Roberts 2 Storey

A two-storey home that feels like a holiday escape was the perfect choice for this family of five

If you were planning to build in a coastal location, why wouldn't you choose a home design that made it feel like you were constantly on holiday? For South Coast couple Kevin and Debbie Mulcahy and their family, this was the mindset behind their decision to build with Sarah Homes.

"We wanted something that would give us an all around holiday feel," Kevin says. "A two-storey home with balconies was a must and having them face in different directions means we can make the most of the weather no matter the time of day or time of year."

The couple decided to build Sarah Homes' Roberts 2-Storey, a four -bedroom, two-bathroom design with 213sqm of living area. Although suited to a courtyard allotment, the llm wide design also proves ideal for a larger block as it provides plenty of space for gardens and storage solutions, such as the large shed the couple have incorporated on to their block.

"We extended both balconies, making the side balcony double as a space for car parking underneath and we added another bathroom upstairs and a walk-in pantry, " Kevin says. Attracted by the high ceilings and open space of the Roberts 2-Storey display home at Victor Harbor, the couple were also drawn to the builder given its fantastic reputation.

"The size, with a few modifications, was the type of home we were after," Kevin says. The family's home features three bedrooms on the lower level, along with a family lounge at the rear, a bathroom, a separate toilet and a spacious laundry. Meanwhile, upstairs is a haven for entertaining and spending time with family. A living and dining area connects to the luxurious kitchen, with stunning industrial style pendant lights above the breakfast bar and dining table.

Two balconies flow out from the kitchen and living area, expanding the space available and providing the ideal place to entertain friends and family while enjoy views outdoors. Although choosing the design was a relatively simple process, the couple did encounter issues with their allotment which setback the overall construction.

Taking a little under a year to build, Kevin says the initial soil samples did not account for the large amount of rock beneath the block's surface - however, the additional cost for the removal was "more than reasonable". Despite this unexpected setback, the couple says the build process moved quickly once the block's issues were resolved.

"It was great having the building supervisor John Zappia going in to bat for us on a number of occasions, it was a pretty big build and we know things won't always go according to plan - so having someone on your side was a big plus," Kevin says. Having lived in their home for just over a year -and-a-half, the family has created a lovely space that oozes a sense of relaxation and calm. The interior features industrial elements, such as the pendant lighting and striking dark-toned kitchen, and a light and bright colour scheme, allowing the couple to play around with home trends.

Given the chance to build again, Kevin says the only thing he would change would be building "years ago" and they would like to implement more green energy over the next few years. "We will install solar in time to come and make more of the recycled water we have installed," he says.

Living with their children - Beau, Declan and Bridie - Kevin says their home works perfectly for their family, but they are sure it will meet their needs into the future too. "It is one of those houses where you really do feel relaxed, we are still quite a few years away from retirement, but I'd like to think this place suits that part of our life in time to come as well," Kevin says. 'We are really happy with what we have got here."

21-Apr-19 - The Sunday Mail Home Magazine

For more information about the house in this story please look at the Roberts 225.

The modern family home should have all the bells and whistles,
and while parents are often treated to a space just for
themselves in new home builds, what about the kids

Outside of their bedrooms, children need a shared breakout space to relax in front of a movie, do homework, hang out friends or just play ... somewhere they can make a mess, and they can tidy it up later on. Many home designs and builders are now including children's retreat areas in their designs and essentially these are living zones close to bedrooms and away from line of sight of the main living space - so you don't need to see their mess as you, or guests, walk through your home.

Whether you have young children in need of a playroom or teenagers wanting their own personal space , the kids' retreat is a great inclusion as it takes the clutter (and technology) away from bedrooms, and gives kids a dedicated place of their own. From light and bright shared spaces to cosy nook retreats.

When there's a whole level for children's bedrooms and a living room at the end of the hall - and mum and dad's bedroom is upstairs - this will be a dedicated zone for children and teens. You might hear the kids during school holidays, but you won't see them in Sarah Homes· Roberts 2-Storey design. An added bonus is the games room opens up to the backyard. so once they've watched a movie. they can head outdoors for a game of cricket. Meanwhile adults can entertain upstairs on the large veranda while kids keep to themselves in this largely self-contained level (there's also a bathroom and toilet downstairs)."

