La Dolce Viva: How To Style Your Living Space This Autumn

BOCONCEPT 
FURNITURE
Danish furniture design has been synonymous with simplicity, aesthetic beauty and timelessness. The BoConcept brand stands true to this, offering a range of designer furniture and accessories, all individually designed in Denmark. Michelle Halford a.k.a The Design Chaser selected sophisticated colours and paired them with sensuous materials to create a luxurious metropolitan look.

Key pieces include the modular Hampton Corner Sofa, RRP$12,990, in BoConcept's exclusive corduroy velvet 'Napoli' fabric and the Madrid Coffee Tables, RRP$1959, in a rust ceramic finish. Velvet Cushion in evergreen, RRP$109; Suede Cushion in mustard, $139; Cylinder Vase in warm brown, $219; Swirl Hourglass in amber, $129; Magic Light 3 Concrete Art, $869; Harlekin Cushion in brown, $105. Visit Boconcept.com.

DESIGNER RUGS
FLOORING
This subtle and elegant contemporary rug is expertly hand woven in luxurious wool and silk using traditional Nepalese methods. The Baxter (Black) is available in a range of custom sizes, and is priced from $7680 including GST. As the design shown is individual and unique, it represents a small proportion of the range.

For an overview of Designer Rugs' full collection, visit the showroom at 1 Grosvenor Street, Grey Lynn, Auckland. Phone (09) 300 6116, or visit Designerrugs.co.nz.

THE HUNTING LODGE
FOOD
Simply put, The Hunting Lodge's food philosophy is this: sustainability, simplicity and doing things differently. The family owned winery is proud of its pasture-to-plate approach, growing more than 130 varieties of seasonal vegetables and herbs to supply its stately restaurant and casual lawn bar dining area. To honour its Kiwi provenance, The Hunting Lodge rounds out its food offering by sourcing additional fresh produce from local artisans.

"This house-made charcuterie plate is a great example of how we add extra bursts of flavour to plates by using the best ingredients when nature intends," says Des Harris, executive chef at The Hunting Lodge restaurant. "The pork terrine, beef Brasola and salted duck breast are all prepared, cut and cured in-house and complimented with colourful lashings of garden-grown vegetable ferments and pickles, which includes fermented red and green cabbage, pickled baby beetroot, pickled courgettes and pickled onions," he says. Visit The Hunting Lodge at 305/307 Waikoukou Valley Road, Waimauku, or see Thehuntinglodge.com.

THE HUNTING LODGE
WINE
Inspired by its connection to community, nature and its Kiwi provenance, The Hunting Lodge created its acclaimed Expressions wine range, which includes four iconic New Zealand drops — Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir Rosé. Mindful of the social and environmental impacts, The Hunting Lodge sought to make the range more sustainable by using 100 per cent recycled labels and cartons made using 85 per cent recycled materials. To further enforce this core value, the Expressions range is available to purchase on-site in a keg, with a view to exploring a wine refillery further down the track to further reduce packaging waste. All four varietals feature an innovative augmented reality label, which wine lovers can see come to life via video through the LabelMotionAR app on the app store.

Enjoy the enticing richness of plums, cherries and savoury tones of the Expressions Pinot Noir, the vibrant, tropical punch-meets-herbal intensity of the Expressions Sauvignon Blanc, the aromatic off-dry texture and richness of nashi pear, peaches, grilled nectarine and custard of the Expressions Pinot Gris, or the fragrant, dry-style Pinot Noir Rosé, with notes of tropical melon, strawberries and white florals. Available from Farro's six Auckland stores, or visit Thehuntinglodge.com.

ECC
LIGHTING
ECC's range of premium lighting options make for a stylish addition to illuminate any living space. Designed by Achille Castiglioni & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Flos in 1954, the Luminator Floor Lamp in anthracite, RRP$1475, has been a timeless in Flos' Classics collection. Made from steel, the floor light provides indirect light through an LED lamp and adds an air of refinement to this cosy setting. Michelle paired this with ECC's Atollo Lamp, RRP$2655, which was designed by Vico Magistretti in 1977, and was awarded the Compasso d'Oro in 1979. In the years that followed, the Atollo Lamp has become part of the permanent collections of the world's major museums of design.

Available in black, white, gold or opaline glass, the Atollo Lamp comes in three sizes. Bash Vessel Small in brass, RRP$545; Bone Trivet in brass, RRP$470; Mirah Armchair in walnut, RRP$5000; Handmade Side Table in latte brown, RRP$2385; Mistral Blanket, RRP$1385. Visit Ecc.co.nz.

FARMERS
SOFT FURNISHINGS
Bring your living spaces to life with the range of cosy soft furnishings available from Farmers. Autumnal shades like mustard, teal and crimson are coming through strongly this season, so add pops of colour and texture with plush pillows and cosseting throws. Curl up on the couch with luxuriously soft cotton velvet cushions from the Tilly@Home collection, or add warmth and style to a bedroom or living space with cushions crafted in 100 per cent suede in rich jewel hues.

Breathe new life into an old sofa by adding a cheerful colour and textured detailing with a snuggly acrylic throw that's perfect to snuggle under on chilly evenings. Get the look with Farmers' Tilly@Home Cotton Velvet Cushion in mustard, Tilly@Home Archie Suede Cushion in teal, Tilly@Home Indi Cushion in mustard and Tilly@Home Zoe Throw in Crimson. Visit Farmers.co.nz.

MICHELLE HALFORD OF THE DESIGN CHASER
"As the temperature drops, we naturally retreat indoors to enjoy the warmth and comfort of home. To create a cosy, sophisticated living room sanctuary, I have taken cues from nature with rich hues and textures. A cocooning modular sofa in velvet, and luxe hand-knotted wool and silk rug define the space. Warm wood furniture and a palette of autumn-inspired colours bring the outside in, while a cosy mix of cushions and throws encourage rest and relaxation. Beautiful lighting designs create eye-catching focal points while illuminating the space, and a statement artwork and smaller accents bring further texture."

MICHELLE'S STYLING TIPS:

1. Create warmth and comfort with textural layering. Introduce cushions and throws in cosy, tactile fabrics like velvet and wool.

2. Add warmth underfoot with a large area rug. A great way to incorporate pattern into the room, try a geometric design for added texture.

3. Set the mood with lighting. Switch off the overhead lighting at night and illuminate the space with table and floor lamps. Incorporate different sizes and styles to bring a sense of balance and interest.

4. Create a cosy corner. A beautiful armchair with cushions and a throw provides the ideal spot to spend a lazy afternoon with a good read.

5. Don't forget the finishing touches. Continue the autumn theme with sculptural accents in brass and smoky glass.

6. Bring the outside in. Create an eye-catching arrangement of foliage with dried flowers and branches for that 'foraged from the garden' look.

Photographer / Babiche Martens. Stylist / Michelle Halford. Commercial editor / Ashleigh Cometti.

With special thanks to Symmetry Studio, A&C Home and Flooring Xtra.