Contemporary Kiwi Living
Few things are better than having a comfortable, private retreat in which to spend time with your family and entertain friends.
As a nation, we New Zealanders are fairly understated types. With the odd exception, most of us prefer low-key to flashiness and hype, and when it comes to our homes we generally favour understated elegance and comfort to over-the-top styling and showiness.
Discreetly concealed behind a high fence, this showhome designed and built by David Reid Homes encapsulates these Kiwi values – it’s all about privacy and lack of pretension, with the focus clearly on lifestyle, comfort, and spaciousness.
Located in the relaxed beachside town of Orewa, just 30 minutes’ drive north of central Auckland, the five-bedroom, two-level home is clad in low-maintenance James Hardie Linea® Weatherboard with CLD Fascia, combined with elements of plaster.
Jodi Hogg from David Reid Homes says Linea, with its understated qualities, fulfilled their requirements both practically and aesthetically.
“Linea was a natural choice for this home. It gave us the contemporary style we were after, as well as the durability, which was so important with the house being elevated and close to the beach.”
Its longevity and weathertightness mean Linea is ideal for coastal locations where extreme weather conditions and salt-laden winds are prevalent.
“The interior of the home features a pale colour palette to enhance the feeling of space and light, so we wanted to use a dark colour on the exterior to create a sense of contrast,” says Jodi.
This is where Linea really stands out from other cladding options such as traditional timber weatherboards, as it can be painted dark colours without any risk of cracking or warping.
The 260m2 Orewa home has been designed specifically for family living and entertaining. An expansive (60m2) deck runs along the northern side of the house, opening off the open-plan kitchen/dining/living area and the master bedroom.
A fabulous feature of this deck, says Jodi, is the covered barbecue area, which incorporates an eye-catching outdoor fireplace and a dining table. A section of roof connecting the chimney to the house is fitted with automated LouvreTec louvers that can be opened or closed as required to direct the sun and breeze and create an all-weather entertaining area with ocean views.
“Given the unpredictability of Auckland weather, this is a great feature of the house. It’s ideal for entertaining and for families with teenagers or young children, as it creates a whole additional living space outside that isn’t weather dependent and can be used year round,” says Jodi. “You can open or close the LouvreTec roof at the push of a button, and clear rainscreens roll down to enclose the western side of the deck.”
Hardigroove® is used to line the ceiling around the louvers, and the complementary horizontal lines make a stylish statement.
“The Hardigroove works really well in conjunction with the LouvreTec product,” says Jodi. “The tongue-and-groove detailing adds a really contemporary feel.”
Inside, the home has a light, airy atmosphere thanks to the generous 2.7m-high stud throughout. The upper level contains the living spaces, the master suite and two additional bedrooms with a bathroom and powder room. Downstairs is a self-contained guest area, with a bedroom, bathroom, deck and its own separate entry.
The home incorporates many contemporary features designed for today’s lifestyle. A butler’s kitchen off the main kitchen contains the dishwasher and a sink, allowing meal-preparation mess to be concealed from sight – a real bonus with an open-plan kitchen/living space.
A small office-cum-computer room adjacent to the kitchen is an ideal space for kids to do homework.
The expansive master bedroom has a ‘retreat’ alcove that opens onto the deck and enjoys sea views. The master bathroom is accessed via an impressive walk-in wardrobe, and has a large spa bath.
The home’s two other bathrooms are exceptionally well appointed, with large, double-head showers. All of the bathrooms are tiled and feature moisture-resistant Villaboard® lining.
If you have a moment, why not take a drive to Orewa and check out this striking David Reid Homes showhome for yourself.
David Reid Homes offers a range of design-and-build services. In addition to offering a diverse range of exciting concept plans, the company will custom-design a home to suit your needs or work with your existing designer/architect to build the home of your dreams.
Visit this David Reid Homes showhome at:
39 Grand Drive, Orewa, Whangaparaoa
Open daily 11am – 4pm
For enquiries, phone 09 426 0043 or 0800 000 007
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