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Home»Archives for interior design

interior design

The magic of a stylist

11 September, 2015 by Living Edge

One of the most common questions we get asked is “What is the difference between an ‘Interior Designer’ and an ‘Interior Stylist’? This answer was elequently provided by Vanessa Colyer Tay for Inside Out Magazine. She said “Designers were scientists and Stylists were magicians”!

So with this in mind, here are some magical tips from our head stylist Lucy Miles.

What colours were popular in 2014 and what are your colour predictions for the year ahead?

In 2014 we saw a big emphasis on blues, yellows, lime green, pinks, rose gold…. A lot of zingy colours. They are still coming through this season but with a different tone; oranges are more burnt, blues are deeper. I think everything has softened slightly… Navy is still strong. Neutrals are taking on more texture with what they are made of – it was linen, now it’s hessian. A lot more emphasis on the finishings and trimmings. Woods are still strong – maple in more mid-century style pieces; Oaks and elms with a natural finish and organic texture – they are softer than industrial or rustic.

Having recently returned from an overseas buying trip, we saw next seasons ranges and colours. Pastels were very strong, with an almost ‘dusted’ effect. Khaki and soft olive greens… The flanged hem finish was a detail that continued to pop up as well.

And tartan. A lot of tartan.Screen Shot 2015-02-12 at 1.13.19 PM

Are there any key décor trends that you think we’ll see more of in 2015?

In 2015, we will continue to ride the Scandinavian train! It has been a popular trend for the last year or so in the shops and interiors and doesn’t look much like it is going anywhere. We have certainly put lot of time and effort into building up that area of our range as it is becoming a more requested look in staging – it has gone from the magazines to the homes of New Zealanders. Our customers are far more educated and aware of what trends are out there now a days. They have moved away from apartment-type furniture with mass-produced art and generic dressing – they want something a little different, special.

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Replica and iconic pieces will continue too but we are moving on a bit from just the DSW chairs, Tolix stools and Barcelona chairs. There is more Wegner, Larsen, Herman, Bertolli coming through.

Matching or eclectic? What’s the secret to successfully combining non-matching furniture?

Matching on eclectic depends on what, as a Stylist, you are trying to achieve within the space. You can match or mix across different elements, from keeping the hard furniture in the same range and bringing your ‘mix’ through in the soft furnishings and accessories or going all out mixed, but keeping the palette of colour the same. Over all, the ‘matched’ look will result in a more tailored look whereas mixing your products can allow for a more ‘collected’ or bohemian feel. By mixing your product, it does allow for greater opportunities too. Regardless of whether you are going to mix or match, every story needs a thread that will tie the whole look together at the end. A blend across all products used, through the furniture, upholstery, accessories and art. In saying that, there is nothing to say you could not go with super neutral and then through in a real statement item!

Are there any interior design elements that stand the test of time?

Interior design is as varied and seasonal as fashion – they run along side of each other. Concepts continue to carry on rather than specific elements; it’s like the old blue jeans, white shirt and blazer – the style may vary somewhat from time to time however the idea stays the same. Some concepts that we build on are:

  • Basic neutrals as your base
  • Monochrome – black and white will always work.
  • Traditional or classical style is one that is cemented through out interiors across the world, and is probably the most recognizable ‘style’ through it’s furnishings – rolled arm, deep button etc.
  • Similarly iconic styles as well – Cape cod, retro, gothic…. these are very clearly defined looks.
  • ‘Tricks of the trade’ continue to be used as well – mirrors for added light or space, bigger pieces in smaller spaces etc

Auckland has a variety of different housing styles – Villas, Bungalows, 60’s and 70’s houses, art deco, modern, apartments, etc. Do you approach each style differently? Are there any styles that are easier or harder to decorate?

Auckland has the luxury of having such a wide variety of property types which, for a Stylist or Home Stager, allows us to constantly hone in on our skills and ability to produce the appropriate ‘look’. Every home that we stage is approached individually. There is no ‘pre-determined’ package that is installed into a property that a vendor has brought to us to be staged. Properties are as individual as it’s owner and future-owner. We take into consideration the style of home, the owners style, the target demographic that the agent is aiming for. We are conscious that each property has it’s own set of needs and requirements. It is about doing what is best for that property.

