When John and Sharalee Clarke came across a rare site in Taupō’s Two Mile Bay, they knew it was something special. Elevated above the lake with wide water views, it was the perfect place to build the holiday home they’d long imagined.

With help from Landmark Homes Taupō, they created a calm, light-filled home that reflects everything they value – thoughtful design, timeless style, and space to share. The result recently won Regional Gold at the 2025 House of the Year Awards, and has quickly become their favourite place to be. 

The Clarks were no strangers to building, with several homes already behind them. But as Sharalee puts it, those earlier builds were more “meat and potatoes” – practical, with tight budgets, and few extras.

“This time, we had a bit more room to move,” she says. “We were able to loosen the reins and really focus on the details.”

The Clarks had followed Landmark Homes for years, regularly visiting Showhomes and admiring the quality of the builds. “We appreciated the standard they worked to,” says Sharalee. “The homes don’t all look the same. There’s a real attention to detail.”

John explains that the couple were looking for a point of difference. “Many of the new builds in Taupō seemed quite dark,” says John. “You see a lot of black cladding and timber. We wanted something with a lighter, more relaxed, beachy aesthetic. We also went with a flatter roofline rather instead of the usual high pitches you tend to see a lot of.”

Rather than choosing from a standard plan, they took their ideas and inspiration to Landmark Homes Taupō and had the team develop a layout that made the most of both the site orientation and the views. 

Set across two levels, the home is cleverly arranged to suit both everyday living and extended family stays. The upper floor is dedicated to the kitchen, dining and main lounge, all oriented to take in the lake views. Downstairs, three guest bedrooms and a second lounge provide plenty of space and privacy, with every room opening out to the lower patio.

Sliding doors on two sides open the upper level to a wraparound deck, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor connection. One corner is fully open, allowing the views to take centre stage. “That open corner really makes the difference,” says Sharalee. “You feel like you’re right out there.”

The lower level is equally considered. A barn door closes off the guest wing when needed, and each bedroom looks out to the water. “We’re often hosting,” she says. “There’s room for everyone without it feeling crowded.”

A lift was included to future-proof the home, and the rear driveway provides ample parking for guests and the couple’s boat. “We’ve built quite a few homes over the years,” says John. “But this one’s different. It’s the one we always wanted to build.”

Inside, the home feels calm and welcoming. The palette is soft and natural, with subtle texture bringing warmth to the clean lines. Timber flooring anchors the upper level, while porcelain stone adds a crisp, consistent finish in the kitchen and lounge. The same surface wraps around the fireplace, tying the spaces together.

Kitchen cabinetry was designed to feel integrated, with clean profiles and open timber shelving that blends into the wider living space. 

“I like things to be clean and tidy,” says Sharalee. “We wanted it to feel calm, but still have personality.” 

Lighting was carefully considered. Above the breakfast bar, a pair of sleek linear lights creates a clean, modern look without interrupting the view. “That was John’s idea,” says Sharalee. “We’d seen something similar in a Showhome, but decided to run them across the room instead of lengthways. People always comment on them.”

In the stairwell, a trio of rattan pendants hangs at different heights. The couple’s daughter sourced them and worked with the electrician to get the layout just right. “She had it all planned,” says Sharalee. “She was on FaceTime during the install making sure each one was exactly in the right spot.” 

Behind the lights, a large mirror reflects the lake views and light, changing with the time of day. “It’s like a piece of art,” says Sharalee.

Timber detailing continues throughout the home. Ghostwood panelling features in the bar area, while vertical slats soften the stairwell and create subtle separation without blocking light. 

In the main bedroom and ensuite, board-and-batten-style wall linings add depth without overwhelming the calm aesthetic.

“We kept coming back to natural tones and clean lines,” says Sharalee. “Everything had to feel cohesive without being overdesigned.”

That sense of consistency flows through every room. The ensuite features travertine-look tiles, soft lighting and a freestanding bath. The laundry picks up the same finishes used in the kitchen.

“It all just flows,” says Sharalee. “That was the goal from the start.”

Subtle exterior lighting also transforms the home at night. The front entry is softly lit with recessed lights along a floating timber path, framed in stone. “It looks amazing when you arrive in the evening,” she says.

For John and Sharalee, this home was more than just another build. It was a chance to create something lasting. A home that truly reflects their lifestyle and values.

Working with Landmark Homes Taupō made that process feel easy. “From design through to completion, the team supported changes, offered ideas and stayed focused on getting things right,” says Sharalee. “We’d come to them with a tweak or suggestion, and they’d figure it out. It never felt like too much trouble.”

That care and collaboration paid off. The home was awarded a Regional Gold at the 2025 House of the Year Awards, judged in the Bunnings New Home $1 million – $1.5 million category.

“It was a really proud moment,” says Sharalee. “We put so much into every part of it, so it’s lovely to have that recognised.”

But for the Clarks, the greatest reward is simply being there. “We just love it,” she says. “The views, the way it works when it’s just the two of us, and when the whole family’s there. It’s exactly what we wanted.”

For now, it’s their ideal holiday home. In time, it will become their forever home, a place designed around everything that matters most.