LC Designer Homes is a boutique residential design and build company, delivering unique bespoke new homes on the North Shore. Established in 2009 as Leonard Construction, the company is led by husband-and-wife team, Adam, a third-generation carpenter and Michelle, an architectural designer.
Together, Adam and Michelle create homes that suit the needs of clients, through an integrated, seamless and transparent process. They plan over the coming months to give you some tips and tricks for designing and building your new home.
In this article they discuss considerations for exterior spaces.
When working with clients on their new home, we plan equally for both the interior and exterior spaces, so that you have a home you love and outdoor living you desire. Your lifestyle really drives this portion of the design as it can be something simple as a well-sized and easy to maintain deck and a lush lawn, taking in a great view, through to vegetable gardens, multiple seating areas, BBQ, pool and spa spaces and everything in between.
• Do you have great views from your proposed upper level living decks? Then consider the additional connection with the lower level garden – to ensure they connect seamlessly without having to wander through your home to grab the mint from the garden for the cocktail or to join your kids on the trampoline.
• In Auckland the sun and wind can hinder the use of our outdoor spaces. Think about extending your roofline, as this will add a seamless and luxurious feel, giving you the opportunity to integrate heating and lighting, and extending your interior spaces externally, allowing you to use the space all year round.
• Are you concerned about being overlooked while you spend time in your new outdoor areas? There are number of ways to achieve privacy using screening, planting, fencing, elevating or lowering spaces or by locating your outdoor area in the smartest location to minimise any intrusions.
• Do you have an area where you cannot create an overhang or sheltered external area – but want to add some shade? Give some thought to some climbing deciduous plants that provide shade and shelter during the warmer months to your interior spaces while letting in light and warmth in the winter as they drop their leaves.
Thinking about how you spend your free time really helps to drive the design of these areas so that they aren’t overlooked and left to chance at the end of your build. Enjoying your outdoor spaces with friends and family provides you the opportunity to relax and recharge, without having to leave home.
Phone 09 950 3385 Or visit us at Shop 3, 20 Tonkin Drive, Sunnynook.
