Marcelle and Brendan’s vision of clean lines, bold shapes and robust materials, combined with their desire to create a minimal footprint, have resulted in a striking home: a simple, black, rectangular box surrounded by lush, sloping paddocks, with a backdrop of protected native bush.

Set against a backdrop of vast, breathtaking views, this home is a modern take on the traditional bach.

The family have been in their home for 18 months and, although the landscaping is an ongoing project the vision is complete: the home is just how they wanted it to be, easily coping with visiting friends and family and, at other times, quietly taking care of the three of them, and the local nesting kiwi.

Style it:
Bring a natural palette to the dinner table by foraging for local greenery and botanicals.

The centrally placed dining table floats between two walls of black sliding doors which frame the views on both sides of the home.

The kitchen, which occupies a corner of the open-plan living space, was designed by the couple and built from the same palette of robust materials as the rest of the house.

Hides, plants and a sprinkling of mid-century design finish this fuss-free yet warm and inviting interior

Try it:
When planning a new-build, consider making a feature of building materials as the Fludes have done with this exposed concrete-block wall.

The large, open-plan kitchen serves as a family gathering point and opens directly onto the outdoor dining space, which is used all year round and has been cleverly incorporated into the building envelope.

A concrete-block wall separates the sleeping area from the wardrobe space and provides a backdrop to the bed, its practical texture juxtaposed with a duvet of emerald velvet.

Burmese cats Boston and Poppy

Hides, plants and a sprinkling of mid-century design finish this fuss-free yet warm and inviting interior

Marcelle and Brendan love mid-century design and have included some treasured pieces in their modern home to create a perfect balance between new and vintage.

Style it:
Add instant life to a space with a collection of indoor plants. Look for variegated colour, and place pots at different heights.

With concrete flooring, it is vital that your concrete placer and polisher has a good understanding of the look you want to achieve. Sit down with them, run through the options and clarify exactly what you want. This is a must before the concrete is poured.

A floating vanity help keeps clutter to a minimum.

An oversized round mirror and curvy vanity soften the rectangular forms of the narrow bathroom, while frameless shower glass helps increase the sense of space.

The floorplan reads like a simple Lego project with block-like spaces organised in a line with each room maximised for views and spilling out onto a deck which runs the length of the building.