BackCosentino C·Top Designers
Georgia Chappell
Interior Designer
“We constantly use Cosentino products, particularly Dekton for its resilience and low-maintenance features.”
For Georgia Langridge, design has always come naturally. Surrounded by her family’s creative flair for interiors and fashion, the Canterbury designer grew up with a love of beautiful spaces and thoughtful details. Studying design and arts in Christchurch felt like a natural next step, as did turning that passion into a career.
Georgia’s first project, a high-end show home for a reputable builder, became a defining moment. At just 24, she took on the challenge of the project and the success of that home helped her name spread quickly.
Now the founder and owner of Modi Design, Georgia is known for her client-focused approach and signature style that layers warmth, texture and nostalgia with a modern edge. Each space she creates is designed to be lived in, loved, and to stand the test of time.
Who have been your role models in interior design?
My role models are mostly people I know and are close to me. I come from a family of hardworking, kind people. My parents run a small business built on great service and reputation, and my husband is also a business owner who’s incredibly dedicated. They’re a constant source of inspiration. In the design world, I’m a big admirer of our Australian neighbours, especially Mim Design and Shona McElroy from Smac Studio. I listened to a podcast with Shona recently; she’s around my age and has achieved so much, and I find their work really inspiring and beautifully executed.
What is your favourite design period or style?
I love all periods and styles, depending on how much it’s dialled up and in what setting, but I will always have a fondness for ’70s architecture, fashion and cars.
How would you define your style?
Client-forward: we take time to understand the ergonomics, practicalities and way of living of our clients, and design in response to that. The visual outcome is different from project to project; however, there are common threads in our work. We want our style to exude warmth, texture and nostalgia, and we love layering old with new and bold with subtle.
What has been your biggest challenge so far and what has been your main learning experience?
Knowing when to take the leap and not knowing whether the risk will lead to reward or failure has been one of my biggest challenges. Opening our studio and showroom on Victoria Street was a huge risk, especially during an economic downturn. While others were closing their doors, I decided to open Modi Studio on a main city street. Even after eight years in business, it still felt like a big gamble in that financial climate. My main learning has been that you’re usually ready before you think you are to take the plunge. And communication is everything - the more you keep clients, suppliers and tradies updated, the more trust you build, and the smoother every project (and the business as a whole) runs.
Case Study: Kotare Avenue
For Kotare Avenue, I worked with a young couple renovating a townhouse in a central Auckland suburb, creating a refined yet practical home with soft coastal influences. Dekton Rem was specified for the kitchen back wall, downstairs bathroom vanity top and shower walls, as well as the laundry worktops with a subtle upstand. Its natural veining and soft tone bring cohesion across wet areas, adding visual depth while ensuring longevity and easy maintenance. Dekton Arga features on the kitchen island and upstairs vanity, mitred to 50mm and finished with a striking 120mm end detail. The polished surface adds a luxurious focal point that ties together the home’s layered textures and warm, understated palette. A perfect reflection of our signature style of timeless design with a lived-in feel.
How different is the way we live in our homes in recent times?
I think the way we live in our homes is still quite similar, but we’re starting to expect more from our spaces, making the most of every area. We’re seeing more home bars, makeup stations integrated into wardrobes, and multi-functional spaces that can double as large home offices.
What materials do you think will set the trend?
Timber and stone are leading the way - it’s starting in the kitchen with curves, benchtop shadow-gap details and panel profile designs, and it’s continuing to flow throughout the entire home. I think we’re finally entering a really exciting era where craftsmanship and detailed, handcrafted artisanal pieces are being celebrated once again, including future heirloom pieces that embrace natural materials rather than painting timber over in stark white. It’s about celebrating nature and its unique characteristics.
How important is sustainability in your projects?
We’re very conscious of sustainability. We look at our clients’ existing furniture and consider how it can be given a new lease on life or a new purpose. When cabinetry is being replaced, we make sure the joinery is removed carefully so it can be sold or repurposed. We also design with solid, resilient materials that are built to last, creating practical, future-proof pieces that can become modern heirlooms.
What will be your next project?
My husband and I are selling the home we live in, so I am excited to go through the process of looking for a new home and renovating it.
"We've been increasingly specifying Sensa and Silestone for our projects. Their bold, distinct colours and veining are often the springboard for our interior palette."
Georgia Chappell
Interior Designer
