When urban style is just what you want

Want a home with a soaring ceiling, an urban cafe aesthetic and as low maintenance as possible? Take a look at Gallery Living's Terrace 200 design

I t's not often you get to be impressed by a 6m-high ceiling. And impressive it is. That's the beauty of a two-storey home there's space to play with and even if this is upward and not outward, there's a sense of luxury as you arch your neck, look up and see dappled light bouncing off the ceiling high above you.

I'm at Lightsview at the western end of the suburb, visiting Gallery Living's new Terrace 200, a 201sqm three-bedroom terrace home which fits snugly on one of the compact blocks in this popular new-build locale.

While a terrace home can never be compared to a conventional family design, this style of compact home is as much about the attitude, location and lifestyle as it is about the square metreage. The 6m high ceiling is a great counter balance to the scale of this design as the entry void is in fact higher than this home is wide.

At 5.5m wide and 22.5m deep, the Terrace 200 is designed to take up the entire width of a high density block. "Gallery Living has 10 standard Terrace and Duplex homes in our 'Urban Range' which are designed for making the most of your investment on narrow-blocks in higher-density land," Gallery Living's sales manager Russell Slater says."The Terrace 200 is perfect for narrower lots that are becoming more prevalent in new land estates and through our more established suburbs.

"The home demonstrates how clever design adds value and gives the feeling of a generous family-sized home as you walk through. " And that's exactly what that void does on entry. As you look up the stairs or walk down them, there's a clear view to the outdoors so you feel like there 's a heap of space around you. Downstairs, a long hall to the right leads to the home's living area plus a couple of outdoor terraces, while upstairs you'll find three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a study space, all with large picture windows.

What I love best about terrace homes is how architects and interior designers cram all the features of a bigger home and make them work, somehow compactly, into a functional and creative design to suit those who want a low maintenance lifestyle - or perhaps no garden to tend to. "It all comes down to design ," Russell says. "Terrace buyers shouldn 't have to compromise on storage or spacious light-filled areas and great design integrates wow features that make all the difference to the way a home feels.

"All of our homes have been designed to improve lifestyles and the Terrace 200 embodies this spirit." This sleek home also surprises with a bold focal point. The living/dining and kitchen area is a hub that sits in between an internal courtyard and another courtyard at the rear. But the focus here is on the timber clad wall that frames the built-in booth dining zone. With its lowered ceiling, a long bench seat and dining table, there 's enough seating to fit 8-10 people easily.

The wall features the same material as used on the floor, QuickStep's Variano in Royal Grey Oak, and it's a striking feature with a beautiful tone. The dining area is practical as well, maximising the space to its best advantage. There 's further seating at the kitchen's island bench too. Shown in cool concrete tones, timber veneer and white, the kitchen is a full size galley style and certainly not compact. It has a heap of storage and when I say that I mean it probably has more kitchen storage than the average home with clever combinations of super deep shelves, narrow ones for spices and everyday essentials, tall cupboards, plus bi-fold doors hiding even more storage and open shelving for your favourite items.

Drawers are soft close, so they get a tick, and there's room for the microwave within the island. The storage zone continues along the hallway where behind a bank of bi-fold doors reveal a European-style laundry neatly tucked behind. It's a good size, with room for a washer and dryer, a sink and more cupboards. Next to this, yes, there's even more storage, this time under the stairs so it's ideal for seasonal items such as the Christmas tree or Halloween decorations.

"There is no wasted space in the Terrace 200 and all the 'transitional' spaces of passages and stairwells have been used to also include storage options," Russell says. "This maximises every available square metre and also locates all storage in conveniently accessible locations." Two outdoor courtyards also create impact, both for the light they bring into the home as well as allowing homeowners somewhere to sit outdoors in the sunshine.

"One of the best features of the Terrace 200 is the central courtyard that brings light and a sense of space - a rare find in standard terrace designs, which creates the perfect private outdoor space to relax in," Russell says. Upstairs, you'll find there 's even more storage with linen cupboards, built-in open shelving for books, plus a wardrobe in each of the three bedrooms. The media area is good use of space and flexible in that it could be adapted to suit a home office through to a place for kids to study or play games.

At the front , the master bedroom is generous with a pleasant private balcony to enjoy. The smart, modern ensuite and main bathroom sit either side of the lightwell and look down over the courtyard , and with nice long windows for good light my only tip is you may want to add some blinds for privacy.

