We are thrilled to announce that we are joining forces with The Design Depot, an interiors brand with showrooms in Hamilton and Mount Maunganui. The recent acquisition of The Design Depot by McKenzie & Willis represents an exciting time for both companies as we work together to bring ‘everything interiors’ to all of New Zealand.
The Design Depot and McKenzie & Willis have enjoyed a long-standing relationship built on mutual support, shared business ethos, and aligned goals. Over the years, The Design Depot has been a trusted friend of McKenzie & Willis, starting with founder Raylene Marsh and later daughters, Larisa & Kylie. They have joined our team on buying trips and worked with us to bring leading international interior brands to the New Zealand market such as Furninova of Sweden. Creative Manager for The Design Depot, Kylie Keene recalls when she first met McKenzie & Willis General Manager Bill Willis, ‘I was first introduced to Bill many years ago on a buying trip and instantly knew our business aspirations and values aligned. We have been supporters of each other’s business ever since.’ Bill Willis agrees, ‘We’ve enjoyed watching The Design Depot’s growth over the years and long admired their brand. We can see some great similarities between our two businesses and are looking forward to working alongside them.’
Like McKenzie & Willis, The Design Depot is a family business dedicated to creating beautiful interiors with excellent personalised service to match. It was started by Raylene Marsh in 2011 who at the time was running a successful home staging business. Her clients loved the styling so much that she was often fielding requests to purchase the items themselves, sparking the idea for The Design Depot. After the successful launch of her Hamilton store, a Mount Maunganui showroom quickly followed.
Following Raylene’s passing in 2016, daughters Larisa & Kylie took over the reins, remaining committed to her vision. In parallel with McKenzie & Willis aims, their ambition is to create inspiring interiors that reflect their customers’ personalities and lifestyles. Kylie sums up their business with the philosophy they live by, ‘We are driven to helping you love the space you live in.’
The new joint venture will see both businesses continuing to provide everything you’ve come to love- a beautiful product range, the best design advice, expert knowledge and of course exceptional customer service from our friendly teams. Where each business differs, it will only strengthen what each offers, with more services and product ranges available. Bill sees the two businesses coming together as an exciting development, ‘We are delighted to see The Design Depot and their team come on board. It signals an exciting new chapter, allowing us to provide an even greater interiors offering nationwide.’ Likewise Kylie is thrilled by the change ‘We are really looking forward to see how this will take our business to the next level. We have lots of dreams & aspirations and being a part of the McKenzie & Willis family will help us achieve those.’
The immediate future will see The Design Depot continue under the same branding, with an exciting relaunch to bring the new stores under the one McKenzie & Willis brand, planned for the coming year. Watch this space for news and updates!