Taste of Tuscany in Christchurch

This classically proportioned villa brings a distinctively Italian aesthetic to the South Island, but it didn't come at the sort of price you might expect for this much style.

Until very recently, it would have been impossible to build a house of this calibre on an affordable mid-range budget. But with the help of James Hardie's Monotek weatherproof plaster system, architect Alistair Watt and builder, Signature Homes have created a durable and weather-tight living environment - with masses of Italian style.

Many of the characteristic features of traditional Tuscan architecture are found in this Christchurch home: a tiled roof, balcony, external chimney, and plastered external walls.

These architectural features were carefully chosen to create an air of European elegance. James Hardie's Monotek plaster system was selected for its flexibility, making it easy to incorporate irregular shapes and large, Italian-style windows.

But this elegance does not come at the expense of practicality: the home also been designed with a comfortable family lifestyle in mind. Two of the four upper level bedrooms open onto balconies. At ground level, the kitchen takes centre stage - while a pair of separate living areas flow out to covered patios, forming a seamless link with the great outdoors.

The result is a building that radiates quality and style. Although it looks a million dollars, this was an extremely cost-effective project.