Our homes

River Road, Flagstaff

A two-storey home of 253 m² on a fully fenced 450 m² site off River Road, in Flagstaff. Recently completed, built and sold by GXL Homes.

The brief we set ourselves was a house that works for more than one stage of life. There are two master bedrooms, each with its own walk-in robe and ensuite, one on each level, which suits a family with teenagers, a couple who host parents regularly, or an owner who would rather not take the stairs every day. Two further bedrooms, three bathrooms including the two ensuites, and four toilets across the two floors.

Three separate living spaces do the work that open plan alone cannot. The family and dining areas run off the kitchen and open through sliding doors onto the hardwood deck and lawn, so the indoor-outdoor flow is where a Waikato summer actually gets spent. The lounge sits alongside with the gas fire between the two — close enough to be part of things, separate enough to be quiet. Upstairs the landing opens into an office, which keeps all four bedrooms doing what bedrooms are for.

Behind the kitchen is a walk-in pantry, which keeps the working side of a kitchen out of sight of the dining table. Ducted air conditioning runs through the house. Keyless entry at the front door, and the double garage is carpeted rather than left as bare concrete.

• LocationRiver Road, Flagstaff, Hamilton
• TypeBuilt and sold by GXL Homes
• Floor area253 m²
• Site450 m², fully fenced
• Bedrooms4, including two masters with walk-in robes and ensuites — one on each level
• Bathrooms3 bathrooms, 4 toilets
• LivingOpen-plan family and dining, separate lounge, first-floor office
• HeatingDucted air conditioning and a gas fire
• GarageDouble, carpeted
• StatusRecently completed