Hicaliber Team

Going Green – Energy Efficient Home Designs

Posted on August 22, 2019 by Hicaliber Team - Sustainable Homes

“It’s not easy being green”. Sorry, Kermit, you’re wrong – at least when it comes to building an ehome. There’s no better time to reduce your environmental footprint and slash your energy bills – forever.

While every new home must meet minimum energy efficiency standards, there’s potential to take it a whole lot further. Not only do you stand to gain on reduced energy bills, but a report in the Herald-Sun said that interest in energy efficient homes was rising, and may add to the value of a home.

Energy-efficient home designs are no longer just trendy: they are a lifestyle. This means the decisions you make today about how you design your home will have significant consequences when it comes time to re-sell. Understanding the link between your budget and the global consequences of your decisions makes you far better positioned to predict the attitudes of the buyers of the future.

A green attitude is already evident in the buying habits of millennials, as they pride themselves on being the first generation willing to pay significantly more for products that are more considerate of their impact on the environment, and this, of course, will include the houses they choose to buy. Millennials will not haggle solely on price, they will also negotiate on the specific ways their homes are both energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. This attitude has brought new meaning to the term “investment” and needs to be considered when talking to your builder about how to design an energy-efficient home.

Decide upfront; communicate early

If energy efficiency is on your radar, you’ll achieve the best results if you commit to the idea at the very earliest stages of your building project: as you’re choosing land and creating a home design. Your builder and designer then have the chance to provide a full range of ideas and options.

Sustainable design

When it comes to land and overall design, you’ll need to think about aspect and house orientation. Ideally, you want living areas to be north-facing to soak up winter sun; to limit windows on the east and west (or shade them well); and allow for cross-ventilation. You might choose to locate service areas like the garage and laundry in areas that would normally require extra heating or cooling.

Size does matter when it comes to sustainability. It’s important to choose a floor plan that’s just what you need; without unnecessary extra spaces. You might decide to forgo a media room, or a second living area for example.

Then there’s smart use of space. By creating zoned areas of rooms with similar uses, you can save on heating and cooling costs. With high ceilings and open plan designs, creative solutions can limit the energy drain: such as well-placed doors or room-dividing screens.

G.J. Gardner Homes designs can be easily adapted and customised to provide additional energy efficiency. In some areas, we offer the Balance range of highly efficient homes, which provide adaptable features, great looks and floor plans that work with narrow blocks.

The design decisions you make are critical: they’ll impact your heating, cooling and water costs for years to come.

The Balance range of house designs are highly energy efficient.

Building choices

This is where your builder can become your eco buddy. If you make it clear that efficiency is a priority, your builder can offer additional choices such as:

Advice on materials selection for walls, roofs and floors to add to energy efficiency and decrease maintenance
Additional insulation, for the house and for areas such as skylights
Solar hot water and solar power. New technology means you can now store solar energy and manage energy usage proactively
Rain water tanks and greywater for toilets and laundries
Use of water-saving taps and shower heads
Low energy lighting, such as LED
Installing fans as well as air-conditioning

Landscaping for your location

Again, make sure you tell your landscaper that you’re trying to maximise energy efficiency. Plant selection and placement can make a difference. It might be a matter of:

Choosing drought-resistant plants
Minimising lawn areas
Using vegetation to block the sun in exposed areas or let light through in cool areas

Over to you

Then it’s up to you for the big choices and the everyday ones that impact your energy bills. The big choices include buying energy-efficient appliances that are suitably sized for your spaces. The everyday choices are about where and when to use energy in your home, whether it’s turning on the air-conditioning vs opening some windows.

A final word on cost

But won’t it cost a lot to make a home energy efficient? That’s the perception, but the numbers stack up when you look at the payoff. On realestate.com.au, Brent Fletcher states that an 8-star house “will only add around 3.6% to the total cost of your build, but it could potentially save you more than 40% in heating and cooling costs.” And that’s not to mention the creature comforts you’ll enjoy from a new home that’s climate optimised; or the satisfaction of knowing you’re doing your bit for environmental sustainability.

The Average Costs to Build a 4 Bedroom House Explained

Posted on August 25, 2019 by Hicaliber Team - Cost to Build

You’re ready to start looking at building yourself a new home for the long haul. Maybe you already have a family or you’re looking forward to settling down and having that extra space that only a 4 bedroom home can bring. You’re probably wondering what the average cost to build the 4 bedroom house of your dreams is going to be!

