After a chic first home? We’ve found it for you

IF I was single, perhaps in a couple or maybe a few years younger and looking for a smart, new first or second home to call my own, I think this one would be a serious contender. I’m all about a home that feels good the instant you walk in it and on this recent visit to Distinctive Homes’ Atlanta 3 display at Vista, Seaford Heights, it did just that. Even on a brisk day in mid winter.

This design is a compact one – ideal for villa blocks as small as 400sqm – but what it does have is a really pleasing Scandi vibe, calm and light spaces and refreshingly, a large main living zone and tall 2.7m ceilings. They make a huge impact on how this home feels and I like it.

The Atlanta 3 is both the perfect size for younger buyers, and retiree buyers, and it’s a forward thinking design that will cope with changes in life in the years ahead.

Yes, this is a three-bedroom design, not four, but as you walk through it’s not really an issue unless you already have three children.

That said, I’m sure the flexible people at Distinctive Homes would be happy to add another bedroom if you needed it and your block size allowed for it.

The three bedrooms it does have are prettily presented and feel spacious with big windows, soft dark carpet underfoot and double-door hinged wardrobes (minor bedrooms) that I find quite a treat, because I love the look they offer.

Considering the statisticians say we spend one-third of our lives sleeping, a nice bedroom does make a difference in the longer term.

The Atlanta 3’s main bedroom, at the front of this design, feels tranquil and quiet, and a lot of its aesthetic is enhanced by three tall windows.

Softly diffused with sheer blinds, their height makes the room spacious and elegant, and this room is somewhere I can imagine would be restful as you lie back in the morning and contemplate getting out of bed. A walk-in wardrobe is expected and delivers, but it’s the ensuite that impresses.

There’s a neat main bathroom further back in the design (shower/bath and vanity, plus a separate toilet), but this ensuite is surprisingly big and not what I was expecting in the least. The long vanity with four cupboards provides a heap of storage, plus there’s a corner shower and a toilet, and with the proportions you could literally swing a cat… or do twirls in your favourite party dress.

Once you’ve had your beauty sleep, the majority of your days will revolve around the large living zone at the back – one of two living spaces in the Atlanta 3 design.

Completely private, even on a courtyard block, this area houses the family lounge, the dining space and a contemporary Scandi kitchen.

Distinctive Homes’ sales manager Shane Cameron says the open-plan living zone his favourite part of the Atlanta 3 design.

“The huge open plan area with the kitchen – I think we oversized it too much,” he laughs.

“Having the two living areas in this type of design is not typical – visitors are surprised by the Tardis of space.”

The dimensions become apparent as you walk around this rear-facing living zone, which enjoys a dual aspect to the outdoors, in this case to the north and westerly directions. A wall of glass on either side of the sliding doors completely brings the manicured, compact garden in and it works as an outdoor extension thanks to all the windows.

The open plan living also has tall windows on the west-facing side wall adjacent the dining, plus there’s the bonus of a splashback window in the kitchen, which is a real treat to find.

On my visit, in the middle of winter, the sunshine coming in felt like a beautiful blessing and I must say I hovered in the kitchen for awhile enjoying the warm rays.

Like the Scandi styling, the light in this home is beautiful and appreciated, and it’s easy to see the builder has thought about how people want to live and how important natural light is within that equation.

“It’s been a popular choice with many age groups,” Shane says. “We’ve had very good feedback so far.

“The home has been decorated on trend colours and simple Scandi furnishings without over displaying, to allow you to really see the home as you’ll get it.”

Not that it really needs the help of further styling as the kitchen is another of the Atlanta’s surprising assets. A galley style with a decent island bench, the glass splashback and a bank of above-counter cupboards in chic matt black, it’s as cool as you could hope for and packed with storage. Did I mention there’s also a walk-in pantry?

Imagine a decent room with heaps of open shelving on two sides at the far end, while at
the other end there’s a bench, cupboards underneath and what I would describe as feature shelves in a dressy timber laminate finish, and you’d be spot on.

While it adds so much to this slick kitchen, it’s the ever-so-cool island bench finish (with slab ends) that wows. It looks like concrete, and when you run your hand over it, it even feels like concrete, cool to the touch with a textured finish that isn’t rough but a reminder of the real thing.

Except this is one of the latest laminate finishes – and I love it. It’s only on closer inspection that you realise it isn’t the real thing, but that doesn’t matter because at what’s probably a fraction of the cost you get the full effect.

“The home is in our Gold Specification with a few upgrades – overhead cupboards and rangehood and good mix of selections,” Shane says.

The rest of the living space is just as inviting, complemented by those higher than standard ceilings. I also like that a large corner sofa is displayed, showing that this zone will fit even the biggest furniture.

Midway through, the second lounge is open but zoned with partition walls making it room-like yet optimising the extra space along the hall.

A high long window ensures privacy and as it has done here the north-westerly aspect is a bonus that reaps rewards.

@smhomemag