Slice of paradise SmartStrand rhino carpet

It is often said that location is the most important factor to consider when you plan a new home, but research has to be a close second. And this applies to your choice of professionals, materials and all the finishes and furnishings that have to come together to make your home special.

For the owners of this new country home, Emma and Phil Treppass, the process started with a beautiful 3ha lifestyle block and the decision to work with Master Builder Harry Van Der Putten of Van Der Putten Construction. The couple chose the multi award-winning firm because of its reputation for high-end custom homes.

The Treppass home is no exception. The single-level house is designed to maximise the picturesque location and the sun, and there was no compromise on aesthetics. Accents of natural schist and Canadian cedar complement the plastered brick exterior and high-gabled roofline.

But the attention to detail is not limited to the exterior. The owners worked closely with Van Der Putten's recommended interior designer Paula Waterhouse, who helped to establish the overall look, balancing the wishes of both owners.

"Emma loves a quite contemporary look, while Phil has more classic tastes, so the interior also needed to reflect this mix," the designer says. "We introduced white furniture to keep the look modern, but the solid oak flooring and SmartStrand® carpet help to give it a classic edge."

Waterhouse says the walls are painted in Resene Half Tea, which provides a blank canvas backdrop to the furnishings. The cedar ceiling and wood floors have a chocolate brown stain, which is contrasted by the SmartStrand carpets. The rug in the dining area, from SmartStrand's Mamma Mia range, is in the colour Crystaline, while the carpet in the living room, hallway and bedrooms is from the SmartStrand Everyday Stone Peak range, in the colour White Wash.

"The couple have young children, so the flooring had to be durable," says the designer. "They didn't want to worry about spills on the carpet. But at the same time, they wanted a touch of luxury. SmartStrand is a soft, stain-, fade- and crush-resistant fibre that's a great choice for a young family. Spills and stains can be cleaned up easily it comes with a leading Lifetime stain and soil warranty. It is also a good choice if you are worried about allergies. Dust mites are simply not attracted to the fibres."

Paula Waterhouse says she and the owners worked closely with the team at the Carpet Court showroom in Pukekohe.

"We have a very good rapport with the staff and always take our clients into the showroom to explore the different flooring options," she says. "The staff are especially good at educating our clients about the features and benefits of their innovative and exclusive flooring products."

Harry Van Der Putten, managing director of Van Der Putten Construction, says such liaising is critical.

"We usually have several new home projects on the go at once, and every home is customised. The decisions about the interiors are vital to clients, which is why we have Paula on hand to guide them through this process and make sure that everything comes together."

The owners say they have been extremely pleased with their new home.

"We love everything about it," says Emma Treppass. "And the SmartStrand rhino carpet has lived up to its reputation. We have already had spills to clean up and it is as good as new. It was the best product for our home, and we have recommended it to friends. Everyone comments on the carpet, and the plushness of the pile we chose it feels so luxurious underfoot."

Carpet Court showrooms offer an extensive range of flooring, from carpet and laminates to vinyl and tiles. Some stores also offer window treatments and a colour matching service, providing a one-stop shop so you can create a fully co-ordinated interior that's right on trend.

For details of the ranges, or to locate a Carpet Court store near you, freephone 0800 787 777. Web: www.carpetcourt.co.nz.

Story by: Trendsideas