The creative duo bringing European brands to New Zealand

4 June 2024

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When Klaus and Annett Todt emigrated from Germany to New Zealand, they brought with them two very different design skill sets which they combined to create an architectural joinery business with a distinctly different approach to design.

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Joanna Seton

A villa in Riwaka was transformed by Living Design with this stunning contemporary kitchen.

Growing up in the family joinery business in Germany, Klaus Todt was an expert on carpentry tools since he was five years old. Desperate to leave the monotony of school, he started his carpentry apprenticeship at the age of 16, and became so passionate about joinery design that after completing the three-year apprenticeship he enrolled in a German furniture design degree and Master Craftsman degree, taking an additional three years’ full-time school and training to complete.

After gaining experience in the industry in Germany for over a decade, he and wife Annett Todt moved to New Zealand in 2005. But Annett brought with her a very different skill set.

“I’m a dressmaker and fashion technician by trade. I love the texture of the fabrics and hence the tactility of the products we use in our joinery,” shares Annett. “I would say that my strength is research, and I love the numbers and running the business.”

Together with their love of beautiful materials and business acumen, the pair started Living Design in Nelson in 2010. Klaus is the designer of all projects as well as being hands-on in the workshop and overseeing every install. Anett is the organisational arm of the business, orchestrating timelines for all projects and carrying out quoting and business administration.

Since its inception, Living Design has carried out many full-house fit-out projects that pushed the boundaries of their suppliers.

“We challenged our veneer supplier Primepanels with mismatched planked veneer back in 2014,” shares Annett. “We pushed boundaries with Artisan Stone on benchtop surfaces and details; we surprised Blum in how we use their hinges.”

Living Design was the first to use a BORA cooktop in New Zealand, and one of the first to specify Hawa Concepta pivot doors from Hafele.

Integrating new technology, European brands and materials not commonly seen in New Zealand is central to Living Design’s ethos. Their expertise in creating fit-outs has made them the go-to experts for many European materials and brands, which they now supply in New Zealand.

“You can call us material lovers or even material nerds,” shares Annett. “The hours we spend on research – to have our fingers on the newest materials on the market – are endless. Others have hobbies, we do the research as a hobby!

“We always strive for excellence in design, quality, and materials – we exclusively import materials like silverTouch stainless-steel, IMI Concrete and other IMI materials, Aqvato 3D printed basins out of quartz sand, and we introduced the natural Organoid surfaces to New Zealand.”

Living Design integrated silverTouch stainless steel surfaces in this stunning coastal home.

Being the New Zealand supplier of these products, the advantage to customers is that all materials have gained Living Design’s seal of approval.

“We have the knowledge on how to use them, and can give support to all other people who want to sell and/or use them in New Zealand.”

All products supplied by Living Design have been used in their projects and are quality approved by them. They’re currently the exclusive New Zealand suppliers of highly regarded brands silverTouch, Aqvato basins, IMI concrete, and Sublidot.

“Interior designers, architects and joinery kitchen designers can specify these products and use them in their projects, knowing that when they purchase them from us, they have the backup of the knowledge base we have to offer.”

This means if there’s any troubleshooting or questions around product suitability, they’re able to have in-depth discussions with the Living Design team, which has now expanded to a team of five.

Annett’s next goal for Living Design coincides with her passion for materials and her desire to see cabinetmakers across the country embrace new technology.

“We want to see the silverTouch, IMI materials, Aqvato basins, Sublidot surfaces (and more products we use in our workshop and which will be introduced to the market over the Archipro platform in the future) to be available to the wider community of talented craftsmen, interior designers and architects in New Zealand.”

Explore stunning projects by Living Design