Let’s be honest, there is such a wide variety of home design options on the market today. The cost to build a 4 bedroom house estimates can vary drastically from home builder to home builder, and on top of this, you’re trying to determine your personal requirements for your dream 4 bedroom home. It can send your head in a spin!

This post sets the record straight and makes it easier to outline the average costs to build a 4 bedroom house in Australia. We have focused on 4 integral cost components that all new owners need to consider when planning their dream home:

Home Design
Sustainability Measures
Site Preparation
Flooring

Home Design

This “dollars per square metre” rule is common terminology used in the industry by many builders and homeowners. The rule is calculated by dividing the total cost of the build itself by the total amount of floorspace in 4 bedroom home
designs (this is only the internal floorspace and not reflective of your overall plot of land). This measurement can be an essential asset to remember when estimating the cost of various aspects of your four-bedroom home design.

Design is a determining factor in the overall cost of 4 bedroom house plans. A larger custom-built four-bedroom house that has been built using high-quality fixtures and materials will invariably cost more than a simpler project-built four-bedroom home, complete with a set plan and design to adhere to during the build.

These set designs are fresh out of the tin, and as a general rule, these off-the-plan designs tend to be a great deal cheaper to build than a custom-designed four-bedroom house. Custom builders will tend to struggle when trying to compete with project home builders when it comes to cost-effectiveness, as they are selling you a unique product tailored to suit your individual needs. Having said this, it is still important to remember that all four-bedroom house designs are costed differently – which is all the more reason to speak with a professional builder when estimating your costs.

Another factor that can affect the overall cost-effectiveness of the average four-bedroom house size is the quality of the building materials used. Construction materials of lower quality can lead to the premature deterioration of your four-bedroom home and lead to eventual repairs, refurbishments or restorations later to your house later down the track.

The painting or finish of the home (low, standard or high) is another critical factor in the average cost to build a four-bedroom house as products of a higher standard, such as a good binder can protect your home from spillage or long-term issues such as mildew.

Sustainability Measures

When thinking over your four-bedroom house plans, it is vital to remember that your chosen builder will need to comply with any State and Local government sustainability measures.

Sustainability measures will vary from state to state and sometimes from council to council. Generally speaking, sustainability is measured by all new four bedroom homes built in Australia through various basic energy efficiency and water-saving considerations.

It is also important to remember that these State and Local government sustainability measures will also ensure that your four-bedroom home has been designed for the long term. It will cost you less in the grand scheme of things if you build your dream home using durable materials that stand the test of time but are also relatively easy to reuse or recycle.

By approaching the build of your four bedroom home with these sustainability measures in mind, think of using the most efficient appliances within your price range for your kitchen to encourage smart heating and cooling. Another good example of a sustainability measure in your own hands would be to consider house furnishings that minimise carbon emissions.

As a bare minimum, your builder should install reasonably high-quality insulation (in the roof and external walls of your property), and this insulation should maximise your energy efficiency. Other installations of high quality include roof sarking and “water-wise” water fixtures throughout your home, such as taps, showerheads and dual flush toilets. Some local councils will also insist on installing rainwater tanks which will take the pressure off your new home’s mains (drinking) water supply. Regardless of where you build in Australia, these sustainability measures will add to your upfront building costs.

Site Preparation

Regardless of the size and complexity of your four-bedroom design, site preparation costs will naturally come into play at an early stage in the building process. If your plan has large features such as bedrooms, additional ensuites or extra living spaces, your site preparation costs will be increased exponentially.

It is important to consider that certain mandatory site infrastructure costs will be out of pocket expenses incurred before the work can begin on your site. Some of these essential costs to your four-bedroom home will include: obtaining a building permit and subsequent fees, the reporting from soil tests and the contouring of your land. Other costs to your new site will include a construction and warranty insurance from your builder and the erection of temporary fencing for your block just before the commencement of your build.

Once your site has been flattened, levelled and stabilised, an AS2870-compliant slab will need to be poured as the foundations of your property begin to take shape. If your four bedroom home design requires a thicker slab or your site is in an area that is difficult to access, you’ll probably pay more towards the higher end of our “dollars per square metre” rule.

