interior design

Living Edge Lends a Hand

3 August, 2021 by Becky Neale

Living Edge Interiors is proud to be a part of the team to stage The auction of a three-bedroom cottage on Auckland’s North Shore which is expected to benefit the city’s homeless. This is to be one of the largest donations to charity and we jumped at the chance to be able to support the local Devonport community and stage the property in preparation for sale. Our stylist, Andrea, her talents set the tone to inspire a market of potential buyers seeking a property in one of Auckland’s most coveted areas.

“The proceeds of the August 17 sale of 12 Huia Street, in Devonport, are to be given to Auckland City Mission.

The cottage’s late owner, Dianna Sutherland, who died in December, stipulated the donation in her will, and the property is expected to sell above its 2017 CV of $1.75m.” check out the latest article on oneroof.co.nz here …

https://www.oneroof.co.nz/news/why-this-multi-million-dollar-cottage-is-set-to-benefit-aucklands-homeless-39907

Neutral need not be bland

14 May, 2019 by Becky Neale

Living Edge Interiors had the pleasure of styling the interior of this stunning showhome by Masonry Design Solutions. Achieving this look long term is easy by the availability of furniture packages by Living Edge. Walk into your new home and marvel at the stunning interior that has been professionally styled and yours to enjoy.

This project was a particular delight to be involved with due to the excellent choice of Resene colour palettes and the attractive design of the home.

Designed as a showhome for Masonry Design Solutions (MDS) to demonstrate the quality of their handiwork, this impressive property overlooks the North Shore Golf Course in Auckland’s Albany neighbourhood. But thanks to a carefully chosen Resene colour scheme, the house also shows how to use a versatile colour palette in a manner that’s anything but monotonous.

The design team’s colour selection reflects a subtle play on a black and white theme with the idea that, were someone to move in the very next day, the home’s style could easily suit just about any style of furnishings. This simple scheme was achieved with Resene Ironsand being the darker contrast and Resene White Pointer and Resene Stonehenge as the lighter base colours. The result is a striking interior that maintains a degree of paired back elegance – and, looking through the gorgeous photos, it likely comes as no surprise that it has since found a family to call it home.

Showcasing three large living areas, including an open plan family dining area with a bar and wine cellar and a cinema room styled as a formal lounge, the home features the same emphasis on indoor-outdoor flow that MDS homes are known renowned for. The expansive outdoor living area features a fireplace, outdoor kitchen, underfloor heating and ceiling heating for year-round entertaining overlooking the heated swimming pool.

“The open-plan living/kitchen/dining room is painted Resene Eighth Stonehenge with a panelled ceiling and trims in Resene Half White Pointer. If you like the look of the soft pinks in this scheme, try adding in accents or accessories in Resene Ethereal or Resene Shilo.”

The open plan modern kitchen connects with a full walk-in butler’s pantry. A study, guest bedroom with ensuite, powder room, laundry and large double garage complete the ground floor. The upper floor consists of an expansive main bedroom suite with full dressing room and ensuite with large freestanding bath and Juliet balcony overlooking the swimming pool. There are also two other luxury bedrooms, a family bathroom and large storage. The mature gardens and extensive landscaping give a sense of permanence and finish off this magnificent house.

“Painted timber paneling was painted with various strengths of Resene Ironsand, depending on the intensity the rooms required,” says Mark Wilson, Director of MDS. For instance, the design team wanted to achieve a less reflective and moody aesthetic in the media room, which led them to choose Resene Stonehenge on the walls and Resene Half Ironsand for the ceiling paneling.

“In the main bedroom, where we wanted a softer approach, the walls we went with Resene Eighth Stonehenge for the walls and the paneling was painted Resene Quarter Ironsand.

The master bedroom stuns with batten features on the wall, in Resene Quarter Ironsand, and ceiling, in Resene Half Ironsand. The rest of the walls in the room are painted Resene Eighth Stonehenge and the remainder of the ceiling and trims keep the space feeling light in Resene Half White Pointer.

The cinema room, styled as a formal living area, is painted Resene Stonehenge with a batten feature wall in Resene Half Ironsand. The trim on the left wall and the ceiling are both in Resene Half White Pointer. If you want to add in a soft on-trend yellow like the one in this space, try incorporating accents and some accessories in Resene Thumbs Up.

The cinema room, seen from a different angle, is painted Resene Stonehenge while the ceilings, barn door and trims are all finished in Resene Half White Pointer.

The walls of the second and third bedrooms are both painted Resene Half Stonehengeand feature trims and ceilings are painted in Resene Half White Pointer.

The walls of this hallway are in Resene Eighth Stonehenge and lead into the master bedroom and dressing room, which are also painted Resene Eighth Stonehenge. The trims, door and ceiling are all painted Resene Half White Pointer. To create a similar mood at home, try painting the legs of a wooden console table in Resene Noir and add accessories in a green-hued taupe like Resene Collins Wicket.