Some times you may happen across a property that is right up your alley, which is always really fun and rewarding to dress, or a style that you have been dying to work on. On other occasions you may be completely dumb-founded at the beginning of the creative process but walk away from the completed job with such satisfaction – being creatively stretched by an ‘odd’ space can really make you feel as though you have conquered a mountain!

What’s the first thing you think about when you arrive at a home that you’re going to stage?

The leading factors to consider when walking into a property for staging are:

  • What is the surrounding area like? Dressing a property in Ponsonby requires a totally different approach to dressing one in Remuera.
  • What is the owner or agent like? How do they dress, or talk? What is their circumstance? You can gain great insight of how to approach the property from understanding your customer and nurturing the relationship you are building with them.
  • What will be the ‘makers & breakers’? With staging, you don’t have the option of shopping specifically, or an endless supply of custom product as perhaps an independent Interior Designer might. However, we do have an exceptionally large and varied catalogue of product that has been collected over the years and continues to grow. We know our products and ranges inside-out, which helps with determining exactly what you need to achieve the desired look; I know I need the Kansas buffet or the Kelly Hoppen chair, the antique butcher block…. the key pieces. We can supply statement items that will take the staging from average to WOW!

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Are there any big no-no’s when it comes to staging a house for sale?

The biggest no-no would be to completely disregard the requirements of the property in lieu of your own – we are not here to impose our own personal style. As a Stylist you need to be sympathetic to the properties personality, style, weaknesses and strengths.

If you had one decorating tip or secret that you’re willing to share, what would it be?

There are few ‘tips’ that we use on a daily basis, but none of them are particularly secret…

  • Go with your gut. Nine times out of ten, your first thought is what you should run with.
  • It may be cliché, but as Chanel said, take one accessory off before leaving the house! It is easy to ‘over dress’ a property. We are past the stuffy look of times gone by with flowers in every vessel, items on every surface, 12 cushions squished onto a 3 seater and 19 candles spread out in only one room. Think about what and how you are using it – place things with consideration.
  • Read magazines. Get on the internet. Look at your colleagues work. Go to the interior shops in your area… What are people exposed to? What’s the current trend? Get inspiration from as many avenues as possible.

And when all else fails – call a stylist 🙂

Author: Lucy Miles Head Stylist Living Edge Interiors

Lucy

 

 

 

Filed Under: Home Staging Tips, Interior Design Tagged With: interior design, interior stylist, interior trends, interiors

Bedroom Bliss

13 February, 2015 by Living Edge

Colour introduces character, quality, and ambiance to any area and the bedroom is no exception. Brighten your bedroom with fresh colour to give it a décor boost. Below are 22 bedroom colour schemes that will sooth, uplift, and give your bedroom added style.

1. Chocolate, gray, teal bedroom color scheme
Dark colours won’t necessarily make a room smaller. This colour scheme creates a dark, moody, sensual ambiance.

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2. Mustard, black, cream and gray
This unique colour scheme can be used in a number of combinations. For example, one bedroom wall can include all four hues in stripes or huge circles.

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3. Navy with coral
These two colours balance out each other and will give your bedroom a chic, stylish tone.

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4. Gray with white
This classic combo would look great in stripes on one wall or throughout the room.

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5. Gray, cream and purple
The most versatile shade in this group is purple. Purple can be lavender, plum, mauve, or lilac.Screen Shot 2015-02-13 at 12.20.13 PM

6. Gray, white, and tan
This somewhat muted, neutral colour combination is ideal for bedrooms with casual, classic décor.

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7. Pastel hues
A pastel colour scheme is soothing and creates a restful, tranquil ambiance in any bedroom.

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8. Mustard with purple
This bright colour bedroom scheme is not for the fainthearted. It works best in accent pieces like pillows, throws, and area rug. It’s great for a kids’ room too.

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9. Indigo with white
Indigo is a mystifying hue. It works beautifully with white but is best used as the accent color. However, if you can stand dark walls, paint your bedroom walls in indigo and wrap your bed in indigo/white linens.

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10. Black with white
No two colours are as famous together as black and white. If you love timeless decor, this is the color scheme to use.

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11. Black white and yellow-lime
Black and white on its own is classic. Adding a yellow-lime hue creates an art deco feel. If you want your bedroom to look posh, choose this colour combination.