Flooring

One of the exciting aspects of building a home is choosing the floor coverings. There is such a huge range of floor covering materials on the market today to choose from, which vary in quality, durability and cost-effectiveness, including carpet, tiles, laminate, linoleum (lino), vinyl and polished concrete. Larger four-bedroom homes will have more floor space available, and therefore there will cost more to cover.

Due to the variations in price and quality of these floor coverings, costs can have a wide range.

G.J. Gardner 4 Bedroom Home Designs

At G.J. Gardner Homes, we have a wide range of four-bedroom home designs, including single floor and double floor home plans. Some of our favourite four-bedroom home designs include:

Vista 285

Oceanside 255

Parkview 286

Check out our entire range of four-bedroom home designs to find the right design for you.

A Final Word

Hopefully, we’ve given you an idea of the average cost to build a four-bedroom house. Building a new home can be a complex, costly and somewhat stressful experience. But there is no need to worry. An established national builder like G.J. Gardner Homes can take the stress, hassle and complexity out of building your new home. In addition, our transparent fixed-price contracts provide certainty and peace of mind. For further information, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Designing Homes with Purpose

Posted on December 4, 2019 by Hicaliber Team - Building with G.J.

When you think about what a home should do, there are some basic universal needs that are pretty much a given.

Shelter
Functionality
Privacy

But what about the little details? What about the surroundings? Is it a dry or wet climate? What about the people living in it? What about the fun? This is what sets the G.J. Gardner home building experience apart. We design a home around the people who are going to live in it.

So, let’s look at how Peter, our Lead Home Designer, and his team might work through a brief on any given day in the studio.

“The first thing we look at is the block of land the house is being built on,” he says.

“With every build, we start the process by drawing up the block, then we look at the who the potential client is going to be.”

It might be a family with two or three kids, building in an outer metro area of a major Australian city. They might want four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a communal family space, study nooks, two car garage, and an outdoor living area.

“We know the type of demographic and the size of the house they want, so let’s now start looking at where we place a really nice outdoor living zone that works with their family space where they’ll be spending most of their time,” explains Peter.

The plans begin to take shape. It makes sense to have the kitchen next to the family space with easy access to the outdoor living zone. A large, invisible transition area is created between indoor and outdoor rooms allowing for a natural flow.

Once the big pieces of the puzzle are in place, we can really start to drill down into the detail.

Birthday cakes migrate seamlessly between the oven and the al fresco dining table. Woodfired pizzas make it back inside on a wintery Friday night in front of the footy. Every element is considered so that the whole block works perfectly for you and your loved ones.

That’s the beauty of good design. A house shouldn’t just perform well, it should also be a joy to live in.

It’s your home, so it should reflect your lifestyle, budget, and your tastes. At G.J. Gardner Homes, there’s a team here for you, ready to make it real. Whether you’re building a family home, downsizing or looking to make your first entry in the market — you can be as hands on or hands off as you want. It’s all flexible and customisable.

Building your home exactly the way you want has never been this easy. Browse our portfolio of home designs or get in touch with your local G.J. office today.

With over 36,000 quality, customised homes built over the past 35 years, and having just been announced as the National Home Builder of the Year (ProductReview.com.au) for the fourth consecutive year, G.J. Gardner is Australia’s most trusted home builder.

Everything You Need to Know About Downsizing Your Home

Posted on January 5, 2020 by Hicaliber Team - Choosing your Home

Thinking of downsizing your home?

When it comes to houses, bigger isn’t always better. There are many reasons why people decide to downsize — some individuals may simply want to move closer to their loved ones, some may have been forced to reconsider their living arrangements after an unforeseen change in circumstances, and others may just be looking to take advantage of the benefits downsizing your home can bring.

Why downsize?

Whether your children have left the nest or if you’ve still got a big family living at home, it is likely that you have plenty of unused room you could sacrifice without giving up your comfortable lifestyle. Downsizing your home can help you save money through smaller mortgage payments. Additionally, through downsizing your home you can enjoy less time spent cleaning and less clutter in your environment.

Your downsizing options

When making any big decisions about your living arrangements, it is important to consider all options available.

When downsizing, you may find it hard to picture yourself living in a different place. It’s very common for families to become settled in their environment and surrounding community. In this case, the prospect of downsizing may conjure scary thoughts of uprooting and moving to a new suburb, town or city. This, however, does not have to be the case. By opting for a knockdown rebuild, you can build a more appropriately sized home in the community that you’ve grown to love, without compromising on your preferences for design and livability.

