McCubbin

Sarah Homes' McCubbin 130 keeps its design strategy simple to deliver space and liveability in a smaller family home, suitable for narrow allotments but always connected to the outdoors

Stylish, effective simplicity reigns in the Sarah Homes McCubbin 130 display home , from the unique entry way to the easy flow-through planning making the most of its relatively modest 128sqm floor area. Approaching the front door across the dark hard wood decking, I am struck by the unusual geometry at play here, with the entire panel of sliding doors recessed at a gentle angle to provide a covered porch and unrestricted access to the living areas of the house.

The quirk adds to the overall feeling of modern uncomplicated design exuded by the McCubbin 130, with its textured Windspray Colorbond cladding and gently arched roofline. Julie Durand, business development manager for Longridge Group, says Sarah Homes uses specialist composite materials for construction , which gives their homes a distinct style. "The ... unique angled access to external decking adds interest and appeal to both the interior and exterior," she says

Inside, the welcoming simplicity continues, with the floorplan divided almost in half between the open -plan living area and the bathrooms and three bedrooms. "The McCubbin 130 works well as a holiday home, and equally as well as a more compact home for smaller families or downsizers," Julie says. "Good separation of living and sleeping areas means entertaining can be carried out at the front of the home while those who would like some quiet bedroom time can be at the rear of the home in their own quiet area.

"Open living, clever use of window detailing - the sliding doors to the side and front of the home, plus the decking features - create a real sense of space that makes the home feel much larger than it is." The space is evident as I walk in through the front doors, with a dining area sufficient for at least six people straight ahead.

Wood-style floors open out into the kitchen/ lounge area with its island bench and small breakfast bar set up at the far end with Laminex Basalttops. On-trend cement -look light fittings hang over the island bench and I can't resist reaching out to inspect their unique texture. The kitchen is equipped with a stainless steel combination oven and six-burner cooktop with different size drawers set under benchtops and overhead. The finishes fall into an affordable mix of inclusions based on the standard specifications

Sarah Homes clients typically incorporate. "We like to call it the 'shack spec'," Julie says. There are few decorating tricks used here, just clean, bright surfaces based on a neutral palettewith plenty of honest wood tones in the floor and cabinetry. "The interior of the McCubbin 130 is open and spacious, with generous sizing to the all important kitchen/meals/family hub," Julie says. "Our living rooms are larger than those built with traditional methods, which means making the most of available space, even on smaller lots.

"As a hallmark of Sarah Homes, the design and styling works to create a light-filled and open environment. " Framing this area is a set of four large windows (two of them sliding doors) leading out on to a separate hard wood veranda. Even on an overcast day like this one, the light flows through, as does the sense of space added by the outdoor area under a generous roof.

Julie says decking is a great addition to the home, maximising the usable space and making it an entertainer's delight. Beyond the living spaces, down a central hallway, lie the laundry and sleeping areas, all sequestered from the noisier living areas. The laundry features storage and a large metal sink for heavy-duty tasks with underbench storage, and access to outdoor areas.

The family bathroom features clever arrangement of lobby/ vanity area, with a separate toilet to one side and shower/ bath tub room to the other, providing access for multiple users. The main bedroom ensuite offers a generous vanity, shower and toilet area with plenty of light.

The bedrooms, carpeted in smart chocolate brown, all offer space for a double bed and feature built-in robes. They can be configured as rooms for children, guests or a study. Louvred windows can be found in several rooms, adding to the holiday feel of the home. The main bedroom opens on to a private deck area.

Walking back down the hallway into the living area, the sun has burst through the clouds and is beaming off the floors, and I very much wantto sit down in the lounge area and just take it in. The effect is the result of clever orientation of the home to make the most of sun and light, with plenty of solar access during winter but shade offered during summer, potentially reducing power bills.

Julie says the decking can be configured around a client's allotment and family needs, and the McCubbin 130 - at just 6.9m wide - caters for all types of allotment. Sarah Homes also has other floorplans in the McCubbin range, which include a four -bedroom version and a plan with two storeys. As affordable homes for smaller families go, the 130 is a clever design that makes the most of its attributes to create a bright , spacious living area with plenty of access to the outdoors.

