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An Oasis of Calm with Neutral Shades

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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

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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

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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!

Road trip to Richmond

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Though they had never been to Nelson before – when purchasing their next renovation here, Alice and Caleb were confident that this location would be well worth the road trip! When they were scouting out Nelson, anyone who spoke about the location had the same response – people loved it.  Nelson is known as a town surrounded by stunning natural landscapes – lakes, mountains, rivers, native bush, beaches and promising plenty of sunshine. With a pace that is slow enough to enjoy the simple things in life – strolls along the many beaches, backyard BBQs with neighbours and a good flat white at your local. But a growing and developing town, with plenty of thriving local businesses and an easy place to fly in and out of.

A 100-Year-Old Diamond

From the first time they spotted this house’s listing, it stood out. Built by a local builder in 1910’s, it was full of potential – a flat faced villa with a central hallway, high studs, and the lean-to extensions added over her 100-year life. Three roomy bedrooms and an airy front living room, with the kitchen and dining room opening onto a big outside area, screaming for some attention and the chance to create some great outside living spaces. From the front veranda, you can look out to the Richmond Hills and enjoy all-day sun.

Living in a Renovation

Alice and Caleb, along with their two children Alek 5 and Mika 3 moved in and started renovating. The strategy was to renovate two rooms at a time containing all of the renovation mess into one place. It allowed them to be productive, in seeing a whole room was completed before moving on to the next project. The huge benefit in this approach is having time to live in the house and consider the flow and feeling of the house. Knowing how you live in a house, makes it easier to design and renovate.

Old World – New World

Alice and Caleb consider it a true privilege to be able to give new life to a house with so much history. The design and workmanship of the last century is still impressive today, so the objective is to add elements that enhance the features of the old villa while still giving it a fresh modern look. Wallpaper provided the perfect way to do this, using patterns that were inspired by the trends of the past but designed to be on trend in 21st century.

First Impressions Last

The entrance to their Diamond was an opportunity to add a design statement and make a strong first impression of the house. They painted the exterior “Umber White”, the trims and fretwork “All Black”, the concrete porch and roof “Grey Friars” and the front door a strong pop of “Coral Tree”. Then they replaced all of the spouting with Marley Stormcloud® spouting and RP80® downpipes in white. The versatile quarter-round spouting profile with clean, strong lines suits the traditional exterior but also gives a modern look. Not to mention, it will serve this old beauty well into the future!

We have people in the neighbourhood constantly stopping us to thank us for giving the villa it’s new look, it has made an impression and a nice exterior doesn’t just impact your house but the whole street.

Full Time Renovators

After years of doing renovations in weekends and weeknights – this house has been renovated with Alice and Caleb’s full attention and DIY skill set. Alice single-handily hung most of the wallpaper in the house and took charge of the interior design and planning. Caleb has developed his DIY skill set, to now include cabinetry making, kitchen installation, tiling, floor sanding and installing new spouting and downpipes. Caleb says

replacing the spouting for your whole house is easily achieved in a weekend and is a straightforward DIY task with the correct planning and tools.

To watch Alice and Caleb’s how to video – click here.

This house has been renovated to sell, but also renovated to last. With the new uPVC spouting and downpipes, upgrade to the electrics, addition of gas for water heating and cooking, unovent system, heat pump and floor and ceiling insulation – Alice and Caleb hope this house has another 100 years of life in her yet!

About Alice and Caleb

Alice and Caleb are expert renovators, having completed 9 house renovations – with their winning renovation on the Block 2013 being what they are most known for. They started 9 years ago when they purchased their first home together, with a project on their hands and no DIY experience. But since then their passion for projects, property and learning has only grown.

Alice and Caleb are currently in the middle of their Renovation Road Trip. Having left their jobs, packed everything into a car, they set off to travel around NZ doing renovations. The concept being that they are taking time off from normal life to do something completely different. Buying a house that needs a makeover in a completely new town, travelling the country to get there, renovating it, selling it, and sharing the story and their life as they go – all the time with 2 kids on board for this adventure. They have finished up their previous project in Alexandra, Central Otago, and this is their 10th renovation in Richmond, Nelson. They share this journey through their website and social media channels, Pearson + Projects.

