A symbolic moment of birdsong sparked the development of this stunning semi-rural new build curated by Onyx Homes.

WORDS Kathy Young PHOTOGRAPHY Anna McLeod

The sweeping curved concrete driveway to the property, created by Stallions Concrete, ensures a low-maintenance and welcoming arrival to the home.

hen these homeowners first drove through Christchurch, they weren’t seriously house hunting; they were simply dreaming. After three decades of farming in Ellesmere and commuting to Christchurch, the pair were pondering their next chapter. What started as a casual look around the area became something much more meaningful when they heard bellbirds singing in the trees of a bare paddock.

“That has significant meaning for us, so we thought maybe this is meant to be,” the homeowner says. “We both said, ‘Wow, this could work.’”

The following morning, they contacted the developer, only to be told the section they wanted had just sold. But fate soon intervened, and the original buyers pulled out. Sometimes the stars align, and this 1230sqm site in West Melton was clearly meant to be theirs.

They discovered Onyx Homes through the company’s Facebook page. For Rich and Kerry, owners of Onyx Homes, these homeowners epitomised what they call “the perfect clients”. After 25 years in the business, Rich and Kerry know the value of clear communication and decisive clients. “They knew exactly what they wanted, and that clarity was awesome to work with,” says Rich.

The homeowners had renovated before and understood what worked for them. “We were quite clear about what was going to work for us – we’d spent 18 months thinking about it before we found the land.”

They worked with Onyx’s architectural designer, Joe Armitage, along with Rich, and the brief was refreshingly straightforward: to create indoor-outdoor flow, to maximise the sunshine, to be environmentally friendly, to include an entranceway that said “hello”, and to achieve budget. They wanted a simple home that was comfortable, but definitely not the standard black and white boxes dotting many developments.

The resulting 302sqm home showcases clean lines with fully plastered walls and Veedek roofing. Attention to detail shines through in features like the Cerano concrete-finish floating walls at the entry, a coffered ceiling in the lounge, and a scissor truss ceiling in the dining area. The home features thoughtful touches, including over-height doors, gunmetal hardware and 5.2m-wide doors on the garage, which provides a fully insulated and carpeted space for the cars and tools.

Kerry runs the construction side of Onyx Homes and provided a detailed schedule from day one. Much to the delight of the homeowners, the build finished five weeks early. “There was always something happening on site,” says the homeowner. “The contractors were all lovely and kept the place clean and tidy. They were all really good guys, who did a good job. Communication was outstanding and nothing was ever a problem.”

For Rich, this level of service isn’t optional. “It’s our building sign out the front of the property. So we treat every house as if it is our own,” he says. Onyx’s business model centres on costing transparency and detailing. He prefers to spend more time in the specification stage, drilling down into details such as which toilet roll holders to choose.

“I don’t believe there’s any such thing as a standard plan,” he says. “I think clients should have the house that they deserve and want. I don’t want clients to use the words ‘if only’ once their house is built with us.”

With low overheads and no salespeople, Onyx focuses resources where they matter. They maintain clean sites and expect suppliers to take pride in their work – small touches that add up to a premium experience.

Onyx Homes contracts interior designer Lynley Hansen of By Design Interiors for all their houses. Her vision for the home began with a clear direction from the homeowners: “No white!” This shaped the design of the interiors as a space that was calm and peaceful.

“The material palette reflects the homeowners’ commitment to warmth and tranquillity,” says Lynley. A stunning porcelain, copper-look front door serves as a striking first impression to the home. Inside, there’s a softness to everything through carefully selected textures, including wool carpeting and vinyl plank flooring. “We also made sure to include custom motorised roller blinds, and worked early on with the electrician to make this happen,” says Lynley.

The dramatic entrance flows through to a moody powder room, impressive open plan living-dining areas and a dedicated media room, as well as an expansive master suite and two additional bedrooms, all featuring built-in joinery throughout. “It’s been a wonderful project to balance visual impact with a serene, liveable atmosphere.”

The couple moved into their new home in the middle of winter this year, and are extremely happy with it. “I don’t have a room that’s a favourite,” the homeowner says. “I love every room – even the garage. It’s warm, cosy and inviting.”

When asked about the build itself, the homeowners say, “We actually thoroughly enjoyed the whole process. Onyx Homes did what they said they’d do; it was really straightforward and fun.”

In an industry often plagued by cost blowouts and delays, Onyx Homes and their “perfect clients” prove that with clear communication, attention to detail, and mutual respect, building a dream home can be exactly that – a dream come true.