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Architecture Design

New Hunter Valley display homes reflect regional popularity

Sponsored by Metricon Homes

There’s no denying that regional areas have seen a boost in popularity since the emergence of COVID-19. Coupled with the housing affordability crisis in the capital cities, the interest in regional Australia has never been greater; and that is particularly so for the burgeoning Hunter region of NSW. 

Phoenix 40
Metricon’s Phoenix 40 display home

“We have seen, particularly in the last few months, that location is something customers are now looking at very differently. With many organisations looking to embrace working from home beyond COVID-19 restrictions, a home in a regional community is now being viewed more favourably – particularly if you are only commuting a few days per week as opposed to the full five days, or can work entirely from home,” says Metricon Homes NSW general manager Patrick Eather who unveiled two new display homes in Chisholm, Maitland recently.

The Phoenix 40 is a Hamptons-inspired design while the Qualia 33 has a more contemporary feel. Both complement the beauty of the Hunter and are available with flexible floor plans and finishes. 

Qualia 33 display home
The Qualia 33 display home

“We are experiencing significant interest in regional NSW from Sydneysiders who are realising the cost of housing is much more affordable relative to what you pay in Sydney. Affordability is one thing, but the great lifestyle of the Hunter is also a drawcard. Families are attracted to the wider, open spaces, and the access to amenities,” says Patrick.

A single storey design, the Qualia 33 is a fabulous family home – it boasts four bedrooms, two bathrooms, three living spaces and an on-trend outdoor room, bringing the outside in. A highlight of the home, the master suite has a fabulous retreat feel; located at the rear of the home it has an open courtyard positioned between the sleeping zone and ensuite.

The Qualia 33's open plan kitchen, dining, lounge and outdoor room
The Qualia 33’s open plan kitchen, dining, lounge and outdoor room
Qualia 33 kitchen
Qualia 33 kitchen

The Qualia 33 also has three separate living areas including a central media room (clever!), open plan family and dining space and children’s play area.

Qualia 33 living room
Qualia 33 living room

A larger design, the Phoenix 40 runs over two levels and its clever floorplan makes it adaptable to blocks as narrow as 14.5 metres. Its Hamptons inspired façade carries through to the inside of the home where shaker style cabinetry combines with a large upright cooker and feature island bench in the home’s kitchen.

Phoenix 40 kitchen
The Phoenix 40 kitchen

The ground floor acts as the family and entertainment hub with a formal sitting room, open plan family, dining and kitchen that opens out onto a lovely outdoor room.

A Hamptons style timber staircase leads to the second story of the home where you’ll find three bedrooms, a study nook, shared bathroom, separate toilet and master bedroom.

The Phoenix 40 master bedroom
The Phoenix 40 master bedroom

The master suite spans the width of the building and includes a large double-sided walk-in robe, spacious ensuite and private parents’ retreat. This area also has direct access to a large balcony that overlooks the pool below.

Phoenix 40 pool and outdoor room
The Phoenix 40 pool and outdoor room

“At Metricon, we pride ourselves on creating homes for people to love where they live. We achieve this time and time again by offering flexible floorplans and plenty of choices. With multiple floorplan options, numerous facades and many features to choose from, we expect the Qualia 33 and the Phoenix 40 will become a favourite with Maitland residents,” says Patrick.

The Qualia 33 and the Phoenix 40 are available for viewing at 38 Settlers Blvd, Chisholm, every day from 10am-to-5pm. 

For more

Win with Waterford Crystal

To celebrate the opening of the display homes at Waterford in Chisholm, Designer by Metricon has partnered with Waterford Crystal for an exclusive giveaway for New South Wales residents. 

Inspired by the past and enriching the present, Waterford Crystal is unmistakably of its time. Known for its rich heritage and fine craftsmanship, Waterford Crystal are the pioneers in creating the finest crystal drinkware since the 18th Century.

For the chance to win almost $1000 worth of Waterford Crystal wine glasses and champagne flutes.

Categories
Design Expert Tips House Tours

Is this the ultimate lifestyle home design?

Sponsored by Metricon

The experts say yes! Metricon’s Riviera recently won the title of Hunter Region Display Home of the Year as well as the Hunter Display Home over $500,001 category in the 2020 HIA-CSR NSW Housing Awards. And it’s not hard to see why. You certainly wouldn’t need to twist my arm to move straight into this luxurious yet laidback home with a very Aussie design to maximise our indoor/outdoor lifestyle.

The Riviera is one of Metricon’s most iconic display homes at Trinity Point, Morisset Park. It’s been been wowing visitors, many looking to move further out of Sydney due to increased flexibility around home working, since it opened earlier this year.

Carefully considered in every detail to deliver the ultimate lifestyle home, the design has seriously upped the ante for volume builders. If you have an eye for luxury design this is one show home you need to visit in person to see why Metricon is Australia’s most awarded new home builder.

