• To see more Customkit buildings and to fi nd the one that’s right for you go to www.customkit.co.nz

Products Paint: Barn – Resene exterior; House exterior –Resene OpononiWindows & Doors: Barn – Vantage Artic White; House – Vantage matt canvas cloth; both supplied by Summit AluminiumRainwater Systems: both Marley PVC StormcloudRoof: Barn – Colorsteel Corrugated Endura Gull Grey; House – Colorsteel Corrugated Endura IronsandBuilder: Barn – William Biggelaar; House – Shane Fisher

Customkit Buildings of the Month | MayAdvertorialA

DV

2015

Overlooking South Auckland’s

Pahurehure Inlet is potter

Patricia Clay’s pride of place. An

intimate studio that blends work

and leisure into one seamless package where

inspiration fl ows naturally. The requirement

was that it needed to sit comfortably next to

her 130 year old Kauri home. Customkit

offered the look that fi t the bill.

“I thought their wooden product would

be in keeping with the land and other

dwellings. I love the sense of peace it evokes

both inside and out. It has a sense of

serenity. In fact it looks a bit like an old Kauri

church so many of which dot the New

Zealand landscape. It’s just blended into the

landscape as if it has always been there.”

Patricia has been a potter for years – but

only more recently has she really developed

a ‘hands on’ passion for the art.

“I started playing with clay when my

children were little, and now they’ve left I

have the time to indulge in it properly.”

She admits that her environment only

helps heighten creative focus.

Lifestyle blocks are havens of peace and tranquillity. Special buildings make them even more engaging.

SLICE OF HEAVEN“A beautiful space is always better for

working. Just like a good wine makes quite

ordinary food taste better.”

Just over the hills from Patricia Clay’s barn

is the new home for Lynette Hansen. She had

retired in Feilding but then made the choice

to move north to Ararimu to help out on her

daughter’s and son-in-law’s lifestyle property.

In between the paddocks with horses, sheep,

dogs and cats she’s created a delightful abode

that is a far cry from what she has been used

to housing wise.

“I lived in a three story house for many

years and also tended to build with brick.

This is my fi rst time with a wooden home.

Interesting that after the lovely summer

we’ve had the spider population got a bit

out of control. I washed the house and it

came up sparkling...just like brand new.”

She left it up to her family to choose the

building company but once the selection

was made she made sure she had her say

on the layout.

“There are a lot of Customkit houses in

the general area so that was probably a

factor in making the choice. On the

farm next door the owners built a

Customkit house for their daughter

which looks wonderful. “

One of the prerequisites for the project

was ensuring that the house blended in

beautifully on the land.

“People comment on how lovely the

house sits and the colours are just superb.

Ironically my family are now using my

colour schemes for their house as part of

renovations. They just love the design and

the overall effect.”

Living on one level is a marvellous

transition for Lynette. “The design works

beautifully for me. I love being able to open

the French Doors and enjoy the garden and

also the rural views from the windows on

the other side. The fl ow of the dwelling

works wonderfully for me. The people at

Customkit were a joy to deal with...nothing

was too much trouble and they were

incredibly fl exible and obliging. I couldn’t

speak more highly of the people and the

company. I’m very happy in my new home.”

TO WATCH OUR VIDEO

GO TONZLIFESTYLEBLOCK.CO.NZ

CUSTOMKIT.CO.NZ

OPPOSITE PAGE: Patricia Clay’s haven reminiscent of Kauri churches around New ZealandCLOCKWISE FROM TOP: A great reason to make the move from Fielding for Lynette Hansen; High ceilings and natural light create a great lifestyle environment; A nook for a quick read and afternoon nap. BELOW RIGHT: Customkit’s Michael Anselmi - pictured here with Atareta - reaches out to help the endangered New Zealand falcon. Find out more at www.wingspan.co.nz; Fresh from the kiln