Built to last
Masonry homes can be built at an affordable price without compromising quality, according to Rock Solid Homes’ director Mark Wilson.

Because houses constructed using solid masonry methods have existed for centuries in various parts of the world, this building system easily passes the test of time. The resurgence in popularity is an indication of the confidence homeowners have in its durability. Mark Wilson of Rock Solid Homes believes these homes can be built to meet both top end and lower budgets, without compromising quality. "Our masonry homes offer the advantages of solid construction at an affordable price," he says.

Masonry homes built by Rock Solid Homes use Firth Hot Blocs - a 200mm wide concrete block with a layer of polystyrene to provide insulation. Houses built this way have their own thermal mass, making them warm in winter and cool in summer. As well as being comfortable to live in, masonry homes look solid, offer energy savings and have lowered humidity levels compared with timber-framed homes, helping to maintain a healthier living environment, says Wilson

For more information, visit the Rock Solid Homes showhome, Kittewake Drive, Albany, or phone (09) 448 1101, fax (09) 448 1102.

The thick, solid walls of masonry homes help to create a look of permanence that contributes to their traditional exterior appearance. Wilson says he selected Gerard Corona Shake tiles in Charcoal for the roof of his latest masonry home for a number of reasons.

"To start with, Corona Shakes replicate the timber shake look, which we believe suits this style of construction," says Wilson.

"As well as this, they have, over time, proven to be a durable product. And, because they are a well-made, mid-cost roofing product, they enable us to build quality homes that we can then offer to the market at an affordable price," he says.

The Gerard Corona Shake, which is one of several ranges of steel tiles produced by AHI Roofing, is available in a wide range of colours, in either a coated or textured finish. To complete the roof, ridges can be finished in a choice of angle, box or barrel trim detailing.

For more information, contact Gerard Roofs at AHI Roofing, 90-104 Felton Matthew Ave, Glen Innes, Auckland, phone 0800 104 868, fax 0800 766 324.

The traditional exterior appearance of a masonry home often conceals a modern interior. In this home, colour has been used to create a strong, contemporary design. Resene paints have been specified throughout the home. As well as wide selection of colours in the Resene Total Colour System, the company's technical support is impressive, says Wilson.

"With masonry walls, the paint system is one of the most important secondary processes. A good paint system ensures a top quality finish for inside and exterior walls," he says.

The predominant colour in the house is Resene Tea, which was selected from The Range. It has been used in the living areas and bedrooms because its brown and black tones complement the grey-brown of the furnishings. Feature walls in the living area are painted in Resene Portland and Resene Oilskin. Resene Portland has also been used to add extra colour to the master bedroom. In the bedrooms on the southern side of the house, Resene Sisal provides a touch of warmth.

For more details on these products, or for the address of your nearest Resene ColorShop, phone 0800 resene (737 363).

The choice of furniture is equally important in creating the right look for this contemporary home. To ensure an individual look, Rock Solid Homes worked closely with the interior design team at Bos to source furnishings that would not only complement the style of the house, but also provide a comfortable environment for family members. "We approached the Bos interior design team because of its ability to provide quality products and a competent design service and its diverse range of products," says Wilson.

Rock Solid Homes had chosen a bronze and black theme for the house, so the team at Bos selected furnishings that would complement this colour scheme with accents of red.

"Our design team's aim was to create a homely but sleek and modern look for this interior. The furnishings also had to complement the beautiful views of the nearby inlet," says director Loes Bos.

For the family living room, Bos selected a Cologne settee and an extendable chair, upholstered in black leather. A Manhatten chair was also chosen, covered in a brown and black checked fabric. "We included this chair, which is modern in style, to add a bit of extra height and dimension to the room," says Loes Bos.

A Hamburg stainless steel dining table with black leather dining chairs completes the look in the family room.

In the formal lounge, the Bos interior design team has used an interesting curtain treatment to make the most of the space.

The room is rectangular in shape. To make it look wider, the team chose brown curtains on black rods for the two small windows on either side of the fireplace and a black and red checked blind for the large window on the longer wall. "This adds colour but does not intrude into the space," says Loes Bos. "By drawing attention to the short wall with full and rich curtains, we have made the whole room look square, rather than long and narrow," she says. An Albany lounge suite in a bronze-coloured fabric with a natural raffia feel gives the room a formal but welcoming look.

The interior design team at Bos also fitted out the bedrooms in this home. For the master bedroom they chose a silver and grey sheer Jab fabric for the curtains. This is complemented with white bedlinen, and accented by a grey checked edging and a selection of coloured cushions.

Pale blue was selected for the walls in one of the children's bedrooms, livened up by accents of red and yellow. A striped blind, a fish design on the bedlinen, and a Bos Lippi chair add the finishing touches to this room.

For more information, visit one of the Bos Design Auckland showrooms: Mt Eden, 422 Dominion Rd, phone (09) 638 6756; Penrose, 65 Walls Rd, (09) 579 1116. For nationwide stockists contact Bos Design head office, freephone 0800 (8255 2267).

Designed particularly to suit family life, this home offers separate formal and informal living spaces, as well as four bedrooms and two bathrooms. At one end of the large, open-plan living space is a contemporary-style, lacquer kitchen with an Indian Black granite benchtop. Stainless steel is used for trim, handles and appliances, including a Baumatic oven, hob, rangehood and dishwasher.

The Baumatic BK200SS oven that takes centre stage in the kitchen was imported from Italy by Applico Group, and is sold through Kitchen'Things. This electric oven with seven functions and a double-glazed removable door, is 60cm wide. It has an integral cooling fan and an LED electronic timer. It has been teamed with the BK71SS hob, which has four gas burners including a wok burner, two semi-rapid burners and an auxiliary burner. Automatic, electronic ignition and heavy cast iron pan stands and wok support ensure the hob is easy to use and sturdy. Above the hob is a BK34.1SS rangehood. This designer canopy is made from stainless steel and offers six speeds, two halogen lights, touch control and a cut off timer. Rock Solid Homes also specified a Baumatic DW9S dishwasher for the kitchen. This model offers five wash programmes, space for 12-place table settings, an adjustable top basket and space for even extra-large platters. Applico imports a variety of freestanding Baumatic cookers. Among the models available are those with single or double ovens, wok burners, fish kettles, rotisseries or griddles.

Contact Applico Group, Private Bag 92 900, Onehunga, Auckland, phone (09) 574 1050, fax (09) 574 1051.

Websites:
www.rocksolidhomes.co.nz
www.gerardroofs.co.nz
www.bosdesign.co.nz
www.applico.co.nz
www.trendsdirectories.co.nz/applico

Email Addresses:
mark@rocksolidhomes.co.nz
info@gerardroofs.co.nz
loes@bosdesign.co.nz

Resene paints have been used for both the interior and exterior of this home. Resene Portland has been used as a feature wall colour in the living room.

The interior design team at Bos created a formal look for the living room with a black and red checked blind on the long wall and curtains in the same fabric on the windows beside the fireplace. The lounge suite is an Albany design, also from Bos. Artwork is supplied by Jane Mason.

At one end of the family living room, a Hamburg stainless steel dining table, available from Bos Design showrooms, is teamed with black leather dining chairs. The Gib Living Solutions system is used for internal walls throughout the house. These are painted to provide a neutral background for the furnishings.

Bright colours have been used by the Bos design team to add a lively look to this child’s bedroom. A striped blind and cushion co-ordinate with the cushion in a fish design. The Lippi chair is from Bos.

A silver and grey sheer Jab fabric has been used for the curtains in the master bedroom. White bedlinen completes the fresh, clean look.