Home In One An Interview with Sam Perrin

Design Builders Bay of Plenty’s new showhome is located just a golf ball’s throw from a prime golf course and a short drive to the coast. Sam Perrin from Design Builders tells us why this new showhome is a must-see.

Who would this home appeal to, and why?

Anyone with an appreciation for design, space and quality. With close proximity to Omokoroa golf course, local daycare, schooling and cafes, it ticks all the boxes, whether you are a retired couple or a young family. The floor plan is about 250 square metres. There’s privacy – the four bedrooms flank a central open-plan living area, with the master suite separated from the other bedroom wing. The design creates plenty of space in which to live and grow.

What were you trying to achieve with your latest showhome, Sam?

What we were wanting to achieve was a home that had character and warmth, a place that had a great feel and where everything made sense when you walked through it. The feel of a home is not something you can fully appreciate and understand until it’s completion, so we are stoked with the outcome and believe we have achieved that.

Taking inspiration from Hampton and country style homes, we also wanted to showcase craftsmanship and detail, paying special attention to features like exterior soffits and internal architraves.

What were the main challenges during the build?

The weather was our biggest hurdle on this build. The timing meant that we built through the winter, and looking back, 2019 seems like a year of wind and rain!

What are you most excited about with this home?

I think it’s the detail. The feature fire, the exposed rafters on the outside, and internally, the window detailing.

What else would you tell people to look out for?

I’d like to think it’s not something to look out for, rather something you will notice and experience. The whole central area works really well with its timber sarking, high ceilings, a feature garden, and a generously sized kitchen.

It’s a beautiful-looking home, but it’s also very liveable.

A big part of this home was achieving the Lifemark rating. Lifemark-rated homes are designed to be liveable and safe for people of all ages and stages. So, access, flow, flat level entry is important. When you’re inside this showhome it feels like a house that works very well. Every space is designed for the site – it’s a very functional home. Someone in a wheelchair can go from the road, into the house, through it, out to the lawn, even out to the washing line. We’ve kept everything at the same level, so it’s a smooth transition.

Tell us why it was so important to get an interior designer involved.

Great interior designers look at a house holistically, and can see how everything intertwines and works together. Our interior designer was involved in all aspects of this showhome, from colours to the design of the garage door, and everything from furniture to flowers.

You’ve created many homes for Design Builders clients, Sam. What advice do you have for someone thinking about building?

One of the most important things to me is the relationship. A client can expect a design and build period of a good 15 months or so, working closely with your designer and builder, so the relationship has got to be good. You’re on a journey, so it’s important to be working with someone you get on with. Ultimately, it’s about having a great experience.

Open Saturdays and Sundays 12–4 pm or by appointment
13 Serenity Drive, Omokoroa (off Gane place)

Please contact Sam Perrin for more information on 027 757 7170 or sam.perrin@designbuilders.co.nz