Many of us dream about building our own home. I know I’ve thought about it a lot more over these last few months. But, even after all the hard work appears to be done, how do you then make the house you’ve made feel like home?
That’s one thing interior writer and stylist Michelle Halford, also known as The Design Chaser, has achieved perfectly with her Nordic style home in Auckland, New Zealand.
Over the last eight years, Michelle, her husband and their two young sons, have created a home that perfectly reflects who they are and how they live.
Over to Michelle to tell us more:
“When our eldest son was reaching school age, my husband and I made the daunting but exciting decision to self-build. We worked with a boutique building company who found the site and carried out the architectural plans, giving me the time to focus on what I do best, the interior.
My vision was always to create a Nordic-inspired home that would highlight the open-plan design, light-filled spaces, and bring a sense of relaxed calm to our new family home.
As my personal style evolves, and as the needs of our family continue to change, so too does the interior.
Our downstairs living room, for example, was once a kids’ hangout space now with its beautiful sofa, wooden flooring and minimalist shelving it feels far more ‘grown up’, and a room that the whole family now enjoys.
Over the last year I’ve re-painted a few of the all-white rooms in greige tones to introduce a softer, calmer feel. We’ve also renovated our bedroom ensuite, again changing the cool monochrome scheme to a warmer palette with neutral tones, creating a more cohesive, functional space. We’ve also given the laundry a much-needed makeover and installed bespoke seating on our deck.
Top of my current ‘to-do’ list is re-painting our bedroom, and I’d love to one day replace our all-white kitchen cabinets with a warm wood finish. Our big backyard is also in need of some landscaping, but that’s a longer-term project.
Even though I am always thinking ahead, my favourite part of the home is our upstairs open plan living, kitchen and dining area which flows out onto the deck. Bathed in natural light, the space is airy and inviting, and where you will find our iconic String Shelving System.
Anyone who reads The Design Chaser will know that I am a long-time admirer of simple, functional Scandinavian design, and this was one of the first pieces on my wish list when we built our home. The versatility of the shelves means that they can be re-configured or added to, while providing an endless styling ‘playground’ where I display favourite ceramics, books, candles, vintage finds and sculptural pieces.
I love stopping for a moment or two in this part of the house to watch the shadows from the afternoon sun dance across the wall, and with a huge Pohutukawa tree over our deck it gives the space a magical treehouse feel.
For me, home is my place of work, but most importantly it’s where my family and I can switch off and just ‘be’. A place to feel comfortable; yet inspired. It’s our sanctuary.”
THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME
10 quick fire questions, to find out more about Michelle and her home:
- Tea or coffee?
Coffee every day, tea once in a while. - Chocolate or cheese?
Chocolate. - Watching TV or listening to music?
Music while I exercise and work, TV in the evenings to relax. - Reading a book or flicking through a magazine?
Books. I’ve finally got a kindle because I churn through so many. - Bath or shower?
Shower. - Slippers or socks?
Socks. - House plants or fresh flowers?
Fresh flowers. I would have more house plants, but I struggle to keep them alive! - Candles or lamps?
Lamps are one of my design obsessions, but I also love the sensory appeal of candles. - Cushions or blankets?
Both! - Dog or cat?
Dog. Definitely In the plans…
WANT TO SEE MORE?
Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful home with us Michelle.
To read more from Michelle visit The Design Chaser blog or you can follow her on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook.
All photos courtesy of Michelle Halford, except for profile image by Kirsty Dawn and ensuite image by Helen Bankers.
Like this post? Then why not take a tour of the home of Hege Morris from Hege in France.
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