1. residentmagazine.com.au 157
durack living
RESIDENTLIVING
Leveraging as much as possible from its lakeside surrounds, this
stunning Durack home combines a flowing design concept with
impeccable finishing to achieve a result that speaks for itself.
The residence is one of several display homes for
locally owned and operated builders, Vantage
Homes. With an unparalleled drive for perfection
and advancement in technique in each of their
projects, Vantage Homes have become one of the
Territory’s most respected and revered building
companies by delivering exquisitely designed
dream homes to their clients.
Winner of the national 2009 Master Builders
Award for homes in the $500,000 - $1 million
category, Vantage Homes has been a market leader
since entering in 2003.
A team with its sights set firmly on the future of
building in Darwin, and the challenges set before
them, Vantage Homes owner and chief visionary,
Tom McCullough recalls the Don Circuit project
being a team effort from the design concept stage.

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The highly polished bench
tops utilising a 30mm
engineered stone creates
a flawless elegance to
the already superbly
finished amenities.
“Andy (architect) and I sat down and came up
with the initial design for the block which we
envisioned would be characterised by bringing
the outside in and the use of natural materials
and finishes,” he explained.“We really wanted to
maximize natural light and cross breezes and take
full advantage of the lake.”
Beginning with a relatively small block of 450
square metres posed a challenge in itself as to
how to maximize the usage of the block but still
develop a house with exceptional airflow. The
result is a home which has allowed its
environment to dictate the terms of its design
without compromising comfort or quality.
The flow of this house from front to back is
unmistakable and you’re carried through as if on
an invisible current. The curvature of the house
follows a serpentine route which guides you
through to what truly underpins this home, the
spectacular lakeside entertaining area.
The interior colour scheme of the living area
utilises a natural plate to accentuate the sharp
and contemporary interior aesthetics. Anxious to
catch the natural cross breezes and avoid the
need for air-conditioning, the team has installed
louvres wherever possible, helping to create a
sense of airiness and space that is a major theme
of the design concept. Low energy lighting,
compact fluros and LED lighting have all been
used extensively throughout the house.
The elevated kitchen area is functional at the
same time as existing as a standalone feature.
The highly polished bench tops utilising a 30mm
engineered stone creates a flawless elegance to
the already superbly finished amenities.
Gleaming kitchen cabinets and new down
lighting add a spacious, much airier feel to the
food preparation area.
“The kitchen ties seamlessly into the other
rooms of the house and is very much the heart of
the home. The open layout means you can
prepare a meal without being excluded from
conversation in the living area or even on the
deck,” Andy explains.
The house is by rights a four bedroom home;
however in this instance, the fourth bedroom
exists as a multi purpose space. The same
dimensions as the main bedroom, it has been set
up as a home theatre but can be reconverted into
a sleeping space at the drop of a hat.
Entering the main bedroom it is hard not to be
wowed by the four paneled louvered wall
commanding spectacular views of the lake. The
ensuite features a fully equipped wet area
complete with a massive walk in shower and
double sink.
The use of an oversized 600mm by 600mm tile
throughout the bathroom area is almost as
striking as the two huge panels of louvres
incorporated into the external shower wall.

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RESIDENTLIVING
“The 600mm by 600mm tile and the 1.5mm join
meant that we had to lay the floors perfectly, no
margin for error or else it would be reflected in the
finished product.”
“The floor grate system allowed us to run the main tile
straight into the bathroom area and into the shower. By
using a water stop track we were able to continue to use
the main tile throughout all wet areas.”
The decision to use a neutral not a feature tile, results in
a classy and ever clean feel to the bathroom area. It also
avoids issue of dating which commonly underpins the
need for bathroom renovations. All power points in the
bathroom area have been ingeniously hidden in the
cupboards to keep all vanity tops clean at all times.
Standing outside the Don Circuit home what first
catches the eye is the unusual curvature of the front
roofing. Andy explains that the curve of the roof was
inspired by the shape of the barramundi tail.
The earthier undertones of the house’s exterior
have been accentuated by the surrounding gardens
and tropical plants.
Entering through the oversized louvred door, what
confronts me is quite simply astounding and all of a
sudden the barramundi inspired roof all makes sense.
Heading back into the living area a cool fresh breeze
comes flowing through the huge bi-fold glass doors into
the lounge room. The bi-fold doors opening onto the
outdoor entertaining area adds volumes to the already
entrenched tropical lifestyle and outdoor living
elements. Eager to bring the inside out the team
focused heavily on creating an outdoor space which
would define the house unlike any other they had
previously designed.
The use of extra wide 1.2m Merbau hardwood on the
decking creates a boardwalk feel to the lake. Extremely
resistant to termites and the elements, the yellow-brown
to orange-brown colour of the Merbau decking will
darken to more brown and reddish with time. Eager to
blend into the earthy tones of the decking, oversized
patio furniture adds another dimension to the space.
The tranquil and picturesque surrounds of the lake
are a stunning backdrop and the exclamation point to
a home simply oozing grace and style.
The Balinese inspired pool and water feature again
illustrate the architect and builder’s vision and expertise
in redefining the possibilities for outdoor living and
entertaining. Here the Vantage team has created a space
where ergonomic comfort meets and merges with
aesthetic pleasure, expanding the home’s outdoor
enjoyment and entertainment options.
More than simply building another display home, the
Vantage team wanted to make a statement that there is
simply no substituting quality and attention to even the
finest detail.
“Right from day one we didn’t just want to be another
runner in the pack, we wanted to set the benchmark
and have others chase us,” Tom said.
“A lot of people here can build houses but finishing
them is a different thing. Ultimately it’s the finishing
that either makes or breaks a project.
“Our team of professional personnel who ensured all
aspects of the consultation, design, approval and
construction process ran smoothly and efficiently each
played a huge role in bringing this concept to fruition.”
Created with imagination, flair and an unprecedented
level of detail, this tropical Durack address combines a
plethora of elements in defining the architectural
aesthetics which will truly give your life symmetry.
Builder: Vantage Homes Pty Ltd
Designer: Andy Matthewson
Cabinetmaking: Custom Cabinets & Joinery
Stone Bechtops: C & A Granite & Marble Works
Kitchen Splashback: S & T Domestic Glazing Service
Appliance & BBQ: Harvey Norman Electrical
Tiles: Cerbis Ceramics
Electrical Contractors: Protective Electrical Engineering
CBus System: Clipsal
Airconditioning:Sam Eyles Refrigeration
Plumbing Supplies: Reece
Plumbing Contractor: Virginia Plumbing Services
Glass & Aluminum: Quality Aluminium Pty Ltd
Showerscreens: MRS – Mirrors, Robes & Shower Screens
Timber Decking & flooring: Trade Building Supplies
Internal Doors: Trade Building Supplies
Door Handles & locks: Gainsborough Hardware
Stonework: Finlays Stonemasonry
Pool: Concrete Construction Pool & Spa
Glass Pool Fencing: NT Handrails
Garden Plants: Allora Gardens
Window Furnishings: Curtains on Cavenagh
Lounges & Dining Table: All About Lounges
Beds: Forty Winks
Outdoor Setting: Teak n Cane
Rugs: All About Lounges
Cushions: Humidity & Adairs
Orchids & Apples: Humidity
Linen: Adairs & Sheridan
The multi award winning Vantage team from left to right: OMNM ONM ON ON MN
NO ONMO MNO ONM OMNO MM OMON MONMO
quality finishes and craftmanship