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Wonderful in Whitford

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Glenn and Mel’s dream of escaping the hustle and bustle of suburban life led them to the rural town of Whitford, southeast of Auckland. In 2020, they found a perfect 3,000 square metre section of land to build their single-level country home. The eight-month build resulted in a beautiful 305 square metre home featuring natural materials and textures with clean lines.

The interior of the house has a neutral, earthy feel with concrete floors and natural accents of schist and timbers. The walls are painted in Resene Double White Pointer, and the ceiling is in Resene Alabaster.The exterior features schist columns framing the entranceway below a gabled roof to add to the country charm. The rest of the home has country-style vertical weatherboards finished in deep Resene English Walnut natural wood stain. The fascia and eaves are painted in Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen in Resene Alabaster.

The Marley Stratus Design Series® Stormcloud® spouting and RP80® downpipes in black tie it all together.

It was actually a hard choice because the Stratus colour range gave us plenty of great options to choose from.

Stratus Design Series® is available in Black, FlaxBlack®, Ironsand®, Grey Friars®, and metallic colours, Titanium and Copper.Glenn and Mel chose Marley Stratus Design Series® spouting and downpipes because they are stylish and hard-wearing, perfect for New Zealand’s harsh weather with the 15 year guarantee.

The Versatile quarter-round Stormcloud® profile with its angular look complements the design and matches the roof.The house consists of four bedrooms, three bathrooms, two lounges, and a double car garage with a loft used as a fifth bedroom. The saltwater, heated pool is one of the highlights of the home.

Whitford is a great community and a peaceful and private location, making it the perfect balance for Glenn and Mel’s desire for escape while still being close enough to Auckland City.

They are delighted with their new home and chose Marley Stratus Design Series® for its style, durability, and 15-year guarantee, though they know it will last much longer. The house is a perfect example of modern country design and functionality.

Although wishing they built the home a bit bigger, Glenn and Mel are in love with their beautiful new build “Perfect for the kiwi summers!”.

Vibrant & Victorian

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If there was ever a home with a story to tell, it’s this one! Situated in Clarks Beach, Hayley and Chris Parsons love their 640 square metre Victorian beauty that sits on 9 hectares of rural coastal land overlooks water on both sides.

As a military family the Parsons family moved regularly between domestic and international posts. But settling back in New Zealand, they wanted a rural lifestyle to raise their four children and Clarks Beach in Franklin ticked all the boxes.

It overlooks the water and is very peaceful. It always feels like you’re on holiday when you come home which is restful when you work in very busy roles. It is a great community.

Humble beginnings

Huntly House started its life back in 1911 in Central Palmerston North. It was the first house in Palmerston North to have its own electricity supply at some stage before 1924.

It was moved to another part of Palmerston North in the 1980’s and the Parsons were lucky enough to meet the man who owned it at that time. Thankfully he had left some cut marks in the house to remind him of his work – Hayley and Chris used the exact same ones and have kept those cuts visible in their home for the same reason.

The house flowed through many lives. People are often fascinated to learn that at one point it had been used as a mechanics workshop and the cut out for the grease pit remains in the main lounge!

The BIG move

The Parsons family initially decided to build a new, modern, single level dwelling on the site. This would have been simpler, faster, and cheaper than relocating a 3 storey, 111-year-old house!

However, they were totally enamoured with Huntly House the first time they saw her and ideas of ‘what-if’ started to flow if they owned the home. As with most house purchases, they became emotionally invested in the process and did everything needed to ensure the purchase happened. But it wasn’t easy – they were number 6 on the buyers list so had to convince the vendor to sell the house to them!

The sale went through and the planning phase started for moving Huntly House 500km North to Clarks Beach.

Preparing the house to move took about 5 days which involved removing brick chimneys, removing, and securing parts of the roof, separating 3 floors, removing stair banisters, removing parts of ceiling, cutting, bracing and labelling every single piece of timber that was removed and was intended to be reused.

