Written by Chloe Metcalfe
Picture by Nick Clayton
The Best of Both Worlds
Statesman Homes’ Glengowrie Alfresco is the perfect combination of practicality, flexibility and luxury; making it the ideal choice for families
When visiting a new display home targeted at families, there’s two things that sit high on my priority list: storage and flexibility.
Families with children will know the importance of having a flexible home floorplan and enough storage solutions to help parents keep on top of things.
It was for these reasons I was impressed with Statesman Homes’ Glengowrie Alfresco, which is a new home on display at Miravale estate, at Angle Vale. This four-bedroom, two-bathroom, double garage design offers families an abundance of storage, all with a generous dash of contemporary luxury.
Statesman Homes’ design director Ruth Vagnarelli says this new design is the perfect choice for families with young children right the way through to teenagers.
“The Glengowrie Alfresco is designed for families who want plenty of room to spread out, spaces for entertaining, chilling out and a touch of luxury,” she says.
Designed to suit a traditional sized allotment, the Glengowrie Alfresco measures 16m wide and 18.78m deep, and Ruth says it will suit a variety of locations, from coastal blocks through to suburban allotments.
Its chic contemporary facade with wide, sleek horizontal windows in black frames, crisp neutraltone render, a blade wall and warm timber accents is an enticing start to this visit.
Walking into the Glengowrie Alfresco, off the main hall you are greeted with a parents’ zone which can be closed off from the rest of the house, further back. This front section features a generous master suite, complete with a ‘his and hers’ walk-in wardrobe and a long, spacious ensuite, while across the hall is a cosy carpeted home theatre/parents’ lounge.
The Miravale display showcases a built-in wall-to-wall cabinet in the home theatre, a clever way to add sleek storage to the space.
Ruth says while this feature is not a standard inclusion, it has become a popular upgrade option for new home buyers.
At the heart of this family home is the second living zone, comprising the kitchen, meals and family living areas. It’s a large, communal space with windows and doors on two sides and will be a great area to enjoy with family and friends. Throughout the display, other than bedrooms and the front lounge, tiles on the floor keep the weekly clean as low maintenance as possible, while ample cupboards keep household stuff out of sight.
The central kitchen in this space will impress, especially if you’re a keen entertainer, complete with a long, wide island bench, a generous walk-in pantry and a shopper’s entry direct from the double garage.
“The kitchen overlooks the enormous casual living area consisting of meals, family and opening out on to an undercover outdoor alfresco – ideal for a summers barbecue with friends or a family get together,” Ruth says.
A second hallway off the family area leads through to a good-size study/home office, three further bedrooms and the main bathroom and laundry. This is where the Glengowrie Alfresco truly proves it is a family design, offering two bedrooms with built-in wardrobes and one with a walk-in wardrobe. There are also built-in cupboards in the hallway for all the necessities.
“Busy families need great storage, a spot for everything – so there is no excuse to be messy in this home,” Ruth says.
The stylish central bathroom offers a separate vanity to the bath and shower room, for family convenience, a separate toilet and a handy linen cupboard. It’s a highly practical layout for families – especially those with young children, as it provides ample space for bath time.
“The main bathroom offers three functions at once so families can make sure the morning rush hour runs as smoothly as possible,” Ruth says.
While this is a completely practical home, what gives it the edge is that Statesman have also made it desirable with a luxurious interior (that we all want in our homes), with a choice of finishes, materials and decor that show affordable homes can also be modern and lavish, without the highend price tag.
The crisp off-white interior is softened by ashy timber cabinetry and given a contemporary edge with the addition of sleek, black window frames throughout.
“The neutral interior palette of off-white walls and light flooring creates a soothing atmosphere and lend themselves to a range of decorating ideas,” Ruth says.
“In the master bedroom layers of rich texture add interest while maintaining a sense of calm. In the busier areas of the home, bold, high-energy colours such as ruby red and petrol blue, have been used in artworks and soft furnishings. Both light and dark timbers have been used harmoniously in the home, reflecting the versatility of a neutral base palette.”
Glengowrie Alfresco offers families the best of both worlds, providing a flexible and practical design with a generous lashing of contemporary luxury. For more information and pricing for the Glengowrie Alfresco, click here.
“It is a home that has everything, every square centimetre has been carefully considered,” Ruth says.
“We wanted to create a home that had plenty of beautiful spaces but was still family-friendly, a home where owners love coming home and a place they are proud to entertain.”