These homeowners share their well-earned new-build tips

Article by Your Home and Garden

Myles Herschell and Natalie Newlands tell us how they managed their budget for their Queenstown new-build and give us a tour inside their beautiful new home

Meet + greet

Myles Herschell, 37 (builder and owner of MWH Construction), Natalie Newlands, 36 (owner/director of Angel Divine boutique and clothing label New Lands), Knox, 3, and Hawk, 1.

Natalie & Myles’ new-build tips

Go with the process and be open-minded as often the things you end up loving weren’t planned for and can end up being the things you enjoy the most.
Trust your gut and don’t overthink a decision.
Buying good quality pays dividends in the long term. Also, buy less but buy right.
Make it your style, not someone else’s.

Gallery | 9 Photos
Read more about this home here

Honesty box

What areas of your home did you save on? Splurge on? Glazing was essential, as was underfloor heating.

Do you tend to buy high-end homeware or seek out a bargain? We love the mix of old and new, so the house doesn’t feel too ‘shiny’. We adore our vintage dining chairs and bar stools which add that rustic feel.

Best advice when it comes to spending money on a home? Don’t buy too much prior to the build as it might not work in the finished space. Also, research materials and invest in areas that are important to you.

How did you keep track of costs during the build? Myles created a fixed-price build from the start, itemised on a massive spreadsheet, encompassing all our requirements.

See more of the Queenstown new-build below

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Mountains looming behind, the north-facing courtyard is protected by the two wings of the house: living spaces to the right, bedrooms to the left. The connecting piece, which includes a playroom, can be entirely closed off with a sliding door at the living-room end.

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Large spaces are cleverly divided into zones, each with a different purpose. The fireplace built from Glenorchy stone separates the living and dining spaces, while also adding texture and cosiness.

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The pitched ceilings are lined with tōtara, which creates a pleasing contrast with the tough black granite benchtop and polished concrete floors.

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The fireplace built from Glenorchy stone separates the living and dining spaces, while also adding texture and cosiness.

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“We were going to tile the showers in simple black and white tiles,” says Natalie. “But then we thought, why not go ombré? So the poor tiler had to spend hours hand-sticking black tiles at the bottom of the showers in both the bathroom and ensuite.”

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Floor plan.

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Shop the look

1 Mirror, $269, from Green With Envy. 2 Semi pendant by Gubi, $935, from North of Here. 3 Large jade succulent faux plant, $79.99, from Shut The Front Door. 4 Brass Georgian candlestick pair, $160, from Babelogue. 5 Wooden Metro chair, $169, from Kiwi Living. 6 Living & Co rug, $69, from The Warehouse. 7 Hammered candle, $79, from Freedom. 8 Large linen cushion in ochre, $149, from A&C Homestore. 9 Tall Egg pot, $15, from Kmart. 10 German Beerfest folding table and benches, $650 for set, from Vitrine.