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12. Dark gray with brown
Tempered with decorative linen or the right wall decorations, this bedroom colour scheme can be easily brightened up. Image: alise o’brien photography

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13. Gray with orange
Orange completely dominates grey in any colour scheme. light grey walls with grey and orange linen and other accents looks fantastic.

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14. Red, pink and gray
This romantic colour scheme creates a sensual ambiance.

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15. Turquoise with purple
This combination look fab. Why not give it a go?

Screen Shot 2015-02-13 at 12.21.55 PM

16. White sand with silver
A beautiful combination that works wonderfully as a bedroom scheme for an older or younger couple.

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17. Gray, black, white and yellow
All of these colours work well together or in combination of two. For example, gray and black works well together, and so does white and yellow.

Screen Shot 2015-02-13 at 12.22.15 PM

18. Tiffany blue, black and white
This luscious colour scheme is as chic as it gets with a bit of sophistication thrown in as well.

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19. White, gold and beige
A perfect bedroom colour scheme that is majestic and elegant. Works great as a guest room colour combo.

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20. Black, brown, white and green
If you own a beach house or a log-cabin styled home, this combination would be splendid as a bedroom colour scheme.

This master bedroom—designed by graduate student George Marrone for the Better Homes and Gardens Home Improvement Challenge contest.

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21. White bedroom with pops of aqua, fushcia and lime
A bright, welcoming fun colour combination. It’s great for a beach house or kids’ bedroom.

Screen Shot 2015-02-13 at 12.22.51 PM

22. Yellow with orange
I love this colour scheme for bedroom. There’s something inherently happy about the combination of orange and yellow. Image: ‘Titian’ Quilt

Screen Shot 2015-02-13 at 12.23.01 PM

Source: decoholic

Filed Under: Bedrooms, Interior Design Tagged With: bedroom design, interior design

Change of Ownership

1 August, 2014 by Living Edge

Living Edge Interiors has exciting news to share! It is official!  Effective from the 1 August 2014 the ownership of Living Edge Interiors has changed from Furniture Solutions Ltd to General Manager Sharon Laffan.  Sharon will own the business as Living Edge Showhomes Ltd trading as Living Edge Interiors.

Sharon has been with Living Edge Interiors for ten years, the last two years as General Manager with the sad passing of owner and Managing Director Mac Cheyne on September 2012. Since that time Sharon has energetically and strategically lead the company through a major restructure and repositioning of the show home business.

“I have been with the business for over 10 years, the last two and half years have reinforced my view that this is a great business and I am confident that we will continue to succeed, as the Auckland housing market continues to expand.  More importantly it is well supported and serviced by a talented and dedicated team.  We will continue to focus primarily on providing Showhomes of excellence to the greater Auckland area.”

Sharon will continue to lead the business on a day to day basis.  All staff will continue in their current positions, to ensure a smooth transition.

Sharon’s passion for the business has been clearly evident over the past 10 years and we can only expect that to grow even more!  And what of the future?  A continuation of innovative practices, more strategic partnerships, exciting new products and of course more Showhomes of excellence.

We hope you join us for the next chapter.

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Living Edge News Tagged With: Change of ownership, home staging, interior design, interior design trends, living Edge

Escape the rush

24 April, 2014 by Living Edge

For the owners of this new home close to the seaside, every day feels like a holiday

While some of us love the buzz of inner city living, many others are attracted to the peace that’s to be found when you choose a home in one of Auckland’s iconic seaside suburbs.

For the owners of this Long Bay home, coming back after a day at work or school feels like being on holiday every day. But this is no bach. Instead, it’s a home designed with all the luxury and comfort of a city pad.

The formal and informal living spaces on the ground floor are partly demarcated by a small change in level, but they still flow smoothly together. And, with four bedrooms upstairs, there is more than enough space for everyone.

“The children can do their homework and we can entertain friends, without one activity interfering with another,” the owners say.

“But at the same time, there’s a sense of togetherness that you don’t always find in an older house with more separate spaces.”

_MG_7384

Polished floorboards and the soft, sandy, neutral tones on the walls create a warm backdrop for the contemporary-style furnishings of the house. The interior designer’s choice of large, comfortable-looking sofas and low coffee tables enhances the spacious feel. The kitchen and family living area open out to a private, sheltered terrace.

