Posted January 18 in Knockdown Rebuild

Customer home: Swati & Ben’s Knockdown Rebuild of the Riviera 32

What do you do when you want your first home to also be one of your last? You refuse to compromise. At least, that’s the reason Boutique Homes customers, Swati and Ben, chose the knockdown rebuild route on their journey to home ownership.

The pair were on the hunt for the holy grail of properties: a big block in an established suburb, with a convenient commute to the city. Together with their young son, Zane, they wanted a family-friendly location, with easy access to major shopping centres and local parks. It was a must-have list that proved hard to tick off without compromising on other factors.

‘After going to a number of property inspections in our chosen suburbs, we quickly realised that buying established would mean compromising on the floorplan, flow and design of our dream home,’ says Swati.

‘For the amount of money we were spending, it made more sense to buy an older property and knock it down. We could then start fresh and know exactly what we were getting.’

Finding the perfect floorplan, façade and design

The day after the pair purchased their block in Melbourne’s North, they begun visiting display homes. After months of research, it was the family-focused Riviera 32 new home design that stood out.

‘Our favourite part of the Riviera is the open living kitchen and dining as it keeps us connected to the different areas of the house. I can sit on the couch and watch my son as he plays in the backyard or the playroom, and hear when someone is at the front door,’ says Swati.

‘We coupled this with the affordable Luxe façade because of its simple and elegant look. The timber baton feature ties in well with the interiors of our home.’

The four-bedroom, two-bathroom Riviera offers a generous sized study and spacious main bedroom at the front. The expansive living area overlooks the backyard, letting in plenty of natural light, creating a bright and airy space throughout the home. ‘At night, we pull down the blinds and close the sheers and it turns into a really warm and cosy space,’ adds Swati.

The Riviera home design and Luxe façade provided the perfect canvas for the couples contemporary styling. A monochromatic mix of black cabinetry, white splashbacks and soft grey tiling is offset by light oak flooring in a romantic herringbone pattern. Swati and Ben delivered pops of colour through artworks, furnishings and styling elements.

‘The best part of the pre-construction phase was the colour appointment. We loved that it laid out the available selections in one place that allowed us to visualise what we wanted in a home,’ says Swati.

‘We particularly love our kitchen. For our cabinetry, we opted for a sleek and minimalist look, with a thermal laminate finish and no handles. We also chose to extend our island bench and add beautiful waterfall detailing to the end.’

What to expect from the build journey

Swati and Ben signed with Boutique Homes in 2020 and were handed the keys to their new home in 2021. Although the prospect of building their first home was daunting, Boutique Homes’ quality display homes and upfront pricing helped put their mind at ease.

‘We really wanted an upfront estimate of the cost involved – especially with a knockdown rebuild. Boutique Homes was one of the very few new home builders that provided a detailed estimation of the cost, even before we signed any contracts,’ says Swati.

Boutique Homes’ communication and service, especially from their Site Supervisor, were also second-to-none, adds the pair.

‘Throughout all stages of our build, the Boutique Homes representatives were very approachable and responsive,’ says Ben. ‘They made sure any questions were answered promptly, no matter how many there were.’

Three years after moving into their home, the pair say that the quality of the build remains great. Their 12-month warranty inspection uncovered minimal defects and the home has stood the test of time despite its greatest test – their toddler.

 

Ben and Swati’s advice to Victorians considering a knockdown rebuild?

‘Keep asking questions at every stage of the build and do your research! It really provides the clarity and confidence you need and makes the process easier,’ says Swati. ‘We would definitely recommend Boutique Homes.’

 

Take a tour of Swati and Ben’s Riviera 32 home with the Luxe façade. Are you ready to create your dream home in an established suburb you love? Begin your knockdown rebuild journey with an obligation-free chat with a Knockdown Rebuild consultant today.

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