Finding a house plan that accommodates four children ranging from 13 years to 12 months of age is no easy feat, but Boutique customers Mim and Ben managed to find it in the Montauk 47 featuring the Hamptons façade.
Craving the larger blocks, close access to the beach and community feel of the Peninsula, the pair spent numerous weekends visiting display homes in search of the perfect floorplan and aesthetic.
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‘We were quite specific about what we wanted in a plan, particularly in terms of flexibility of spaces with so many kids. There needed to be room for them to play and spend time together, but also to be alone and not disturb one another. We didn’t want to build a home and then have to change everything in five years,’ explains Ben.
‘We had friends introduce us to Boutique in 2015, just after we had bought our block of land. We went and looked at the Montauk display and we fell in love. It ticked all the boxes.’
What to expect from the build journey
From their grand alfresco, separate games space and three car garage, to the inclusion of a fifth bedroom and premium hardwood floors, Boutique’s superior inclusions and flexible upgrades were vital to creating the bespoke home of Ben and Mim’s dreams.
‘Many of the features that we were looking to upgrade with other builders were included as standard with Boutique – particularly in terms of the kitchens and bathrooms,’ says Mim.
‘We found the process of altering plans to suit what we were looking for really easy to manage. Boutique were extremely helpful and open to the adjustments we wanted to make to suit our family.’
Although not a traditional knockdown rebuild client having purchased a subdivided block, Ben says that having an expert on speed dial for any council permitting questions was invaluable. In the lead up to their 15th December move-in date, Ben says he spoke to their site manager every single day.
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‘The build journey in general was great, and the site supervisors and managers communication was fantastic. They were honest and transparent, and it was great to have access to the site manager directly,’ he adds.
Creating a unique interior design
Mim and Ben have not only created a bespoke floorplan, but they have also created a unique interior design that meshes Hamptons, Scandinavian and coastal styles.
‘It’s a real mix, but features a lot of natural textures and materials, neutral colours and a simple and clean design, with elements of beach colours,’ explains Mim.
Their inspiration? The Hamptons façade that they still love to this day.
‘The traditional façade has a clean colour palette – greys and whites – and we really wanted to bring these into the interior design. We wanted to offset the quite neutral tones with timber flooring and natural stones, and lighter greys and blues that are more Scandi-coastal,’ explains Ben.
‘Everyone’s favourite area of the house is by far the dining and living area. It’s a big open space, with an awesome couch and family feel.’
What to look for in a builder
- An extended warranty: While most builders offer a three-month assistance program, Ben and Mim say the additional nine-month warranty offered by Boutique was important because it allowed the house to settle. ‘Within three months, you aren’t going to see the faults that naturally come up after a new build. The 12 months with Boutique allowed us to understand how the house was performing,’ adds Ben. ‘Not that we have had any issues but still.’
- Value for money: ‘I suggest looking for a builder that’s going to provide the most options for what you are looking for,’ says Mim. Have a clear idea of your non-negotiables, and balance this with what the builder offers in terms of standard inclusions versus upgrades. ‘Price is important but it can also change along the way, so make sure you have a good idea of what is included in the base price,’ says Ben.
- Conditions that meet your deadlines: ‘Make sure you are comfortable with what they are offering in terms of timing, fit-out, communication and transparency,’ says Ben. In short, go in with all the information and your eyes wide open.
Ready to start your journey to find ‘The One?’ See more of the Montauk home design or talk to one of our friendly New Homes Consultants. See more of Mim & Ben’s beautiful home on Instagram @mim_dart.
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