Simply Irresistable

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Simply Irresistable
As featured in Homestyle Magazine

Words Charlotte Lane
Photography Tim Whittaker

Style and experience combine to create an exemplary showhome in the Hawke's Bay

As the number one franchise in the entire Signature Homes group for 2008, Signature Homes Hawke's Bay felt the pressure to create something rather irresistible for their new showhome. "It's a showhome, but it's also a home that our customers feel they could live in," says Managing Director Daryll Pugh.

This theme of liveability is something which transcends throughout the entire house, and the
response from potential homebuilders has been "absolutely fantastic". "We created a custom designed plan for the section," comments Daryll. "It's a very spread out home, and feels bigger than it actually is." This may well be because the house has such good flow. Doors open out from the lounge, dining and even the master bedroom, meaning the notion of inside/outside is comfortably merged.

The mixture of different ceiling heights gives the home a point of difference, and creates different
moods. In one area there is a cathedral style ceiling and in another it is flat. While they do have an extensive range of plans available that are pre-designed, many customers prefer to have a tailormade home that is designed just for them. With an in-house architectural designer, colour consultant and kitchen designer, this is a process Daryll's team tackle with ease.

The showhome's exterior is a combination of weatherboards and solid concrete blocks a duo of
materials that Signature Homes Hawke's Bay often use. Supplied and laid by Wynands Masonry, the New Zealand made 100mm and 200mm series concrete masonry blocks are the ultimate hardwearing building material, with excellent fire resistance, longevity and a history of excellence. The outface of the blocks is honed to expose the aggregate, and all of the blocks are stack-bonded then finished with the application of three full coats of sealer.

Another feature of the exterior that makes a real visual impact is the garage door. From Dominator Hawke's Bay, the garage door is described as the Dominator Auto & Sectional Cedar TC&V model. Operated on a remote system, the door is the ultimate in convenience. Because Dominator garage doors are made locally, a full maintenance and service programme can be offered right here in New Zealand. Garage door design is becoming more integral to home design, and doors are now often colour matched to suit exterior joinery or roof profiles.

The landscape design completed for this showhome is also a critical aesthetic component of the exterior. Instant Green was charged with creating the practical elements of the extensive landscape plan. Among other products, they supplied and placed instant lawn, which they grow to ensure quality. Instant Green also supplied and installed topsoil, a Toro irrigation system, large grade Olive and Magnolia trees, and lime trees.

The lawn is cultivated in the Hawkes Bay, so it is preconditioned to harsh weather conditions, from hot dry summers to very cold winters. Laying instant lawn means that it only takes 10 days to see full results, as opposed to waiting for seeds to grow.

When it came to the finishing touches, it was all about subtle colours and tones. Wattyl colour Double Ground Cover was applied in Taubmans Sunproof for the exterior, and Wattyl was also the paint of choice for the interior. Throughout the inside of the home Taubmans EcoProof Low VOC paint was preferred, with the living areas and bedrooms painted to Wattyl White Pepper and Wattyl Half Ashwood, with Wattyl Double Smudge for the kitchen.

EcoProof is New Zealand's premium low environmental impact paint currently on offer. All of the interior and exterior painting was completed by Mike Barham Painting. They are the regular decorating team for the Hawke's Bay Signature Homes franchise, and are known for their high quality, flawless surface finishes. They always use Wattyl/Taubmans paint, because it achieves what they describe as "lovely results". They appreciate using a product which has low odour, and has such a low impact on the environment compared with many other paints on the market.

The interior of this show home is without a doubt a level above the industry standard. It feels lived in and loved, rather than empty and soulless, despite no one inhabiting the house. The overall style is warm and comfortable, although no compromises to style have been made. Two separate living areas make for casual and more formal spaces, and the flow to the alfresco area is relaxed.

Like the rest of the home, the kitchen follows a laid back yet modern style. The breakfast bar is spacious and has enough room for morning paper reading and casual meals, and the light colours reflect a contemporary mood. This designer style is noticeable in the bedrooms, with their contemporary linens and easy flow.

The bathrooms are equally stylish, with luxurious tiles extending over floors and up the walls. The tiling work was completed by RF Masonry, who laid porcelain tiles for these wet areas. Prior to tiling commencing, the bathrooms had to be extensively prepared. RF Masonry waterproofed the shower floors, before selecting high quality products to use alongside the tiles. A flexible sealer by Construction Chemicals, as well as a fibreglass matt was used, in addition to a flexible adhesive. The grouting throughout is grey, as is the silicone used.

To finish the bathrooms, Signature Homes turned to Steeles Plumbing & Bathroom Ltd. The brief was for
high quality, hardwearing products that would enhance the upmarket design of the home. In the main bathroom a deep, freestanding 'Soul' bath by Athena takes pride of place. Clearlite's double-bowl Avon vanity and Platinum shower are also features, complemented by the stylish Kiri range of tapware from Methven.

In the ensuite, two wall-mounted Tao basins continue the feeling of space created by the walk-in shower. The clean lines of both bathrooms are reflected in the two Roca Dama Senso toilets, also from Clearlite. Konvex tapware was supplied for the kitchen and laundry.

The installation of all these products was completed by BMW Plumbing Ltd. As the regular plumbing company for Signature Homes in the area, they are well versed at the quality and integrity demanded for every facet of these new homes. Because BMW Plumbing also complete full drainage plans and systems, they are involved from the very beginning of each project, and were on-site here to ensure every last bathroom and kitchen fitting was in good working order. Their expert advice often proves very helpful in the selection of plumbing related products, and their workmanship is something that can always be relied upon.

Because Signature Homes believe in future proofing new houses they build, they were quick to install a central vacuum from Beam Systems Hawke's Bay Limited. Four inlet valves were placed in the home, with a vac pan in the toe space of the kitchen. A nine metre Aspira super deluxe hose was supplied, with 40 metres of ducting installed during construction. Ultimately, this is an efficient, lightweight and easy to use cleaning system that assists asthma and allergy sufferers. The patented Goretex filter used by Beam is non-clogging and self cleaning, making this one of the most coveted internal vacuum systems available.

Also making life easier for a future homeowner are the wardrobes in the house, from Innovative Interiors Hawke's Bay. The master bedroom walk-in-robe is often commented on by visitors, and is made from solid Melteca, in colour Ebony Oak.

For potential homebuilders, the benefit of being able to visit such a well-appointed, well thought out show home is inexpressible. Thankfullyfor those in the Hawke's Bay region, inspiration for a new home is only a visit away.