With a stunning location in NSW’s Central Tablelands, the empty-nester owners wanted a home that would set the scene for the next chapter in their lives. “The style they wanted was ‘classic country’ and it was important that the home be fully self-sufficient and off-the-grid without sacrificing comfort and luxury,” says Michael Christie, Housing Consultant, PAAL Kit Homes.

“Just as importantly, the home needed to be large enough to accommodate visiting adult children and members of their extended family; also, the owners wanted it oriented to take advantage of the spectacular views of Mount York and the surrounding Hartley Valley.

“We worked on plans with the clients for about two months before they settled on a design that worked with the steep site’s contours, maximised the view, and appealed to their sense of style,” explains Michael. “Plans were then drawn up for submission to Council and within three months the clients were able to get underway with the construction using a local builder.”

This is a home designed for the local conditions, so it has a high-tensile steel frame and is wind rated to N3 (159 km/h). The cladding, while being a traditional weatherboard style, is designed for BAL 40 fire conditions (the second highest fire rating) and the roof is of durable Colorbond. With an eye to sustainability, the house has hydronic in-slab heating and solar power with battery storage.

“We offer full customisation of all our designs and this home was no exception,” adds Michael. “Not only was the design adapted to meet the site conditions and bushfire requirements, just about every part of the standard design was altered in some way to meet the clients’ needs. The kitchen, bathrooms and living areas were all changed during the initial design consultation process.

“The resulting kitchen is warm, inviting and perfectly designed for large-scale entertaining. In fact, the owners recently hosted a wedding for their son and 100 guests. As for the family and meals area, this has a vaulted ceiling with large doors opening onto an expansive covered alfresco area looking out over the valley to the mountains and offering easy access to the adjacent lawn area.”

In summing up, Michael says, “A kit home was the ideal choice for the couple because it allowed them to build a fully customised home for the cost of a standard project home. They achieved this by keeping the builder and materials supplier separate, a strategy that ensured they stayed in control of the budget.”

For more information, 

PAAL Kit Homes 

The post A off the grid home is perfect for a pair of empty nesters appeared first on Completehome.

Gary and Camilla are parents to Beau, Landon and Aurora, as well as a bustling farmstead of goats and chickens and miniature Dachshunds, Arlo and Harlem. With a young family, they knew they would need a home that could grow with them. Sitting on 18 acres in the semi-rural town of Thirlmere, about 90km south-west of Sydney, the James Estate appears as an X from above, with four wings coming off the centre of the home. The main hall is 3m wide and stretches an impressive 24m long. For Camilla, being able to see all the way down from the front door to the back of the property through the large main hall was must-have when designing the home. Styled with Hamptons, French provincial and a touch of country style in mind, the home’s colour palette is white and grey with a bold splash of navy blue throughout.

The home has five bedrooms, all complete with walk-in robes, and three full bathrooms. The kids have plenty of space to spread out and grow, with a library and their own playroom. Gary and Camilla’s personal space includes a generous main bedroom with ensuite and walk-in robe. Camilla insisted on a full wall of glass in their ensuite, capitalising on the property’s expansive views.

Another priority for this family was a well-designed kitchen. “A pantry fit for a baker” was Camilla’s request, with sliding French doors separating it from the main kitchen, it is now one of her favourite spaces in the home. A breakfast bar with sweeping views of the paddocks provides even more bench space and a designated spot for the kids. The herringbone splashback tile, now a gloss grey, was a last-minute change after Gary and Camilla decided their first choice of blue herringbone wasn’t working. The grey tile was a stellar decision, complementing the wall paint above their cabinetry and the chrome tapware and light fixtures on their island. The family love the finished design and now have a home they can enjoy now and into the future.

For more information

Intrim Mouldings | 1800 622 081

The post The James Estate is a Truly Special Design appeared first on Completehome.