About me

I’m Nelléne, a designer, storyteller, and founder of Nelléne Interior & Surface Design Studio. This boutique practice specializes in creating interiors and surface patterns that come to life with soul and intention.

I specialise in bespoke interior design and hand-painted surface patterns for wallpaper and fabric, each piece a poetic fusion of artistry and intention. My work is designed for discerning clients and design professionals who value originality, emotional resonance, and the power of storytelling through space. Whether through private commissions or licensed collections, I offer a deeply personal approach to customisation, making every room not just beautiful, but unforgettable.

With a degree in Interior Architecture (2007) and 18 years of experience across residential and commercial design, I’ve shaped spaces on three continents, each one a reflection of the people who live, work, and dream within them.

In 2025, I became an Immersion Certified designer, expanding my practice to include bespoke pattern design for wallpaper, textiles, and home goods. This evolution allows me to craft not just spaces, but the surfaces that define them—tailored to your story, your palette, your purpose.

Beyond the studio, I’m a wife and mamma to a spirited pigeon pair. Our days are filled with art, beach walks, forest walks in Aotearoa’s native bush, and ocean kayaking with friends. Creativity is our family’s rhythm, and we love diving into passion projects that spark joy and connection.

At the heart of my work is a belief: that design should feel like coming home, to yourself, your values, and your vision.

What was the spark that led me from interior design to surface pattern design?

It happened in a moment I can still feel, surrounded by fabric and wallpaper samples in our showroom. Slowly turning pages while searching for inspiration for a customer. I was building a sample board, layering finishes and textures for an afternoon presentation.

But here's what I'd been keeping to myself: I wasn't just selecting these patterns. I was studying them like an artist, captivated by every brushstroke, every layout choice, every colour combination. For years, I'd felt this subtle, almost private knowing that I wasn't meant to simply choose patterns. I was meant to create them.

At the beginning of 2025, I finally listened to it. I committed to the Immersion 2025 Course, something I'd put off for five years, always finding a reason to wait. This time, I went all-in. And it's been the most rewarding investment I've ever made in myself.

Halfway through the course, the knowing became undeniable. I opened my design studio here in Auckland.

This is what I am meant to do.