"One of the best features of the Terrace 200 is the central courtyard that brings light and a sense of space - a rare find in standard terrace designs, which creates the perfect private outdoor space to relax in," Russell says.

On the facade, Gallery Living's use of the latest building materials means your home won't look like every other house on the street , Russell says. "Lightweight construction coupled with design that promotes natural light and open space, means your home will stand out for all the right reasons - and will outperform other options from an energy efficiency perspective," he says.

"You have a large amount of flexibility in terms of fixtures and fittings for the home, and also using different materials and colour options for the facade of the home to add your personal touches." In my mind, the Terrace 200 will suit a host of different people, from first-home buyers through to retirees to investors.

"The design works well for investors who are subdividing allotments or for owner-occupiers who are downsizing by knocking down their existing home and replacing it with two or more new homes," Russell says. While this home isn't open for weekly inspections, it is open any time by appointment.

07- Oct-18 - The Sunday Mail Home Magazine

Long and low maintenance

Gallery Living's Terrace 265 is a lesson in clean modern lines and generous use of glass gives a spacious feel to its urban footprint.

If you like an uncluttered and low-maintenance lifestyle, the modern design of Gallery Living's Terrace 265 will give you this in spades. The slim three-bedroom, two-storey terrace home is courtyard living at its finest - perfect for young families on the go or investors who want maximum impact with little effort

Despite its slim 7.5m width by 23.5m deep footprint , an abundance of natural light will be drawn into the home via large, wide windows and a well-placed internal courtyard.

On the lower level, a modern galley kitchen sits at the heart of the design and overlooks the long courtyard, bringing the outside in and adding to the feeling of light and space.

Large sliding doors leading from the kitchen and adjacent dining and lounge spaces (three sets of doors in total) to the alfresco area will make entertaining a breeze all year round and accommodate larger gatherings, whether it be sipping wine on a balmy summer night or sitting around a fire pit in the cooler months.

Upstairs there are three double bedrooms, all with built-ins, and a spacious main bathroom with bath. The master bedroom includes an ensuite and plenty of storage, and is cleverly positioned at the back of the home away from the other bedrooms creating a kind of adult retreat, with views out to the courtyard below.

A separate study is a must for professionals and offers flexibility with the floorplan for growing families. There is also an additional media space on the landing upstairs - a light-filled homework zone for kids to get busy on projects.

A double garage is positioned at the back of the property, so this design requires rear-lane access, but it means it doesn't interfere with the property's kerb appeal. A space efficient laundry, a wall of storage and a powder room are other inclusions off the garage.

Hidden Extras

The Terrace 305 by Gallery Living is a surprise package which fits on a smaller block.

Gallery Livings' Terrace 305 design proves you can comfortably fit a three bedroom home on a terrace or small townhouse block.

And the two-storey design even has room for a hidden extra in the form of a large internal courtyard - a living and entertaining space contained within the home's walls which allows light to filter into every room.

Upon entry to the Terrace 305 a wide hall leads to a living area which opens on to the courtyard.

The kitchen and dining areas also open on to it making for a huge indoor, outdoor space in which to relax or host get-togethers with family and friends.

The kitchen which includes a generous-sized island bench also has a walk-in corner pantry, a convenient feature much like the powder room on the lower level.

There is also the added convenience of a door from the garage into the living area making unloading shopping or sporting equipment easier - and a door from the laundry to the outdoors so that hanging out the washing is a simpler task.

Upstairs the master bedroom is at the front with a built-in robe, double vanity ensuite with a bath and shower and balcony for mum and dad to sit back and enjoy the view.

The landing and hallway have large windows overlooking the courtyard.

A study or home office runs off that hallway which leads to the living area - again with a large window, with a view to the courtyard and leading to another passage.

That passage leads to bedrooms two and three at the rear and a split-galley bathroom, in which the toilet and vanity are separate from one another and a room with a shower and vanity - designed to make the morning rush less stressful for the whole family.

You Light Up My Life

With an emphasis on bright, open spaces, the Terrace 270 by Gallery Living offers broad appeal.

Gallery Living thought inside the square when designing their two-storey Terrace 270. The builder was conscience of the fact some terrace homes can be dark inside due to block size and placement within developments, and wanted to encourage as much natural light as possible, says Helen Lowrie of the Longridge Group.

So Gallery designed the 6m-wide Terrace 270 with an internal courtyard in the middle which acts as a vital source of light within the two-storey home.

