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An Oasis of Calm with Neutral Shades

13 February, 2020 by

In our overstimulated lives and minds, the movements of minimalism and mindfulness continue to resonate for people. Neutral colour palettes are an excellent base for incorporating these mindsets in our homes. It’s a tranquil and versatile trend that will be big in 2020.

By definition, neutrals are without colour but they can have undertones which are either warm or cool. You want to keep this in mind when mixing and layering shades. It’s best to stick with shades that have a similar undertone. The result should be visually restful — your eye flows easily from point to point.

Beige, through the name alone, can sound drab and safe but when used thoughtfully can be warm and welcoming. As you can see from this kitchen it pairs well with soft wood tones. The result is an open, light and calming space but definitely not boring!

Bring nature inside

Along with natural wood tones adding a touch of green with plants can work perfectly on a neutral backdrop. They help to purify the air and add a touch of life and colour while adding to the natural harmony. Structural and hardy snake plants, large tropical monstera leaves or perhaps the deep green of a lily. The chinese money plant below is another hardy choice that doesn’t mind a bit of shade in the bathroom.A neutral colour palette is a great opportunity to mix up patterns and textural elements without the risk of a visual mess. Layer different textures and place unique objects to add interest and personality. Just be mindful to keep the change in contrast low so it doesn’t get too busy.

As always lighting is important and will transform a room throughout the day. You can imagine how the look is changed when this structural pendant light is illuminated. The texture and shapes are complemented by the natural light through the louvre shutters.

Interior spaces with a neutral foundation are easier to change up and transform. You’re free to mix up the look of a room with different décor and furnishings without the time/cost of completely changing the colour scheme. Something that will appeal to potential buyers.

In the same way, the use of neutrals in exterior design also makes a lot of sense. They have timeless appeal which is important when considering resale value.

In tune with nature

Rather than standing out like a sore thumb we love the idea of a house which is designed to sit harmoniously in its surroundings. Natural materials of timber, brick and stone and other textural elements that will weather well over the years.

This home in Raumati used quite a few neutral tones which has worked to create heaps of interest plus draws you into the entrance. Coupled with Stratus Design Series^® spouting and RP80^® downpipe in Titanium, the outcome is stunning. See more on this home here.

Inspired by nature, the Marley Stratus Design Series^® has a versatile collection of spouting and downpipe styles to add the perfect finishing touch.

The Marley Stratus Design Series^® spouting and RP80^® downpipe in Copper used below perfectly enhance the cedar cladding, making for a real feature home. You can read more about this modern build which embraces the earthy/natural aesthetic here. The Stratus Design Series^® is available in a range of colours that will complement any exterior colour scheme and the natural elements used in your build. So, there you have it. Neutral colours are a shrewd and flexible choice which can cater to a range of design styles from traditional to modern. Get inspired by the warmth, light and beauty of the natural environment. [Read more…] about An Oasis of Calm with Neutral Shades

Beside the Seaside, Whitianga

21 January, 2020 by

Undisturbed sea views across Buffalo Beach and Mercury Bay attracted Richard and Hannah to buy this Whitianga property in 2018. Stacks of potential for the family home of their dreams! No wonder it won Gold in the Auckland, Northland & Coromandel region of the Registered Master Builders House of the Year competition.

With 20+ years in the building game, Richard (HAMR Home Building Contractors) had a strong idea of what he wanted to build to replace the 1950’s dwelling and take full advantage of the location.

He picked up his pencil and drafted plans for a spacious two-storey home. Designs were developed alongside Studio 77 Ltd and a 9-month build followed.

Now that it’s a reality, the family are even more delighted with the location than they had expected. The extraordinary views are a stand-out from almost anywhere in the house.

Bright and spacious living

From the open plan kitchen/dining/living area, high stud ceilings and huge windows flood the room with natural light and frame the view. They open out to a substantial deck built using FSC certified Kwila with a frameless glass balustrade for a seamless view.

Sliding doors from the living area also open wide to an internal deck with louvre roof for shelter from the elements if needed. Good old kiwi BBQs no matter what the weather.