Alternatively, perhaps you are not only after a downsized home, but also a change in scenery. A house and land package may be the perfect solution — you are able to customise a house to suits your evolving needs on a piece of newly-developed land. Both are then bundled into one compact price. This option is popular for those that want a fresh start, with a beautiful new home and the land to match.

Finally, finding a more suitable house design may simply be a matter of choosing an off-the-plan design and custom designing it to suit your needs.

Frequently asked questions

When should you downsize your home?

There are some telling signs that you may benefit from a downsized home. First of all, if housing expenses start to become too much of a financial burden, you may want to consider a more affordable living situation. If you are falling behind on home maintenance, you may also want to consider downsizing to a situation that is a little more manageable. Some other factors include lifestyle and career changes, which can contribute to making the home you once loved less suitable.

How should you prepare to downsize your home?

Downsizing will inherently allow for far less space and storage. This means that before downsizing, you will need to make some big decisions about the things that won’t be making the trip to your new home. This is best done before moving rather than later, to save on both cost and effort throughout the moving process. Naturally, the normal preparations made when selling a house will also still apply.

What is a downsizer contribution into superannuation?

Downsizer contributions into superannuation were introduced in July 2018 to reduce pressure on Australian housing affordability. Eligible downsizers aged over 65 or older may be able to deposit up to $300,000 from their house sale into their superannuation fund as a result of this scheme.

The Materials We Use to Build Your Home

Posted on January 19, 2020 by Hicaliber Team - Building with G.J.

A home. It’s the biggest investment you’re ever likely to make. So it makes sense to invest in quality materials that will stand the test of time, the relentless Australian sun, and spontaneous crayon wall art, right?

Yep, we think so too.

It’s easy to recognise a home where corners have been cut in the build. You can feel it more than you can see it. Handles are flimsy, windows don’t shut properly, fittings are plastic-y. It just feels, well… cheap.

Before too long, things need fixing. You’re spending more time and money at Bunnings than you should have to with a new home. As you wander the endless aisles, you get a nagging feeling that you should’ve focused more on the quality of the materials with your new house.

The G.J. Way

But with a G.J. Gardner home, the high quality of the materials we select make this kind of scenario little more than a fantasy. For us, it goes back to the fundamental principles of architecture—form following function. While a home should obviously look and feel good, the building’s purpose and structure should always be the starting point for design.

Our lead home designer, Peter, reckons this is what sets a G.J. Gardner home apart from our competitors’ offerings.

“When we select the materials to build your home, our philosophy is that if it isn’t a proven product, we simply won’t use it.

We put the thought and effort into the front end of the design phase to ensure that your home isn’t just enjoyable to live in, it has to be built well too.”

Buying off the plan doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice quality. Where our competitors are tied down by their accountants and profit margins, we’ve always been led by designers and builders striving to use the best products and materials to build homes that last a lifetime.

And after designing and constructing tens of thousands of homes across Australia, we know how to source and use quality materials in our builds. We see the benefits firsthand. Peter says:

“We just don’t get the callbacks from frustrated customers like some of the other builders in the industry do,”

“Our way of doing things is clearly more cost-effective for everyone.”

Quality is in the process, too

This emphasis on quality and good outcomes doesn’t just stop with the products we use either.

We take a holistic approach to quality with our builders, suppliers, and tradies too. Because if everyone is on the same page with workmanship, then all of us—and most importantly the home buyer—will leave happy.

We always look forward to handover day with our clients, because we know we’re giving you a home that’s built with the best stuff, by the best people, and with you and your family at the heart of it all.

Functionality and Style in a Family Home

Posted on February 10, 2020 by Hicaliber Team - Planning your Home

Social media is awash with meticulously curated posts. The Instagram era means you can create whatever version of yourself, your house, your pets (or even your family) you want the world to see.

Now, there’s nothing wrong with that — we’ve all been guilty of finding a favourable light or friendly angle with a selfie, but when the scrolling stops, reality awaits.

And when you’ve got a family, home reality can be very, very #messy.

So is it possible to strike the right balance between keeping things functional while maintaining a ‘grammable style?

Finding a happy medium

The reality of how our homes look on a ‘normal’ day can often paint a different picture to what we display to visitors. Our houses don’t always look as pristine as we make them out to be!