"The shortfalling of most terrace designs is they can be dark and lack light," Helen says. "We thought 'inside the square' to solve this and introduced an internal courtyard that doubles as both a quiet sanctuary and lightwell flowing throughout the two levels. It's important to us to build homes full of light."

In the display at Lightsview, the lightwell has a large mirror on one wall, which cleverly gives off the illusion the space is larger than it actually is.

Designed for narrow blocks, the home has three bedrooms, with two of these on the lower level along with the main bathroom, European laundry, family room and the internal courtyard. Adjoining the family room via a door is a double garage.

The main living area, with a kitchen overlooking a dining space, a lounge and the master bedroom, complete with ensuite and built-in robe, are on the upper level.

A media/study area has been created along the hallway, utlising all possible space. A large balcony/alfresco is accessed via sliding doors in the kitchen or dining area, and seamlessly blends the indoors with the outdoors.

The kitchen has a breakfast bar, stunning white glass splashback, microwave shelf and a hidden nook for items such as a kettle and toaster. To keep the kitchen clutterfree, there's above counter cupboards and a great walk-in pantry with a sensor that turns on the light as you enter. Decor wise, a neutral palette with splashes of bold colour helps keep the rooms light while injecting personality into the spaces.

Nordic style timber pendant lights frame the kitchen benchtop, and under foot, the 600x600mm polished porcelain tiles in 'urban biege' (find at Newton Ceramics, 8365 1133) add class.

One living space features an orange wall, while another has a black wall for interest. It's a home that will suit people with all sorts of lifestyles, in particular younger buyers and professionals.

"The Terrace 270 will appeal to a range of buyers but especially small families and professionals who care about modern design and love to entertain," Helen says.

"The facade is a balance of Hebel, lots of glass and Stria with a lot of articulation to create design interest while using classical shapes, bringing a real understated modern feel to the home." The materials used also help make it environmentally friendly.

Fit for Change

The light-filled, two-storey Terrace 265 by Gallery Living shows what can be done on a compact block.

Gallery Livings' Terrace 265 proves that a narrow and compact block needn't mean compromising on space.

The two-storey, three bedroom, two-and-a-half bathroom home sits on a 7.5m-wide block and has a depth of 25.4m. In total, it offers 215sqm of living space.

The home is built around a central courtyard and has floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing plenty of natural light to flood each room.

Ceilings with a height of 2.7m make rooms appear and feel larger. The decor is understated, with modern and timeless fittings and furniture.

"Our inspiration was to overcome the major limitation of most terrace homes – light," Gallery Living sales manager Russell Slater says.

"We thought ‘inside the square'. An internal courtyard acts as a light-well, bringing direct light into every room, but also creates a wonderful interface between outside and inside living.

"By creating a light-well, we solved the problem of dark terraces that left you feeling like you were in a small home. We've combined this with superior standards of quality and our eye for balanced, modern design and appeal.

" The internal courtyard is a talking point for those visiting the Northgate display home, says Russell. "The first things that stand out to people coming through are the abundance of light and the sense of space."

He adds that this feature and the Hebel blocks used to build the home are environmentally friendly. "With the internal courtyard acting as a light-well we can harness direct light to significantly reduce need for artificial, and costly, heating," Russell says. "By using Hebel rather than clay bricks we avoid excessive heat retention – especially overnight – which allows you to substantially reduce your reliance on airconditioning."

And while some terrace homes need to compromise on room size, such as bedrooms, that's not the case with the Terrace 265. The bedrooms, kitchen and living areas are all generous in size.

"Room sizes are maximised with our unique designs, so families can live in a terrace home just as they would live in a family home," Russell says.

Upon entry is a living room which leads to a central kitchen with pantry and island bench and on to a dining space. All open to the central courtyard, which is ideal for entertaining.

Also downstairs is a guest toilet, linen cupboard, laundry with outside access and a double garage with direct entry into the home.

Upstairs are the three bedrooms, main with ensuite and all with built-in robes, a media space with in-built benchtop, a study and the family bathroom with shower and bath.

Russell says the home will suit a range of buyers. "This design will appeal to professional couples and people who care about quality, modern design and the right balance between everyday functionality and a stand out home for entertaining.

"By creating a terrace design that is open and welcoming, many people are now, for the first time, viewing terraces as the right house option for themselves, having never liked them in the past.

"By thinking inside the square we can offer a full-sized family home on a terrace allotment that is light-filled, warm and welcoming."