The furniture throughout is stylish, yet comfortable and inviting, meaning there are lots of spaces to relax and enjoy balmy Coromandel summers. Come winter, they can tuck themselves in with the usual features to keep in the warmth: double-glazed windows, heat pumps and Hotwire electric underfloor heating in the tiled areas.

Family kitchen with entertaining in mind

Our whole family enjoy cooking together and we love entertaining, so we needed a large kitchen to do that.

The island is solid oak – which is mainly used as a servery. The benchtops are pure black granite, with a honed finish – plenty of space to work in. The high ceilings, low hanging pendant lights and red stools at the breakfast bar create a very inviting space.

A walk-in pantry allows the small appliances to be handy without cluttering up the main kitchen. All hardware is Blum soft-close, and Blum Tandembox drawers give a quality touch in everyday use.

A striking exterior

A mix of cedar weatherboards and plastered AAC panel gives a clean-lined, solid appearance. The dark stain of the cedar (Wood-X Foundry oil) against the lighter colour of the plaster in Dulux Whakarewarewa contrast perfectly. Not to mention the choice of black Marley Stormcloud^® spouting to frame the whole exterior and connect it to the roof.

As builders we try and specify cedar into all of our houses, if we can. In fact, virtually wherever you stand inside, all you can see is the warmth of timber when looking out

Built to endure the elements

Living just a stone’s throw from the beach, Marley Stratus Design Series^® was an obvious choice for the spouting and downpipes.

Being beachfront we don’t have to worry about corrosion or rusting. We specify Stratus Design Series^® in almost all the houses we build.

The Stormcloud^® spouting profile was chosen for its clean, simple lines. The black colour discreetly ties in with the window framing and True Oak^® Corrugate roofing.

Marley RP80^® downpipes complete the system and offer the same 15 year guarantee as all products in the Stratus Design Series^®.

An escape for the kids

A self-contained area downstairs was designed with their three growing girls in mind. A comfortable place they can retreat to, so they can all have privacy as they get older.
No queues for the bathroom! The kid’s bathroom is built in three parts: the vanity in one room, toilet in the next and bath/shower in another. The vanity has three sets of drawers — one for each daughter.

Future-proofed

The Warwicks had the foresight to prepare for the future. The house has been pre-wired for solar panels to be installed on the roof at a later date. A dedicated circuit in the garage allows for a charging point for an electric vehicle.

A mixture of tropical and native plants, suitably fitting for the coastal location, will develop and grow over the years to come. Many years that the family will be loving their seaside lifestyle, we’re sure!

North Star, Marsden Cove

1 November, 2019 by

54 Stace Hopper Drive is a slice of heaven in the winterless North. It’s a freshly built Westmoreland Homes show home in Marsden Cove, one of New Zealand’s most exciting new marine villages on the shores of Whangarei Harbour. If you long for a relaxed lifestyle with some of New Zealand’s best boating, fishing, swimming and diving hot spots at your doorstep, Marsden Cove could be for you.

Welcome aboard

High vaulted ceilings add to the sense of openness in this generously sized 236 sq metre home. In keeping with the marine environment, the ceilings are constructed using grooved ply to create a nautical feel. The 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms and 2 living rooms can easily cope with a growing family and all those visitors you can expect in summertime.

Enjoy the outdoors at all times

A fan of indoor/outdoor flow? The big, double-glazed folding doors open wide onto sizeable decks and out to the large 740 sq metre flat section. Westmoreland Homes have been quite particular in specifying products that require little maintenance and can withstand the harsh coastal environment. That’s why they used a decking material made from 90% recycled timber and plastic, which requires little care.

Cook up a storm (and hide the mess)

This great looking kitchen will always stay that way. We love a kitchen that can hide the dirty dishes out of sight in a roomy scullery like this. There is heaps of bench space, great storage for appliances and crockery, and there’s even a wine chiller.

