Words Vicki Ravlich-Horan, Images Ashlee De Caires
Having sold their farm in Raglan, Rob and Sandy Mitchell were in search of the perfect site for their new home. When they thought they had found it, they gave Pat Burke from Downey Designer Homes a call.
The couple had already chosen Downey Homes as their builders. Having met with several local companies, Rob says they knew Downey were the right choice when they met with Pat, citing his open and honest approach. “He was very matter of fact and always happy to take us and show us things,” explains Rob.
With the site getting the tick of approval from Pat, it was then all about the design of the house. The Mitchells had a clear vision for their house, so instead of choosing one of the Downey predesigned homes on offer, their house was custom designed for them.
Sandy describes their vision, saying, “We didn’t want a huge house, just three bedrooms, but we wanted everything on a bigger scale.” Having moved from a 200 acre farm, the sense of space was important.
They have achieved this and so much more. When you enter the Mitchell’s house you are immediately in the heart of the home: an open plan kitchen, dining and living space that manages to feel open and spacious yet warm and cosy at the same time. The cathedral ceiling adds to the feeling of space, while large doors lead out on to a covered patio, extending the living space seamlessly whilst making the most of their beautiful outlook.
Rob and Sandy can’t talk more highly of Downey Homes and their experience building with them. Rob says, “Every step of the way, if Downey said they would, they did.”
This trust in Downey extends to their tradies too, who Rob describes as amazing and the first people he would call if he needed a job done. Proof of this was when the Mitchells built an auxiliary flat on their land and called in the Downey builders to do it.
Sandy describes the experience as “lots of fun” even if choosing the right shade of white nearly drove Rob mad. Here Downey helped too with interior design advice from Bronwyn Turton.
The brief Sandy gave Bronwyn was neutral, and they have managed to stick to that brief while adding warmth, texture and character. Panelling over the fireplace adds a sense of establishment and creates the perfect spot for Sandy’s precious painting brought back from Belgium. A pendant over the dining table was painted to make it fit in perfectly.
The tiles in the bathroom keep to the neutral brief but add wonderful texture and interest. These tiles also echo the brick on the exterior of the Mitchell’s house. “I love that brick,” says Sandy, smiling. Downey Sales Consultant Kirsty Johnson concurs, saying, “We have brought a few clients out to see the brick on the Mitchell’s home.”
Complementing the brick is the Ironsand Coloursteel. Kirsty says, “This adds an established feel to the house that black would not.”
Two years on from moving in and the Mitchells are unanimous when they say, “We wouldn’t change a thing.” True testament to a great house and experience building it.