To see more of MDS’ work, visit their website.

Blog post credited to Habitat by Resene

Photos by Mike Hollman

Points for Presentation

18 November, 2016 by Becky Neale

Homestaging company Living Edge Interiors is creating a niche in the top-end housing market. Guided by its passionate new owner Sharon Laffan, the company has grown, solidified its position and extended its offering in exciting new directions.

Have you ever walked into an open home, fallen in love with the interior furnishings and marveled at the owner’s sense of style? Chances are, the furniture and accessories you covet don’t belong to the owner at all, but instead have been carefully selected by a homestaging company to create just the reaction you experienced.

With the booming Kiwi housing market, homestaging is on the rise. Agents and sellers now understand its value in enhancing the visual appeal of a property, says Sharon Laffan.

She’s seen the company grow from humble beginnings 16 years ago to become the country’s largest homestaging business.

Over more than a decade, Sharon has helped shape the development and growth of Living Edge. She’s been heavily involved in the buying of merchandise, as General Manager. So when the company came up for sale in 2014, the opportunity was too good to miss.

“I’m extremely passionate about the business and our goal to be the absolute benchmark in the industry,” she says. “When we first started, there was only one other company operating in this space; now we’re competing against 30 companies in Auckland.”

Today, Living Edge has 20 staff, including a team of interior designers, its own fleet of vehicles and warehouse space. The bulk of the company’s furniture is sourced from overseas, with up to 5 containers of stock a year being brought in as a result of Sharon’s buying trips.

With a background in retail and merchandising, Sharon has developed longstanding relationships with real estate agents and developers. They make up a large chunk of the company’s clients, along with aged-care providers, private residential owners and corporate clients, and the entertainment industry.

“Our furniture is unique and we have several different styles, all branded with our own label,” she says. “We’re focused on the high end of the market. We do a lot of properties in the $2 million plus range.”

Homestaging is a labour-intensive enterprise, with each property requiring 12-15 hours to complete from initial sales to selection of furniture and then installation. Living Edge has sought to extend its offering with complementary services. The company hires out furniture and supplies cutlery, towels and bed linen to CEOs relocating to New Zealand. It provides set furnishings for TV shows like Masterchef, My Kitchen Rules and X-Factor. Living Edge has also furnished backstage sets for visiting rock stars, celebrity weddings and private parties, where security and confidentiality are paramount.

“We’ve experienced exceptional growth over the last four years,” says Sharon. “It’s been the result of a conscious effort to grow in the wider Auckland area. We also now sell our own branded furniture on our website. Our mid- to long-term plans are to increase the output of show homes and launch online shopping via our website.”

When looking to purchase Living Edge, Sharon sought advice from Hayes Knight Director Brendon Cutler who carried out a valuation and prepared financial forecasts to enable her to obtain the necessary finance. The firm now acts as financial and tax advisor for the company, producing Living Edge’s annual accounts and tax returns, meeting regularly and providing a sounding-board for any decision-making.

“Brendon has been a great mentor and financial advisor, particularly during the sale and purchase process,” says Sharon. “He’s pragmatic, highly responsive, and has developed a good understanding of the business.”

Brendon believes Sharon’s focus, coupled with her willingness to work hard, set goals and move forward with increased confidence, has taken Living Edge to a new level.

“Sharon should be really proud of what she’s achieved,” he says. “She’s done a great job to grow the company faster and more profitably than we forecast, while at the same time managing that growth conservatively. Sharon has a good business brain and listens to advice. I’ve no doubt Living Edge will continue to grow and refine its offering.”

WORDS: Deirdre Coleman IMAGES: Jason Dorday

Publication: Beyond The Numbers by Haynes Knight

Alternative ways to create a gallery wall

28 September, 2016 by Becky Neale

Incorporating a gallery wall in your space is a great way to make a stylish statement. Forget normative home-decor “rules,” and try one of these alternative methods to display your favorite art.

1. Asymmetrical

Gather your favorite pieces and place them at random, eyeballing their placement instead of measuring out precisely where to put each piece.

Image via Coco Lapine Design

2. Minimalist

Who says a gallery wall has to include loads of pictures? Break the rules by having a grouping of only 2-3 pieces for a minimalist inspired gallery wall.

Images via Coco Lapine Design

3. Suspended

Have some extra string lying around? This option is great for when you want to limit the amount of holes you put in your wall.

Image Found via My Scandinavian Home

4. 3-D

A gallery wall can include so much more than posters and canvases! Mix in other elements such as masks, mirrors, flora & fauna (and anything else that inspires you) to create depth.