You’ll love the details

It’s the considered details that can really make a home special. And 54 Stace Hopper Drive has original details aplenty:

The exposed feature trusses are real design feature to set the home apart…

There’s the over-wide hallways and over-height doors which create such a sense of space and light. The hallway ceiling has special LED lighting with built-in night lights…

The installation of Methven water-saving showerheads, and the inclusion of the handy shampoo shelf…

The use of Marley Stratus Design Series^® Stormcloud^® spouting and RP80^® downpipes in black to give a crisp and stylish edge to the exterior. The gloss black finish works beautifully with the Mt Hikurangi light grey used on the pine weatherboards. And did you know that versatile, quarter round Stormcloud^® is New Zealand’s most popular spouting style?! Plus, it’s absolutely perfect for coastal locations because being uPVC, there is no chance of rust.

Oh, how that gloss black shines! ?

The smooth lines…

Want to create this look for your home?

Then it’s time you visited 54 Stace Hopper Drive at Marsden Cove and take notes on how to recreate this style. Then visit our stockists page to find the plumbing or building branch closest to you so you too can order Marley Stratus Design Series^® Stormcloud^® spouting and RP80^® downpipes in black!

Outstanding in every way

6 September, 2019 by

No. 2 Killick Place is a very impressive, stand-alone family home in a brand-new development in North Shore, Auckland. It is currently a Universal Homes Showhome.

So impressive, in fact, that it was an award winner in the Auckland House of the Year 2019. If you love the beach or the bush, then this is the perfect location for you. Fabulous Long Bay Beach is a just a walk away and the Okura Scenic Reserve with it’s amazing birdlife.

Living room and then some

This is a home that doesn’t stint on space. The upstairs downstairs configuration means there’s heaps of room for a growing family: four generous bedrooms upstairs with a large family bathroom, and a massive ensuite off the master bedroom complete with its own walk-in wardrobe.

Downstairs, its open plan living on a grand scale. The lounge, dining and family areas are awash with natural light from the huge expanse of windows. All double glazed, of course. And centre stage is a wonderfully appointed kitchen with state-of-the-art appliances. Large sliding doors effortlessly let the outside in and give easy access to the patio and lawn.

Easycare from top to bottom

Isthmus Group Architects have designed this home for easy living. External cladding is a combination of low maintenance, vertical cedar and Linea weatherboards. The mono pitch roof features long run Colorsteel^®. And the home’s crisp lines are highlighted by Marley’s Stratus Design Series^® Typhoon^® spouting and RP80^® downpipe in black. Both of which are made from high quality uPVC which means it won’t rust – so important when you are close to the sea.

We really like the mix of light and dark tones for the exterior and the choice of the black spouting and downpipes to match the joinery works beautifully.

If you’re looking for inspiration, take a good look at No.2 Killick Place, Long Bay. It’s on show right now. See www.universalhomes.co.nz for opening hours.

Luxury life on the canal at Marsden Cove

1 July, 2019 by

Watching the sun rise over the canal, early birds Craig and Sue Roulston are delighted with their new retirement sanctuary at Marsden Cove. With a private jetty on calm waters leading to the Whangarei Harbour, it is simply the perfect setting for their brand-new home.

The north-east facing, two-storey property’s deluxe features required superb teamwork and seamless communication to ensure a successful end result.

“There was an incredible amount of steel and glass and a lot of work in the build,” says Craig Cogan of Craig Cogan Builders, who has constructed seven other properties in the Northland development. “Cantilevered decks off the front, plus louvre screens off the decks, down the side, and over the entrance, required a lot of thought and careful construction to bring it all together.”

Keeping to a ‘luxurious and low-maintenance’ brief, the homeowners, Craig and Sue, went with Trespa^® Meteon^® for the exterior, a high impact cladding seldom used in New Zealand residential builds. With panels cured using an Electron Beam Curing (EBC) technology, they are resistant to weather and light and give a strong, highly stable but decorative panel.

