SURPRISE PACKAGE

Strategic use of colour and upcycled design finds add character and the drama to a new off-the-plan build in Hamilton

- Fiona Barber

From the exterior, this Hamilton home says smart, tasteful and understated. Open the front door, however, and the dapper gives way to the drama - in the most stylish way. With strategic punches of colour, striking art and upcycled furniture and finds, it's an exemplar of creativity within the walls of an off-the-plan home.

Jaydene Meadows and husband Bryce Jamieson signed up for a house-and-land package with Mike Greer Homes, then used variation options and their myriad skills to make the 166sqm house into chic haven with just the right balance of sophistication and character. They moved into the three-bedroom, two-bathroom home in the Peacocke subdivision on Hamilton's fringes in June last year.

Space travel

One of the major reasons for moving to the house was to have more space, both in terms of land and room for Bryce's woodwork, Jaydene's art and the couple's upcycling projects. The double garage offered this, plus room for gym equipment. The floor plan also addressed three must-haves: a study nook, a scullery and indoor-outdoor flow.

The couple, who had been living in a central city townhouse, also researched the area in the south of the city to ensure there would be sufficient infrastructure in place. It didn't hurt that it was a quick drive to the city centre and that cafes and breweries were nearby at Matangi and Tamahere.

After all the practical requirements, location and infrastructure were ticked off, the couple used the time between signing up and construction of their new home to plan and nail down details.

"I'm a naturally creative person so I put together a scrapbook, which was helpful," explains Jaydene. "I'd looked at a lot of colours and moodboards, which really helped." As part of their package, they had an hour-long consultation with an interior designer, so all the mulling and researching was invaluable when it came to making firm decisions.