This house has a roof deck that's perfect for dining in the sun

Article by Your Home and Garden

A roof deck with access via architectural stairs, giant windows and doors, and a cantilevered section over the garage; this couple have nailed their dream home

This house has a roof deck that’s perfect for dining in the sun

Meet and Greet

Ben Crawford, 37 (brand agency owner and winner of The Block NZ season one), and Kylie Crawford, 30 (primary school teacher).

High-end homeware or bargain buys?

We love Freedom. Their style, quality and price is perfect for our tastes, age and stage.

Any splurges?

Our roof deck, the architectural stairs up to the roof, giant windows and doors, and the cantilevered section over the garage – it wasn’t needed but it looks cool and kept our home from looking like a pole house. Plus, I always wanted one like that!

Best advice for spending money on a home?

It’s cliché, but kitchens and bathrooms. Don’t skimp on the fittings and hardware – you use the taps, cupboards, showers and handles every day. It might feel expensive at the time, but quality lasts and pays! Also, when building, you only get one shot at getting your structural aspects right. Spend the money to make the openings bigger or the hallways wider or add in that extra skylight or two. You won’t regret it once you’re living in there. Spend the time and money to ensure it will work for you the way you need it to.

What’s one thing you would change if you could?

Although a small thing, we wish we had thought about recessing our living-room blinds into the ceiling. But they are still pretty cool – being electric, they’re like a scene from a James Bond movie when they come down.

Most memorable experience you’ve had in your home?

Moving in and having our house-warming/engagement party. Being able to share a really exciting time in our lives with everyone we know and love. It also gave the house a thorough testing with about 80 people enjoying it till the small hours.

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Everything was designed to bring the outdoors in where possible, with large windows and indoor plants. Being in a valley, the house gets limited winter sun, so the windows keep the house bright and warm.

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The couple brought a natural element into their master suite with an oak feature wall to complement views of the bush through two walls of glass. They’re still looking for the perfect artwork to hang on it.

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The couple designed everything themselves and the resulting home won the Master Builders House of the Year 2016 Auckland Gold Award and the New Zealand Gold Reserve Award.