Inside a modern new-build designed for parties, privacy and poolside bliss

Article by Your Home and Garden

Building new meant this Cambridge couple could relish outdoor living in a completely private setting. See inside their contemporary H-shaped new-build here

Meet + Greet

Nathan Milne, 43 (co-owner of Cambridge ITM), Kerry Milne, 41 (accountant and co-owner of Cambridge ITM), Carter, 11, and Caleb, 6.

Kerry’s decorating tips

Take photos of your space on your phone. When you’re in stores shopping for decor, you can use the pictures to help you put your interior vision together. Works a treat!

Stick to a theme for your interior design and that will ensure a cohesive look throughout the house – ours is ‘urban modern’. Add colour, pattern, texture and warmth through art, cushions and throws and decor items like baskets, vases and plants to provide a soft, comfortable look.

Finish your space with plants. These days you can get some great faux plants that look so real. I mix it up with faux and real plants; they make a room feel complete.

Don’t be afraid to go wild with colour in children’s rooms. Add pops of colour through art, toys, duvets, cushions and throws. Listen to what they like.

Cambridge new-build

Nathan’s new-build tips

Stick to your plan. Don’t change things halfway through, which is what we often see at work. It usually equates to disruption and a massive cost.

Hold off on a landscaping plan until the house is nearly complete. We were going to have a built-in barbecue but, once we’d moved in, we realised how much we enjoyed the atrium garden view, which a barbecue would have blocked.

Add an extra 10 percent to your budget if you are building a contemporary, architectural house to cover any unexpected costs.

Gallery | 12 Photos
Read more about this home here

The extras

The central heating and air conditioning are split into two zones: one for the children’s wing, which sits at a higher level, and one for the remainder of the house.
All the glass is tinted for privacy.
The carpet underlay is 11mm thick, creating a plush, soft feel underfoot.
The four-metre-long kitchen island benchtop is made of Corian so there are no visible joins.
A double cupboard under the kitchen island hides a beer and wine fridge, plus glasses, as well as blankets for cool evenings.
A motorised louvred roof covers the outdoor area and closes automatically if it rains.
A built-in Bose sound system makes entertaining even better in the main living area.

Total spend

$1.2m-1.4m

See more of the Cambridge new build below

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The home is clad in a striking combination of vertical shiplap cedar weatherboards stained in Resene Woodsman Pitch Black and plaster painted in Resene Black White.

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An all-white kitchen by Kitchen FX is complemented by bar stools from Citta and a splashback tiled in matte white honeycomb mosaics from Tile Space.

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A sleek dining table from The Design Store is paired with chairs from Forma. The wooden floors are Euro oak timber veneer in New Mist from Creative Flooring.

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At the other end of the entertaining zone is the lounge, with a suite from Freedom and cushions from Citta.

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The master bedroom is furnished with a plush bed from Freedom, with cushions, side tables and pendants from Citta.

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The boys’ rooms feature bedding from Aura by Tracie Ellis and Adairs, plus shelving units by Zapwall.

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The elegant freestanding bath is from Robertson, the black tiles are from Spazio Casa and the towels are from Citta.

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The main deck, looking straight out to the pool, is perfect for entertaining with a roomy lounge suite from Target, dining table and chairs from Freedom and a fireplace from Warmfloors Gas & Heat Centre.