With a ground floor dedicated to entertainment and lifestyle, the expansive open plan kitchen, including butler’s pantry and wet bar, that overlooks the large dining room, is situated at the heart home. Beyond the dining room is the extra large alfresco entertaining space that is separated by bi-fold sliding doors that can be completely opened to create seamless integration between the indoors and outdoors. The Rivera is designed to make the most of an indoor/outdoor lifestyle. 

On the first floor there is the extravagant master suite with private balcony, ensuite and large walk-in-robe, a media room, and three other bedrooms all with their own ensuite and walk-in robes.

This smart design provides an abundance of space and options for the family to entertain large groups, along with allowing spaces for family members to retreat for private down time. It offers fabulous flexibility.

Metricon design director, Adrian Popple is especially proud of the home. He said: “For me to sit down and get creative and design something completely different was really exciting. Then to see it hit the ground and know that people are loving it, that’s what makes it all worthwhile.”

He adds: “The Riviera is really a breakthrough home, the uncontrived spaces balance spontaneity and refinement while reflecting the way modern Australian families want to live.”

Visit the Riviera at 14 Sailors Place, Morisset Park, NSW 2264, Saturday to Wednesday from 10am-to-5pm or to view Metricon’s other innovative designs, visit www.metricon.com.au.

Categories
Designers Styling

Hunter Valley hotel gets stunning Greg Natale makeover

One of the most historic hotels in the NSW Hunter Valley, The Sebel Kirkton Park has undergone a pretty fabulous refurbishment with interior design maestro Greg Natale at the helm. No longer a quaint country manor, the resort has been transformed into a chic and sophisticated establishment, set to become a favourite for Australian design-lovers, and visitors alike.

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A colour palette to die for! Who said black and blue don’t mix??

The overhaul includes 70 guest rooms and several communal spaces including the lobby, lounge bar and restaurant, and combines classic country heritage (we love the horse prints!) with contemporary touches and plenty of Greg’s signature decadent drama.

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The hotel showcases plenty of Greg’s fabulous furniture & wallpaper

“There is nothing better than arriving to a luxurious hotel room or suite that gives that sense of being transported into your own little oasis. With The Sebel Kirkton Park’s design, we were really careful to make sure the rooms were not ‘cookie-cutter rooms’ – we really wanted to create that sense of occasion by heightening the guests’ overall experience,” says Greg.

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Guest room

As for specific design elements, guests can expect to find plenty of Greg’s own designs from his Hudson lounge chairs and tables in the foyer (paired with Ralph Lauren lamps) and the gorgeous Greg Natale Atlantic Blue wallpaper (available through Porter’s Paints) that adorns the reception and atrium areas. Another standout feature is the custom-built circular bench seat, that sits under a glass-domed ceiling, and greets guests upon arrival.

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Arrival precinct

“The overall design is a carefully planned combination of patterns with whites and blues that link back to the common areas of the hotel. The black carpets and rich blue drapes offset the pops of gold of the floor lamps and wallpaper. It’s very layered and it’s very decadent. It transports you to somewhere very much unlike your own bedroom and that’s part of the fun of a hotel stay,” says Greg.

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Lounge bar

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Restaurant

And what’s even better is that room rates start at just $179 per room per night. Book your stay here.

Categories
Art

Artwork to make you chuckle from Bowerbird Living

With my ‘style without the snobbery’ ethos, I love people that don’t take themselves too seriously, and I’m all for having things around your home which make you giggle. These felt, hand stitched artworks from Bowerbird Living really tickled me!

big butts

Categories
Bedrooms

My winter warmer picks for The Home and a stunning country photoshoot

I was delighted when The Home asked me to pick some of my favourite products for a special winter warmer sale (starting today) and to join them on a photoshoot on location to bring them to life. Isn’t the end result stunning? I’m so in love with this clever photo!

the home winter warmer interiors addict 1

I headed straight to some of my favourite places, like Cadrys rugs and Have You Met Miss Jones to pick some cosy and colourful items. I’ve always loved the look of layered rugs but never tried this in my own home so it was fun to pick several to work together. I think this shoot goes to show that mix and match can totally work, and it’s all about contrast and texture. And how about that lamp? I’m buying one of those babies for myself!

the home winter warmer interiors addict

As for these beautiful images, a LOT of hard work and talent went into them behind the scenes, which I got to watch, but cannot take any credit for (apart from putting the flowers in the vase and making the tea for the cup on the tray…)! Joining me at the gorgeous property in the Hunter Valley were The Home’s stylist Marj Silva, photographer Lisa Zhou and buyer Emma Blomfield (also stylist at Nest Designs). They made that picture happen, and no, it really isn’t glamorous! Unless of course you count climbing on scaffolding and holding boards up on the other side of windows to stop pesky sun rays coming through and spoiling the shot glamorous!