The team at Jennian Homes Canterbury prides itself on building spaces that are all about you. This award-winning Ashburton display home proves just that.

WORDS Kathy Catton PHOTOGRAPHY Supplied

EASY LIVING This award-winning home impresses outside and in with a great flow from living to garden. — **EASY LIVING** This award-winning home impresses outside and in with a great flow from living to garden.

Perfectly placed in the Oaklea subdivision of Ashburton, this home has the best of both worlds. It’s on Ashburton’s most central new subdivision and close to the beauty of Lake Hood and its breath-taking views of the Southern Alps. For lifestylers, it’s that pleasant blend of work and play that make this location stand out.

Now a significant household name as one of New Zealand’s top building companies, Jennian Homes, has locally owned franchises in every region of New Zealand. Known as the building company that wins the most awards in the Registered Master Builders House of the Year awards, they work with clients to determine an agreed completion date and then stick to it. With 38 years’ experience, the team spends good amounts of time looking at all the invisible or unknown costs, to provide the client with all possible options up front.

Ashburton may have a bustling rural community, but it’s also home to many office workers, care and construction workers. And Jennian Homes Canterbury appeals to all of these people, with its quest to treat everyone like family and build solid homes for families.

What makes this home even more special for this team, is that managing director, Dwayne Prendergast, grew up on the land that the house was built on. He knows the area well and loves what the company has produced, creating a tasteful and timeless home.

“It was really important for us to reflect the beginnings of the area as farmland,” says Sue Prendergast, co-owner of the Canterbury franchise. “This is where Dwayne’s family trained and raised racehorses, so we wanted to add design features throughout the home that pay dues to this.”

With trotting annuals and figurines tastefully adorning walls and shelves, it’s a tender touch that speaks volumes about the team’s love of the land and their desire to create a delightful home.

The gabled exterior of this show home has a hint of the country life. Paired with the oblique weatherboard and Rockcote plaster finish, that makes a fabulous first impression.

Karton Construction Systems has worked for many years with Jennian Homes Canterbury installing and applying the Resene Construction Systems Integra Panel and Rockcote plaster. This lightweight concrete cladding system is known and trusted by this team, and many other home builders across New Zealand. “Jennian Homes Canterbury trusts our workmanship and reliability,” says Kelly from Karton Construction Systems. “And that counts for a lot in today’s building industry.”

Visitors and judges alike have been extremely impressed by the sleek and modern kitchen, with its elegant lighting. TriStone benchtops and walk-in pantry are the stand-out features. Designed by Trends Kitchens, the company is used to producing timeless kitchens that are synonymous with quality and beautiful details.

“This is where Dwayne’s family trained and raised racehorses, so we wanted to add design features throughout the home that pay dues to this.”

“For the benchtop, we used TriStone 100% Acrylic Solid Surface in the new colour, Chrysoberyl,” says Jaime Belsar of Trends Kitchens. “This shark-nose detail is a design feature of the benchtop. It creates a striking look and really enhances the negative detail underneath.”

“For the panelling, we used AGT Melamine in High Gloss White and juxtaposed this with shelving in AGT Melamine in the colour Natural Oak,” says Jaime. “The matt black handles create a beautiful contrast against the gloss Melamine.”

TriStone benchtops are the perfect choice for families and friends to gather together at the island bench, as the material is repairable, hygienic, heat-resistant, and easy care. “TriStone is so versatile. We can create beautiful detail within the kitchen which reflects the attention to detail within the entire home,” says Jaime.

The aluminium windows and doors, supplied by Shearmac Aluminium, give the display home a contemporary look with the ‘Jennian Red’ door colour the perfect match for this home. Digital locks are becoming increasingly popular with no more lost keys to contend with.

WELL APPOINTED This architecturally designed haven is thoughtfully laid out with well appointed bathrooms. — **WELL APPOINTED** This architecturally designed haven is thoughtfully laid out with well appointed bathrooms.

“Windows and doors are a major part of the build,” says Lynne McDonald of Shearmac Aluminium. “So, it is important that enough thought is given to this part of the build. We also ensure we have discussed things like furniture placement with our clients and that enough space is allocated for photos and artwork etc.”

Pearce Builders build the majority of Jennian Homes Canterbury’s builds in Ashburton. The team of nine pride themselves on their workmanship and completing jobs to a high standard. With 18 to 19 homes constructed per year, they still have a bit of time for other renovation projects, large and small. “We always do jobs as if we were building our own home,” says Belinda Pearce of Pearce Builders. “This home was architecturally designed for Jennian – the first one like that – so we had to up the ante!”

TASTEFUL AND TIMELESS This home boasts a classic contemporary interior and well proportioned rooms. — **TASTEFUL AND TIMELESS** This home boasts a classic contemporary interior and well proportioned rooms.

Moving to the garden, the brief for SmithScapes was to create an easy-care garden that could be applied to nearly any home in the Canterbury region. Dale Smith, owner of SmithScapes, chose to use native New Zealand plants in keeping with the Canterbury landscape.

“Many of the species we planted are appropriate to the area. They are hardy and easy to look after,” says Dale. “It was great to work with Jennian Homes Canterbury and showcase our workmanship and quality service. We installed artificial turf at the property in line with our easy-care brief.” Dale and his team of three carry out new garden design and general garden maintenance. He understands the rural client and has designed and developed entranceways, shelterbelts, laneways and workers’ accommodation, as well as hiding irrigation ponds and establishing planting around dairy sheds.

Late last year, Jennian Homes Canterbury won Gold, in the Regional Category and Regional Lifestyle awards at the Registered Master Builders Home of the Year Awards. Judges commented on this home’s well-considered floorplan, elegant gabled exterior and beautiful kitchen. And it’s not hard to understand their comments. The three-bedroom home has two superb living spaces that flow effortlessly to the outdoor area – the house ticks all the right boxes.

This home is an absolute delight, with a neat, tidy and low maintenance feel. There’s a space for everything, with plenty of room throughout. It’s perfectly positioned for maximum sun and outdoor living. For those drawn to the rural charm of Ashburton, it’s undoubtedly worth exploring.