Stockland Scrimp or Splurge AW16

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Learn how to get the luxe look with stone and metal

McDonald Jones, NSW

Our favourite Blockheads, Jess and Ayden share their top tips for new builds

Learn more Read our top tips for designing a floor plan to suit you and your lifestyle.

Metricon, QLD

McDonald Jones, QLD

TO SPEND OR TO SAVE The sheer enormity and complexity of building your first home can be daunting, particularly when working with a tight budget. But with a little foresight, asking yourself the difficult questions now can save you some serious heartache in the future.

Australian home building has seen a shift away from high-end design towards designs driven by budget constraints and considerations and sustainability. When making the difficult decision of where to invest your money, it ultimately boils down to your own personality and requirements.

A home should be a reflection of you as a person and a family, and knowing what is important to you can help you plan more effectively.

STOCKLAND RESIDENTIAL

McDonald Jones, NSW

FOR FURTHER INSPIRATION ON BUILDING A HOME, VISIT A STOCKLAND RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY TO TAKE A LOOK AT ONE OF OUR DISPLAY HOMES.

HOW MUCH SPACE SHOULD I GIVE MYSELF? Knowing the functions of a household can assist in planning the use of space and influence the design process. By considering the practicalities of work and living areas, you can minimise any wasted space in the early stages before the home begins construction.

Spend some time really thinking about things like where the kids will do their homework or want to chill out, where you will you eat dinner and breakfast – are these areas different? Consider the kind of lifestyle you want to design.

WHAT KIND OF STYLE DO I WANT? Understanding your desired style can help in planning the aesthetic features of a home, both internally and externally.

Knowing what your preferred house looks like can impact on the style of home being built, and the aesthetic features planned for the inside. For example, a Queenslander-style home may be more appropriate for the kitchen you desire than a modern-style home.

Spend some time looking at display homes and talking with friends and family who live in these style of homes to evaluate the positives and negatives.

TOP TIPS • Do your research and make sure your budget is realistic, don’t put yourself in crazy amounts of debt by including luxuries you don’t need.

• Be sure to give yourself flexibility in case you run into any unforeseen expenses.

• So you don’t blow the budget with every new bell and whistle, make a list to decide what’s necessary now and what you can do later, especially when it comes to aesthetics versus functionality.

Scrimp or Splurge

McDonald Jones, QLD

HOW ENERGY EFFICIENT SHOULD MY HOUSE BE? This can change everything from the materials used to construct a home to the individual features included inside the house, particularly electrical features. Remember, spending a little more now to make your home energy efficient will save you money on power bills in the future. Look into energy efficient appliances and lights, as well as water flow restrictors and aerators that limit excess water flow from taps. Fitting solar panels on your roof and investing in a water tank will also make a house more efficient.

HOW LONG WILL THIS HOUSE BE LIVED IN? The length of time you plan to spend in a home can change many features of your design. Maybe this isn’t your ‘forever home’, but you may still like to raise children in it; this may change the type and number of rooms you require. Also, it’s important to consider the resale value of your home depending on how long you would like to stay. Fewer bedrooms at a larger size will boost the value of a home over one with many small rooms.

WHAT ARE MY EXPECTATIONS WITH THIS NEW HOME? Depending on your personality and requirements you may add a specific feature that meets a certain need. Practical features such as wheelchair accessibility or a separate basement suite should be considered in equal measure to lifestyle features like a patio or outdoor bar. The features of your home may have a lot of personal taste attached; while a built-in wine cellar may be perfect for you, larger families may benefit from a basement area that can be converted into a granny flat.

Q & A

Taking 5 with

Jess and Ayden RENOVATION-SHOW FAVOURITES, JESS AND AYDEN SHARE THEIR TOP BUDGET-CONSCIOUS TIPS FOR BUILDING A NEW HOME.

We fell in love with Gold Coast couple, Jess and Ayden on The Block Triple Threat then continued to follow their antics on Reno Rumble, where they made everyday homeowners’ dreams come true. But now, taking a step back from the cameras, the pair is getting ready to build their own home from scratch.

Here, Ayden and Jess reveal their tips on how to approach a new build, where you should spend and save, and the most rewarding part of creating a home.

WHEN BUILDING A KITCHEN, WHERE SHOULD YOU INVEST YOUR MONEY AND WHAT CAN YOU AFFORD TO SAVE ON? Appliances are a good start. Places like The Good Guys have run out model sales on appliances where you can save hundreds as there is a new model coming out.

They also sell taps and sinks; combining everything together in a package will help.

Everyone expects Caesarstone benchtops these days but you can save money by using different thickness, i.e. 40-60mm on your island with 20mm everywhere else. Even laminate benchtops in your butler’s pantry if you have one.

