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Nestled mere metres from Merry Beach on the NSW south coast, Helene and Peter’s sizeable 706m2 block of land was the perfect spot to fulfill their holiday home dream.
With a vision for creating a haven where happy memories could be made, family was front of mind as this couple embarked upon their Cedarspan journey. And with a distinct look and feel they wished to achieve, flexibility in design was a key consideration in bringing their dream to life.
“The other thing we looked at was the years Greenspan has already been in the business.”
Greenspan, now a third-generation family business, has been building PreCrafted barns, cabins and cottages around Australia since 1976. After exploring options, Peter and Helene selected Greenspan for their build, assured by longevity and the freedom available to personalise the designs.
“My wife looked around at various possibilities for kit houses. We liked the flexibility. We could make our own, and we did,” Philip explained. “The other thing we looked at was the years Greenspan has already been in the business. So those two factors were most important.”
With a generous block to work with, a Cedarspan 30CHL60 Loft Cottage was an obvious choice. Measuring 10.8m x 5.6m, it allowed plenty of space to incorporate all the necessary comforts of a home away from home. 3.0m high walls and a high-pitched roof enabled the addition of a loft area. Blessed with an idyllic north-south aspect, two decked verandahs – one to the front and another to the rear – were an obvious addition. Cedar French doors lead to each and a relaxed indoor-outdoor alfresco lifestyle can be enjoyed year-round, regardless of the time of day or season.
After finalising the personalisation of their longed-for holiday home with one of our design Solutioneers, the cottage was PreCrafted to precision in our Sydney workshop, before being delivered, ready to install in a matter of days.
To accentuate the beauty of the cedar windows and doors, and achieve a charming coastal cottage vibe, Helene and Peter chose a colour palette of whites, greys and blues with which to decorate and furnish their new retreat. Accents of timber and natural textiles completed the look of their seaside escape.
“Because the ceilings are so high,
the open plan area feels large.”
Then the fun really began! Many years of cherished family memories followed; cooler months warmed by the slow-combustion wood fire and summer tempered by throwing open the doors and windows to enjoy the breeze. And it really came into its own for the festive season. “It’s always the Christmas holidays that are the favourite moments when the whole family is there”, reminisce Helene and Peter.
With a long drive to the property from home, Peter and Helene couldn’t use their new holiday home as often as they’d have liked. “The fact that we’re six hours away from Kioloa, you can’t do it over a weekend. If it were closer, we would definitely go more often”, they explained. However, the cabin was still much loved and occupied as a popular Airbnb with other families making their own happy memories. The added bonus? A healthy and regular income, a great return on investment.
Located in an area of the NSW coast susceptible to harsh weather, the quality of Greenspan’s workmanship and materials was also put to the test when a massive storm hit the area. The sturdy Cedarspan withstood all that was thrown at it, providing peace of mind for the couple. “Nothing broke. Nothing fell off. It withstood the storm. The structure is solid, and we can rely on it,” Peter explained.
After many happy holidays spent as a couple and as a family, Helene and Peter have since sold Northwood Cottage. And their decision to build a Cedarspan proved to be a wise investment indeed.
With an initial outlay in 2017 of approximately $375,000 – the land being $175,500 and the cabin purchase, installation and fit-out only around $200,000. But the property sold just 4 years later for $790,000. An incredibly healthy return on their investment!
But of course, it’s not just about the dollars now sitting in their account. The countless joyful memories which will be cherished for years to come are even more precious.
“In terms of working with Greenspan, the product itself, and the end result, I would say absolutely go for it.”
”Northwood Cottage” is a Cedarspan 30CHL60 Cabin measuring 10.8m x 5.6m, with 3.0m high walls. Front and rear verandahs both span 10.8m x 2.5m. The loft adds an additional 5.4m x 3.6m of useable upper-level space.
Board & Batten cladding, two sets of cedar French doors, and Colorbond™️ roofing in “Monument” create a coastal look. Handcrafted Cedar windows and a skylight allow the cottage to be filled with natural light, contributing further to its relaxing and spacious ambience.
All measurements are approximate.
Photography with thanks to Bella Coastal Property.
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Greenspan Group Pty Ltd
38 Amax Avenue
Girraween NSW Australia 2145
