#MyLivingDNA Verity’s Experience: Investing in Custom Rug Design as an Expat

Our client, Verity Dibben shared with Expat Living that as an expat moving through different rental properties, she never saw the point of investing in a high-quality rug. That changed the moment she received her custom Living DNA rug.

"We just moved house, and after 10 years of use, the lovely old rug that I bought second-hand was worn beyond redemption. Time to treat myself to an upgrade for our new home! With young children and living in rental properties, there seemed little point in investing in a new rug, but I was so, so wrong. I wish I'd done it years ago - it's amazing how something so simple can completely transform the feel of a room."

"I did a lot of research on rugs. I wanted to ensure the colours blended well with both my ottoman and a lovely old slipper chair I'd recently had reupholstered. I'd heard of Living DNA through the grapevine but never visited their store. I didn't want to take a gamble on just getting something online. Also, rugs are sensory - texture and feel is important; so, I wanted to touch and feel, and accurately match colours, without being rushed."

"Living DNA offered all the above. Shernan and team could not have been more helpful and lovely. I didn't feel a hard sell at all, but spent glorious hours working with the team to pick up the right colours to match my existing furniture."

"Despite having worked in the interiors industry, I still suffer from decision paralysis when faced with wonderful options. The team patiently and expertly helped me figure out exactly what I wanted. Their knowledge, breadth of services, speed to reply communications and post-purchase support all made me really confident in the choice I was making. They made a sample before going ahead with the final production, so I felt completely content with my choice."

"I ended buying a 4x4 metre custom Oakridge rug, handmade in India from New Zealand Wool, with foam underlay, made of three carefully selected colours. My heart was in my mouth when the team arrived with my rug to lay it for me. But I needn't have worried - I could not be more delighted. The quality is beautiful; the colours are exactly as chosen; it hasn't pulled or shed like cheaper rugs do; and it feels bouncy and springy under foot. Six months on, I still have a little rush of happiness each time I walk on it."

Thank you, Verity for trusting us!

All quoted sections of this post are sourced from the December 2025 issue of Expat Living Magazine.

See how Oakridge comes to life in different spaces:

Commercial Project | Amara Sanctuary Sentosa, Oakridge NZ Wool

Residential Project | Fernvale by Joja Interior, Oakridge NZ Wool