_MG_7394

 

Lively splashes of colour have been introduced to brighten the informal living area. A designer kitchen with an extra-large island and extensive bench space along two back walls gives plenty of scope for cooking and socialising. The furniture-style central island incorporates a breakfast bar, which has a black granite benchtop for a touch of glamour.

The white marble splashback in this kitchen is a subtle feature, in contrast to the highly polished granite benchtop and white lacquered cabinetry.

 

Upstairs are three bedrooms, a family bathroom, and a master bedroom with an ensuite. The double garage includes ample space for storage of bikes and other sports gear that every family accumulates.

_MG_7436The theme of neutral painted walls and carpets carries through into the guest bedroom. Bright lime green cushions and a throw reflect the colours outside the window. 

_MG_7421

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shades of blue, also part of the landscape, brighten this bedroom.

 

Designer: Shang Da Wei

Kitchen designer and manufacturer: Gu Bao Kitchen Company

Oven, dishwasher, cooktop, rangehood: Bosch

Flooring: American oak

Wall paint: Dulux

Window and door joinery: Chang Cheng

Furniture: Living Edge

About Long Bay

Just half an hour from the CBD, the development nestles alongside the Long Bay Regional Park. It offers residents the pleasure of living in a spectacular coastal environment within easy distance of all amenities that a world-class city like Auckland has to offer.

Source: Long Bay Trends is published by Trends Publishing International Limited.

Long Bay : www.longbay.co.nz

PHONE: 0800 LONG BAY

Filed Under: New Homes Tagged With: interior design, Long Bay, new home, trends

New Homes on the Scene

21 April, 2014 by Living Edge

With its expansive living spaces and sheltered garden, this home is a great place for a family

Before setting off to buy a new home it’s often a good idea to draw up a wish list. Some aspects of it will be practical and fairly easy to achieve and other items may be harder to find.

At Long Bay, new homes such as the house featured on these pages are designed with young families in mind. This home has a sunny north-facing aspect across the wetlands and towards the sea.

On the ground level the house has plenty of living space, with the formal lounge at the front overlooking the streetscape. This area integrates seamlessly with the kitchen, dining and family room, making a space that’s equally ideal for family activities and for entertaining groups of friends.

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The casual living spaces then flow out through French doors onto a sheltered and private terrace at the back of the house. Oriented to face the north and west, this terrace catches the sun for most of the day and in the early evening. A guest bathroom downstairs draws a line between public and private spaces.

 

Upstairs are three bedrooms and a family bathroom, plus a master suite with its own ensuite and walk-in wardrobe.

Polished floorboards and a color scheme in shades of white enhance the feeling of light and spaciousness, and a distinctive personality is introduced through the owners’ choice of objets d’art, cushions and rugs.

Weatherboards teamed with windows and front door in a geometric grid give this house a smart, contemporary appearance.

White painted walls and polished wooden floors provide a connection between the formal and informal living areas in this house. Both areas look out onto the terrace and garden.

Wide vertical windows give a good view from the dining table into the garden and ensure plenty of natural light comes into the house.

_MG_7343

 

The island benchtop in the kitchen and casual living area makes this space into a gathering point for friends and family.

 

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The master suite opens up onto its own balcony, which looks out towards Long Bay. The black, white and taupe color scheme gives the room a crisp, contemporary look.

 

 

 

Designer: Shang Da Wei

Kitchen designer and manufacturer: Gu Bao Kitchen Company

Oven, dishwasher, cooktop, rangehood: Bosch

Flooring: American oak

Wall paint: Dulux

Window and door joinery: Chang Cheng

Furniture: Living Edge

About Long Bay

Just half an hour from the CBD, the development nestles alongside the Long Bay Regional Park. It offers residents the pleasure of living in a spectacular coastal environment within easy distance of all amenities that a world-class city like Auckland has to offer.

Source: Long Bay Trends is published by Trends Publishing International Limited.

Long Bay : www.longbay.co.nz

PHONE: 0800 LONG BAY

Filed Under: New Homes Tagged With: interior design, Long Bay, new home

Long Bay – New home

15 April, 2014 by Living Edge

Built on the corner of two streets, this home has been designed to have a close connection with its local neighbourhood.

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Developing a sense of community spirit is part of the philosophy behind the guidelines provided to builders at Long Bay.  Many of the homes are designed to connect with the street so new residents can easily meet; facilities at the playground were planned to encourage community get-togethers, and some of the streets are designated as shared areas, so children can ride their bikes and play safely outside.

