Preston Alfresco at Two Wells

There’s nothing better than a home that is light-filled and exudes a good feel. And if you find a home with that kind of vibe, it’s bound to make your family happy in the long-term.

One such design that we think fulfils the brief of positive vibes is Hickinbotham’s Preston Alfresco, which has 251.99sqm of space, and is on display at Two Wells.

For those in the market for a family home, the Preston Alfresco – a four-bedroom, twobathroom design, on display at Liberty estate, Two Wells – ticks plenty of boxes. There’s also two separate living zones, a luxurious master suite and a roomy outdoor alfresco for entertaining.

“It’s a contemporary classic,’’ says Hickinbotham’s design director Ruth Vagnarelli. “Designed by award-winning architect Max Pritchard … it is a fantastic family home, with plenty of space for everyone at an amazing price.

“Parents can be enjoying dinner with friends in the undercover alfresco, while some kids are watching a movie in the home theatre, others are playing a board game in the family area and the teenagers are chilling in their own space in their rooms or under the veranda at the front.

“There are touches of luxury, like the master suite, and yet plenty of practical features like fantastic storage,” she adds.

Both living areas showcase sleek Nordic styling but each have their own distinct feel.

Immediately off the front entry, the home theatre is the perfect space to seek refuge at the end of a hectic day, displayed with sheer curtains to diffuse the abundance of natural light. Clever use of VJ panelling adds subtle detail to the TV feature wall, while Taubman’s Marble Mist (used on the walls here and throughout the home) provides a soothing environment.

“The Preston Alfresco is cleverly designed for family living with every square centimetre carefully considered,” says Ruth, who is seeing a rise in home theatre spaces in new homes.

The open plan family-kitchen-meals area has a modern, social vibe, with an emphasis on family gatherings around the Essastone island bench and the six-seater dining table. Muted olive underbench cupboards and drawers (finished in Laminex’s Possum Natural) are a fresh look and blend well with the garden views that can be enjoyed from this part of the home, which opens out to the alfresco via a black-framed sliding door.

Hints of industrial style, such as white metal stools and a locker-type TV cabinet, as well as suspended lighting in a contemporary half-moon design (Domo pendants, from Beacon Lighting) stop the look from becoming too formal.

A walk-in pantry tucked away off the kitchen offers plenty of storage and has easy access from the double garage, perfect for unloading the grocery shopping.

The bedrooms are contained along the side and rear of the home, starting with a relaxing, light-filled master suite with walkthrough wardrobe and ensuite. Three minor bedrooms, all with built-in wardrobes, are serviced by a functional, three-way bathroom and a laundry. A store room, that Ruth says could serve as an “entry hall mud room’’ ensures the home can be clutter free.

The Preston Alfresco is best suited to a traditional-sized block that is at least 17m wide, if the garage is built on the boundary. If you are in the market for a smaller home, it’s still worth a look too– with plenty of ideas that can be incorporated into your own interior fit-out, including matt black tapware, “Zen’’ light switches (from Clipsal) and an on-trend colour palette.

“The design experts teamed a palette of neutrals, with accents of vivid yellow in artworks and soft furnishings, making the home a user-friendly example of how contemporary hues pair easily with classic interior schemes,’’ Ruth says.

“For a masterclass in how to use on-trend colours for timeless effect, visit the Preston Alfresco.’’

Ruth says there’s no better time to sign up for a new home build and maximise your bang for buck.

“It is a great time to build, with the established market being so tight at the moment and reports of high pricing,’’ Ruth says. “Why live with someone else’s mistakes? Build a new home and have everything exactly as you like it.’’