This award-winning custom home with a home office was designed with the lifestyle needs of a modern family very much in mind
A home office in a quiet spot, light-filled interior living spaces, an alfresco entertaining area next to a swimming pool … these were just some of Steve and Kirsty’s must-haves.
Having secured the perfect site in Berkeley Vale, the couple sat down with the team at Baxco Homes to discuss what they wanted. “They pictured a home filled with a lot of light in the living areas, a living/meals/kitchen area with an open-plan layout, and an alfresco area overlooking a pool they could use as their main entertaining zone,” says Tabytha Hipwell, Office Manager, Baxco Homes.
“As Steve, who is a draftsman, works from home, he needed a dedicated office to the front of the house, and the couple wanted three separate living areas. A media room to the front near the master bedroom and office, and a main living room in the middle of the house — this was to have a large fireplace.
“The third was to be a kids’ retreat between the kids’ rooms, so they could close the door and let them have their own little oasis down the rear of the house. This would also let the couple have their own space, yet still be close enough to tend to the kids when needed.”
The rear outdoor entertaining area was also a priority, with Steve especially keen on having a barbecue set within a built-in concrete bench. This concept developed into a sleek, custom construction that includes prep space, a sink, and a bench where you can sit and chat to the cook while he barbecues.
“The wall behind is clad in a gorgeous dark-grey, crazy-style stone that was honed so it is flat-faced. This brings some extra colour to the outdoor area and is one of the home’s major design features,” says Tabytha.
Separating the covered outdoor entertaining area from the pool is frameless glass fencing. This allows an unobstructed view and makes both spaces read as one. At one end of the pool is a generous space for lounging about.
As for the front of the house, Tabytha says, “Our clients had a vision for the facade and we brought it to life. The look is very modern and the palette of materials includes Hebel with timber screening and wall tiles used as features. We also installed Stackerstone to the front piers and the combination of colours and textures really makes the home stand out.”
Kirsty and Steve’s selection of materials, colours and profiles for the interior was just as well-considered. Take the kitchen as an example. It features a gloss white subway-tiled kitchen splashback, white Shaker-profile cabinetry with black handles, black tapware, and an island bench with a Caesarstone top (Airy Concrete colour) with waterfall ends. To make the space as light as possible, Baxco Homes installed three Velux skylights and for visual warmth, there is Mistura Sorrel-coloured hybrid flooring.
Baxco Homes, which was established by builder James Perry, produces custom-designed homes without the custom design price tag. As part of her managerial role, Tabytha is heavily involved in the planning, design, pre-construction, and overall process. “I am very passionate about the construction industry and I love that this job grows more each day,” she says. “Being part of an extraordinary team that works its absolute hardest to bring our clients’ dreams to life would have to be one of the most amazing things I could ever be a part of and I am very grateful to hold this position within our company.”A home office in a quiet spot, light-filled interior living spaces, an alfresco entertaining area next to a swimming pool … these were just some of Steve and Kirsty’s must-haves.
Having secured the perfect site in Berkeley Vale, the couple sat down with the team at Baxco Homes to discuss what they wanted. “They pictured a home filled with a lot of light in the living areas, a living/meals/kitchen area with an open-plan layout, and an alfresco area overlooking a pool they could use as their main entertaining zone,” says Tabytha Hipwell, Office Manager, Baxco Homes.
“As Steve, who is a draftsman, works from home, he needed a dedicated office to the front of the house, and the couple wanted three separate living areas. A media room to the front near the master bedroom and office, and a main living room in the middle of the house — this was to have a large fireplace.
“The third was to be a kids’ retreat between the kids’ rooms, so they could close the door and let them have their own little oasis down the rear of the house. This would also let the couple have their own space, yet still be close enough to tend to the kids when needed.”
The rear outdoor entertaining area was also a priority, with Steve especially keen on having a barbecue set within a built-in concrete bench. This concept developed into a sleek, custom construction that includes prep space, a sink, and a bench where you can sit and chat to the cook while he barbecues.
“The wall behind is clad in a gorgeous dark-grey, crazy-style stone that was honed so it is flat-faced. This brings some extra colour to the outdoor area and is one of the home’s major design features,” says Tabytha.
Separating the covered outdoor entertaining area from the pool is frameless glass fencing. This allows an unobstructed view and makes both spaces read as one. At one end of the pool is a generous space for lounging about.
As for the front of the house, Tabytha says, “Our clients had a vision for the facade and we brought it to life. The look is very modern and the palette of materials includes Hebel with timber screening and wall tiles used as features. We also installed Stackerstone to the front piers and the combination of colours and textures really makes the home stand out.”
Kirsty and Steve’s selection of materials, colours and profiles for the interior was just as well-considered. Take the kitchen as an example. It features a gloss white subway-tiled kitchen splashback, white Shaker-profile cabinetry with black handles, black tapware, and an island bench with a Caesarstone top (Airy Concrete colour) with waterfall ends. To make the space as light as possible, Baxco Homes installed three Velux skylights and for visual warmth, there is Mistura Sorrel-coloured hybrid flooring.
Baxco Homes, which was established by builder James Perry, produces custom-designed homes without the custom design price tag. As part of her managerial role, Tabytha is heavily involved in the planning, design, pre-construction, and overall process. “I am very passionate about the construction industry and I love that this job grows more each day,” she says. “Being part of an extraordinary team that works its absolute hardest to bring our clients’ dreams to life would have to be one of the most amazing things I could ever be a part of and I am very grateful to hold this position within our company.”
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