Builder’s home makes most of Otago Harbour view

Craig Marshall has completed dozens of houses over the past 22 years but nothing beat building a home for his own family. While he’d renovated a rental property he owned, this Maia house was the first he had built for himself and wife Jess. The self-employed builder says the process was easier than usual because when they wanted to make changes, there was no need for emails or meetings; they could quickly discuss the options. This flexibility saw them make their office slightly larger, extend the bedroom windows all the way to the floor and include skylights, even as the build was progressing. OTAGO IMAGES/OTAGO DAILY TIMESThe deck off the living area enjoys a panoramic view of Otago Harbour. The four-bedroom house that they share with sons Jaxon, 10, and Luca, 7, sits in a prime position overlooking Otago Harbour and their main priority was to make the most of the waterside location. While the view isn’t where the sun shines brightest, this was resolved by including windows on two sides of the living area, and using the skylights to bring in daylight. Sliding and bifold doors lead to a large deck with a glass balustrade; small ships often pass, orcas sometimes swim in the harbour and the scene is constantly changing. ‘‘Sometimes I feel bad because I forget how lucky we are,’’ Mrs Marshall admits. ‘‘A friend will come over and they’ll say, ‘Wow, look at the view’ and then you’re like, ‘Actually, yeah, it is really lovely.’’ OTAGO IMAGES/OTAGO DAILY TIMESA pair of outdoor chairs are the ideal spot for the owners to relax and reflect on their hard work. As well as taking advantage of the outlook, the couple wanted open-plan living and a light, bright interior with timber accents. A keen deer stalker, Mr Marshall had one request: a pitched ceiling to enable him to display some of his trophy deer antlers. The Dunedin man built the house with his apprentice, returning to the site at weekends and only ‘‘jumping off’’ to other jobs to bring in extra income after the pandemic. Covid-19 caused some disruption and changes: their preferred kitchen bench wasn’t in stock so they had to choose a different one, their kitchen and laundry sinks were stuck in a container for several weeks and the level 4 lockdown started the day before the roof was to go on. However, tradies could return to work after a month. OTAGO IMAGES/OTAGO DAILY TIMESThe home combines family living with a stylish aesthetic. While Mr Marshall was on the tools, his wife planned the layout and interior with the help of architect Juan Puricelli, interior designer Sandy Cubitt and Steadfast Joinery. She says she leaned towards a Scandinavian style and wanted to combine her favourite colour, green, with white and timber. At first, they considered having a dark kitchen but they’re pleased they went lighter given how easily their black fridge shows finger marks. OTAGO IMAGES/OTAGO DAILY TIMESThe bright, contemporary kitchen features sage green cabinetry, a gunmetal tap and American white oak accents. A scullery is through the door on the left. The Oblique weatherboards that feature on the exterior of the house continue inside, around the fireplace, while the living room floors are polished concrete: ‘‘I’ve always liked the look of them.’’ she says, “and they’re easy to clean, especially with a dog.’’ Being a builder’s house, there was still work to do after they moved in, Mr Marshall jokes. The American white oak ceiling, which is 4.2m high, was not complete so they lived around drop saws for a while. Designing the outdoor area was also a challenge given its compact size but they managed to include a small lawn for their sons to play on. Asked if he had tips for others planning to build, Mr Marshall said people should talk to their builder early on, so they can iron out any ‘‘tricky’’ areas and work out how to stay within budget. The couple also recommend site visits with an architect or designer, to figure out where rooms and windows should go in relation to the sun and views. OTAGO IMAGES/OTAGO DAILY TIMESJess and Craig Marshall enjoyed building their own family home. Like most homeowners, they can list some things they would do differently next time. These include making the children’s bedrooms bigger, having a wider, more open hall and avoiding black bathroom floor tiles, which are difficult to keep clean. However, they love the house as it is and say creating their own home was ‘‘exciting’’. ‘‘It hasn’t put us off,’’ Mrs Marshall says. ‘‘We’d definitely like to build again.’’ kim.dungey@odt.co.nz