Image via Design Milk

5. Leaning

Another alternative way to create a gallery wall is by not hanging your pictures at all! Just gather a few of your favorite pieces and lean them against any wall for a (stylish) less-put-together look.

Image via Coco Lapine Design

Source:cocolapinedesign.com

Give your home the WOW factor

27 September, 2016 by Becky Neale

GET READY FOR SALE

The busy real estate season has arrived and buyers are out in force. With warmer weather and a better chance of blue skies, it’s a great time to sell your home. But there is a lot more competition around at this time of the year. Which is why you need to make sure your home stands head and shoulders above the rest.

If your property doesn’t grab buyers from the first moment, then it is easily forgotten and therefore less saleable. The more demand you create from keen buyers who fall in love with your home, the higher the price you can achieve. Presentation is key.

The Living Edge sales team can help you put your buyer’s hat on, by walking through your home with you and pointing out things as if it were the first time you have seen it.

Living Edge designer Lucy Miles says, “With enhancement staging, we can advise on simple changes that can be made to freshen spaces or disguise faults.

“It can be as basic as a couple of artworks, some smart cushions and contemporary accessories that create a cohesive theme. But we can also take your home to the next level by totally transforming it with a complete fit-out of fresh furnishings for a whole new look.

“Full staging involves completely removing the owner’s furniture to give a blank canvas ready to create almost any look or feel the owners want to portray, depending on the buyer group their agent wants to target in the marketing campaign.

“For example, a character villa style of home that is partly furnished may have a traditional look. But if we removed the existing pieces we could start over ensuring a stronger impact with a fresh new look specially tailored to a more focused audience for that particular area. This involves styling the home to create the x-factor. It could be a refined glamour look using antiques and metallic. It might be cool Scandi chic or perhaps an eclectic contemporary look that juxtaposes new and old.

“If the home was built in the 50, 60s, 70s or any specific time period, we could have some fun by dressing it up for a contemporary retro look. It depends on who we believe the potential buyers are likely to be.”

The aim is to choose one or two key pieces for each room to anchor the scheme. Then Living Edge stylists build up the layers, pulling together a well-coordinated look throughout every area of the home, from living areas, to bedrooms and bathrooms to highlight your home’s best features.

Bedrooms suddenly look more inviting with crisp linen, luscious throws, elegant bedside lamps and cushions. Likewise, in bathrooms – gorgeous mirrors, fresh towels, lightly scented soaps, flowers, aromatic candles – all lend a welcoming ambience to seduce potential buyers. By creating the ‘wow factor’ with unexpected surprises and buyers will register in a very positive way.

Living Edge also pays attention to outdoor spaces, helping to extend the living into your garden. Beautiful contemporary and traditional furniture creates a look that lends a seamless flow from interiors to exteriors. Thought goes into arranging the furniture to focus on a stunning view or detract a buyer’s gaze from the neighbour’s ugly shed.

“If we decide enhancement staging is all that is required, then we look at things like the scale of your furniture,” says Lucy. “Bulky items inhibit the traffic flow and make rooms feel smaller. You may need to lose an occasional chair to open up a room during open homes. If there are 40 people going through the space at one time, the traffic flow in your spacious living area suddenly seems very cramped. Those are things many homeowners often don’t consider.”

Just by rearranging items of furniture to bring as much natural light inside as possible can make a huge difference. “As we walk through your home, we take note of whether specific areas might look more appealing with the addition a table or floor lamp, so they feel lighter, warmer and more welcoming.”

The Living Edge team discuss all areas that need attention, indoors and out. This may involve advice on tackling your ‘to do list’, fixing leaky taps and squeaky doors, cleaning, painting, tidying, reorganising and decluttering.

If you’ve lived in your home for years, you may no longer notice if clutter has crept in. With our fresh eyes, we instantly see spaces more clearly and can advise on paring back so that you allow buyers to soak up the beautiful feeling of space your home offers. Our team can suggest what to take away and what to leave to ensure personal items don’t detract from a buyer’s ability to envisage themselves living in your home.

Once our sales team has visited (with the sales agent) and we’ve identified who the buyers might be, we prepare a comprehensive plan for our interior specialists to work with. Then we decide which furnishings could be used to update and enhance your home through home staging.

When it comes to selling a home, preparation is key. It takes time and skill. But home staging through Living Edge makes getting your home ready for sale easy, especially for people who might live overseas. Everything is taken care of, right down to the finer details, so preparing your home for the market is neither stressful nor overwhelming.

We can get you on track to ensure you maximize the value of your home with a quick and easy sale and a great price at the end of the process. Call us now. 09 630 0066.

Fashion & Decor

10 November, 2015 by Becky Neale

Who said fashion and decor did not blend! Thanks to Lynda Quintero-Davids we can view these fabulous fashion and interior design pairings. We just wonder which is your favourite x