Transportation of the first two smallest pieces was overnight from Palmerston North to Clarks Beach.

Transportation of the larger 4 pieces took two nights. The first leg was Palmerston North to Tokoroa and then Tokoroa to Clarks Beach.

The house travelled mostly straight up State Highway 1, twisting, and turning through the Desert Road and around Lake Taupo. They encountered a large house travelling in the opposite direction around Lake Taupo so had to hastily pull to the side of the road to let the move pass!

Once all 6 pieces were on site and everyone had managed a few hours’ sleep, the work to piece everything back together on piles started the very next morning. This process took about 7 days and then the detailed reconstruction started soon after that.

The renovation got started however in December 2017 the family moved to London, so they had to project manage the renovation from the other side of the world which was a challenge. Luckily, they had a great relationship with the builders – Heineke Builders Ltd.

The shift definitely added complications (of a budgetary nature) as they couldn’t do a lot of the work themselves as originally planned.

The most exciting part about our home is seeing the vision come to life – and I don’t mean in terms of decorating choices. We always felt the home could be used as more than just our family home and likewise, our land too. In the last two years we have let the house out for music recording, short film production, yoga classes, workshops, conference space, residential workshops, birthdays, Airbnb, a sheep sale and weddings.

The stately exterior

The original timber weatherboards are painted in Resene Double Truffle and the eaves in Resene Half Sea Fog.

The roof and some of the wooden accents at the top of the house are Grey Friars and that was also the colour chosen for the Marley Stratus Design Series® Stormcloud® spouting and RP80® downpipes. The darker shade of grey definitely frames the house beautifully.

The paths around the house are Waikato fleck pebble, created from firebricks salvaged from the fireplaces at Rahiri House, Mt Albert which were offered to Hayley when they renovated.

Whilst a cottage garden would have been in keeping with the style of house, it could not stand up to the coastal environment therefore natives suitable for coastal and high wind conditions have been planted.

Marley is a household name for us. We have used Marley products on all our building projects and love that it’s made in New Zealand.

The Parsons did have the option to use pressed steel spouting, like what was already on the house, but as they’re in a coastal environment they decided on the longevity of the Marley product because it won’t rust or corrode – and the Stratus Design Series® had the Grey Friars® they wanted.

We knew we wanted to have a neutral colour palette that would complement the environment. We started with the roof and spouting in Grey Friars and the door colour, Resene Pohutakawa, and went from there.

We also knew we didn’t want to have white downpipes so selected Stratus RP80® in Grey Friars® to match the roof and decks and they are really happy with the contrast.

The Stormcloud® profile was chosen for its clean, strong lines.

The beautiful interior

Hayley and Chris have re-used as much of the original timber as possible. Every piece of architrave, beading, skirting board, and panelling that was removed in preparation for cutting the house, was labelled and their corresponding positions on the walls were also labelled.

Trying to put it all back together was like a massive wasgij but it was so worth it!

Huntly House now has 7 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, 2 full kitchens, and a new kitchenette, scullery and laundry. The floorplan now means the house can be split into three independent sections.

They opted for quite a neutral colour scheme inside with walls in Resene Quarter Truffle and ceilings in Quarter seafog. The main feature is definitely the timber staircase, exposed beams and wooden flooring which are all finished in Resene Qristal Clear polyurethane matte varnish to bring out the natural richness in the wood.

The modern kitchen incorporates things like a flip top power and USB charger in the breakfast bar for convenience. The smooth white style with wooden accents looks crisp and clean.

The bathrooms have a traditional feel, one with the original clawfoot bath which they resurfaced, and the cabinet and even the copper cistern in the main bathroom are original too.

In hindsight we probably would have clawed back some areas of the budget to put full sound proofing in-between the floors – families are noisy! Our 4 children are now grown, but still come home to visit with their partners when they can. We love how the house can be used in so many ways and for more than one thing at a time.

