How this couple designed their own home from start to finish
Find out how Kiwi couple Clayton and Toni designed their Beachlands home from start to finish, down to the electrical details.
After Kiwi couple Clayton and Toni bought a newly released section in Beachlands, Auckland, it was time to design their home.
With plenty of inspiration from visiting open homes and brochures, the couple designed their own home from start to finish; including the electrical details. Find out how and what electrical solutions the couple chose for their DIY home.
About Clayton and Toni’s home
A love of fresh Scandi styling combined with careful planning has created a beautiful family home in Auckland’s eastern suburbs that makes the most of a fantastic coastal outlook and city views.
Owners Clayton and Toni bought the newly released section in Beachlands after falling in love with its views, which became the focal point for the design of their two-storey home.
The house is light and airy, channeling a clean, minimalist Scandinavian influence by teaming crisp white walls with light timber cabinetry and flooring, black accents in handles and light fittings, and touches of luxurious marble throughout.
How the design process came to life
Inspiration and planning
Every little detail reflects the couple’s clear design vision, inspired by many visits to show homes and open homes while searching for a property. Toni had sketched out ideas along the way and cut floor plans from brochures, so as soon as they secured their section she leapt into action.
“Clay went away on a work trip for a week and by the time he came home I’d planned our house!” she laughs. “I had it all drawn to scale and had placed things to make the most of the sun, for privacy from neighbours, and more than anything, for that view.”
Once home, Clayton used CADS software to transform Toni’s plan into a 3D model of the home. “It gave us an idea of how it would look and feel when we put the different colours and elements in,” he explains. “We could see how it would work with us and how we live.”
Toni was determined to make the house not just beautiful, but also practical for her family. The positioning of rooms was carefully considered to achieve this. The butler’s pantry was placed within easy reach of the garage to avoid carrying heavy groceries through the house, while the office was tucked under the stairs with built-in shelving to avoid needing bulky bookcases.
Additionally, the rooms’ positioning aims to make the most of the surrounding views. The master bedroom includes sumptuous views reflected in the mirrored wardrobe doors, with a spa-like open bathroom with a bathtub looking over the city.
“The view is what sold us on the property and so wanted to make the most of it!” says Toni.
The structure and materials used in each room were also carefully planned to further enhance the family’s living experience. The living room was built with large decks for easy indoor/outdoor flow, with wooden flooring and a large inlaid carpet for a warm, cosy feel.
Adding the finishing touch with electrical
For Toni and Clayton, selecting the right electrical accessories was key to their design. “It’s those little touches that make the difference,” says Toni. “Standard switches and power points would have changed the whole look, and we’d worked so hard to get everything just right.”
Iconic Essence in the kitchen. Their choices reflect attention to detail. With timber accents throughout the home, Toni loved finding a perfect match in the PDL Iconic Essence range, featuring rounded edges in natural birch.
“I didn’t know switches and power points like this existed,” says Toni. “Iconic Essence is so soft and gentle with the matte and timber. As soon as I saw it, I told Clayton, ‘That’s it.’” They chose Iconic Essence switches and power points in Arctic White to complement the interiors.
Beyond aesthetics, the Iconic range adds extras like USB charging, dimmers, and Bluetooth for everyday convenience. Toni and Clayton installed dimmers in the living room and bedrooms, plus USB ports in the office and bedrooms for easy charging. “We went with USB-C outlets as most devices use that now,” says Clayton.
Iconic pictogram add-ons were also installed to help them identify which switches activate lighting in different areas. Clayton was delighted to add his own pictogram design with the help of the PDL’s custom design service. “I came up with a design for our pendant lights that we wanted indicated and we had it engraved onto the switchgear,” he says.
The Iconic range is also Bluetooth-enabled, providing a simple entry to smart home automation. Lights and power points can be controlled from a smartphone app and it’s easy to add and link other features later. “Clay is always using the smart light dimmers on his phone; he finds that quite handy. Especially when he has two cats sitting on him and can’t get up from the couch!” Toni laughs.
Having spent so much time perfecting every element of what went into their home, Clayton and Toni weren’t going to sell themselves short. “You spend a lot of money on a build and big items,” says Toni. “And the Iconic Essence switches and power points weren't a huge monetary investment for what you get out of it. It’s a lovely product we interact with multiple times every day.”
Reflecting on the design process
Now, as they relax in their home, Clayton and Toni can reflect on what they have created and the journey to get there. “Every bit of work we put into the house and every decision we made, we feel it every day,” says Toni. “I love that our whole home flows so well and nothing feels out of place. It’s a beautiful, restful space to be in.”
No matter if you’re building or renovating, planning your own design process is a big challenge – especially when it comes down to the details, like choosing your electrical accessories.
Here at PDL, we’ve compiled some inspirational resources to help you get started. Simply download a free copy of our Home Magazine today to find inspiration, information, and planning advice.
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