A standout project in the heart of Hawke’s Bay has just earned international attention, and it all started with a vision for a cosy, inviting corner inside a local cocktail bar. The custom curved booth seating at Mix’d Cocktail Bar in Ahuriri, designed and built by Simkin Construction and upholstered by Douglas Outdoor & Textile Innovation, has been awarded an International Award of Excellence by the Advanced Textiles Association (ATA) in the United States.
Presented at the 2025 International Achievement Awards, the project sits among the world’s best in speciality textiles, commercial interiors, and technical fabrication. For a Napier bar to be celebrated on this stage is a milestone achievement for the region’s design and build community – and a proud moment for the teams behind it.
A Hawke’s Bay Idea Brought to Life
The curved booth seating at Mix’d didn’t begin as an award entry; it started as an idea between siblings Olivia and Gus Simkin. They wanted to create something soft, intimate, and refined for customers looking for an alternative to bar leaners. The design needed to look beautiful but also stand up to the pace of a busy cocktail bar.
Early in the process, Olivia connected with Adam Greville, Co-owner and Production Manager at Douglas Innovation, to help bring the concept into reality.
“I basically went to Adam with a whole folder of photos and said this is what I want, can you make it happen?” Olivia recalls. “We kept in communication with him through the whole design and build of it, and when we had the structure ready to go, we handed it over to Adam and the Douglas team to take care of designing and fabricating the upholstery to fit.”
While Gus and the Simkin Construction team shaped the plywood structure, they worked closely with Adam to ensure everything was designed for seamless upholstery. Once the frame was ready, the Douglas team crafted 98 individual bolsters and custom curved squabs in Macrosuede ‘Spruce’, paired with high-resilience commercial-grade foam for long-lasting comfort.
The end result? A beautifully curved, richly textured seating nook that has become a signature feature of Mix’d.
A Project Born in Hawke’s Bay
After taking home the national ATANZ Award for Excellence in Commercial Upholstery earlier in the year, Douglas Innovation entered the project into the international awards and the judges agreed it was something special.
Adam says the win reflects not only the quality of the project, but the capability of the region as a whole:
“This award really celebrates the level of skill we have cultivated here in Hawke’s Bay. We’re grateful to Mix’d and Simkin Construction for bringing us into the project – their vision for the space pushed us to bring international-grade methods and detailing to a local venue. It’s proof that world-class craftsmanship can come out of Hastings and Napier.”
Douglas continues to support commercial spaces across the Bay, combining bespoke upholstery with its expertise in outdoor structures – from louvre roofs to retractable systems – for wineries, bars, restaurants and community venues.
Designed for Comfort, Connection and Character
For Olivia, the seating area was all about creating a welcoming, relaxed spot that still felt elevated, something customers would naturally gravitate toward.
“The concept for Mix’d’s seating came from wanting a soft and cosy lower seating option for customers that don’t want to sit on bar leaners,” she says. Working alongside Douglas throughout the refinement process, the team shaped a space that now draws regular compliments.
Located on Ahuriri’s beachfront, Mix’d has quickly become a go-to destination for its inventive cocktails and relaxed dining. The booth seating, now an international award-winner, is a favourite for small groups, date nights and anyone looking for a comfortable, tucked-away place to unwind.
“The booth seating is a real feature and a photography sweet-spot for visitors,” says Olivia. “It defines the space – it’s comfortable, durable, and it gives the intimate dining area its character. We love how it’s become a place where people settle in and enjoy a cosy cocktail in an easy flow, small group style. And now to have won an international award for it is so special.”
See More of the Mix’d Transformation
Explore the full “roof-to-booth” story – including the custom retractable roof and architectural detailing – on our project page.
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Get in touch with our team to talk custom upholstery, retractable roofs, or your next creative fit-out.
