About Michael Mansvelt

Michael Mansvelt Design is an award-winning design firm specialising in landscape, interior, and architectural projects, both across New Zealand and internationally. Founded by Michael Mansvelt, a designer of Māori (Te Arawa) and Dutch heritage, the firm is renowned for its ability to create beautiful, timeless spaces that blend sophistication with practical elegance. Mansvelt’s unique design aesthetic draws on time-honoured principles, yet applies them in fresh, innovative ways that breathe life into every project.

With over three decades of experience, Michael Mansvelt has cultivated a broad and loyal client base, working on a diverse range of projects that span from large country gardens and new home builds to urban interiors, cafés, and restaurants. His approach is grounded in the philosophy that true luxury can be found in everyday moments and spaces. By drawing inspiration from the natural beauty of Aotearoa’s diverse landscapes—lush gardens, pristine beaches, fertile farmlands, and vibrant cityscapes—Mansvelt integrates the outdoors seamlessly into his designs, creating spaces that are as functional as they are visually stunning.

His philosophy is captured in his book Everyday Opulence, which explores the idea that luxury is accessible to everyone, regardless of design budget or space constraints. In the book, Mansvelt offers practical tips and creative ideas for enhancing one’s environment, showing that elegance can be woven into the fabric of everyday life. He advocates for a design approach where opulence is not reserved for the extraordinary but can be integrated into the daily, transforming any space into a haven of comfort and sophistication.

Throughout his career, Mansvelt has garnered recognition not just for his design projects but also for his appearances on New Zealand television shows such as Mucking In and Back to Basics. His work has been featured in leading national publications, including NZ House & Garden, Stuff, Urbis, Your Home and Garden, and Trends. One of his most iconic projects, Te Arai Lodge, was showcased on Grand Designs New Zealand.

 Michael Mansvelt Design provides a comprehensive service, guiding clients from the initial concept phase through to plant and product selection, construction, and project management if required. Whether transforming a garden, reimagining an interior, or designing a home from the ground up, the team works closely with clients to bring their vision to life—always with an emphasis on creating spaces that inspire and endure.