The 2026 Interior Edit

Shelley Ferguson lives and breathes exquisite interior design. From creating graceful entertaining spaces to selecting the right accessories and colour palette, she has a multi-faceted, eclectic-yet-cohesive approach to the look and feel of a home.

What are some of the high-end home design trends you are seeing for 2026?

One of the biggest evolutions I’m seeing is what I’m going to coin 'hobbyist' homes. If people have the money and space they’re integrating the activities they love the most into where they live. Think VR areas, climbing walls, car collections, art studios, mini casino rooms, music or DJ rooms – I visited a home the other day that had a BMX pump track for adults.

Wellness is no longer an add-on, it’s becoming part of the blueprint, with dedicated spa-style bathrooms, meditation zones, and infrared saunas. Offices are now dual-purpose with areas for work calls, sample libraries, or even a quiet reading nook. The chef’s kitchen continues to evolve, but now it’s often paired with a scullery with secondary appliances. Essentially, high-end homes are being designed like boutique hotels, with thought given to how people live, host, and restore.

What about tones, colours, textures and materials?

Next year will be all about depth and tactility. Earth, chocolate, mocha, and coffee-inspired tones are still rising, but we’re seeing them layered with chalky plaster whites, muted olives, and mineral blues. Texture is everything, from heavily brushed timber and honed stone to bouclé, mohair, and silk blends. Metals are warming up again, too, with bronze and antique brass edging out the cooler silvers.

Do you prefer minimalist or maximalist?

I’m a mix of both, shall we say Maxi-min? Minimax? If an interior is minimalist, it needs to have a lot of texture and earthiness for me to enjoy it. I love the drama and richness of maximalism but prefer to use a refined version of it. I’d call it considered layering: enough space for your eye to rest, but with carefully chosen details, textures, and moments of personality that make the space feel luxurious.

How do you choose an interior space’s colour palette – instinct, trend, or context?

Context first. The location, the architecture, the natural light – they all lead the palette. I like to play detective and look at my client’s lifestyle, their wardrobe, their belongings, where they like to eat and travel – lots of clues from this exploration are what often inspire the palette I choose. Instinct plays a big role too; you can sense when a colour feels “right” for a space. Trends are interesting, but I use them as seasoning rather than the main dish.

What’s your stance on mixing eras, styles, or cultural influences?

Absolutely yes. That’s what gives a home its soul. A Georgian table under a contemporary pendant, or a sculptural African vessel against a minimalist plaster wall – it’s the friction that makes spaces memorable.

And usually there is often more than one person living in a home, so you are already working with different style preferences, belongings and opinions. The trick is to connect them through tone, material, or proportion so the story feels cohesive rather than chaotic.

What’s the best way to brighten a white wall; wallpaper vs paint, colour vs texture?

Texture is my go-to. Limewash, plaster, stone or timber panelling will always give more soul than a flat white wall. Wallpaper can be brilliant too, even subtle grasscloth adds a warmth and depth you can’t get from colour alone.

What’s one underrated material or technique you think deserves more attention?

Layered lighting. We still often use too many downlights then occasionally put a candle on. Using a combination of thoughtfully placed downlights, pendants, wall lights and candle or fire light creates the most special atmosphere.

What’s your dream project?

I have always had a dream of creating a series of four projects that celebrate New Zealand’s natural beauty across its different terrains. I’d love to create an alpine mountain cabin, a bush hut, a coastal retreat and a rural farm getaway inspired by the nostalgic bach versions of these you used to come across as kids, but with a modern twist.

What’s one design rule you always break?

“Less is more.” Sometimes, more is more. If a space calls for shelving to fill a library room with books, or a wall filled edge-to-edge with art, then why not? It’s about knowing when to hold back and when to lean in. The joy of a home is having it tell your story.

You’re about to embark on the huge undertaking of rebuilding your own home. Can you tell us about some of the interior style?

We have been wanting and needing to renovate for five years. I’m creating an interior inspired by a movement called Quiet Luxury. For me, that means spaces that feel elevated but not shouty, quality materials, custom details, natural textures, and lots of attention to little details that support everyday life. It also translates to investment design – timeless spaces that age gracefully, rather than needing to be ripped out in 10 years. It’s going to have European influence in terms of wall panelling, wall lighting, layered materials, and skirtings, scotias, chevron flooring and built-in cabinetry detailing, but a NZ influence in terms of colour palette and materials.

What’s trending in furniture design for 2026?

Great design is timeless, but I do think that we are going to see a lot more natural materials like marble and alabaster being used in both furniture and interior furnishings, natural timbers being finished in very raw/natural ways along with unique metal knurling details being used in furniture and lighting designs.

What are some of your favourite materials to work with right now?

I am working a lot with different metal finishes in our designs and using beautiful, luxurious velvets in our upholstered products. Nubuck leathers I am also using a lot for its pure, natural feel. Natural stone is also a favourite too – in particular marble and alabaster for its translucent effects.

How do you find inspiration for your designs?

I love antiques – they are authentic and feature some very intricate detailing, reminiscent of the time – but modern pieces have character when some of these details are used. I also love architecture and fashion, both of which show great form, function and layers.

What are some of the standout pieces of your new collection?

We have some very cool pieces that we released this year, in particular the RIVA sideboard which features a very intricate parquet pattern I designed. When viewed at different angles, different patterns are formed. Also newly introduced is the MODENA sideboard which features a bold, fluted design on the door fronts, a classic signature of ours.