A store within a store

McKenzie & Willis have formed a partnership with fellow local brand Belle Interiors, who bring their beautiful furniture collection and design service into the renowned home styling hub.

The McKenzie & Willis showroom on Blenheim Road, with its lofty double-height gabled ceiling, is reminiscent of an art gallery. The black steel and dark wooden beams are flooded with light through the glass walls. Warm shades of terracotta upholstery and soft furnishings stand out like paintings, inviting you to linger. 

The double doors immediately bring you into the Belle Interiors space. Previously housed in their store on Victoria Street, Belle’s furniture collection is very much at home with the McKenzie & Willis design aesthetic and dedication to quality.  

Colin Foggo, director of Belle Interiors, says, “We are still running as a separate and distinct offering under the McKenzie & Willis roof as a ‘store within a store’ concept. The service, quality and expert interior advice we are renowned for remain unchanged.”

Taking a step back from the retail side of his business was part of the plan for Colin, who was keen to focus more on the design aspect of Belle Interiors. This luxurious collection was designed with his son Cameron. Their attention to detail with every piece, coupled with years of experience with the finest materials, makes for a considered combination of design, comfort and quality made to last.

“Take our sofas for example,” says Colin. “Considering the quality and longevity of the materials we utilise and the construction methods we use, you won’t find a high-end European sofa that would be any better in terms of quality.”

While their beautiful range of fabrics is imported from Europe, Colin is a proud supporter of New Zealand made and local design. 

HARMONIOUS DESIGN Belle Interiors director Colin Foggo (left), and Tim Willis from McKenzie & Willis enjoy the comfort of the sofas from the new collection.

A partnership with McKenzie & Willis seemed like a natural choice for Belle Interiors. Having already worked together for many years, McKenzie & Willis and Belle Interiors believe this is a real win for both businesses and their customers. Colin says, “We have very similar stories and excellent reputations in the market.”

McKenzie & Willis general manager Bill Willis was thrilled with the move by Belle Interiors, saying, “It’s an exciting development which sees two great interior brands coming together. Colin is a leader in the interiors and design field and our team is delighted to have Belle onboard. The knowledge and expertise Colin and his team bring to the McKenzie & Willis space strengthen our product range, interior design service and further establishes our showroom as a one-stop shop for everything interiors.”

SHOWROOM STYLE These two brands under one roof have made this showroom a go-to destination for everything interiors.

Bill adds, “We are excited to be able to offer the incredible Belle Interiors furniture collection in all our showrooms throughout the South Island and Wellington.”

Belle Interiors has established a strong reputation for their beautiful products manufactured in Christchurch and distributed nationally and internationally. Colin says, “Our own quality manufacturers handcraft our pieces in a range of standard sizes, or they can be custom made to suit your requirements. Our emphasis is on providing extremely comfortable, high-quality pieces, using only the best durable materials and paying attention to the finer details.”

While the Christchurch showroom has been completed, there is still an area in the impressive building reserved for a café. Bill is on the lookout for a great café partner who will surely add to the already sumptuous shopping experience.

To see the new Belle Interiors collection, visit the new McKenzie & Willis showroom at 181 Blenheim Road in Christchurch. The collection is also available at McKenzie & Willis in Timaru, Dunedin, Queenstown, Wanaka and Wellington. 

03 341 3380  |  mckenzieandwillis.co.nz