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THE DESIGN CHASER

Home Build | Living Room Update

8.09.2013

I'm really happy with how the living room is coming together and I've spent a lot of time taking photos over the last couple of days to show you. I'm working really hard to improve my photography, but because I'm a perfectionist and such a 'details' person, I'm finding it a challenge, but certainly a welcome one! It helps that this upstairs area is filled with light. We've had the most gorgeous sunny weather here lately and it's been fun seeing how the light moves around the space during the day. 

So firstly, we got the picture wall up last weekend. I started out by laying them out on the office floor and then once I'd decided on the configuration I cut out the shapes with paper, and used washi tape to stick them on to the wall. Dean then had the hard job of putting them up, and I think he did an amazing job. Probably due to the fact that his life depended on it. Ha - just kidding, but I was very particular about getting the spacing even between the frames. I also had to look ahead to where I would place more pictures down the track. For starters I'd like one more for the left hand-side near the tiger (slightly smaller) and one large one over to the right, in the centre of the picture wall.  


To see where I got several of these beautiful artworks, take a look at my Home Build | Living Room Inspiration post. The X by Jane Denton is a favourite, having interviewed Jane on the blog here. New additions are the Graphic/Alphabet Print by RK Design from The Minimalist and a small print given to me at a Citta Design launch which I placed in a bought frame.

The Tiger, Alphabet and the Circles Print (on the String Shelf further down the page) all came from The Minimalist in Australia so needed to be framed. I asked around and one that was recommended to me by a friend was KS Thompson in Epsom, Auckland. Being specialist framers and fine art dealers that have been around since 1928, I gave them a call, and was really impressed with their experience and knowledge. When I took the prints in I realised that the lady I had been talking to was Sarah from Trees Furniture where I got the dining table trestle legs! I knew I would be in great hands. In fact Sarah is a trained graphic designer who worked at the magazine publisher ACP Media prior to me. They had the narrow frames I wanted which they strengthened due to the large size of the prints. The results are amazing. I couldn't be happier!   


I'm in love with my new Gran Cushion cover from Jamie Kay. We finally put our Stockholm coffee table up from Freedom Furniture, and it's made such a difference to the space. It also gives me another area to style, at least while the kids aren't around! The little grey and black milk bottle vases are recent finds from the online store Good Regards in Mt Maunganui.


I moved the couch away to give you a full view of how the String (from Bob and Friends) looks today. I change the shelves around daily! The white Origami Vase is a another new one from LET LIV 


Finally, my favourite new additions are the Leather Poufs, also from LET LIV. I couldn't decide between natural or snow so ended up getting both! The colours are perfect and I'm loving the new leather smell. I used old duvet inners to stuff them, and I'm thrilled with the results. Personally I prefer the look of poufs when they are loosely filled, rather than being stuffed tight. 


From another angle, the poufs look gorgeous here with the kitchen/dining area behind. As I'm sure you know by now, the Striped Rug is also from LET LIV, which I move around the house as the mood takes me! I love these rugs so much I've ordered another large one for under the dining table! Speaking of rugs, the large white cowhide was a great find at Lapco Leather

Being the fusspot that I am, I wasn't happy with the photos I took of the TV Unit, so I'll show you that another day. Oh, and hopefully the Diamond Lights will have been installed by then. I'm still hunting downs some brass screw fixtures that I want to go on the end. 

Have a lovely weekend and I'll see you back here Monday!

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30 comments:

  1. Hi Michelle,
    Your home looks like its coming together beautifully!
    Thanks for being an inspiration, Heather

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  2. Ahhhh Michelle, it looks amazing! The large LET LIV rug is going to be fabulous under the dining table. Gosh I am envious. Heres me in my little old farm house! One day the hubby says! I too am trying to improve my photography skills as I would love to post original pictures. Hoping I may be able to find a short online course somewhere. Your pics are looking great though. Will share with my readers. Happy weekend. xxxx

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Amy. I'd love to do a photography course too but I think I'll wait till I own a DSLR camera. Thanks so much for sharing!! Have a lovely weekend x x

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  3. Looks fantastic!! I am a perfectionist with wall art too. Hence why I haven't truly tackled the project yet! But this is great motivation :)

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    1. Thanks Monika, it's a bit nerve-wracking but totally worth it when you see the results! Good luck x

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  4. Love, love, LOVE!! Your home looks better and better every day Michelle, cannot wait to see those diamond lights go up!

    I know you've probably been asked this a thousand times already BUT which white paint did you decide on for your walls?

