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Simply Elegant
Publication: Sunday Times HOME Magazine
Writer: Fleur Balnger
Section: Build under $350,000
Date: 26th April, 2009
A lot of thought has been put into the Asheville, and the result is a home that epitomises classy chic. From the sleek facade to the spacious, free flowing floor plan, every design detail fits together with flair.
APG Homes' sales and marketing manager Leo Callisto says the Asheville aims to give a feeling of openness, inside and out.
"We wanted a fresh looking home that was simple and clean, not too cluttered with fancy stuff on the facade," he says.
"It also had to work as a design. It had to be set up for the people living there, and in this case it's a family home."
The concept certainly works, with the three children's bedrooms positioned to flow into the activity room - which is also cleverly placed to lead into the kitchen - giving quick access for mum and dad if they're cooking.
"It's also easy to keep an eye on the kids that way," Leo says.
Away from all the fun and excitement of the kitchen and activity areas in the 20.6sqm master bedroom.
Bordered by a study on one side and a huge open-plan ensuite, powder room and walk-in robe on the other, the slumber chamber is buffered from any noise and gives parents ample privacy.
It's also close to the garage entry, so fast getaways are simple.
The study at the front is a talking point. The ceiling is a whopping 39 courses high, plus there are windows on both sides.
"The high ceiling in the study gives us a striking front façade and it also creates space inside the room itself," says Leo, who suggests the study can also be converted into an extra bedroom, or a music room.
"The acoustics are fantastic in there," he says.
A sense of spaciousness continues in the open-plan living, kitchen and meals areas.
This is further enhanced by sliding doors that take you into the alfresco area.
The flexibility in the Asheville's design means you can widen the space even further.
For example, you could opt to extend the sliding doors right along the wall towards the living room, and beyond.
The kitchen is well fitted out, with a Blanco 900mm stainless steel, five-burner cook top, under-bench oven and range hood, plus a double-door pantry.
The kitchen is divided from the dining area by a long Essa Stone bench with double sink and flickmixer tap.
All APG homes now come with soft-close hinges on cupboard doors and drawers.
One of the most impressive features in the Asheville is a stand-alone wall, which comes off the hallway and only partially encloses the theatre room, meaning you're tempted to peek in as you pass by.
Leo says it was a deliberate, space-creating technique that draws visual interest.
"Quite often people say you lose that sense of openness when you walk through a place. We've stopped the wall going all the way to the ceiling, which gives the impression it is a much bigger, open room than a fully enclosed theatre," he says.
The Asheville is a "side view" house, providing homebuyers with an ideal option if they are building on a shallow block, with a good width but limited length.
Leo says APG Homes' aim was to meet a need in the make for this style of home.
"The way it's set up, all the visuals are to the side, so your water features, your alfresco area, your pool, etc, would be on the right side (or left) of the home," he says.
"Other homes are set up with all the dining and living room windows towards the rear of the home, and all the visuals are in the back garden. It's important to have both design options."