiful.”
That mix of practicality and creativity is clear in every corner of her recently opened showroom in Parnell. In this space, Heather finally has the room to showcase a much larger range, creating spaces that engage and inspire.
The new showroom is a reflection of both her growth and her grit. “Moving into Parnell was scary because I’m surrounded by some big brands,” she admits. “The support from both clients and suppliers has been overwhelming. They said, ‘If anyone can make it work, it’s you.’”
And she has. The larger space allows Heather to offer more custom-made designs, and present her signature “accessible luxury” concept: beautiful, high-quality furniture and styling that doesn’t feel out of reach.
“People often come in and say, ‘How did I not know about you before?’” Heather smiles. “Now they do, and that’s the most important thing.”
