Interior of a modern coffee shop with black walls, wooden tables, and stools. A woman with glasses and a striped shirt sits at a table. A man is seated near a large arched window, drinking coffee.

Built on good judgment. Made to last.

Two women sitting at a wooden table in a cozy café with exposed brick walls, one reading a book and the other looking at her phone. There are a laptop, books, a cup, and condiments on the table. A yellow ladder with flowers is in the background, and hanging basket-style lamps provide warm lighting.

I work on residential and commercial interiors where the decisions matter.
Layout, joinery, materials, and how it all performs over time.

Good decisions early. Fewer problems later.
Most interiors peak on install day. Mine start there.

I resolve interior planning, layout and joinery before the build starts — so the right decisions are made early, not fixed later.

Materials are chosen to improve with age.
Commercial spaces are designed to work under pressure.
Nothing goes in for show.

Nothing generic. Nothing trend-driven.

Built to last & yours alone.

Best suited to new builds, full renovations, and commercial projects where performance matters.
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Based in Ōtepoti, working across Central Otago

I work with

Clients who value substance over surface.
People who are decisive, curious, and willing to invest in getting it right.

Residential

For people building or reworking their homes properly.
Materials, proportion and longevity come first.
No rushed decisions.

Commercial

Hospitality, accommodation and workplace interiors built to last.
Interior design is treated as part of the investment — not something added at the end.

It shapes how a space performs once it’s up and running.
Good design makes things easier — during the build, and long after.

Procurement

This is where things either come together, or quietly fall apart.

I source pieces that are well made, considered, and right for the space — custom, vintage, or built properly.

A mix of old and new, with a focus on longevity.

Quality, provenance and restraint matter.

Interior of a coffee shop with hanging light fixtures, a barista working behind the counter, and shelves with cups and supplies.

Interior of a modern restaurant or cafe with hanging pendant lights, a staircase on the left, tables, and chairs near the entrance, with a large window and an illuminated exit sign.

A cozy restaurant interior with pendant lighting, a wooden table, a black tufted leather booth, a vase with pink flowers, and a blurred person sitting by large windows.

Riah McLean Design - Ōtepoti

Photography - Isabella Harrex