A beautiful new build that has space for a growing family

When BJ & Jess set out on their new build project in Tamahere, they knew one thing for sure: there were to be no compromises.

The Waikato couple were living in their first Signature Home in The Meadows when they started to consider building again. While they loved the layout of their home, the couple wanted something a little bigger to raise their family.

“We didn’t want to compromise on what we wanted in a home and weren’t able to find an existing property that ticked all of our boxes,” the couple says.

“Building gives you the ability to have total control over the look and feel of a place. Having previously built with Signature Homes, we knew the process would be smooth and enjoyable and that we’d be happy with the result.”

The decision was made a little easier as BJ, a professional cricketer has a strong friendship with one of Signature Homes Waikato’s franchise partners.

“It was an easy choice for us due to our close friendships within Signature Homes. Having built with Signature previously, we knew they would deliver us a quality home. They have a great track record of delivering beautiful, quality homes within a realistic budget,” says BJ.

Must-have list

BJ and Jess say their favourite part of the building process was coming up with the design for their home.

“It can be challenging to put your ideas onto paper, but it’s exciting to see the concept come together. The team at Signature have a vast deal of experience and were great at helping us to piece our new home together,” says BJ.

First on the wish list was a desire to create different areas to accommodate everyone individually while still having space to come together.

“As a family home we knew we’d need space for the children, so we opted for two lounge areas as well as a kid’s playroom. They are all off the main living area, so we can still spend time as a family while each having a bit of space,” the couple says.

“We also really value indoor/outdoor flow, so made this a priority when deciding the layout.”

Design inspiration

While BJ and Jess knew they needed to upside their home in The Meadows to accommodate their growing family which now includes Hudson (3) and Miller (6 weeks), they were quite happy with the layout and design, bringing elements of their old home into their new one.

“We chose an open-plan living space with room for us all. We also love the pavilion style of home, so incorporated those aspects into the design,” the couple says.

Reclaiming style

The home’s exterior cladding is a true marriage of old and new, with ‘San Selmo’ style clay bricks complemented by Triclad board and batten painted in a striking black. The home is made complete with a black roof, black joinery, and black garage door to add a touch of elegance.

“We wanted something that would stand the test of time, but also be a bit different. We’ve always loved the clean look of board and batten and like the contrast of black with brick,” the couple says.

“We opted for new bricks, which have a slightly recycled look to them – so the result is a bit of a twist of modern and rustic.”

The house is positioned towards one end of a large section so there’s room to enjoy a game of cricket or rugby. The couple has also kept space to allow for a pool and considered how they could add extra rooms onto the house in the future if required.

“We have no plans to move on from our house anytime soon. We love the area and our home and we think the kids will have a wonderful childhood here.”

Outside in

Inside, BJ and Jess wanted to carry the homely feel of the brick through to the kitchen and living area to create a rustic vibe. The home is neutral overall, future-proofing it against trends.

“We kept the interior fairly neutral, with shades of grey throughout the house. We prefer to add colour through soft furnishings. Jess was inspired by a modern farmhouse feel, so the brick and barn sliding doors are elements of this,” says BJ.

The most challenging part of the build was trying to visualize how everything would come to life and trusting that they’d made the right decisions.

“The team at Signature Homes has a vast deal of experience and were great at helping us to piece our new home together.”

While BJ & Jess have no plans to move, they think they have one more new build in them.

“We would love to go through the building experience again one day. We’ll have to wait and see!”