Behind Kayu — Meet Angela Gray

Behind Kayu is a series where we introduce the people who shape our studio — the makers, designers, and team members whose care and expertise bring each piece to life.

In this instalment, we sit down with Angela Gray, our new Trade Manager, who joins us after years running her own interior design studio. Angela's firsthand experience navigating the realities of a design business, from client relationships to sourcing, brings a depth of understanding that's rare in this industry. With her on the team, we're looking forward to offering design professionals an even more considered, reliable partnership, grounded in genuine collaboration and trust.

You spent years running your own interior design business before joining Kayu — what made you want to step back into working alongside a team?

Running my own interior design studio taught me so much about a business, not just about design, but about every part of a project, from client relationships through to the practical realities of sourcing and trade. What I found myself missing though, was the collaboration. When you're running your own business, so much of the decision-making sits with you alone, and I really valued the idea of being part of a team again, collaborating with others, learning from different perspectives, and being part of something bigger than just my own client base. Joining Kayu Studio felt like a natural next step, because it let me bring everything I'd learned as a designer into a role where I could support other designers. There's something really rewarding about being on the other side of that relationship now and understanding exactly what a designer needs because I've been in their position myself, and being able to genuinely add value to their projects rather than just supplying products.

When an architect or designer comes to you with a brief, what's the first thing you're trying to understand about them and their project?

The first thing I'm trying to understand is the story behind the space, not just the practical specs. That immediately shapes the direction on timber tone, texture, and finish. I want to understand the overall concept, it has to work in conversation with everything around it. Also whether there's flexibility for custom work or if we're working within our initial range. Having been an interior designer myself, I know how much of the brief is still open for interpretation, the designer already has a very clear picture for their clients, two design heads are mostly better than one!

How has running your own business changed the way you work with trade clients now?

Having run my own business gave me a real appreciation for what's happening on the other side of every trade relationship, the time pressure, the client expectations and how costly it is when something doesn't go to plan. I know what it feels like to be waiting on a supplier, chasing a sample, or trying to make a decision, because I've been that designer. So now, when I'm working with trade clients, I try to be the kind of trade partner I always wanted when I was running my own design studio, upfront about lead times and limitations, and genuinely invested in getting the outcome right rather than just processing an order. 

What is it about Kayu's approach to a product that made sense to you, coming from an independent design background?

I was always drawn to products that felt considered rather than mass-produced, pieces with genuine character, where each piece is handmade and tells its own unique story.  Rather than trying to force timber into perfect uniformity, and an understanding that natural variation is part of the appeal, not a flaw to be engineered out. That resonated with everything I valued as a designer. I was always trying to bring warmth and authenticity into a space. Kayu's close relationships with makers, and the level of care that goes into sourcing and finishing, meant I could trust the product. It made the transition from specifying a product as a designer to representing it as a trade partner felt like a very natural extension of the same values.

Is there a piece or collection in the Kayu range you find yourself recommending to designers again and again — and why?

If I had to choose just one, it would be the Lounge Collection, specifically the Benny Sectional Sofa. It's timeless, the kind of piece that won't date with trend movement, so designers can specify it with confidence. I love the neutral fabric paired with the flange detail it gives just enough character to feel considered without overpowering the rest of the palette. It's an easy recommendation because it works quietly and consistently across so many different spaces. 

Are there any upcoming pieces or collections you're especially excited about?

I'm really excited about the Jasper Collection and the new glass door range at the moment. What draws me to it is the reeded glass doors, there's a real softness to the way the glass diffuses light and gently obscures what sits behind it, which adds a lovely sense of intrigue rather than putting everything on display. It's a piece that feels genuinely timeless, it has the versatility to sit within so many different spaces and styles.  

If you're a design professional interested in learning more about our trade programme, we'd love to hear from you. Sign up here or reach out to Angela directly at trade@kayustudio.co.nz.