It feels great that we have succeeded in recreating Huntly House for our home but also for the community and others that wish to enjoy her.

There’s no denying she looks the part in the landscape, and the Parsons know she will stand the test of time overlooking the coast for another 100 years!

We’re so pleased we went with Marley Stratus Design Series® because it looks great and we really do know it will last!

A roomy rebuild in Onehunga

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Louise and Eugene Barry bought their quaint Onehunga, Auckland home in November 2009 when the house was only 112 square metres for 4 bedrooms! But the central location, being close to Cornwall Park and motorways, and the warm and friendly community made up for the size.

With a growing family they simply needed more space, so it was either move or create a larger home on the same site. They opted for the rebuild to increase the size to 270 square metres. Every single interior wall from the existing structure was removed to accommodate the new floor plan. The work took around 8 months.

For the cladding they opted for timber weatherboards which are painted in Resene Silver Chalice with Arctic White joinery.

The roof is Colorsteel® in Grey Friars which works perfectly with the Marley Stormcloud® spouting and RP80® downpipes also in Grey Friars® from the Stratus Design Series®

The Stormcloud® quarter-round profile has clean, strong lines which fit in with the modern yet classic styling. Marley Stratus Design Series® has a 15-year guarantee and excellent UV resistance.

A lot of effort went into ensuring the home was well insulated including Viridian ComfortPlus, a leading Low E performance laminate, for the double-glazed windows.

The interior of the home has a neutral base palette, painted throughout in Resene Black White for walls and ceiling and Resene colour matched Arctic White for architraves and skirting.

The kitchen was designed by Moda Kitchens and the cabinetry is Acrylic soft touch from Laminex which is an anti-fingerprint material. Like so many other homes, their beautiful kitchen is the hub, so the central island lends itself perfectly to being able to still interact with the rest of the family whilst cooking or baking.

Louise and Eugene specifically designed the kitchen with storage in mind and the butler’s pantry is perfect to hide away any clutter (and the craft beer fridge too!). The bookshelves on the front of the island, and on either end of the overhead cabinets, add a nice yet practical feature.

The bathrooms in their home are stunning, with dark grey concrete look tiles utilised with white and timber. Under-tile heating and recessed shelving in the showers was a must, plus mitred edges on tiles throughout added to the lovely finishing.

David Trubridge lights and custom-made oak slats are featured in the central stairwell which is the first thing you see when you open the front door – simply gorgeous!

Louise, Eugene and their two little ones are loving their roomy rebuild, and the peace of mind they have from future proofing with quality products such as the Marley Stratus Design Series®. Great work you guys!

Five tips for building or renovating by the sea

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This recently renovated home in stunning Waiheke ticks all the boxes when it comes to coastal living. A sturdy weatherboard home, a stunning view of the ocean, a pool and plenty of living spaces. After supplying the lucky owners with new Marley Stormcloud® spouting and RP80® downpipes in white, we picked their brains for five tips to having a great coastal home and here they are.

1. Make the outdoor living space a priority

Think about including some functional and inclusive outdoor areas. These will become the centre of any party as you cook or enjoy them. Some ideas might be:

  • An Argentine fire
  • A pizza oven
  • Outdoor kitchen
  • A pool
  • Nooks and chill spots
  • A games area with darts, or pétanque
  • An outdoor dining area
  • A gazebo

  • Having a spot for outdoor dining is essential at a coastal getaway. Just make sure to break up any direct sun so that it’s not too hot during the day.
  • Build these spots for an ideal number, most likely 6 or 8 so they are intimate yet functional. You can use plants and planters to close in spaces to make them cosy.
  • Outdoor fires are mostly illegal now, but if they are a cooking tool, like a pizza oven, councils will often allow them.

  • If you’re lucky enough to have (or fit in) a pool, it’s important to make it blend in with the surroundings. For example, their pool utilises stone from Waiheke helping it blend into the natural rock surroundings.