This new home, by architectural designer Alistair Dodds of Adoa Ltd, features a terrace downstairs and balconies on the upper level, to help reinforce the connection with neighbours.

Inside, the formal living room at the front of the house looks out towards both streets, and the family living area at the back opens up onto a more private garden that faces north.

Upstairs are three generous bedrooms and a family bathroom, plus a master bedroom with an ensuite bathroom. The bedrooms are light and airy, with the two larger rooms featuring pitched cathedral style ceilings and picture windows.

One of the particular challenges of this site at Long Bay was the need for the house to look good on two street frontages. Architectural designer Alistair Dodds added terraces at ground level and balconies with glass balustrades at the upper level to help connect the house with the street and to break up the structure.

_MG_7723

 

A large family living, dining and kitchen area at the back of the house connects loosely with the formal living room at the front of the house. White painted walls are complemented by dark-stained timber floors. With an island breakfast bar, the kitchen is equally handy for children doing homework after school or for entertaining friends. An all-white colour scheme and cabinetry with concealed handles create a minimalist look for the kitchen.

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Gabled ceilings in the bedroom let in plenty of light and offer views of the neighbourhood. A glass balustrade on the balcony ensures views are unimpeded

“These high gabled windows follow the line of the roof and have the effect of making the entire house appear visually lighter and less imposing on the exterior,” says Dodds.

Because the house is on a corner, Dodds decided to repeat the gables and balconies on both street facades to create a sense of balance and symmetry. “Overhangs on the two gables, an entry recess and mix of materials help to break up the volume of this large family home,” he says.

Architectural designer: Alistair Dodds

Roof: Elk Asphalt roofing shingles

Cladding: Weatherboard, brick

Window and door joinery: Elite Windows

Balustrade on balconies: Toughened glass

Kitchen manufacturer: Concept 2012

Kitchen benchtop: Engineered stone

Cabinetry finish: Lacquer

Oven, dishwasher, cooktop: Miele

Flooring: American oak

Paint: Dulux, British Paints

Furniture: Living Edge

About Long Bay

Just half an hour from the CBD, the development nestles alongside the Long Bay Regional Park. It offers residents the pleasure of living in a spectacular coastal environment within easy distance of all amenities that a world-class city like Auckland has to offer.

Source: Long Bay Trends is published by Trends Publishing International Limited. 

Long Bay : www.longbay.co.nz

PHONE: 0800 LONG BAY

Filed Under: New Homes Tagged With: interior design, Long Bay Trends, new home

Home – no place like it

24 March, 2014 by Living Edge

LOVE Interior Design? Read what Veronica Schmidt says about being a house- porn addict! We think it is just really slang for being house proud!

I realised I had a problem when I almost spent $100 on an hourglass.

“What the hell do you need an hourglass for?” asked my husband. “It’s on sale,” I said. “There’s a reason for that,” he said. “Clocks have been invented.”

“But it would look so nice on the mantelpiece,” I said. “The glass is so nicely curved and there’s some sort of shiny, silver finish on it.”

And then I stopped and my mouth gaped open. I had heard – really heard – myself. A freaking hour glass! A “shiny, silver finish”? Who was this vapid magpie?

I had become a house-porn addict.

It’s easy to do. The home improvement industry has dug its stripped-back, polished talons into almost everything.

Tired houses are turned into bastions of minimalist chic every night on television. Skylights brighten beach-side baches in design magazines arranged invitingly beside the supermarket checkout.

Sleek granite bench tops and exposed concrete floors lure us from architecture blog to interior website to Pinterest board, while quirky cushion covers and bloody hourglasses flirt with us from the homeware stores lining our malls.

The images that bombard us are of flawless properties, not so much as a dirty dish or scuffed skirting board in sight. They resemble real homes as much as the surgically-enhanced bodies and inventive contortions of porn films resemble real sex, but we buy into them all the same.

Last year, NZ House & Garden magazine’s readership of more than half a million grew to 571,000, bucking the downward spiral gripping much of the print media, while the 2013 final of renovation reality show The Block delivered TV3 its highest primetime viewing figures since the channel launched in 1989.