Even if you have all the skills to make your house look like it’s been lifted from an interior design magazine, you may not find it to be the most comfortable living environment. We recommend working to find the perfect middle ground between style and comfort.

Comfort and style can co-exist

We all want to feel comfortable in our own homes. It’s our sanctuary. It’s where we relax, recharge and escape from the outside world.

While you may be someone who places a great deal of value on styling your home to look the way you love, you do not have to sacrifice comfort in order to achieve it!

Achieve both by taking into consideration all of the people who will be using your spaces and leaving room for them. This can include the occupants of the house but also guests, pets and visitors. Also, consider how you will be using all of your spaces!

By considering your house in this way, you can help inform the colours, styles and textures that will make up different parts of your home.

Dogs are people too

That sentiment even extends to pets.

Begin forging good habits within your pets! Instead of getting frustrated when they jump up onto your couch, buy some inexpensive covers or encourage them to use their own bed.

If you are finding it hard to control your pup’s urge to laze alongside you on your lounge, consider cleaning your couch covers somewhat regularly. Even white covers can often be washed very easily in a washing machine.

Enjoy your home (and the stuff in it)

It’s okay to have nice things that only see the light of day on special occasions. But on the flipside, don’t be afraid to enjoy what makes you happy.

You may just find yourself hiding away the ‘better’ stuff forever, and never enjoying your own time with them! You may as well consider buying things for your home that are both long-lasting and help to bring joy to you.

It’s sound advice when it comes to settling on a style for your home. Make choices that suit your life, and if it makes you happy, let your design choices follow.

How to Design the Perfect Home

Posted on February 18, 2020 by Hicaliber Team - Building with G.J.

It seems as though anyone can design a house these days.

You know the ones — cookie cutter homes under a sea of roof tiles stretching on as far as the eye can see, a strip of grass for a backyard, and built so tightly together that you can literally reach out and touch your neighbour’s wall.

There’s little to no thought put into how the house interacts with its surrounding environment, cross-breezes or afternoon sun. It’s like Dorothy just plonked it there after she fell out of the sky.

So how do our design steps differentiate our final product from the mega-estate builders? Let’s break down the key principles that guide the G.J. Gardner Design Process.

1. We know a home should be an extension of your life

It’s about the people existing under the one roof, interweaving your lifestyle, and the ability to enjoy and interact with the space. It all starts and finishes at the same place—with you.

Open plan living in the Kimberley 252 home design

Our Lead Home Designer, Peter, believes this is what has always set G.J. Gardner homes apart from the rest of the bunch.

“It’s our philosophy to design a home that’s going to perform well from the outset.”

2. We work with what you’ve got

With a shift away from ‘McMansions’ and backyards not as generous as they once were (let’s face it, we all probably don’t really need half an acre), the challenge is also to maximise space without losing enjoyment and functionality.

Functional outdoor living showcased in the Broadbeach 300 home design

“We work with the surrounding environment, not against it,” says Peter.

“The question we ask ourselves at the beginning of every home build is always, ‘What’s the best possible house we can build for this client on this block of land?’”

3. We take the lead from designers, not accountants

This is where G.J. Gardner’s flexible design approach puts us a step ahead of our competitors. We’re not dictated to by accountants or estimators, it’s our designers that lead the process.

For example, if a feature like an internal courtyard is the best option to allow light and breezes in, the average builder might shoot it down before even considering it properly based purely on price. But we see the bigger picture and find a way to make it work.

4. We’re big on detail

It’s smart details like blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor living to open up space, and having communal areas for families so parents and kids aren’t constantly shouting at each other from opposite ends of the house. These are the ideas that create homes that are enjoyable to live in, not just houses to exist within.

This thoughtful outlook to home design guides Peter and his team of designers in every house they create.

“A little bit of extra thought and effort can go a long way, and it’s absolutely worth it in the long run.”

The long-term value that our considered design processes add to your home building experience is priceless.

After all, there’s no place like home.

Sustainable Heating and Cooling: Considerations for Your Home

Posted on March 13, 2020 by Hicaliber Team - Sustainable Homes

Depending where you live in Australia, it could be hot and dry today. If you live down south, perhaps it’s damp and cold? Or windy. Or hailing. Or maybe a dust storm is rolling through if you’re further inland.