2. Salt and rust are your enemy

It’s essential that you use durable materials that are rust resistant. This includes stainless steel, powder coated aluminium and uPVC.

  • Marley Stormcloud® spouting and RP80® downpipes are perfect for coastal environments as they are made of long-lasting uPVC which is UV resistant and has a 15-year guarantee.
  • Did you know that the quarter-round Stormcloud® profile is New Zealand’s most popular spouting style?
  • It has clean, strong lines that suits both traditional and contemporary homes.
  • It’s available in white and also Black, Grey Friars® and Ironsand®

3. Think about flooding / storms

Even if your house is well above the tide, you need to make sure everything else is elevated above the possible storm-induced highwater mark.

  • This home is north facing and in recent years they’ve had a dramatic increase in coastal northerly storms with heavy rain. This has prompted them to invest in better-than-adequate drainage to avoid any future flooding.
  • If you do have an area that may be prone to flooding think about practical flooring and emergency drainage (a sump for instance).

4. Frame the view

Think about framing the view, not dominating it. Do it in a way that uses the view as nature’s artwork. This allows you to enjoy the view from many places in your home.

  • White floors, walls and doors allow the view to do the work. Avoid using a lot of colours which will compete with the view.
  • A simple interior with a range of natural timbers, tones and textures will work in harmony with a coastal view.

5. Build an escape from the view

Believe it or not, you will need a break from the sunning sea views once in a while!

  • Build sheltered, shaded inward-looking spaces to occasionally escape from the view.
  • A nook that is dark enough for TV watching during the day allows for a cool escape from the sun.

If that isn’t enough to make you dream of a coastal house for now, or possibly retirement, nothing will!

And if you would like to find out more about Marley Stormcloud® spouting click here.

Or more about the Stratus Design Series® range of colours click here.

Beside the Seaside, Whitianga

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Undisturbed sea views across Buffalo Beach and Mercury Bay attracted Richard and Hannah to buy this Whitianga property in 2018. Stacks of potential for the family home of their dreams! No wonder it won Gold in the Auckland, Northland & Coromandel region of the Registered Master Builders House of the Year competition.

With 20+ years in the building game, Richard (HAMR Home Building Contractors) had a strong idea of what he wanted to build to replace the 1950’s dwelling and take full advantage of the location.

He picked up his pencil and drafted plans for a spacious two-storey home. Designs were developed alongside Studio 77 Ltd and a 9-month build followed.

Now that it’s a reality, the family are even more delighted with the location than they had expected. The extraordinary views are a stand-out from almost anywhere in the house.

Bright and spacious living

From the open plan kitchen/dining/living area, high stud ceilings and huge windows flood the room with natural light and frame the view. They open out to a substantial deck built using FSC certified Kwila with a frameless glass balustrade for a seamless view.

Sliding doors from the living area also open wide to an internal deck with louvre roof for shelter from the elements if needed. Good old kiwi BBQs no matter what the weather.

The furniture throughout is stylish, yet comfortable and inviting, meaning there are lots of spaces to relax and enjoy balmy Coromandel summers. Come winter, they can tuck themselves in with the usual features to keep in the warmth: double-glazed windows, heat pumps and Hotwire electric underfloor heating in the tiled areas.

Family kitchen with entertaining in mind

Our whole family enjoy cooking together and we love entertaining, so we needed a large kitchen to do that.

The island is solid oak – which is mainly used as a servery. The benchtops are pure black granite, with a honed finish – plenty of space to work in. The high ceilings, low hanging pendant lights and red stools at the breakfast bar create a very inviting space.

A walk-in pantry allows the small appliances to be handy without cluttering up the main kitchen. All hardware is Blum soft-close, and Blum Tandembox drawers give a quality touch in everyday use.

A striking exterior

A mix of cedar weatherboards and plastered AAC panel gives a clean-lined, solid appearance. The dark stain of the cedar (Wood-X Foundry oil) against the lighter colour of the plaster in Dulux Whakarewarewa contrast perfectly. Not to mention the choice of black Marley Stormcloud® spouting to frame the whole exterior and connect it to the roof.