Meanwhile, the New Zealand Retailers Association reports that over the past decade the number of homeware stores has grown by 35 percent, compared to only 9.3 for other categories. In 2012, home-related retailers had the largest increase in turnover than any other sector, bar motor vehicles.

And online, the social bookmarking website Pinterest saw its valuation leap from NZ$3 billion to $4.6 billion in just eight months last year. One of its key drivers?

Users sharing interior design pictures.

Had you asked me a month ago whether all of this was healthy, I would have looked at you blankly. But since almost blowing my family’s budget on an hourglass, I have started to properly question my own – and this nation’s – collective obsession.

I started this reconnaissance by shoving my continuing search for a first home under the microscope.

I realised that every time I spend an evening trawling real estate websites, I am overcome by malaise.

In part it’s due to the country’s rising property prices and the difficulty of finding an affordable house near a school that would suit my daughter, but if I’m honest (and it is embarrassing to be so), it is also because every house within my reach looks nothing like I want it to.

Where are the original period features? Where is the indoor-outdoor flow? Why is there faded wallpaper where there should be low sheen paint in dusky blue?

Next, I skulked about my (rented) house examining my possessions. I wiped the dust from a mortar and pestle that has been used once but stands cockily on display by the stove. I stared at the decorative pillows that are thrown to the floor each night while we lie on the “real” ones. I explored the kitchen drawers and began to feel sick.

Sick and dumb.

It was the linen napkins and oversized wine glasses that did it – what did I think I was doing? Running a fine-dining restaurant?

The exercise gave me a shock. The contents of my home and head are those of a woman who cares about appearances, who follows trends, who is naïve enough to think she can buy a fantasy. I am not that woman.

Or, at least, I am not in any other facet of my life.

As I continued researching the explosion of house-porn, however, I took comfort in the fact that my own preoccupation was utterly benign compared to those of the design junkies I discovered on blogs and websites agonising over antique ceiling fans, the consistency of paint primer, and unsightly fire extinguishers (“I was staring at mine last night and thinking how to hide that ugly thing!”).

One obsessive, Kristi Linauer, who blogs at addicted2decorating.com, professes that when she bought her first home she “went overboard, painting the inside of my house in 21 different colours”.

Her readers are similarly fanatic. One is so wedded to interior perfection that after Linauer posted a shot of her lounge, the reader berated her for having a small air conditioning unit in the room. Such practicalities quite ruined the aesthetic, she said.

On the same post, a long discussion developed about the best way to emulate the cord-free look that interior magazines achieve – using Photoshop.

One woman suggested looking into the possibility of battery run or solar lamps, while another advocated going into the crawl space under the house, drilling holes through the floor beneath the furniture and fitting electrical sockets there.

The thread sparked a light bulb moment for one reader who suddenly understood how much the media has influenced her desire for a perfect home. “Cords are my obsession, too! The cords in my house always nag at me, but I didn’t realise until just now that it’s because they never show in those magazine photos.”

Misha Kavka, an associate professor of media, film and television at Auckland University, understands the power of the perfect-looking home. A reality TV expert who has researched and written about home improvement shows, she believes property is in the New Zealand DNA.

“People came here for the land and that has never fallen away.”

The media, she says, both feeds off the obsession and fuels it. “Media culture and consumer culture are quite difficult to distinguish between. They give us things to want and they give us things to desire,” she says. (In fact, consumer and media culture are seldom as cosy as they are when it comes to home improvement shows, with Mitre 10 sponsoring Dream Home and Bunnings Warehouse The Block.)

Rising house prices and the new loan-to-value ratio restrictions simply drive the property obsession, says Kavka.

“The more we sound the alarm that people are being closed out of the property market, the more the people who are just on the edge of maybe being able to get in [to the market] are interested in getting in. And that further drives the property obsession and gives the TV shows a lot to work with.”

But even if your finances rule out home ownership, you can still get caught up in the home improvement trend.

“The distinction between property ownership and the home space improvement is very blurry,” she says.
“If you can’t afford to buy a house or an apartment, then what you can afford to do is to have nicer pillows in your living room. You pick up these magazines or watch these TV shows and you get an idea of what you can do with a bit of paint or fabric. So the potential is that even people at the low end can join in.”

But should we be joining in or are we chasing an unobtainable dream, locked into a cycle of perpetual desire and disappointment?

