Country living in style is the dream for many, and designer Shaynna Blaze has some advice for those who aspire to a truly exquisite acreage retreat.
Blaze has partnered with Montgomery Homes to create the perfect country style for their Ridgeview 321 acreage display home at HomeWorld Warnervale, on the Central Coast.
Calling it her ‘Luxe Resort’ Signature Collection theme, Shaynna says acreage homes need to hit the right notes in some key areas to embrace country living.
“Luxury resorts tend to be spacious and opulent, which makes it an ideal interior style for acreage designs,” she shares.
Shaynna’s top tips for acreage home living
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Block judge, Shaynna Blaze, has designed a stunning new range of acreage-style homes.
1. Embrace the extra space
Country homes are typically not restricted by space, so the more expansive the layout, the easier it is to achieve that opulent feel.
“One of the benefits of an acreage design is the ability to have an oversized and open-plan kitchen, meals, and family zone,” Shaynna explains.
“And coupled with an adjoining alfresco for indoor-outdoor living means you can have larger groups of people in the home without feeling squashy, while also having smaller, intimate breakout areas that feel private from the main sections of the house.”
She highlights that the Ridgeview 321 has been thoughtfully designed for spacious living, featuring a long, luxurious hallway that connects all the spaces.
“A larger floorplan means you can also include the ‘non-essentials’, but the ‘want-to’s’ that truly add a touch of luxury,” she adds.
“For example, the Ridgeview 321 features a 149L wine fridge, with soft-close drawers and a storage capacity of 154 bottles.
“Couple this with the adjacent whiskey and spirits cabinetry and bonus vertical wine storage feature — your favourite beverages will never be far away.”
The display home also has increased ceiling heights to enhance the overall sense of luxury, and an impressive 30-metre frontage facade adds grandeur.
Acreage homes should feel spacious and light, according to Blaze.
2. Little touches go a long way
It’s easy to focus on the big design decisions, but often, it’s the little touches that really finish a room.
“Think textured wall features, grand pendant lighting in the foyer, and mod-cons such as a wine fridge,” Shaynna says.
“Two spaces in the Ridgeview 321 showcase a modern wallpaper — adding a touch of luxury. The colours in the wallpaper add a splash of ‘feature’.”
Shaynna has also included a mix of materials like feature stone, Steccawood panelling, lush greenery and feature tiles, all tied together with a soothing colour palette using “neutral tones that embody relaxation and rejuvenation that still has impact”.
Adding a mix of materials, all tied together with a theme you love is key, according to Blaze.
3. Consider practicality with the luxury
While we all appreciate lavishness in our homes, it’s important to remember that your home should look stunning and be practical.
“It’s important not to forget function because ultimately, you will be spending a lot of time in your home,” Shaynna shares.
The Ridgeview 321 layout is optimised for busy family lifestyles, with most of the bedrooms tucked away on the other end to ensure quiet and peace.
A good floor plan makes the best use of space, keeps things flowing, and looks great.
4. Match the indoors and outdoors
There’s no denying that Aussies prize outdoor living and entertaining, so you’ll want to create a seamless connection between the indoor and outdoor areas.
“Using decking that complements the interior flooring is important to give a sense of flow to the spaces,” Shaynna explains.
“The style and colour of the exterior furniture also needs to reflect the same luxury and shapes as the indoor furniture, as even though they are used for different types of entertaining, it is important they feel like they belong together.”
Don’t make your outdoor areas an afterthought – bring them front and centre to get the lifestyle you love.
5. Butler’s pantries are a must
Shaynna says having a butler’s pantry allows you to keep your home looking clean and orderly all the time, so if you’ve got the space, this room is an absolute must.
“A grand butler’s pantry is effectively a mini kitchen where you can keep messy food preparation out of sight,” she says.
“It’s ideal for storing larger appliances that you would typically have to keep on the kitchen bench — like your toaster, kettle, and air fryer. Storing these out of sight will give you more bench space in the actual kitchen, too.”
A sliding door is another must.
Butler’s pantries are great for when you need to hide the mess from guests, according to Blaze.
“No matter how much mess you’ve made, your guests will be none the wiser,” she shares.
“And it allows for a grand reveal of dinner items you want to be a surprise for your guests.”
Experience the essence of a brand-new countryside home for yourself by visiting Montgomery Homes display homes located at HomeWorld Warnervale — 5 Turret Circuit, Warnervale. Open 7 days, from 10am-5pm.