25-Mar-18 - The Sunday Mail Home Magazine

For more information about the house in this story please look at the Roberts 225.

If you fancy a laid-back beach lifestyle, Sarah Homes'
Roberts 2 Storey could be just the holiday home you need

Picture weekend mornings on the sundrenched deck of Sarah Homes' Roberts 2 Storey design, coffee in hand with a view of the ocean. Or, better yet, balmy summer nights catching up with friends over a gin and tonic. It's this laid-back, quintessentially Australian beachside lifestyle which inspired the fresh and airy Roberts 2 Storey design, says Sarah Homes' Helen Lowrie.

"This home has a very relaxed, informal feel. It is a real entertainer's home with plenty of space for everyone in the family," Helen says of the design, which she calls a "delight" thanks to the generous decking. "Given our lovely temperate climate for most of the year, the ability to open up the home is a way to enjoy our environment," she adds of the 69sqm main openplan living area upstairs.

Designed with four bedrooms and ample living spaces on both levels, the home's floorplan was devised with holidays in mind - zoning the floors to ensure maximum comfort and seamless entertaining.

"Remarkably, the Roberts 2 Storey has a lot of space but sits comfortably on a narrow block. This is important as there is a growing trend to narrower lots," says Helen of the compact design that spans 7.9m wide and is 16m deep. On the ground level, three minor bedrooms are generous in size with large windows and easy access to an unusual bathroom setup, which sees the shower and a powder area on one side of the hallway, and a second powder area opposite, with access to a separate toilet and laundry.

This ensures all downstairs inhabitants will have access to the wet areas without getting in each other's way. A central hallway leads from the entry at the front to the downstairs living area at the rear. This space, which has sliding doors to the yard, could be used as a games room to create a teenage retreat-like zone and ensure the adults "have some time away from noisy kids", as Helen puts it. Halfway along the hall, another set of sliding doors opens to the outdoors where a shaded courtyard could be created.

"The bedrooms and a downstairs living room open on to the backyard, making it the ideal place for a large family or holiday/rental investors," she says.

Upstairs, designed as the home's main living hub, is a bright and breezy open-plan living space leading from the stylish yet conventional galley-style kitchen and out to two wide balconies.

In the display, the modern white kitchen gets a burst of colour with an orange splashback setting off the thick stone benchtop with two round sinks inset, while behind it a double bank of above-counter cupboards in a timber look laminate adds vital storage. The upstairs living area, according to Helen, is what impresses visitors to the Victor Harbor display the most.

Large windows on all sides maximise views from the kitchen, dining and lounge which sits adjacent the wider balcony at the front. At the back of the upper level behind the kitchen, is the master bedroom which is spaciously appointed, running the width of the home, and has walk-in storage and an ensuite with a shower, toilet and long vanity. Thanks to the zoning, the home appeals to a range of clients seeking easy family holiday living, Helen says.

"It is ideal for people with large families who want a lot of space to relax in a holiday home," she says. "It also appeals to older clients with grandchildren who like to holiday with family but want an extra living zone to keep the child/teenage noise away from the adults."

On-point with Scandi chic finishes, including whitewashed flooring, and clever window placement for welcome natural light, the Roberts 2 Storey design exudes a sense of serenity from each room, as well as being an environmentallyfriendly design. Design features, including the vaulted ceiling and porthole windows to the front, add a spacious feel to the home, Helen says.

In the display, a recess near the kitchen has been turned into extra storage as well as a feature bookshelf. White weatherboard-style cladding combined with timber decking adds to the beachhouse feel.

"Most Sarah Homes are built as holiday homes, so the styling was chosen to reflect these happy, relaxed times," Helen says. "The colours are bright and cheery, yet not overpowering." True Oak corrugated roofing/wall cladding by Revolution Roofing, a 25-year structural guarantee and Blum soft close drawers to the kitchen come as standard with the design, but Helen adds that "anything and everything can be upgraded". "The most common upgrades are ceiling heights, tiling heights and deck layouts - both size and location - as well as changes to kitchen and bathroom cabinets," she says.

07-Feb-2016 - The Sunday Mail Home Magazine

For more information about the house in this story please look at the Roberts 225