Auckland psychologist Sara Chatwin says it depends on the person. “You can get a bit desensitised to it and think it’s unrealistic. For a lot of low-to-middle-class New Zealanders, it’s not that obtainable. [But] you also have the other side, and that’s the keeping-up-with-the-Jones’s mentality. It can spur people on in the direction of wanting to upgrade whether or not their budget allows. The TV shows can also lull people into a false sense of thinking this bathroom could be done in a week, when actually it’ll probably take a month.”

Indeed, the CEO of the Certified Builders Association, Grant Florence, says that “builders in general look at those programmes and shudder”.

The practices and time lines do not reflect reality, he says.

“The real stresses and strains and the decisions that have to be made by people aren’t really shown in them.”

He estimates that 80 percent of those who approach a builder have unrealistic expectations.

“Often when people start talking to builders about what they want it’s more than what they can afford,” he says.

“That’s not necessarily just because of TV shows, but they probably play a part in it.”

What happens when the fantasy and reality collide?

Chatwin says they don’t have to. “If you like yourself and you’re secure enough, you’re going to look [at an image of a perfect home] and think, ‘That’s nice, but it’s not that relevant to me.'”

But the psychologist admits that few of us are quite so self-assured. Some of us are predisposed to perfectionism, and the media is “potent”, she says.

Indeed, the steady stream of supermodel images, so loved by much of the media, are widely acknowledged to have left large numbers of women dissatisfied with themselves and on a fruitless mission to measure up.

Could house porn affect people similarly?

“I think you’ve hit the theoretical jackpot there,” says Chatwin. “There will be a percentage of people who feel incomplete because they have – what shall we call it? – super syndrome: super models, super houses.”

I don’t tell Chatwin about my display pillows or fruitless search for an aesthetically-pleasing first home.

I don’t need to be officially diagnosed with house-porn addiction or the newly-coined “super syndrome” to know that it’s time I eased off on the decor websites and switched off Grand Designs.

I think I’ll avoid the shops for a while, too. At least until that sale on hourglasses has finished.

– Sunday Magazine

Filed Under: Interior Design Tagged With: Home, interior design, NZ House & Garden, Pinterest, The Block

Masterchef in style

10 March, 2014 by Living Edge

MasterChef as you are probably aware is one of the highest rating and longest running reality TV shows in the country. Season 5 has started and its certainly a season to watch! 

To start with we have 16 couples who are housed in an estate outside Auckland.  In an obvious attempt to spice up the show early in the season, two duos were split up, with the two contestants deemed to be the strongest forming a new team and the other two being sent home! That is certainly one way to capture our attention!

But have you noticed the stage sets of Masterchef this year? The contestants might change this year but the stunning interior design will remain throughout the season! The team at Living Edge Interiors were very proud and excited about the opportunity to work with and provide the interior design and furniture for this year’s MasterChef Series 5.

To help put contestants at ease and to provide a comfortable and inspiring environment Living Edge also partly furnished the house  while the contestants participate in the competition.

Here’s the spaces we created for the contestants:

Masterchef NZ Series 5. Imagination TV. Ep.2 Pressure Test Cooking plus Sponsors set up 12/9/13

The Studio where filming took place is furnished to accommodate a ‘cafe’ area for pre-challenge contestants, waiting for tasting.

Product selection: The Eames replica chairs and the Barcelona chairs are available in both half and full leather as well as white or black. 

Masterchef NZ Series 5. Imagination TV. Ep.2 Pressure Test Cooking plus Sponsors set up 12/9/13

 

The ‘bar’ area is the safe area during eliminations. 

Product selection: The May corner sofa is a modular unit  making is highly versatile for difficult or large spaces. Accessories and the May corner sofa are are all available for purchase from Living Edge Interiors

Masterchef NZ Series 5. Imagination TV. Ep.2 Pressure Test Cooking plus Sponsors set up 12/9/13

Masterchef NZ Series 5.Imagination TV.Ep.2 Pressure Test Cookingplus Sponsors set up12/9/13

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The  Lounge areas provide comfort for contestants during filming. Living Edge had to consider the style and colours being used  for filming to compliment sponsors of the show. You will notice the subtle brand colour match of the interiors.

Product Selection: The cushions are mostly custom made although some are also from local suppliers and would be available for purchase. 

