New Homes $600,000 - $1 million

The British owners and recent immigrants of this stunning family home specifically sought a contemporary look – keenly aware they could never replicate the historic stone church they had restored in the UK.

Taken with New Zealand’s housing variety and greater design flexibility, they found a large site on the outskirts of Tauranga to create their vision. The home had to be spacious enough to give four young children separate bedrooms, two bathrooms between them, plus their own dayroom that offered flexibility in future. They also wanted a private guest suite. Outdoor living was essential – so a pool, courtyards and lawn expanses had to envelope the home and connect closely with key rooms.

The site enabled Harwood Homes to design a sprawling 451sqm single- level home – clean lines, sloping roof pitches and stone presenting elegance that match this home’s freshness. Dark splashes of Linea weatherboard contrast superbly with classic white plastered Celcrete, while stone touches include columns and feature walls – a seamless line at the foyer making a dramatic greeting.

The décor throughout is soft - tones of Alabaster highlighted with feature walls in shades of Stonehenge in the foyer and used to great effect in the kitchen. Big charcoal tiling in the foyer, kitchen and bathrooms is complemented by soft grey carpet - balancing the uniform theme throughout the house, apart from striking feature walls in bedrooms.

Bathroom luxury is a highlight – four children’s bedrooms sharing two bathrooms between them, separate bathroom privacy for the master retreat plus another in the guest suite at the end of the house. Smart design allows passage access for visitors to one bathroom, while also giving outdoor flow to cater for recreational activity. On top of that, a well-appointed laundry with wet space links with the garage to allow an active family handy access to drop shoes and clothes.

High studs in the hub of the house – rising in the dining area – enhance the strong sense of space in the kitchen, family and dining sections. Family living connects with the children’s day room next door, yet gives privacy between rooms when required. Parents have their own formal lounge, and every living room opens outdoors to expansive patio corners. This creates a continuous flow outside, though each nook has a distinct mood - a gas fire off the lounge and sheltered lounging off family. The solid expanse of tinted concrete sweeps out to the pool beyond.  Glass balustrades retain the close connection of outside living, while defined landscaping provides playground space.