Little & Fox

Some retailers sell furniture. Little & Fox sell the rooms it lives in — a Hawke's Bay studio where upholstery, fabric, and considered design come together to help people make homes that feel unmistakably their own.

01 · The Beginning How Little & Fox came to be

Little & Fox began in 2013 from a genuine love of creating beautiful spaces and working with my hands. What started in upholstery quickly grew into something much bigger, as people began coming to us not just for custom pieces, but for help with fabrics, furniture, curtains, styling, and full interiors.

I was lucky enough to learn under upholsterer Beau Hollyman, who taught me a real respect for craftsmanship and quality – something that still sits at the heart of the business today.

Little & Fox was built to feel inspiring but approachable – a place where thoughtful design, beautiful pieces, and creativity come together to help people create homes that truly feel like them.

02 · The Showroom Layered, lived in, and inspiring

Our showroom is curated to feel layered, lived in, and inspiring – never overly perfect or intimidating. We're drawn to spaces that balance warmth with refinement, mixing colour, texture, vintage influence, and thoughtful design in a way that feels personal and effortless.

At the heart of Little & Fox is the belief that a home should reflect the people living in it. We love pieces with personality, craftsmanship, and a sense of story – whether that's a custom piece made in our atelier, a bold fabric, or a small object that brings a space to life.

More than anything, we want people to walk into the showroom and feel inspired by the idea that good design can be both beautiful and deeply lived in.

"Good design can be both beautiful and deeply lived in."

Asha Payton · Founder

03 · Their Customer Who walks through the door

The people who walk through our doors are usually looking for something that feels more personal. They care about creating a home that reflects them, not just filling a space with furniture.

Some come to us with a clear vision, while others arrive overwhelmed and unsure where to begin. A big part of what we do is helping people bring everything together in a way that feels effortless, cohesive, and genuinely lived in.

People are drawn to Little & Fox because we offer more than just products – we offer guidance, creativity, and a very hands-on, thoughtful approach. Whether it's a full interior project, custom furniture, window furnishings, or simply finding the perfect finishing touch, we really care about helping people create spaces they love coming home to.

04 · The Shift What people really want from furniture right now

People are craving comfort and connection more than ever. Beyond aesthetics, they want their homes to feel grounding, personal, and somewhere they genuinely enjoy spending time.

We're seeing a shift away from fast furniture and trend-driven spaces, towards pieces that feel thoughtful, well made, and designed to last. There's a real focus on longevity outside of trends – choosing pieces people will still love and live with years from now. They want versatility, quality, and comfort, but they also want character. They're looking for homes that feel layered and lived in rather than overly styled or disposable.

There's also a growing appreciation for craftsmanship and customisation. People love being part of the process – choosing fabrics, finishes, and pieces that feel unique to them instead of something mass produced.

"Hawthorne furniture feels elevated without feeling untouchable. Beautiful pieces designed for real living."

On the Hawthorne pieces they stock

05 · On Hawthorne The pieces that resonate

Our customers are really drawn to the Hawthorne pieces that balance timeless design with comfort and versatility. The softer, more relaxed silhouettes tend to resonate most – pieces that feel refined but still inviting and easy to live with.

People consistently come back to collections that have a sense of longevity to them – designs that don't feel tied to a particular trend and can evolve naturally within a home over time. There's also a real appreciation for the craftsmanship and quality of the finishes, which gives the pieces a more grounded, lasting feel.

What people connect with most is that Hawthorne furniture feels elevated without feeling untouchable. Beautiful pieces that are designed for real living.

06 · Recognition When a customer encounters a Hawthorne piece

There's usually an immediate reaction to the comfort and quality of the pieces. People are naturally drawn to touch the fabrics, sit down, and really experience them properly – and that's often the moment the difference becomes obvious.

We notice people slowing down around Hawthorne furniture. They start imagining it in their homes, talking about how they would live with it, rather than just how it looks. There's a warmth and ease to the pieces that feels very inviting in person.

07 · Within the Curation How Hawthorne sits in the showroom

The Hawthorne pieces bring a sense of refinement and grounding to the showroom. They balance beautifully with the more layered, expressive elements we carry, allowing us to create spaces that feel warm, elevated, and genuinely lived in.

08 · Now Materials, palettes, and forms resonating with customers

Right now, people are really drawn to warmth and texture. We're seeing a strong shift toward earthy palettes – rich chocolates, moody plums, warm rusts, olives, and softer layered neutrals that make a space feel grounded and inviting.

There's also a growing love for tactile materials – linen, velvet, timber, marble, boucle, and natural textures that add depth and softness to a room. In terms of form, softer silhouettes and more relaxed, curved shapes are resonating strongly – pieces that feel comfortable, timeless, and easy to live with.

We're noticing customers becoming more confident with personality in their homes, whether that's through bold fabrics, statement lighting, wallpaper, or layered pattern. People still want their spaces to feel refined, but less overly polished and more expressive of who they are.

09 · Advice On buying for the long term

We always encourage people to buy for the way they live, not just for what's trending in the moment. The pieces that last are usually the ones that feel timeless, comfortable, and genuinely connected to your lifestyle.

We talk a lot about investing in quality materials, good craftsmanship, and silhouettes that have longevity outside of trends. Neutral foundations paired with more personal layers also tend to age beautifully – allowing a space to evolve naturally over time rather than needing to be completely redone.

10 · What Sets Them Apart Little & Fox's place in the design community

What makes Little & Fox different is the way we blend interior design, custom craftsmanship, and curated retail all in one space. People come to us not just to buy furniture or homeware, but because they want help creating a home that feels thoughtful, personal, and genuinely reflective of them.

There's a warmth and hands-on approach to what we do that feels quite personal. Whether someone is working on a full interior project or simply choosing a lampshade, we spend time helping them bring everything together in a way that feels cohesive and lived in.

We also fill a space between high-end design and approachability. The showroom feels inspiring and layered, but never intimidating. People know they can come in with an idea, or no idea at all, and we'll help guide them through the process in a way that feels creative, exciting, and achievable.

On The Greens' Floor Plan Pieces Specified

Eighteen Hawthorne pieces flow through the Greens' Warkworth home – a palette of khaki, oatmeal, walnut, caramel and moss, layered across living, dining, bedroom and gallery walls.

Living

• Lotus Slipcover Sofa, 3 Seater – Khaki · 6915
• Lotus Slipcover Sofa, 3 Seater – Oatmeal · 6277
• Lotus Slipcover Armchair – Khaki · 6914
• Lotus Ottoman – Khaki · 4198
• Ferguson Swivel Chair – Caramel · 14429
• Harris Accent Chair – Moss · 14312
• Max Swivel Chair – Moss · 14792

Dining

• Vaasa Oak Dining Table, 220cm – Walnut Brown · 14426
• Oslo Barstool – Walnut Brown · 14161
• Cooper Stackable Dining Chair × 5 – Brown Frame · Brown Leather · 12030

Bedroom & Storage

• Lunde High Dresser – Walnut Brown · 14405
• Kumo Bench with Storage – Oatmeal · 14512

Entry & Hallway

• Parq Mirror, Tall – Natural Oak · 8315
• Parq Stool, Round – Walnut · 14234

Art & Wall

• Rory – Hand Embellished Framed Canvas, 60×60cm · 14602
• Novie – Textured Surface Framed Canvas, 100×140cm · 14349
• Brume – Hand Embellished Framed Canvas, 100×140cm · 14358
• Ruel – Hand Embellished Framed Canvas, 100×140cm · 14818