A coastal dream in the country
For many families, building a home is more than constructing walls and a roof – it’s about bringing a vision to life.
Nestled in the picturesque Hunter Valley, the Stilgoe family has made their ideal coastal-inspired retreat a reality, perfectly capturing their dream to create a home designed for style, comfort and functionality with the help of the architecturally designed Anchorage One floorplan from McDonald Jones.
What inspired you to choose this home design?
“We chose the McDonald Jones Anchorage design because it met our new home checklist, with a layout that perfectly suited our lifestyle.
“We had specific priorities in mind: open living spaces, seamless indoor-outdoor flow, and separate office and living areas to support our work-from-home lifestyle and a growing family.”
“From our previous home and renovation projects, we had a clear vision of what we wanted, and this design required only minimal changes.”
How did you ensure it reflected your personal style?
“To ensure the home reflected our personal style, we incorporated a contemporary coastal theme throughout the entire design process. This allowed us to create a space that truly felt like home.”
Which part of your home do you spend the most time in, and why is it special to you?
“Mostly in the office because we both work from home however, when we’re not working, we love being in the back part of the house in the living, dining and kitchen area. This space is perfect for family time and spacious enough for day to day living and when we are entertaining.”
What home feature has enhanced the way your family live day-to-day?
“During the day, you will find us out on the back alfresco, and then in the afternoon, we move to the side alfresco off the master bedroom to soak up the last of the sun and watch the sunset. These areas are special to us because they offer a perfect blend of comfort, functionality when entertaining, and a connection to the outdoors while we watch the kids play.”
What was a key milestone for you during the building process?
“Move in day! We waited a long time for the land to be registered so the house build seemed quick in comparison but there is nothing like handover and move in day! We were thrilled to finally be able to walk into our new house and start making it our home.”
What did you like most about the process and building with McDonald Jones?
“It was all made so easy. We were first time builders and there was a lot during the process that would have been very complex and stressful if we had to do this all on our own. We had a great Site Supervisor with us every step of the way, with excellent communication and a process in place that supported us.”
What advice would you give to someone building their own home for the first time?
“Be patient, stick to your vision and create a budget for everything, including landscaping. Building is a patience game, nothing good comes quickly.
Create a checklist of needs vs wants, be clear on them and take them into every appointment.
Create a mood board that helps you stick to your overall vision and feel for the house and be willing to let go of the wants to ensure you have everything you need.”
To find out how you can bring your own McDonald Jones home to life, visit one of their 23 display homes across the Hunter or head to www.mcdonaldjoneshomes.com.au.
Read more in our Summer Edition of Hunter & Coastal Lifestyle Magazine or subscribe here.
