The Ready to Build plan gave the client exactly what they wanted. It allowed for flexibility in areas they needed too, such as the exterior look and feel – all working to bring their vision to life.

Situated in the Tamahere district, this Waikato home embraces its rural setting and elegantly unites rustic charm with modern comforts.

Based on our popular Hawea Ready to Build plan, this large-scale family home optimises its 300sqm floor area by giving each room an opportunity to showcase its spaciousness.

“The original brief from the client was to create a two-storey home with the master bedroom downstairs and use the first floor as a guest wing for family and friends,” explains Landmark Homes Waikato owner-director Nigel Watson.

“When choosing a design, originally the client really liked our popular Tekapo Ready to Build plan, but it was too big for their needs, which is why they opted for the Tekapo-inspired Hawea.”

The Hawea features spacious living areas and an extra family room upstairs, and is well suited for various section sizes – from city sites to lifestyle blocks.

“The client wanted a traditional, country style home, with weatherboards and sills and facings to all the joinery, to give it that timeless look and feel,” says Nigel.

The main entrance welcomes you into the home with grand schist pillars framing the doorway, a considered modification to the Hawea design to enhance the overall look and create an entrance with instant impact.

Stepping through the front door and into the home, the grandeur of the exterior finishing is mirrored inside. Double French doors open inwards to offer a sneak peak of the open-plan living downstairs, while plush carpeted stairs beckon you to ascend towards the rooms on the second storey.

On the ground floor, the living spaces dominate, with adjacent family and dining rooms. These areas both extend out onto a large wooden deck that runs the length of the rear side of the home, and a covered portico allows for alfresco wining and dining.

To the side, a formal lounge can be accessed via a large sliding door, which also allows for this area to become compartmentalised – perfect for creating a designated kid-friendly play area.

The sweeping deck connects and serves all living spaces and the master bedroom. Inside the master bedroom, a generous ensuite with glazed level-entry shower and his-and-hers vanity completes the owner’s domain.

In keeping with the country feel, a freestanding double gas oven is included, and the huge central island offers generous storage and workspace for homestyle cooking. Packed with storage space for less-used appliances, as well as a large fridge-freezer for convenience, the roomy scullery is a discreet sidekick to the main space.

With the only change to the floor plan being additional garage space to accommodate a third car, the Hawea’s tried and true design was a perfect fit for these homeowners.

“The Ready to Build plan gave the client exactly what they wanted, yet allowed for flexibility in areas they needed too, such as the exterior look and feel – all working to bring their vision to life,” Nigel adds.