The Marley Stratus Design Series^® Stormcloud^® spouting and RP80^® downpipes in black blend in so well, they can hardly be seen! But they are still the perfect products to use with the house being so close to a salt water way. With a 15 year guarantee Craig and Sue have peace of mind – it will definitely not rust!

Craig and Sue agree that an abundance of insulation, double glazing, and the layout of the interior, all helped to create a superbly sustainable home.

“In winter, the atrium over the dining area allows the heat from downstairs to flow upward and warm the whole house. In summer we open up the whole front of the house – all the ranch sliders – and barbecue out there. It is glorious.”

Thanks to Craig Cogan Builders and NZ Certified Builders for this content.

House of the Year – Whitianga

17 May, 2019 by

When Kirstin and Matt Castle were designing their new home in Whitianga on the Coromandel Peninsula, they concentrated on what was best for themselves and their two young sons. Pleasing the judges in the Registered Master Builders House of the Year competition was the last thing on their mind. But please them they did! They won the gold award in the Placemakers New Home $450,000 – $550,000 category.

We were quite chuffed to win actually. It’s really nice to know that others also appreciate what we have done. And it’s a big tick for our company’s design studio – said a delighted Kirstin.

The ideal location, location, location

The Castle’s new house sits on a large, sunny, flat 4,035m site in Whitianga township. The beaches, marina, shops and restaurants are all within very easy reach. The site was completely bare when they purchased it in 2016 and HAMR homes took just six months to complete the project.

We’ve heard the horror stories of new builds. But HAMR took care of everything for us. It really was stress free and we totally enjoyed being part of the process.

Designed for easy living

This is a home that ticks all the boxes on a homeowner’s wish list. It’s got open plan living, indoor outdoor flow, a generous veranda, large decks, easy care native garden, loads of storage, bunkbeds for the holiday guest overflow, and even a games room.

As Kirstin said, We wanted this to be a home that had some of the elements of the traditional Kiwi bach and all the comforts of a modern home.

It ‘s a home you can open out in summer, or close in for winter. Clever use of Velux skylights and ventilating louvres lets you regulate the airflow, so you can avoid those sticky and hot sleepless nights in summer. In winter, the double glazing, fully insulated walls and ceilings, solar capturing concrete floors and super efficient wood burner all make for a very cosy and comfortable home.

It’s easy maintenance too. The exterior cladding is bevel-back cedar weatherboards coated with Resene Woodsman Tiri Stain. The roof is corrugated iron with Flaxpod powder coating and the Marley Stratus Design Series^® Typhoon^® spouting and RP80^® downpipes are all hardwearing uPVC which won’t rust, so is perfect for the coastal location.

We got lucky with the spouting. Marley released their Stratus Design Series^® in black midway through the build so we had time to change to it. It’s the perfect match for our colour scheme.

There is no doubt that dark exteriors are very popular right now, however we love the way the Castles have gone for white (Resene Half Merino) soffit and posts to offset the moody cladding and black Marley spouting and downpipes. Looks so good!

The half round Typhoon^® spouting profile frames the house with a modern look, and the external brackets give some added detail, while also making it easier to clean the spouting out.

A new twist on the indoor/outdoor flow

Nothing quite says ‘beach house’ like an outdoor shower. It also means no more sandy togs in the bathroom, or sand on the floor. And nothing says indulgence like having a bath under the stars. The reconditioned bath is one of the most popular features of the home – it gets good use all year round from all members of the family.

Designed and made in Whitianga

The Castle home is very much a local product. Kirsten has her own architectural business, Studio 77 Ltd, which is based in Whitianga. The kitchen and bathroom cabinetry were supplied by Dimax, another local firm, and the Castles didn’t have to look very far to find their builders as HAMR Home are just down the road.

It’s great to be able to use local contractors and suppliers. You can’t beat the personal service and not one local tradie let us down. They were all great.

But wait, there’s more!

The most surprisingly thing about the Castle’s new home is the fact that it’s not really their home in the long term. It’s just stage one. In time, as the family grows a new house will be built on site and the house you see now will become the guest house/boat shed. So, watch this space for House of the Year 2020!