Simon and Lucie James had a clear vision for their home on the Hamilton fringe – a Wanaka lodge feel, big enough to entertain and designed around how they actually live.
The Great Room is the centre of the home, a generous open-plan space anchored by a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace. “It gives the house that Wanaka lodge vibe, which was exactly what we were after,” says Simon. With every bedroom having its own ensuite and two separate wings, it’s a home that works just as well for ten people as it does for two.
When it came to the details, Simon spent the best part of 20 hours at Urban Homes’ StudioU design centre working through every finish with the team. What stayed with him most was the transparency
throughout the process.
Three years after handover, after-sales service still going strong, Simon’s advice is simple:
go out there, get it done.
For Simon and Lucie James, building their home on the Hamilton fringe was all about bringing a clear vision to life. From the early planning and design stages through to the finished home, collaboration and transparency were key throughout the process.
Hear Simon and Lucie reflect on their experience building with Urban Homes, the relationship they built with the team, and why they’re still loving the finished result three years on.