We like 2-Pack doors and panels for the seamless finish, but a high quality laminate will last a lot longer and they have come a long way in appearance and quality.

STOCKLAND RESIDENTIAL

TIPS FOR CHOOSING YOUR KITCHEN BENCH 1 Choose what you like and go

for the best you can afford (it’s better to spend as much as you can here as it’s a long-lasting element).

2 Faux is definitely a faux pas.

Don’t choose something that’s pretending to be the real thing!

3 Take home samples and use

Metricon Homes, QLD

ANY ADVICE FOR CHOOSING A KITCHEN STYLE? Do your research (online, in-store displays), choose something that goes with your house style. Trust yourself.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE INTERIOR TRENDS RIGHT NOW? Using reclaimed/recycled materials is really on trend and we love it. Timbers from old buildings made into flooring, recycled bricks – this is very much us.

Avoid trends that may affect the practical liveability of your home. Things may look amazing, new and inventive in a magazine but it has to sit with the reality of your life.

WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING PART OF BUILDING NEW? Not knowing where to start and the budget. Building from scratch or renovating can be a daunting task. Just trying to figure out what style, shape or materials you’re going to use can turn a lot of people off, plus not knowing how much things are going to cost from the get go.

AND THE MOST REWARDING? The finished product is always the most rewarding, standing back and seeing your plan come to life, and the fact it is finished!

Read more Read our handy guide on building new versus established.

WE HEARD YOU HAVE PLANS TO BUILD YOUR OWN HOME, WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BUILDING OVER BUYING? You can design and build your home from scratch to your liking. Starting with the piece of land. What size suits you, suburb, aspect (north or south facing). After choosing your block of dirt, designing your house around the way the block faces to get the best aspect of sun, view, seclusion - whatever you want.

them as you would your actual bench. Spill red wine, place your used cooking utensils on the sample and see how easy it is to clean, leave hot pans on it for a few minutes, use your knives on them etc. See how use will show.

4 Try to get a large piece so you can

see how it looks in different lights and imagine how the surface will look on a large scale. Does it have detailed flecks that cause the stone to appear dirty? If so, try going for a simpler design.

5 Visit your nearest Stockland

display village to see different styles in the flesh.

WHAT ARE YOUR TOP THREE BUDGET TIPS FOR FIRST-TIME BUILDERS? Make sure you use your vouchers (laughs), we are not on The Block anymore.

1. Get everything quoted, and several quotes. It is a pain at the start but you will thank yourself at the end when you’re under budget.

2. Labour as much as you can to help your tradies get things done quicker.

If they have quoted you a labourer or apprentice, see if they will let you do it.

3. Research all your products. There might be alternative products you didn’t know existed that are cheaper. Or a different retailer that is selling it cheaper. Don’t be shy to ask your supplier for price matches.

ANY ADVICE FOR COUPLES LOOKING TO START A BUILD TOGETHER? Be prepared to make compromises. A compromise is easier and quicker than an argument - without the stress. Go with your strengths. We both have designed our home which took about twenty different sets of plans (more like chicken scratches) before we both agreed.

Scrimp or Splurge

Peace out, Ayden and Jess

STONE & METAL WE LOOK AT HOW TO ACHIEVE A LUXURIOUS LOOK BY USING STATEMENT MATERIALS AND CHIC, SIMPLISTIC STYLING.

We’re sure by now you’ve started to flick through the latest home magazines or scroll Pinterest, gathering inspiration for the build.

But the question is, what trending materials are going to give you the impressive look you desire while still offering longevity?

CONCRETE & MARBLE While these are completely contrasting styles of materials – man made vs. natural stone – both are timeless and easy to execute.

You’ll find the majority of your cost will go into the laying of the materials, but as concrete (polished or raw) and marble are hero pieces in their own right, you can be quite stringent on styling and décor. Simple additions of timber are all you need; for example, in the bathroom, go for an untreated timber stool and complementing towel hooks, plus an indoor fern to inject life into the room.

THE NEW METALS Stainless steel has been the popular choice for years, but it is now being taken over by more modern finishes. Brushed steel, matte black metal and copper fixtures will instantly add a stylish (and impressive) element to your room. Matte black metal is becoming increasingly popular throughout apartment and home designs on balconies and bathroom or kitchen walls (should you wish to try something different to wood or tiles). Going outside the box is an easy way to achieve a luxe look. Spend time searching for ideas before you break ground and talk with experts like your builder or a Stockland representative to get an insider’s perspective.

STOCKLAND RESIDENTIAL

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McDonald Jones,

QLD

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McDonald Jones,

Outdoor Living

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