Home Build | Living Room Inspiration

Welcome to part three of the Home Build Series, featuring the living room. I'm really getting into the swing of this series, and although each post takes hours to put together, the process really helps put my ideas in order. I love that I'm getting lots of great feedback from you guys, because ultimately I'm hoping that by sharing these posts with you, I'll be able to offer some help and guidance to those who are also building, about to embark on a build or thinking about doing so. Of course the same goes for renovators who are following along!

I'm looking forward to having two living areas and it's a great excuse to buy new furniture, but we don't want to rush into it. We've bought a few things, but we'd like to move in and then make decisions - we also need to recover from the build first! After all, that's what wishlists are all about, right? The main living area, which is part of the open-plan space along with the kitchen and dining area, is the one I'm going to focus on today. The second one which is downstairs, will be a relaxed TV room for the kids. In both rooms I want to create picture walls, and the one in the image below (1) is one of my all-time favourites. I also love the sofa (2) and the pale wood flooring (3). 

Image: source

I've made a start, firstly with my beautiful X Artwork (3) by Jane Denton, who I recently interviewed here. Words cannot express how stunning this piece is in real life, and I am beyond excited about displaying it in our new home. The Kristina Krogh Print (1) is another one that I love. After I featured Kristina's work here, local online store The Wooden Horse started bringing them in from Denmark. The colours are perfect, and the marble detail ties in beautifully with our kitchen. 

I also recently purchased the Tiger Print (2) from The Minimalist, which had been on my wishlist for ages. We recently purchased new sofas (4) so our current blue-black modular sofas will be moved to the second living area. We'd also like to move our current black entertainment unit in there and buy a new credenza (see wishlist). I fell in love with the the Sokeri Cushion (5) a while back, so I was thrilled to discover Australian online store Ten Things stocked them. I have my eye on lots more of their stylish products and I highly recommend you check them out! 

1 Stone Octagon Framed Print by Kristina Krogh from The Wooden Horse

2 Tiger Says Meow Poster from The Minimalist

3 Framed X Artwork by Jane Denton

4 Studio Stockholm Three and Two Seater Sofas from Freedom Furniture

5 Sokeri Cushion from Ten Things

6 Stockholm Coffee Table from Freedom Furniture

Besides from a new coffee table (6) that we've also purchased, the other key piece of furniture that we are getting is the String Shelf. Designed in 1949, the String system has become one of the most loved pieces of classic Scandinavian design. It's been on my wishlist for a very long time, and I can't tell you how excited I am to finally be getting one! The system is made up of different components, allowing for an almost infinite variety of combinations. Ideal for displaying books and treasures, there are also cabinets, drawers and magazine racks, and it comes in a range of colours. Because we have no open shelving in the kitchen, the String Shelf will allow us to display nice things, as well as books, which for me are a must. We can also add to the system as time goes on, or reinvent it altogether! The challenge however, is deciding on the initial configuration! Owner Ron Redel of the Auckland store Bob & Friends, who I introduced you to here, brought in the String Shelf to NZ and I'm in the process of confirming our order as we speak! We're going for the all-white option, however I'd love to introduce some walnut (3) perhaps at a later stage. I love those magazine racks!  

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 

When it comes to living room chairs, the options are endless. I would love a pair of leather chairs, such as the Butterfly Chair or Paulistino, both of which featured in my recent Leather Love Interior Styling Post. I also love Eames Chairs and the Hans Wegner Shell Chair, which I included in my wishlist below (7), however at a cost of 3,245 USD a chair, we'd need to win the lottery! Which is why I'm leaning towards a cane chair. The one below (1) is from Ikea, and looks great paired with a cosy sheepskin (2). Alternatively I'd like a pair of black Robin Day chairs which are available from Bob & Friends for $225 each. Pretty good for a design classic, don't you think?

Image: Source

I've put together a wishlist, although in order to keep things concise I had to cull a lot, including books, other pretty items for the String Shelf, more prints and a large white cowhide rug! 

01 Flos 265 Wall Lamp from Nest
02 Succulants in White Pots from Yopik
03 Geometric Print by RK Design from The Minimalist
04 String Shelf and Styling via Nordic Leaves
05 Grey Post - G by Playtype 
06 Etch Tea Light Holder in Brass by Tom Dixon from ECC
07 Hans Wegner Shell Chair in Walnut & Leather from Design Within Reach
08 Vedel Birds from Kiitos
09 Wool Rug designed by Scholten & Baijings for HAY
10 Rowan Cushion from Freedom Furniture
11 Pia Wallen Cross Blanket 
12 Eastvold Credenza in Walnut from House & Hold

Right, I'm off to make a final decision on the String Shelf!