So my husband and I are walking down the path of building a new home.  I would be lying if I said it has been a joyous occasion – the soil hasn’t even been turned and many a tear has already been shed.  So many of my friends and family have trod this path, and they all have similar stories.  At first visiting display homes is exciting – but then after two weekends  the “novelty” wears off and the kids are over it, and lets be honest so is the hubby!!!  I remember being a teenager and visiting houses for over a year with my mum and siblings – ahhhhhhh, just build the house already, any house will do, I just want my own bedroom!!!  So after driving across the state we found our home.  I’m not going to call it a “Dream Home” – as that would involve a mega sized house with cleaners and cooks and a trainer – and of course a quarter for them all to live in!!!  It would have a pool with water slide and swim up bar, a couple of tennis courts (one for the adults and one for the kids), actually lets have two pools while we are at.  The Theatre room would be a full sized cinema and there would be numerous spaces for entertaining and relaxing.  So while we wait to win lotto for the “Dream Home”, we are going to build our “Family Home”.

When we first started looking we found plenty of homes we liked, some I was drawn to by the facade, others the floor plan and some quickly got cut from the list when we sat down and studied the plans. Initially, we were going to extend our existing home, but after working on the plans we just couldn’t quite get what we wanted.  A lot of people told us to knock down and start over… so to cut a long story short, that’s what we are doing.

The home that ticked most of the boxes with minimal changes (as changing the plans costs money) is The Airlie – by Boutique Homes Victoria.  The downside is the floor plan we are building doesn’t have a display.  Both displays are the Airlie 33 and we are building the Airlie 38 with an extension over the garage creating a ‘Grand Master’ – making the home 41 squares.  We won’t know our ourselves in this large home!

Some of the main points on our list were:

– Wider garage:  lots of the garages were only 5.5m x 6m – this size garage might fit two cars in it, but good luck opening the doors with children, and where are you going to store the bikes, prams, lawn mowers, christmas tree and all the other garage stuff???  (And my husband doesn’t even have many tools.)

– Walk in Robes:  I wanted WIR’s for the children’s bedrooms as I had one as a teenager and my siblings didn’t.  It was the best.  So much space and it’s easier to keep it neat and you can actually use the whole space.  No trying to squeeze things under the wardrobe frame to make use of the space towards the roof.  AND for me – I wanted a huge WIR – think Carrie Bradshaw.  I love clothes and hats and have dreamt of the day when they can all hang neatly with a nice little space between each item.  My friends know I am a little obsessive compulsive when it comes to clothes.  I fold them perfectly, put them in colours and lengths etc.  (I blame working in retail as a teenager and using a ‘folding’ board. lol)  My Walk In Robe, or in this case, my Walk In Room (either way WIR) will have just the basic fit out to start – one rail and one shelf.  Down the track I hope to fit it out properly. (squeal with excitement)

–  Walk in Pantry:  I keep my pantry like my clothes… It’s going to have a sink and all.  So exciting to be able to see all of my groceries, without feeling like I’m playing a game of chess or jenga.  The juicer can stay on the bench, but it’s hidden from the main kitchen. yeah!!!  Who knew a pantry could be so exciting?

–  A Sewing/Craft Space:  I have sooooooooo much craft stuff.  But I find it hard to use it when I can’t access it easily.  My own little crafty paradise!!!

–  A Mud Room:  This is quite American, but we wanted a space where the school and sports bags can hang and dirty shoes can come off.  We wanted it to be in a concealed space so we don’t have to look at it – it never looks tidy, but I wanted it to be accessible – I know I will be searching for notes and lunch boxes when the life chapter of school starts next year.  OMG – I going to be a school mum!!!

–  An Office:  Hubby wanted his own office.  We saw a few displays where the office was off the master.  We really liked this idea and it suits our lifestyle.

–  Rumpus/Theatre/Formal Living/Formal Dining :  We wanted a room downstairs where it could be whatever we wanted it to be.  We figure as the children grow our needs will change too.  To start this room will most likely be a rumpus, when teenagers possibly a theatre and maybe one day a formal dining – now that sounds nice!!!

– Entertaining Space:  We like to entertain and wanted a great outdoor/indoor space. With this house being built in Melbourne it really needed to work both indoors and outdoors.  To start the outdoor space is very basic.  We will extend this space and build in a BBQ down the track.  A pizza oven has been suggested and I imagine some nice comfy lounges and a sun bed.  During the cooler months the back of the house is nice and open and will be great for entertaining, especially around our giant island bench.

So these were the main things on our wish list – there were certainly a few more but at some stage the “B” word (budget) has to come play.  Sob sob sob.

We do our colour selection next week… it’s finally a step forward, in a long drawn out process… and we haven’t even got to council yet… ahhhhhhhhhh.

Anyway, all good things come to those who wait…. so here is the floor plan…  What do you think?  What was on your “Wish List” when building a new home?  Has anyone built with Boutique Homes Victoria – I would love to hear from you.