Social Accounts
Facebook @AliceandCaleb
Instagram @PearsonandProjects
Pinterest @PearsonProjects
Website www.pearsonandprojects.com

Imagine waking up to this Wellington view

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Waking up to that view was the long-held dream of Brent and Jeanette Tuohy. They bought their property in Plimmerton, Porirua twelve years ago, with the intention of bowling the existing house and building their ideal family home that made the most of the spectacular site. And that’s exactly what they’ve done.

They’ve made quite an impression

The old 1930’s home has been replaced by a very elegant and spacious 342m2 Lockwood home. Even though there were a few weather issues (it is Wellington after all) Brent and Jeanette managed to complete the entire project in just 10 months. Having their own building company certainly helped and the attention to detail in the home is simply outstanding.

All their own work

As Brent and Jeanette have spent many years assisting clients design their homes, all of what they know has been incorporated into the building of their own. Using their talented in-house draftsman they created a home that welcomed in the sun, opened out to the views and provided a warm and extremely comfortable haven. As you can see, they’re big fans of Velux Skylights!

“We’ve got them in both bathrooms too and they’re just brilliant. They let in the light, provide secure ventilation and automatically close if it rains.

Sustainability is built in

As a Lockwood Home it’s built from New Zealand grown Radiata Pine. And you can’t get much more sustainable than that. The cladding and joinery is all recyclable aluminium. The windows are all Low E (low emissivity) double glazed and the space between the panes filled with Argon gas to improve their ability to keep the heat in and the cold out.

Low maintenance is a high priority

When you’re this close to the sea and exposed to the occasional Wellington breeze your choice of building materials becomes incredibly important. Brent and Jeanette lead very busy lives so minimising maintenance was top of mind. Marley Stratus Design Series® Typhoon® spouting and RP80® downpipes was a no-brainer.

“It’s a fantastic looking product. We love the exterior brackets and the Titanium colour goes with everything, and of course, it won’t rust!”

Lockwood’s aluminium cladding is also so easy to look after. The occasional wash down and it looks like new.

 

Detail. Detail. Detail.

It’s the attention to detail that really makes this home special. Brent and Jeanette were incredibly particular in what they wanted in their home. They specified Lockwood ‘Pine Clear’ interior wall finishes which means there are no knots in the timber. All walls and sarking were blonded to achieve a lighter contemporary feel. The kitchen incorporates Blum soft closing drawers and doors, plus overhead cupboards have double-hinged lift up doors that self close. The floating shelves are fitted with strip lights to softly illuminate the kitchen bench. There is a second sink in the scullery. And the list of carefully thought out features included in this home goes on and on.

When asked if they would they have done anything differently in hindsight, their answer was a very succinct, “No!”  Which goes to prove that this home is everything they imagined.

Universal appeal

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Universal Homes are renowned for delivering a lot of house for your money. There’s no better example of that than at 85E Hobsonville Point Road, which deservedly picked up Gold in the 2019 Auckland Region House of the Year Awards, Gib Showhome category. This three-storey terrace house delivers over 220 square metres of modern, stylish and affordable living.

Not run of the mill

This Isthmus Group designed home is full of innovation and interest. To make the home more energy efficient LED lights have been installed throughout. To help save water, full reuse water tanks are tucked discreetly away on the property. To minimise maintenance, Marley Stratus Design Series® Typhoon® spouting and RP80® downpipes in Ironsand® were specified so rust damage is one less thing to worry about.

The generous sized, open plan living, dining and kitchen area takes up the first floor with large double-glazed sliders open onto a private balcony. Perfect for barbeques or working on your tan.

You’re sure to sleep easy

Because it’s a terrace house there’s one less wall exposed to the elements. And with the double glazing, excellent insulation and efficient in-built panel heaters, it’s so much easier to stay cosy all winter long.

As for the bedrooms and bathrooms, you’ll be spoilt for choice with 4 bedrooms and 4 toilets! The master and guest bedrooms come with luxurious ensuites, there is a generous bathroom for the family, and a guest toilet near the living area.

Relax and enjoy

This home is made for easy living. Little details like the automatic garage door, keyless entry and outdoor sensor lights all make you feel right at home, right away. And you can discover that for yourself because 85E Hobsonville Point Road is on show right now. Go to www.universalhomes.co.nz for details.

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