Family Living In Feilding, Oblique Weatherboard

A pivotal decision in achieving the desired aesthetic was the choice of cladding materials. Oblique™ Weatherboard, installed vertically, gives the home a clean, contemporary look.

In the tranquil outskirts of Feilding, Victoria and Angus Hazlett have been developing their dream home - a single-level, four-bedroom haven designed to accommodate a growing family. The couple envisioned a bright, white and welcoming space inspired by Scandinavian design principles, with an emphasis on modern-yet classic elements.

Working closely with architectural designer Olivia Parker, the Hazletts navigated countless decisions to design their 317m² home. The key focus was on creating open-plan areas for family life and entertaining, as well as seamless indoor-outdoor flow to make the most of their country environment.

A pivotal decision in achieving the desired aesthetic was the choice of materials. Victoria and Angus chose Oblique™ Weatherboard by James Hardie, installed vertically, to give their home a clean, contemporary look that salutes New Zealand’s villa heritage.

The durability and easy-care attributes of James Hardie products were significant factors in the decision-making process. Victoria remarked, “A lot of people recommended James Hardie products to us, and we knew they were going to be easy-care. It looks tidy, smart and modern. We’re very excited to build our family and live in this home for a very long time and that’s why we chose James Hardie.”

“Our architect was amazing. Since it was our first time building, we didn’t really know exactly what we wanted. We just sent her a wish list and she came back with some concepts and drawings, then we worked through them to get to the house we are in now.”

The Hazletts appreciate the versatility of their new home, where they can close off certain areas to create a cosier atmosphere, especially with their household currently being small. They have a newborn, a Jack Russell terrier and plans to expand their family.

In the all-important open-plan zone, a pitched ceiling adds a sense of space, while a built-in fireplace and LouvreTec roof make the alfresco area enjoyable in any weather.

Reflecting on their building experience, the couple are happy to share valuable insights for others considering a similar journey. They emphasize the importance of positioning the home to maximise sunlight, creating a beautiful indoor-outdoor flow and embracing delays as an inevitable part of the process. Victoria and Angus also recommend choosing high quality, low maintenance building materials, such as Oblique™ Weatherboard by James Hardie, which played a pivotal role in achieving the desired aesthetic for their dream home.