We introduce the new Karaka show home, where Will Batts, Managing Director at Sentinel Homes New Counties Franklin, used a slick combo of style and smarts to create the dream dwelling. A tribute to modern design, it’s bathed in natural light, seamlessly connecting its open-plan living spaces to an expansive north-west-facing deck. The home boasts a spacious double garage, two living areas, a luxurious kitchen with a scullery, and an expansive master suite. Here’s how the team pulled off this ambitious project.
A trained architect and experienced property developer, Will knows how to build beautiful homes at scale and pace.
“If you’re smart about design and adopt the principles that large developers use, you can build your dream home without blowing your budget,” explains Will.
It starts with a good understanding of both architectural and structural design principles.
“If you know how the building works, you can save on expensive structural elements such as bracing and steel without compromising on great design,” explains Will.
For this show home, Will was clever about where he put load-bearing walls and bracing elements. This made sure the building was efficient but still allowed for maximising natural light with large window openings. For high ceilings at critical locations, he used roof trusses for the bulk of the roof structure with strategic use of rafters.
“Rather than creating rafters or raking ceilings everywhere, this technique gave that wow factor in master bedrooms and main living areas,” says Will.
These methods meant less need for expensive steel, but the structure and design still achieved a high-end aesthetic.
“Without making these adjustments to the design, it’s easy to go from $10,000 to a $60,000 steel bill,” explains Will.
For Will, quality materials and a light-centric design characterise a modern, luxurious home. With its contemporary style, breaking ceilings and expansive windows, Karaka showcases this well.
“A big theme of our show home is natural light, which more than paid off. It’s the first thing people notice when they come in,” says Will.
Clever features like breaking ceilings, expansive windows and lots of glazing to bring in the light are all cost-effective decisions that still give a luxurious look.
Will’s resourceful approach to cost-saving uses clever tricks in the design playbook. A standout was a rethink of bathroom aesthetics. Instead of defaulting to fully tiled walls, Will suggests using skirting tiles paired with a carefully chosen colour palette.
“By strategically painting 60% of the walls and using tiles for the remaining 40%, the cost is much lower without compromising visual appeal,” says Will.
And Will’s advice for achieving a polished finish while keeping costs down:
“Spend a bit extra on fixings and finishings and cut costs on tiling. In our Karaka show home, we used premium plumbing fixtures in the bathroom. It was a simple upgrade that made a huge difference to the overall look.”
Like all of Will’s recent projects, the Karaka build was seamless and streamlined. Will says the team breezed through any hiccups, keeping things moving even when trades hit snags.
“Building a house like this is easy once you know what you’re doing,” he says.
As for feedback, Will often notices people slowing down as they drive past to catch a look.
“The best part is when you tell them the price tag – they’re shocked. People start to realise they could achieve an architecturally-style dream home that’s within their budget,” says Will.
The Karaka show home proves that with a bit of style and smarts, you can do more with your budget. From strategically placed breaking walls to a resourceful approach to bathroom aesthetics, every detail reflects a commitment to quality without compromise. It’s all a matter of investing in the right places and working with people who’ve made it happen hundreds of times.
Be inspired. Visit the Karaka show home, 38 Emerald Avenue, open Wednesday to Sunday, 12-4 pm.
Let’s get together for a free, no-pressure meeting with one of our team, at your place or ours.
We can't wait to hear your ideas!