Regardless of where you stand on the climate change debate, one thing is certain: Australia is the land of weather extremes.

This is an important fact to consider when choosing a new home to build, as the wrong choice of home design could result in alarming running costs, dead spaces in your house that are too hot or too cold, and general frustration in the lack of usability of your space.

The great air-con con?

Nearly one-half of all households in Australia use an air-conditioner as their main system of cooling or heating. The Australian Government estimates approximately 40% of household energy is used for heating and cooling to achieve a comfortable indoor temperature.

That’s a lot of homes with a reliance on artificial climate control to make life comfortable.

Approximately 40% of household energy is used for heating and cooling

As our climate changes and the weather becomes less predictable, intelligent heating and cooling in our homes becomes more important to our day-to-day comfort and liveability.

Don’t get us wrong, there’ll always be a place for air-conditioning systems in Australian homes, but there’s also a solid argument for smarter building design to do more of the heavy lifting.

So what design features should you be looking at?

Time travel is cool

To get some perspective, it’s worth going all the way back in time to when air-conditioning didn’t exist. Take the Queenslander home design for example. Even at the end of the 19th century, this original subtropical abode was designed to work with the environment.

High-set to catch breezes, maximising cross-flow ventilation with breezeways, big on open plan living spaces, and of course, a huge veranda that blurred the lines between indoor/outdoor living.

Bring it forward to 2020, and these principles continue to ring true. Five key factors to consider for sustainable heating and cooling are:

Open plan design
High ceilings
Protected spaces
Crossflow breezes
Positioning of the home on the block

Open plan living spaces: Oceanside 255 home design

Boundless plains

There are eight different climate zones in Australia, each calling for different design features that keep the temperature in your home moderate and comfortable.

G.J. Gardner has been designing homes to suit all Australian conditions for over 35 years now. This means we’re experts at keeping you cool (or warm depending on where you live).

Up north in places like NT and Queensland, G.J.’s designs reflect people’s desire to enjoy the tropical climate. This includes:

Large frescoes and outdoor living areas
Greater integration between indoor and outdoor living areas
Large windows for ventilation
Spaces that encourage breezes

Integration between indoor and outdoor living spaces: Fernbank 262 home design

In colder regions, like Victoria and Tasmania, our home designs are premised on the direction of the sun, catching as much light and heat for homes all year round. Homes keep unwanted breezes out but still offer plenty of light and attractive flows between rooms and outdoor entertaining areas.

In moderate climate areas, our homes strike the balance between indoor and outdoor comfort and luxury, providing cooling measures when needed while offering rooms that will remain warm when it gets colder outside.

The G.J. way

Our Lead Home Designer, Peter, explains that a little bit of thought can go a long way when it comes to sustainable heating and cooling in our builds.

“Sometimes we’ll attach an activity room to a main living area where kids can do their homework or play video games. But this also serves a second important function — natural ventilation.”

“What we do in the design phase is line up that area with all four points of the house to encourage crossflow breezes. It’s simple, but it works.”

Allowing air to move around a home without obstacles has clear benefits. Fresh air, more family interaction, and cheaper energy bills. It’s just one of the many smart design outcomes you can expect from a G.J. Gardner home.

A Guide To Modern Hamptons Style

Posted on April 2, 2020 by Hicaliber Team - Designing & Inspiration

For a while now, an exclusive beachside community on the other side of the world has had a disproportionate impact on the look and feel of Australian homes — and there’s no sign of it stopping.

You guessed it, we’re talking about Hamptons.

‘The Hamptons’ style is continuing to make waves across the Pacific by influencing home designs Down Under.

Maybe it’s the timeless sensibility, maybe it’s nostalgia, or maybe it’s the movies.

Or perhaps it’s a combination of all three, with a convenient connection to the light and breezy Australian lifestyle. A sophisticated yet beachy feeling often shines through, creating an effortless coastal vibe.

Say g’day to Modern Hamptons

In Australia, our interpretation of Hamptons is often a contemporary one, taking the traditional American vibe and turning it on its head. This ‘Modern Hamptons’ style is about putting your own personalised spin on a proven trend, often through bending the rules when it comes to colour.

Modern Hamptons is a popular look because it blends the traditional Hamptons-style elements with a contemporary and refreshed colour palette.

