Dreams Do Come True

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Despite having initial reservations about building, an Auckland couple created their dream home and lived to tell the tale.

As Featured in Homestyle Magazine

Words | Soraya Nicholas
Photography | Thomas Law

After years of watching the British television show Grand Designs together, Russell and Lena Clough had very different ideas about building a new home. Russell was excited about the prospect of creating their dream abode, while Lena was more concerned about all the horror stories she had seen on the show and heard about from others who had built.

"Lena was not keen on building at all, so we spent a long time searching for the right home," explains Russell. "But at the end of the day we couldn't find anything that suited us, there was always something not quite right, so I convinced her that building was the right option for us."

And thankfully theirs was not a horror story. Instead they searched long and hard for the right builder, eventually finding Signature Homes North Shore.

"To be completely honest, they stood out by a mile, and the difference was that they genuinely seemed interested in making a home for us, rather than just building another house."

Russell and Lena put ideas together and took inspiration from show homes, and the design Signature Homes came up with was precisely what they had hoped for. "We really wanted a contemporary home with great indoor-outdoor flow, a big open-plan feel, and large windows to connect with the exterior," says Russell. They love opening the house up to the landscaping, or simply being able to gaze out through the large windows to the exterior.

"The best thing about our home is that we actually enjoy and use the entire house. We love every room, and it really is just everything we'd dreamed it would be." Special features in the home that Russell and Lena both love include the kitchen and the bathrooms. Designed, made and installed by Kitchen Magic, the kitchen is designer yet usable, with a huge natural granite top in colour Ivory Beach.

The rear wall of cabinetry is crafted from Melteca Dark Oak woodgrain, with the remainder of the cabinetry in a contrasting Melteca Refined Oak woodgrain. Beneath the large bench, the dark Melteca was used in one oversize panel. There is ample storage space and work areas, which Lena certainly appreciates, and the design works well in relation to the living areas, perfect for their everyday family life or for entertaining.

For the bathrooms, Russell and Lena had vanities custom-made with granite tops to match the kitchen, and chose the rest of the fixtures and fittings from Plumbing World. There, they sourced a Valencia angle corner shower for the main bathroom, which was made by Englefield. Signature Homes regularly specify this particular shower for the new homes they build, due to the quality of the product, and because they prefer to use items with extensive guarantees.

Also in the main bathroom is a Napoli oval acrylic bath, which suits the contemporary theme of the home, and is ideal for long, relaxing soaks. Despite her initial reservations about building, Lena found the entire process as stress-free as Russell did, and they both adore the home they hope to be in for many, many years to come. "We are so happy here, it's hard to explain. It was a dream come true to have a home built for us, and it has turned out so incredibly well."

Our Place
with Russell & Lena Clough

Home is …
Like a dream come true! It's contemporary, but at the same time homely and inviting.

Favourite room?
The open-plan kitchen and dining area. If we had closed our eyes and pictured how it would look, it's exactly as we would have described it. The double-height atrium/ entrance is also a favourite design aspect.

Best buy?
The granite bench with waterfall ends, and also the inclusion of the cinema room.

What do friends and family like most?
The layout of the home, and also the quality of the finish. The design of the house means that there is no wasted space, so visitors often think it's bigger than it actually is.

Advice to others preparing to build?
We would advise to use a major building company, based on our experience, and to make friends with your builder and subcontractors. Stay in touch with the builder without making a nuisance of yourself, and even if something isn't right, make sure you maintain your friendship and just work through any issues.