For designer Kai Tolhurst, home is more than just a backdrop to daily life — it’s where form meets feeling. A space where thoughtful details, warm materials, and personal touches come together to create comfort and connection.

When it came time for Kai to choose a sofa bed — a piece that would anchor their family’s living space and adapt to its rhythms — the decision wasn’t made lightly. Enter the Slideaway Sofa Bed. With its clever functionality and timeless design, it quickly became a piece that didn’t just fit into the room — it elevated it.

Designed for real life, the Slideaway offers more than good looks. We spoke with Kai to learn how it’s reshaped not just their living space, but how their family connects within it.

A Designer’s Perspective: Q&A with Kai Tolhurst

What’s one way the Slideaway Sofa Bed has transformed your room or routine?

It’s really become the centrepiece of our home. Having a comfortable space the whole family can gather has completely changed how we use the room. Most days we have it slid out and use it as a daybed; it’s perfect for playtime with our daughter or just lounging together. Visually, it doesn’t feel like a big shift whether it’s in or out, which makes that flexibility even more valuable.

How do the natural colours of the Slideaway make your home feel different?

Our home has a lot of timber and off-whites, so the tones of the wood and covers blend in beautifully. It sits so well in the space and feels like a natural extension of the space. Having spaces that feel cohesive is something we always aim for when designing a room.

Why is investing in sustainable furniture like the Slideaway important to you?

As much as possible, and especially for our bigger pieces, we like to take time to decide on things to invest in that we’ll be able to love and utilise for years and years. We think back to the pieces our grandparents would have, being fixtures in our childhood, likely being in use for decades before we even came along. To a large extent we aren't seeing that anymore and It's definitely something we want to be taking forward, though.

What is the one key feature of Eva’s furniture that you think is top of the list?

It’s so hard to choose just one, but for us, the versatility of the Slideaway is a standout. We’ve found ourselves using it mostly as a daybed; it’s so easy to go from a classic sofa to a space you can stretch out on in under a minute. Oh, and with a toddler, the option to remove and wash the covers super easily is pivotal!

Designed for real life, in every sense

What sets the Slideaway apart from other sofa beds — and why it resonates so strongly with people like Kai — isn’t just its clever engineering or minimalist form. It’s that it’s designed with real life at its heart.

Homes in Aotearoa are places of warmth, gathering, and resilience. We want our spaces to reflect who we are — and we want our furniture to work hard for us. The Slideaway does exactly that. Whether it’s a family movie night, a surprise overnight guest, or simply a lazy Sunday with a book, it shifts and adapts without fuss.

For Kai, it answered several design dilemmas at once: How do you create a space that invites connection without clutter? How do you balance aesthetics with everyday practicality? How do you design for family life without sacrificing style?

The solution, it turns out, is a sofa bed that doesn’t feel like a compromise at all.

Colours that lets your space breathe

The Slideaway is crafted to work with your home — not compete with it. With its solid FSC-certified timber base and earthy upholstery options, it blends effortlessly into a range of New Zealand interiors. From contemporary apartments to sun-drenched family homes, it brings what designers call visual harmony — that elusive quality where a piece feels like it’s always belonged.

Sustainable design that lasts

For us — and for Kai — sustainability is about more than ticking a box. It’s about creating pieces that stand the test of time. Furniture you can repair, reconfigure, and truly live with for years to come.

The Slideaway is made with responsibly sourced materials, low-VOC finishes, and a focus on longevity. It’s furniture that’s designed for generations — not landfill.

What could the Slideaway do for your space?

For Kai, the Slideaway Sofa Bed isn’t just a design feature — it’s become part of daily life. A place for rest, play, connection, and comfort.

Whether you’re furnishing a compact city flat, refreshing a guest room, or creating a flexible space for a growing family, the Slideaway offers that rare balance of form, function, and feeling. Thoughtfully designed. Built to last. Ready for whatever life throws your way.

Explore the Slideaway Sofa Bed and see how it could transform your home.