The Modern Hamptons colour palette

Traditional Hamptons style is earmarked by a muted colour palette featuring blue accents. Modern Hamptons, on the other hand, isn’t afraid to be bold.

G.J. Gardner Homes Hamptons Home Design — Modern Hamptons Facade: Freshwater 400 Dispay Home, NSW

Take the Freshwater home design. The facade of this display home in Sydney’s northern beaches uses traditional Hamptons textures like wooden VJ panelling and stone, with contemporary colours like black and pale pink.

It brings a contemporary feel to the facade and, combined with the black panelling, makes for a richer overall impression.

The colours you choose are up to you — whether it’s moody, striking, calm or neutral, ensure you’re incorporating natural textures to keep the Hamptons vibe alive.

Modern Hamptons textures

Natural materials will always be a mainstay of Hamptons design – think wood, stone, linen and marble. You can incorporate these textures in spades throughout your home, from the exterior to the interior including furniture, surfaces and finishes.

Hamptons Textures: Freshwater 400 Display Home, NSW

For a contemporary take, consider incorporating on trend textures like:

Matte black metal
Brass, anthracite or brushed nickel
Polished concrete
Indoor greenery

Finishing touches

The key to styling a Modern Hamptons home is honouring the traditional approach (think pendant lighting, linen furnishings) using a contemporary and creative interpretation.

For example, you might stick with traditional wooden and marble textures for your bathroom and kitchen surfaces, but opt for warm metal finishings with clean lines to modernise the look.

Rather than the traditional nautical prints and driftwood, you might choose a woven grass wall hanging or an abstract print in your chosen colour palette.

Planning your Modern Hamptons home

Colour, texture and styling will get you 90% of the way there, but in order to really succeed you can’t consider these elements in isolation. You need to have a plan.

It sounds obvious, but taking the time to consider all the surfaces, finishes and inclusions across your home will help you achieve a cohesive Modern Hamptons look.

Want to work with our design team to plan your dream Hamptons home? Contact us.

Our Hamptons Home Designs

How to Live Smarter, Not Larger

Posted on April 9, 2020 by Hicaliber Team - Planning your Home

Is downsizing the new upsizing?

We certainly think so.

Let’s face it, it’s a bit pointless having three empty bedrooms and two extra bathrooms you’ll rarely use at home.

Along with creating more space to maintain and clean, extra rooms can stop the flow of a home and make things feel a lot more compartmentalised than they really need to be.

Trendsetters

These days, we’re seeing a shift towards living smarter, not larger. It’s something our Lead Home Designer, Peter, has picked up on in his trend forecasting.

“When you cut down on a bigger build, you’re able to put more of your budget towards things like a good quality kitchen and generous entertaining areas,” Peter says.

Alongside the United States, Australia has traditionally been one of the world’s top offenders when it comes to floorplan size. However, change is in the air.

“The trend towards more appropriate home sizes to meet individual needs is growing in Australia, and it’s making its way into plenty of our home designs.”

RIP, big for big’s sake

Where retirees have traditionally been the ones leading the downsizing charge, younger generations are now starting to realise that bigger isn’t necessarily better.

“Over the last 20 years it has been about going bigger and adding extra rooms — four living rooms, five bedrooms, three bathrooms,” explains Peter.

A clear pattern is beginning to emerge with people asking for more sensible, purpose-built homes that suit their own lives.

“I’m seeing more families coming to us with a brief of three bedrooms, usable open-plan living areas instead of three separate living areas, and one large bathroom and a master ensuite instead of three smaller ones.”

“We’re starting to see this approach creep through in more and more builds,” he adds.

Bliss out inside

Wellbeing is now on trend. With modern life showing no signs of slowing down, our homes are acting as sanctuaries more than ever.

Open-plan living: Northside Display Home, QLD

They’re a place to feel grounded and relaxed, and thoughtful use of space goes a long way in contributing to a relaxed and welcoming vibe. So how can you embrace the downsizing trend as part of your new home build?

Downsizing tips

Do an ‘audit’ of your current home, are there spaces you never use?
Consider the essentials versus the nice-to-haves (make a list)
Opt for open plan spaces where possible
Build dual-purpose spaces into your plan
Bring the outside in with large windows and alfresco spaces

Thinking about reducing your family’s footprint, but not sure where to start? It pays to talk to an expert. Contact your local G.J. Gardner builder to discuss a smarter home build.