about us
With over 25 years’ cabinet-making experience working with wood and composites, including 13 years working on the intricacies and detailing of super yachts in Europe, Rhys is indeed a true craftsman when it comes to designing and building new spaces for your home.
His expertise working on boats in Europe led him to become part of Grand Prix yacht racing teams for The Vendee Globe, Round the World, America’s Cup, and The Jules Verne campaigns.
On two separate occasions, Rhys also had the privilege of being invited to work alongside world-renowned furniture designer, Joseph Walsh, in his studio in Kinsale, Ireland.
Now settled back into Kiwi living with his wife, Jo, and their two young daughters, they run Love Kitchens in a purpose-built workshop from their rural property in Waimauku on Auckland’s West Coast.
After making their own bespoke kitchen with a wrap-around end-grain plywood waterfall bench top, they decided to extend their newfound love for kitchens and build themselves an outdoor kitchen with a wood-fired pizza oven.
They discovered a new passion for the possibilities of indoor and outdoor cooking and living experiences. Having two different yet beautiful and functional kitchen spaces to connect with family and friends, one inside and cosy, the other outside in nature, under the stars with an open fire, the cooking and entertaining options were endless.
And then they thought about how they could offer the same experience to other Kiwi families.
Now, from their family-run Love Kitchens workshop, they design and handcraft indoor and outdoor kitchens and furniture pieces to the highest quality and finest detail.
“It’s our passion to deliver our clients their dream one-of-a-kind kitchen that connects their family together, brings enjoyment, and makes lasting memories. We pride ourselves on using quality materials and delivering creative space-saving designs. We love and appreciate wood in all its forms and enjoy the process of furniture making and creating those special and remarkable pieces that last the test of time.
“We look forward to meeting with you to discuss your dream kitchen!” – Rhys and Jo
our team
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Rhys is a trained boatbuilder and cabinetmaker with over 25 years’ experience working in the yachting industry, including 12 years crafting superyacht interiors in France and Italy.
During this time in Europe, he moved into specialising in carbon fibre composites, helping build America's Cup boats in Spain.
In 2012 he became part of the shore team of the multi-hull yacht, Banque Populaire V, which smashed the then Jules Verne Trophy record, completing the fastest circumnavigation of the world in just 45 days!
His time in Europe also saw him working alongside renowned furniture designer, Joseph Walsh, in Kinsale, Ireland; an absolute artist in fine furniture detailing and conceptual design. He was lucky enough to experience this not once, but twice – a testament to Rhys’s own skill and craftsmanship.
After returning to NZ with his wife, Jo, and two daughters, he now runs Love Kitchens, applying his specialist knowledge to designing and building extremely high-end, quality kitchens. The skills he learned in a career of boat building, fine cabinetry and furniture detailing, along with a deep understanding of working with different types of materials that can withstand the harshest environments, is the perfect combination for crafting outdoor and indoor kitchens.
Rhys Mellor
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Jo Knows kitchens. It has been her life for so long now, she has developed an amazing eye for style and colours.
Jo, a trained nurse, works part-time at the local General Practice, but is never far away from the Love Kitchens workshop, keeping a close eye on operations, and organising and scheduling projects for the team.
Friday Afternoons are always a bit of a treat for the boys as Jo’s Famous and very vibrant Grazing Platters and refreshments make their way down to the workshop… with absolutely zero complaints from the men – thanks Jo!