Ever wondered how a new home can make the most of a small site without breaking the bank? Think vertical, sleek design and clever space hacks. Enter the Ara Hills show home by Sentinel Homes North/West Auckland, a testament to modern design and intelligent affordability, spearheaded by the managing director Maree van de Water.
Making the most of a triangular-shaped section, the 199-square-metre home challenges expectations with an innovative upside-down design. The ground floor hosts two bedrooms, a media room and a family bathroom, surrounded by ample storage. But the real magic happens upstairs – a master bedroom with an ensuite, a guest toilet and an expansive open-plan living and dining area.
Maree explains, “The ability to have an elevated view and high ceilings upstairs give the living area a grand sense of space, making the home feel much larger. It’s about maximising the section and showcasing smaller, smarter living in Auckland.”
The clever use of space continues onto the deck, and an outdoor kitchen with a barbecue, drinks fridge and sink adds a touch of luxury to al fresco living.
“Having two kitchens is perfect for entertaining and enjoying the view from upstairs.”
Through lots of product research and years of experience building homes, Maree has nailed the art of luxury living – without blowing the budget.
“There are so many great options to have a home look amazing and be of good quality, without being only for the rich and famous. I do a lot of research into new, innovative products, how they work, how they interact with others, and how they can flow in your home.”
Aside from the upside-down layout making better use of space, she went for higher ceilings and door frames.
“We raised the ceilings from 2.4 to 2.5 metres stud height and the joinery from 2 to 2.2 metres. It’s a very inexpensive thing to do, but it makes everything far more spacious and feels light,” explains Maree.
She also used clever lighting techniques to create a premium feel.
“We used LED strip lights under the scullery, in the kitchen and under floating shelves in the showers. It’s a very effective way to make something look really fancy on a budget.”
Maree also decided to use three different wallpapers in the home to give it more personality.
“We put a very modern, funky wallpaper in the guest bathroom, a romantic style one in the master and another in the family bathroom. Again, it’s a very inexpensive way to jazz something up, and if you don't like it in a few years, you can get rid of it – it’s so easy to do.
For Maree, the design wasn’t just about looks – she also wanted to cut down on long-term maintenance costs. She opted for prefab cladding, which gives a sleek finish while eliminating the need for constant painting and upkeep.
“We went with black and cedar cladding, and it arrived finished. What’s great about it is that you don’t need scaffolding (another expense), and you never have to paint. It’s like having a tin roof – you don't need to touch it.”
The home also has central heating throughout, and the solar panels on the roof cut down on long-term energy expenses.
The Ara Hills show home has already left a lasting impression.
“In the first weekend, we received more Google Reviews than in the entire first year of our previous show home. People are amazed – they see it as a home, not just a house,” says Maree.
Working with Maree means passion and experience on your side. Her ethos is to work with architects and builders who can create a strong foundation while bringing out the best of the client’s vision.
“I’ve never had a client say to me in 15 years, ‘Oh, by the end of the build, we lost money.’ It’s never happened. Our new homes will always make money. And that’s because you went through the process of creating something amazing that didn’t exist before.”
Come and see the new way forward for modern living at 12 Kotuitui Drive, Orewa. It’s open every Wednesday to Sunday from 12-4 pm.
Want to book a viewing? Get in touch with Maree at Sentinel Homes today. @mareevandewater_sentinelhomes
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