23-Jun-19 - The Sunday Mail Home Magazine

For more information about the house in this story please look at the McCubbin 130.

*Pricing accurate at time of printing 

Affordable, stylish and relaxed, the McCubbin 120 by Sarah Homes offers three bedrooms and open-plan living, so you can entertain indoors and outdoors

After an escape during the holiday season? Wish you had somewhere for a Christmas getaway or a home ideal for hosting the festivities? Whether you're looking for a sometimes -home to enjoy weekends by the sea or relaxed indooroutdoor permanent living with space to entertain, the compact McCubbin 120 by Sarah Homes fits the bill for both.

This flexible design with three bedrooms and one bathroom is suited to families after a holiday house, retirees downsizing from larger family homes, investors, or even people wanting to try their hand at owning a holiday rental or Airbnb. It also makes a great permanent home for anyone living in regional areas as Sarah Homes build throughout the state.

Underlying all of this is the value it offers. On display at Sarah Homes ' display village at Mile End, the crisp white Sycon Linea-clad McCubbin 120 has been inspired by the sea side and presents a nautical holiday feel. Sarah Homes' marketing manager, Juliet Haslam, says it offers open -plan living which is perfect for holidays.

"It's an entertainer's dream with dining, lounge and galley kitchen opening on to a decked alfresco, ideal for summer barbecues with family and friends," she says. "It's casual, relaxed and simple yet stylish".

The McCubbin's long shape, which is 6.9m wide and 16.4m deep, means it is suitable for narrow allotments and would be great on a block with a view. The three-bedroom display home showcases upgraded features including 2.7m vaulted ceilings raked to 3.2m - which in  high in any home, decorative internal and external wall cladding (a must-have for coastal styling) and a feature splashback kitchen window, all adding to the relaxed, light and airy atmosphere.

It has natural timber-look flooring for an authentic feel, a deep black feature wall in the living area and a contemporary, user-friendly kitchen. The kitchen has a large island bench, shown with waterfall ends, which is a great space to prepare meals or gather around with friends for drinks and nibbles. It also makes for a breakfast bar, with room for stools to enjoy causal meals.

There's also a large pantry and plenty of overhead storage as well as ample drawer space  with timber-look cabinetry adding a raw and coastal vibe to the kitchen. Facing the living and dining areas it seamlessly blends the zones to create one, flowing space.

The open -plan living area opens via wide sliding doors to a generous raised timber deck, an upgrade feature, but one you'll most likely want to include in some configuration. Decks can be customised to suit the block, Juliet says. "It extends the natural living area - there's no step down from inside to out," Juliet says.

"When the sliding doors are pushed back it brings out the whole indoor/outdoor entertaining experience." Entertaining areas are at the front of the house with sleeping quarters at the back, with the entry half way along the side of the home. "This has been designed for added  privacy from the living zones which can also be reversed with the entertaining space at the rear," Juliet says.

All three bedrooms have large windows which fills them with natural light. One is fitted with a bunk bed, showcasing the generous sizes and ceiling height that the bedrooms offer.  Nearby is the three-way bathroom, conveniently located for all bedrooms as well as guests. It has a walk-in powder room with vanity, a freestanding bathtub and shower, and a separate toilet, making for practical, simultaneous use.

"The best orientation for this home is to capture the views and for open -plan living spaces to face north," Juliet says. "We can make this flexible design work depending on the orientation and features of the block."

While the McCubbin 120 design is a compact home that will suit many, if you 're in need of a little more space, there are three other McCubbin versions to opt for. Either way an affordable, stylish and relaxing lifestyle awaits.

03-Dec-2017 - The Sunday Mail Home Magazine

For more information about the house in this story please look at the McCubbin 120.

A peaceful life on the marina at Mannum makes the most of river views, and the
McCubbin 4e design by Sarah Homes was exactly what this couple wanted

Calm, relaxing and away from the bustle of city living, having a riverfront property certainly has its perks and nobody knows this more than Pamela and Gary Dillon. When the couple decided to build on the marina at Mannum Waters they wanted a welcoming space to share with family and friends.

