Creating Spaces

WORDS VICKI RAVLICH-HORAN

Beautifully bespoke solutions, not just kitchens, is what Treetown Kitchens do, says designers Hayley Hohneck and Shannon Meredith.

While people know them for kitchens—it’s in their name after all—Hayley and Shannon point out many of the same design principles apply when creating a beautiful and functional laundry, bathroom or wardrobe. And their careful design and quality craftsmanship extends to entertainment units, stairs and more. The Treetown team comprises three designers along with administrative support in the design team, with seven qualified joiners and four apprentices in the factory, three of which are out on the road most days installing. Each of these areas of the business represents a specific skill set and expertise required to create a space you love. The design team can create no obligation 3D plans to transform your space. This might be to get the maximum storage you can from an existing laundry, or it could be creating the wardrobe of your dreams in a new build. Like in a kitchen, ergonomics are key to a successful laundry layout. See here how the washer and dryer are placed above the bench, making it easier to reach in and out. And you can never get too much storage in a laundry, from hanging spaces to baskets for those odd socks! Bespoke doesn’t have to mean expensive. Instead, bespoke means you can create individual spaces that fit both your style, house and life. “It’s about creating spaces you love and fit your life,” says Hayley, who admits there is plenty of furniture, kitsets and premade options out there, but she asks, does it actually fit your space? Imagine being able to not only choose the way you want to utilise a space better but the look and finish as well. “We don’t use modular units,” says Hayley. “Every cabinet is made to measure, meaning we can create the design for your space, maximise stud height and so on.” It also means you can continue a design aesthetic from your kitchen through to your laundry. You no longer need a stock standard white vanity in your bathroom. Or it could mean creating a storage solution that uses an otherwise wasted space and making it look it was always meant to be there.

Smart, cohesive, well-designed cabinetry can add so much to your home, a point, Hayley says, is illustrated well in Elevate Homes. For these small footprint transportable houses, the Treetown team build and install functional storage spaces. And by continuing the look throughout, the small spaces look bigger. So don’t sell yourself short. Give the team at Treetown a call to see how they can transform your home.

07 827 7309 treetownkitchens.co.nz

let's get pickled.

open tuesday to saturday, 12pm till late.

298 Victoria St, Hamilton www.mrpickles.co.nz 07-839-7989   mrpicklesnz

Lakewood Townhouses

REDEFINING THE QUALITY OF URBAN LIVING

WORDS CARRIE SONG

Ever dreamed of owning a house which offers a delightful combination of modern urban living and striking outdoor landscapes? More often than not, you have to choose which of the two is more important—you simply cannot have both in one single house.

Lakewood Townhouses make the impossible possible. Lake walks, cycle paths, gyms, a cinema, numerous eateries, supermarkets and shopping are all within easy reach. Situated on the prestigious northeast edge of the Lakewood Cambridge complex, with elevated views across Lake Te Koo Utu Reserve and the hills beyond, there is little doubt this is one of the best sites in central Cambridge, officially one of the most beautiful towns in New Zealand. The enviable location would likely explain why only two of its 20, three-storey freehold dwellings are still available, despite having been on the market less than five months. The townhouses are the “the final piece of the puzzle” says Blair Currie, Director of Black & Orange, who bought the townhouse site last year which is part of a $50 million development which includes hospitality, retail and office spaces and a hotel. Black and Orange are a multi-award-winning commercial and residential property development company based in Hamilton, who recently completed the Parkhaven space on Tristram Street. The company proudly focuses on delivering developments that contribute positively to the communities they live in and always aim to deliver projects with not only positive commercial outcomes but that stand the test of time. Blair believes that people can appreciate the quality, not to mention the beautiful design and location. With each townhouse purposely built and designed around residents’ experience, there is everything to help make their life easier, and so much more. “We’ve avoided this being a rental development,” says Blair, adding that “this is about people coming to live”. And it seems they have hit a winning formula with buyers being their second sales team as they introduce their friends and family to the opportunities at Lakewood. The option to be able to lock up and leave—live in Cambridge for four or five nights a week and then get away over the weekend is attractive to some, while others simply enjoy the fact they have the beautiful Lake Te Koo Utu reserve right on their doorstep while not having to mow a lawn. Nestled above the lake, this stunning development is like nothing else on offer in Cambridge. The three-storey townhouses feature generous open plan living areas and are a mix of either three or four bedrooms with double car garages as well as 15 visitor parking spaces. Finished with premium detailing by talented local Cambridge companies, including HUS and DesignMarked, the interior and kitchen designs are standouts.

The 20 high-quality townhouses are all designed to take in the natural surroundings, and this stretches beyond just creating beautiful picture windows to take in the view. The project, which Blair says “started with a what was really a wasteland” has been aided by an excellent relationship with Waipā District Council, which recently confirmed its plan for Lake Te Koo Utu and its reserve to enhance biodiversity. Such efforts are already paying dividends with the birdsong now part of the soundtrack of Lakewood. This two-year project started with earthworks last year and construction of block one in February which is due for completion just before Christmas this year.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? Visit their website www.lakewoodtownhouses.nz or contact Rosalie Hodgson at Black & Orange Property – 027 415 9798, rosalie@blackandorange.nz. Carrie Song

Carrie is mum to Yimo and wife to Yuqing. Hailing from China, Carrie and her family have fallen in love with life in New Zealand where she works as a bilingual storyteller, a cross-cultural communicator and a Diversity & Inclusion advocate. Carrie loves cooking using fresh, local ingredients and sharing food and culture with her friends, neighbours and co-workers.