Masterchef NZ Series 5.Imagination TV.Ep.2 Pressure Test Cookingplus Sponsors set up12/9/13

 

Filed Under: Interior Design Tagged With: interior design, interiors, Masterchef

Black And White Interior Design

3 March, 2014 by Living Edge

One of the smartest colour combinations—hands down—is black and white.

From the Chanel runways in Paris to the salons in West Hollywood and the interiors of some of the most prestigious homes, you will find variations of black and white contrast that are absolutely timeless and easy to pull off at home.

dream-house-on-indulgy

When you use now contrast in the home you have a unique opportunity to make a bold white or black piece the focal point, such as this black and white Marilyn Monroe piece.

dream-image

 

You can emphasize patterns, like this rug on the floor and these great square guard rails on the stairs.

 

 

 

tumblr_lxysyieRxk1r5vp1oo1_500

 

An all-black wall adds a cool dimension to a theater room while all black walls throughout creates a museum feel to a living area. 

 

 

 

Even small spaces can benefit from black and white contrast. Here only the trim is painted black but it makes the room seem more interesting because it emphasizes the bones of the room that might not otherwise be noticed.

tumblr_m5q7gusWZ81r5vp1oo1_500

 

If you can’t figure out how to work with a black and white interior, just ask one of our interior designers and we would be happy to help.

Blog inspiration:  Space Sculpt

Filed Under: Design Trends Tagged With: Black and white interiors, interior design

Interior Design Tips for 2014

14 January, 2014 by Living Edge

Here’s some Interior Design tips from Shanly

In our lives we spend a great deal of time in our homes, and it is true what they say… we are a product of our environment. This is why it is so important that our surroundings make us feel happy, relaxed and comfortable.

TOP TIPS for 2014!

Declutter 

By decluttering it will make your mind feel calmer, your space look bigger.. and tidier. Also try to go into those cabinets, you will find things that you forgot you had!

As you go through this motion you will feel like a weight has been lifted.

Time for a change ? What about your wall colours ?

Colours are a very unusual thing, as what a wall colour may look like in one home, won’t look like in another. This is because of light.

It is important to know the right colour for you before you go to all the effort and expense of purchasing your paint! There is nothing worse than finding out that it’s the wrong colour !

Buy some sample tester pots and try them out in your light. You should not paint these on your wall, because if you decide to go with a lighter colour than a darker colour then you may end up having that darker colour showing through! My advice would be to grab a piece of jib board, paint the colours on it and watch them change colour during the day as the light changes. If there’s one you love all day long.. then you just found your paint colour.

Impulse buying 

Be sure not to impulse buy… be patient, take your time and think about what you want to create in your home. And remember this is a professional designers field of expertise, you are not expected to know if its all going to work together.

Style of your dream home

Really think about the look and feel you want in your home. Does it work with your everyday lifestyle ? Will you keep loving it in years to come? It’s all about your taste and what makes you feel good, so I suggest you get a folder, and when going through magazines pull out pages of designs and furniture you like, so when you do meet with your designer, it will be very clear of what you want in your home.

And if you are a keen computer user, sign up to Pinterest (an online ‘pinboard’ social platform)  and make some of your own online interior design inspiration boards.

For some inspiration to get started, here’s a link to our interior design boards on Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/livingedgenz

Mirrors

Want to make a room look larger ? A mirror is a great option for this. It opens up a space, just make sure the sizing of the mirror for your room is the right measurements to accomplish this job, and again a good designer will know this.

Just a few tips to start the year off with, and if you need help with your home then I will be more than happy to help you achieve your dream home…

Shanly Simpson – Living Edge Interior Designer
09 630 0066

Filed Under: Design Trends Tagged With: interior design, interior design trends, trends

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ACCENT COLOUR -yellow is a great accent color if y ACCENT COLOUR -yellow is a great accent color if you want to highlight the most important elements in your interior design or to create focal point! who loves the wall gallery by @joneenanhome
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Planning Your Layout? While it may be tempting to Planning Your Layout? While it may be tempting to push a sofa against a wall facing the TV stand and call it a day, there is more involved in planning a great living room layout. It's very important to consider views from major seating elements. In a large open room, it's nice to be able to sit on a favorite piece while addressing the rest of the room.
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One of the best ways to boost a home's style facto One of the best ways to boost a home's style factor is with a statement piece of art.
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