Old World Charm

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SHOWHOME EXTRAVAGANZA
As featured in Homestyle Magazine

Words by Soroya Nicholas

Embarking on a building project, especially for the first time, can be a daunting task, with so many decisions to be made from the outset. Thankfully, Signature Homes North Shore created an excellent resource for clients in this stylish show home in Albany. Designed to be a mix of modern living and old world charm, the main objective was to provide a home that would be appealing and useful for the majority of potential new home-builders.

The designers from Signature Homes envisioned a house with traditional values, to appeal to their clientele who were not interested in the mono-pitch houses that dominate the new home market at present. Inspiration was drawn from the classic homes of early New Zealand, to ensure the house felt warm and inviting. Now complete, the show home sits well on the site, despite 'no build' zones imposed by the local authority on the sloping section.

Crafted to combine traditional looking Linea Weatherboards and corrugated iron roofing, the house features a steeply pitched roof that allows for a spectacular high stud inside. Despite their original inspiration, the designers were quick to ensure that the long, cold hallways of the era were eliminated, instead favouring an elegant staircase and bridge in the entry area, flowing directly into a gracious formal lounge.

Signature Homes are committed to creating workable spaces, and this home would be ideally suited to a family. The kitchen has been designed creatively, with double cavity sliders disguising the butler's pantry so that dishes and cooking mess can be conveniently hidden away. Upstairs, parents can simply cross the bridge to retreat to a spacious master suite.

As with any Signature Home, the entire house has been finished with exceptional attention to detail, including the furnishings. To ensure the authenticity of the old-style home, ceiling roses, wallpaper and detailed dado rails have been used, further adding to the warmth and comfort of the ideal family home.

With a long standing reputation throughout New Zealand as a premier home building company, Signature Homes can be trusted to build and oversee the completion of a new home, with quality and customer satisfaction in mind.

To complement the style of the house, Paul Matthews from Image Landscape Design & Plant Supplies was called upon to create a workable design for the garden and outdoor area. Image Landscape Design & Plant Supplies focus on providing professional advice and guidance for new or existing homes, with services ranging from design plans and landscaping installation to irrigation advice and plant supplies at wholesale prices.

Tailored specifically to the Auckland environment, Image Landscape Design & Plant Supplies designed an attractive, low maintenance garden and plantscape for this show home.

Chosen for aesthetic purposes and proven longevity, Dimond supplied and installed Dimond Corrugate steel roofing. The corrugated effect was ideal to complement the high pitch design of the roof with the chosen colour, Habitats Slate, providing a dramatic and striking visual effect on the exterior. To enhance the overall appearance of the roof, strong ridge lines were favoured for the lightweight Dimond Corrugate.

The steel roofing supplied by Dimond is suitable for ultra modern buildings or colonial-style houses such as this show home. There are a wide range of Habitats colours to choose from, although darker tones are showing a trend as being the most popular in the current building climate. In this instance, the 'Habitats Slate' colour specified by Signature Homes adds depth to the house and works well with the exterior colour palette.

Providing services throughout the country for residential and commercial clients, Dimond is a company proud of their reputation as an industry leader and innovator in product development. Dimond is the largest manufacturer of steel roofing, cladding and rainwater products in New Zealand, and with twelve sales centres in targeted areas, their knowledge and services is easily accessible.

Deciding to fully furnish the show home, Signature Homes used Garden Pine Design to help create a relaxed outdoor setting. Cape Cod chairs and a side-table were assembled, painted and delivered by Garden Pine Design. The wood of choice was H3 losp treated Pine, with modern stainless steel screws.

The Cape Cod Connoisseur furniture was painted Resene 'Rice Cake'. A primer coat was used first, followed by two coats of gloss acrylic in a spray finish to complete the smooth appearance.

With ten years experience supplying and assembling outdoor furniture, Garden Pine Design specialises in Cape Cod chairs, and is now exporting to Australia. The chosen furniture for the show home allows potential new homeowners to experience the comfortable design of the house, with the Cape Cod chairs offering the ideal retreat for weekend relaxation.

To establish a strong entrance, Fabtech was consulted to craft and supply a substantial front door. Chosen from the Platinum range, the front entry door offers a stylish yet solid look, suitable for a traditional or modern home. The latest technology is used for assembling, making and finishing the Platinum range, a trait that has earned Fabtech a reputation for excellence.

Modern and traditional glass styles can be incorporated for clients seeking uniqueness, and all Platinum doors are created using high-grade aluminium extrusions that can be powder coated for a contemporary look. A huge range of colours is available to fit either a predetermined colour scheme or to create a dramatic contrast.

All Platinum doors from Fabtech are constructed from aluminium, so there is no risk of splitting or warping, and all doors show excellent resilience to all weather conditions. A wood grain finish is also available, with the appearance of cedar but with none of the obvious drawbacks of using wood.

Fabtech offer a range of products, from pre-fabricated and ready to install louvres to their latest aluminium fencing range. The Platinum front entry doors are continuing to grow in popularity, due to their ability to provide an innovative and stylish alternative for new homes.

Adding to the abundant use of quality fittings featured throughout the show home, Cavalier Bremworth 100% wool carpet from Carpet Link Ltd Link Drive, Glenfield was used. Chosen for practicality and appearance, an extra heavy duty 'Serengetti' textured loop was installed, in colour 'Husk'. The natural aesthetics of the pure wool New Zealand-made carpet provides a modern look, without compromising on style or warmth.

Carpet Link Ltd have in-depth product knowledge to share with customers, and as a specialist carpet-only store, they are committed to stocking only the best quality brands with good customer warranties. The Cavalier Bremworth textured loop carpet can readily withstand the rigours of constant use, and has the all-important Woolmark label as a testament to quality.

Chosen specifically to complement the shade of carpet, Style Plantation provided bamboo compressed flooring for the areas requiring a hard surface downstairs. Compressed bamboo is harder than any other available timber flooring. The wood is compressed and machined into timber planks, a manufacturing process that is considered very unique in the industry.

Specialising in bamboo flooring, Style Plantation favour this style of floor for its unquestionable durability and style. The colour is described as a 'Coffee' semi-gloss, and is fade resistant. Because the product is solid timber as opposed to a veneer, compressed bamboo floor is fast becoming a timber of choice for home-builders seeking durability and affordability, coupled with innovative style and design.

Adding a truly luxurious quality to the home, Kitchen Magic created a workable and stylish kitchen. Working closely with the Signature Homes designers, Kitchen Magic ensured the kitchen worked accordingly with the property's style.

One of the most exciting aspects of the kitchen is undoubtedly the butler's pantry, complete with a sink and ample storage. Cleverly designed, there is an abundance of shelf space that can be hidden away if visitors appear unannounced.

In the centre of the kitchen is another sink, featuring additional room for food preparation, and space for breakfast bar-style seating if desired.

To continue the traditional theme throughout, Kitchen Magic chose framed panels for the cupboard doors and tongue and groove finishing details elsewhere. The effect is simplistic without feeling minimal.

Working alongside Signature Homes for many years, Kitchen Magic specialise in designing kitchens on an individual basis for each client. The kitchen in this show home embodies the requirements of any avid cook; functionality, real space and somewhere to hide away the mess! WORDS: SORAYA NICHOLAS © homestyle magazine 2006

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