    A xx

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Alanna!! Black White from Resene. Here's the link:
      http://www.resene.co.nz/swatches/preview.php?chart=Resene%20Whites%20%26%20neutrals%20range%20(2010)&brand=Resene&name=Black%20White

      x Michelle

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  5. Kiwi Living has some nice vintage lighting sets
    http://www.kiwiliving.co.nz/shop/Complete+Pendant+Sets/Bare+Bulb+Vintage+Pendant+Set.html

    and also Green with Envy http://www.greenwithenvy.co.nz/vintage-metal-pendant-set-xidp441276.html

    I specified them with the diamond lights for a project a few months ago and they look super!

    Best, Tina

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Tina. This is the one I'd love:
      http://shop.mohd.it/it/frama-e27-portalampada.html
      Brass, with the simple black textile cord.
      x Michelle

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  6. Wow, beautiful place! We are about to start building our own house - and I'm sure your blog will provide me with heaps of inspiration! Have you completed any blogs about who designed your house/what you choose? I assume this is a new house?

    Cheers, Nikki

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Nikki. How exciting! Yes, we've just recently completed the build, with my Home Build series being mostly focused on the interior design/styling side of things. If you need help with anything specific, please feel free to email me! thedesignchaser@gmail.com x Michelle

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  7. Looking incredible Michelle, well done! I move my LET LIV rug around a lot too. It's currently in our kitchen/dining area, but the dog thinks it's for her, so her blond fur shows up all over the black stripes :)

    I tried to find the brass fittings for our light today. Aparently they're called skirts, and don't come in brass only plastic. But I still think I can find something - I'm not putting plastic on it! x

    PS: so envious of your new kitchen.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Vic. I must say I'm getting a lot of enjoyment out of the kitchen. I've dreamed about it for so long! Funny you should say that - hair from our white cowhide shows up on ours! We have to shake it out side regularly :)

      These are the lamp holders I'm after, in brass with the black cord:
      http://shop.mohd.it/it/frama-e27-portalampada.html
      Will let you know how I get on x x

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  8. Love love love the house and all that's in it : )

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  9. What lovely images, the room is fresh, contemporary and certainly relaxing.

    Your photography is great, I still don't have my long awaited DSLR camera. I am a perfectionist too and am taking photos of my guest room makeover next week but worried that the light won't be good enough for my existing camera, plus I don't have the wide lense.

    I will have to check out the Let Liv shop, I love the leather poufs.

    Lee :)

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    1. Thanks Lee!. A DSLR is on my wishlist too! I'm currently using a Nikon Coolpix S8200 and adjust the brightness, levels & contrast slightly. Good luck with your photos, I'm sure they will be great x

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  10. This is such a lovely blog - and I love the cushions on your sofa in the first pic! Other than Jamie Kay, where are they from? X

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Char. The white cowhide one is from Nood and the Pink one from Country Road Home x

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  11. Michelle, you're home is looking fabulous and certainly has your "stamp"! The poufs look gorgeous and I love the loose look also - great idea for the use of old duvets! The X from Jane is my favourite also... It's coming along beautifully - congratulations xoxo

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  12. I always love what you pin on pinterest, so I came over to check out your blog and what a treat! I have several poufs from when we lived in Morocco. They always stuffed them with batting. I never told my Moroccan friends that I first stuffed them with plastic bags! :-)

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    1. Thanks Tina - I didn't know you followed me on Pinterest - now following you back! That's so interesting they use batting - I had heard that Scandinavians used old clothes, which is what I had intended to do before I thought of the duvet inners. Not sure about plastic bags though - ha ha!! Happy Friday x x

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  13. Love your home, you must be thrilled seeing it all come together. I am getting so influenced and falling further in love with scandi styling that it's creeping into my home and making for an interesting mix with my love of vintage styling! Thanks for such an inspiring and beautiful blog x

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    1. Thanks for your lovely feedback Kim. I can understand how that would happen - Scandi style is so appealing isn't it? It sounds like you've achieved a lovely mix of old and new... well done x

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  14. hi there. I really like your style, well done, it looks really pulled together -and very un-kiwi ;)
    I have been thinking about buying those same couches from Freedom but have been worried that they are a little bit too firm. What are your thoughts on that? I would really appreciate your comments.
    cheers
    Nora

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Nora. They are fairly firm, but I wouldn't say 'too firm'. I guess it comes down to personal preference. Are you able to visit a Freedom store to test it out? Let me know what you decide.
      x Michelle

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