After securing a waterfront property and searching for designs to suit it, they chose Sarah Homes to build their home. "We wanted a house that would be able to take in the view of the river, have a large balcony for a barbecue and for entertaining," Pamela says.

Attracted to the facade of the McCubbin 4e design with a skillion roofline, the couple wanted a home that would accommodate visitors with ease. Modifying the McCubbin design, they opted for three bedrooms, two bathrooms and one main living/dining/kitchen space which looks out to the  waterfront and the large deck at one end of the design.

"Big bedrooms were a must, because we are grandparents and the children now bring their children," Pamela says. Having a good balance between private spaces and a shared living area was also important for Pamela, especially when having the grandchildren visit. "Our bedroom and ensuite is at one end and can be very private and off-limits to the grandkids," she says.

Working alongside Sarah Homes proved a breeze with the build running on time and all their needs taken into account. "Sarah Homes were great and we had good communication along the way," Pamela says. The McCubbin's open-plan design and high ceilings are the couple's favourite feature of their home. "The raked ceilings in the living area make it feel roomy and the louvred windows cross flow the breeze  and keep the house cool in summer," Pamela says.

Complementing the relaxed nature of their location, Pamela wanted the home's interior and landscaping to be low maintenance but to still make a statement. "Our decorating style is still a work in progress, but essentially it's light with a holiday feel," she says. "We have made the garden very easy care with the use of native plants and cottage stone to reduce weeds and dust."

Building a 10.1m wide design also ensured the couple could make the most of their allotment, giving plenty of space to enjoy their water front jetty.'We are on the channel in the marina and any watercraft has to go 5km/h, which makes it very peaceful and safe for the kids," Pamela says. Proving that a waterfront location doesn't need to break the bank, the Dillons have created an idyllic, low maintenance sanctuary to enjoy with family and friends.

04-Jun-2017 - The Sunday Mail Home Magazine

For more information about a similar house in this story please look at the McCubbin 135

A boat and shack by the river is all this football star needs to unwind

Port Adelaide football club captain Warren Tredrea only spent 24 hours holidaying with friends in a river shack before he became addicted to the lifestyle. Along with wife Rachael, the couple spent a day with friends at Walker's Flat in their holiday shack. "We went up there for a day and it felt like a three week holiday," Warren said. "It was after pre-season training and just before the season began and it felt just great." Within two years he had purchased a block of land on the Murray, successfully sat for his boat licence, bought a boat, found a builder, chose his design and built his home.

"After that time in Walker's Flat I just thought that's what I want to do," he said. "Looking towards the future when we have children, it will be a better lifestyle for them. "I'm lucky enough to be playing football which pays reasonably well for a short time. So it was a matter of do it now or don't do it at all." Rachael had previously built a house with Sarah Homes so they went to the company for design ideas. "Basically we chose a two storey design which needed a few modifications to fit the narrow block we have," Warren said.

"They were really great with accommodating what we wanted and we are delighted with the final result. We needed an elevated two storey so we could accommodate a boat." A feature of the home is a large 9m x 5m wooden slat decking on the second storey. It overlooks their small front yard and the Murray which laps at their property any time a boat passes. Two sliding glass doors lead into the single storey living area which houses the lounge. The modern kitchen has stainless steel appliances, corner pantry and laminate benchtops which double as the meals area.

Guest bedrooms with a double bed and another bunk bed lead off this area. A small hallway leads past the bathroom and toilet to the main bedroom at the back of the second storey. A stairway leads downstairs to another bedroom, laundry and bathroom. "I think it's important to have somewhere to slow down and relax - do nothing if you want," he said. The house was completed the day before Christmas - Warren's birthday - just in time to have friends over. "Every time I'm up here it's like a holiday. It takes me about 10 minutes to sit down and relax. It's great to have friends over and the barbecue seems to operate non-stop since we have moved in."

Words: John Merriman

Snapshot:
Time Looking? One day
Alterations? Added double garage, elevated second level
Did you meet budget? Yes
Experience out of 10? 9

25-Feb-2007 - The Sunday Mail Home Magazine

For more information about the house in this story please look at the McCubbin 120.