A home designed for a narrow block that has a feeling of
spaciousness and an easy transition from inside to outside
living. Welcome to Sarah Homes' Drysdale 3e.
Being on holiday is one of the most relaxing times of the year. You're chilled out, time doesn't seem so important and many of us will actually switch off the technology and choose to enjoy the view in front of us. So wouldn't it be great to have that feeling all year round, rather than just a couple of weeks in a holiday house down at the beach? I'm talking about an open-plan, high ceiling holiday-style home with a large timber deck where you can bask in the sun.
Sarah Homes' newest home design, the Drysdale 3e, is a three-bedroom house that fits the brief and does so with much simplicity and clever thinking. A couple of angled walls makes all the difference, and a wide deck adjacent gives this home its true style. It's all about the casual Australian lifestyle, and is a design that will suit both as a holiday home or as permanent residence for those not wanting or needing a larger home but who are after more of a lifestyle choice. "The home invites the sun because nothing contributes as much to a warm, genial home atmosphere,"
Sarah Homes' Juliet Haslam says. "The design allows abundant natural sunlight to flood in through all the generous windows and wide sliding doors." Preferably, the longer main side of this 177sqm home should ideally face in a northerly direction to maximise heating and cooling requirements and make the most of the design's features. But being only 7.7m wide, it's also a design that will suit narrow blocks, be that beachside or not.
"We have chosen to display this design to show that it's possible to build an open plan, spacious-feeling home on a smaller block," Juliet says. "This design has a narrow footprint which means it suits narrow allotments, particularly those with a north-facing side aspects. "It will appeal to families who want a communal space to enjoy time together and have a need for a long, narrow footprint. And anyone who wants to downsize in retirement or wants a weekend retreat."
While the holiday feel is evident from the moment you see the Drysdale's architectural styled exterior cladding - a mix of Axon and iron mid Orb - it retains the practical needs for everyday living. There are three bedrooms, all grouped at one end of the design, with the large master bedroom opening out to the expansive deck. The master also has a built-in wardrobe running the length of one wall in the room, and an ensuite with a generous shower, always a much-loved essential. The two other bedrooms are tranquil spaces, also with built-in wardrobes, and there's a further linen cupboard in the hallway passage.
The main bathroom is configured in a three-way design, and proportions here are good, with another large shower, a separate toilet and separate vanity area. There's no bath, but of course this is something you can opt for if it's something you see as a must -have. Next door is a decent -sized laundry with a long benchtop and as it's also directly behind the kitchen, it will be useful as a food prep/ spill-over area when entertaining guests, or just to place a second fridge. But the integral part of this design is its angled front wall that widens the home as you enter the open-plan living zone.
High windows, four sets of wide sliding doors and a high raked ceiling and skillion roof make it an impressive living area. It's hard to work out if you'll spend time admiring the ceiling, the outdoor views or the kitchen the most. Perhaps all three if you pick the right finishes. "The open plan living with simple, uncluttered lines and corridors of light flowing from one area to another provide a restful, informal ambience," Juliet says. The Drysdale's kitchen sits atthe back ofthe design with an L-shape of tall cupboards and a benchtop running along the back with above and below counter cupboards, the oven and the fridge alcove. A long island with a double sink, room for the dishwasher underneath and a breakfast bar on the other side centres the space, which overlooks the dining zone and deck directly in front and the family living on the right. It feels like a very welcoming and communal space with the sliding doors open and the breeze filtering through.
"The design has an emphasis on entertaining and creating a relaxed environment," Juliet says. "With all the living and dining spaces opening up to a decked alfresco, this is the entertainer's dream. "The (triangular-shaped) decking has been designed along the angled lines to emphasise this feature ofthe design. It adds to the casual open feel." Many of the features you see in the Mile End display are standard, including the angled wall and expansive open plan living area. Optional upgrades include the skillion roof and contemporary external cladding materials, but for me these are what make this home great and give it that true, informal Aussie vibe. For Juliet, her favourite feature of the Drysdale 3e is its indoor-outdoor connection.
"Plenty of large windows and sliding doors that connect to an extensive decking outside, plus interior and exterior living areas add to an ambience of light -filled spaciousness," she says. From a visitor perspective, the Drysdale 3e is receiving positive feedback as well. "The most common response we get from visitors to this home is how large and light-filled it feels. The kitchen, living and dining layout, with northern light streaming in, is a wonderful place to be,"
Juliet says. "Visitors tell us they love the overwhelming feeling of space and the high raked ceilings. And, of course, the fact they can have all of this on a narrow block.".
08-Jan-2017 - The Sunday Mail Home Magazine
For more information about the house in this story please look at the Drysdale 150.