As builders we try and specify cedar into all of our houses, if we can. In fact, virtually wherever you stand inside, all you can see is the warmth of timber when looking out

Built to endure the elements

Living just a stone’s throw from the beach, Marley Stratus Design Series® was an obvious choice for the spouting and downpipes.

Being beachfront we don’t have to worry about corrosion or rusting. We specify Stratus Design Series® in almost all the houses we build.

The Stormcloud® spouting profile was chosen for its clean, simple lines. The black colour discreetly ties in with the window framing and True Oak® Corrugate roofing.

Marley RP80® downpipes complete the system and offer the same 15 year guarantee as all products in the Stratus Design Series®.

An escape for the kids

A self-contained area downstairs was designed with their three growing girls in mind. A comfortable place they can retreat to, so they can all have privacy as they get older.
No queues for the bathroom! The kid’s bathroom is built in three parts: the vanity in one room, toilet in the next and bath/shower in another. The vanity has three sets of drawers — one for each daughter.

Future-proofed

The Warwicks had the foresight to prepare for the future. The house has been pre-wired for solar panels to be installed on the roof at a later date. A dedicated circuit in the garage allows for a charging point for an electric vehicle.

A mixture of tropical and native plants, suitably fitting for the coastal location, will develop and grow over the years to come. Many years that the family will be loving their seaside lifestyle, we’re sure!

North Star, Marsden Cove

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54 Stace Hopper Drive is a slice of heaven in the winterless North. It’s a freshly built Westmoreland Homes show home in Marsden Cove, one of New Zealand’s most exciting new marine villages on the shores of Whangarei Harbour. If you long for a relaxed lifestyle with some of New Zealand’s best boating, fishing, swimming and diving hot spots at your doorstep, Marsden Cove could be for you.

Welcome aboard

High vaulted ceilings add to the sense of openness in this generously sized 236 sq metre home. In keeping with the marine environment, the ceilings are constructed using grooved ply to create a nautical feel. The 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms and 2 living rooms can easily cope with a growing family and all those visitors you can expect in summertime.

Enjoy the outdoors at all times

A fan of indoor/outdoor flow? The big, double-glazed folding doors open wide onto sizeable decks and out to the large 740 sq metre flat section. Westmoreland Homes have been quite particular in specifying products that require little maintenance and can withstand the harsh coastal environment. That’s why they used a decking material made from 90% recycled timber and plastic, which requires little care.

Cook up a storm (and hide the mess)

This great looking kitchen will always stay that way. We love a kitchen that can hide the dirty dishes out of sight in a roomy scullery like this. There is heaps of bench space, great storage for appliances and crockery, and there’s even a wine chiller.

You’ll love the details

It’s the considered details that can really make a home special. And 54 Stace Hopper Drive has original details aplenty:

The exposed feature trusses are real design feature to set the home apart…

There’s the over-wide hallways and over-height doors which create such a sense of space and light. The hallway ceiling has special LED lighting with built-in night lights…

The installation of Methven water-saving showerheads, and the inclusion of the handy shampoo shelf…

The use of Marley Stratus Design Series® Stormcloud® spouting and RP80® downpipes in black to give a crisp and stylish edge to the exterior.  The gloss black finish works beautifully with the Mt Hikurangi light grey used on the pine weatherboards. And did you know that versatile, quarter round Stormcloud® is New Zealand’s most popular spouting style?! Plus, it’s absolutely perfect for coastal locations because being uPVC, there is no chance of rust.

Oh, how that gloss black shines! ?

The smooth lines…

Want to create this look for your home?

Then it’s time you visited 54 Stace Hopper Drive at Marsden Cove and take notes on how to recreate this style. Then visit our stockists page to find the plumbing or building branch closest to you so you too can order Marley Stratus Design Series® Stormcloud® spouting and RP80® downpipes in black!

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