Not Kansas Creative
Not Kansas Creative grew out of a love of ideas, spaces and the imagination it takes to solve the problems that sit between the two. The studio’s approach is creative, practical and grounded in how a project actually comes together.
Successful interiors need more than just a strong idea. They need clear planning, resolved details and decisions that hold together from the first layout through to installation. Our approach combines concept development, space planning, technical design, finishes, furniture and implementation support to create spaces that feel considered without losing sight of how they need to function.
We work across hospitality, commercial and residential interiors, with a focus on spaces where atmosphere, flow and detail matter.
Not Kansas Creative was founded by Cath Barnes, an interior designer with more than 25 years of experience across residential, hospitality and commercial interiors. Her work moves between the creative and the practical, developing ideas that can be carried through into real, buildable spaces.
She is drawn to interiors with a clear point of view, strong spatial thinking and enough imagination to make them memorable.
Cath holds a BTech in Interior Design, a Diploma in Project Management, and a Certificate in Graphic Design, bringing together creative depth, technical expertise, and strategic thinking in every project.
Why Not Kansas?
Stepping into somewhere unexpected, expressive and full of possibility is what sits behind the name Not Kansas Creative.
That idea shapes the way the studio approaches design. The aim is not to be different for the sake of it, but to create interiors with imagination, character and a clear point of view, while keeping them grounded in how they need to work in the real world.
“Cath transformed our outdated apartment into a bright, functional, and beautifully designed home. She took the time to properly understand what we wanted, brought thoughtful creative solutions, and managed the project with professionalism and care from start to finish. The end result exceeded all our expectations and we couldn’t be happier.”
GAVIN & BARBARA RICE
“Living overseas, I needed someone I could trust to manage the design locally, and Cath was exceptional. She brought thoughtful guidance, clear communication, and practical creativity to every step of the project, creating a space that feels modern, homely, and perfectly suited to my parents’ needs.”
ARLENE TWEEDIE