Custom Design & Home Builder

What is it really like building a house in the current economic environment? As we reflect on an interesting and also volatile few years in the industry we thought we would share some of our thoughts and advice to anyone who may be wanting to embark on the new home journey. You will be asking some questions, where do we start? Do we renovate or build new? What are the ‘standard’ inclusions? Does every builder offer the same inclusions? Read on to find out about the Weststyle process, inclusions and journey.

The concept of the kitchen triangle dates back to the 1930s and was based on one person working efficiently in a small separated kitchen space. It is a triangular workflow model effectively connecting the fridge, cooker and sink with spacing parameters and limited traffic through the triangle.
Is the ‘kitchen triangle’ still relevant in modern interior design?

A powder room allows design flair and functionality to coexist in harmony. Space dependant, a powder room can not only house a toilet and basin but also storage in the form of mirrored cabinets or a more spacious vanity unit, as well as a shower to double as a guest ensuite if required. 

Tony Ricciardello of Weststyle has recently been appointed President of the Housing Industry Association WA region following two years in the position of Vice President and time previously spent as Chairman of the HIA Technical Committee.

Maintaining a comfortable internal temperature in your home is so important and the positioning of your home on its’ site can have quite an effect on this. Considering the orientation of your home in relation to the sun’s path, the type of light (and heat) that will enter the building and a particular time, can have a significant effect on your comfort and give you the ability to regulate your home’s internal temperatures. How you orientate your home will differ according to the local climate and amount and type of glazing you have.

Open plan living connects the main kitchen, dining and living spaces resulting in shared zones which can encourage family conversations and connections. It has been a popular way of living to open up internal spaces, allowing rooms to feel bigger with more air flow and natural light to filter through. Open plan allows the occupant to adapt rooms to reflect lifestyle changes as families grow.

We are pleased and proud to share our very special award win, the 2022 HIA Perth GreenSmart Home of the Year for our Derby project, designed by Dave Delahunty of EHDO Architecture and built by Weststyle.

Things are looking up for the residential building industry thanks to greater stability in costs for material and tradespeople. Weststyle’s team of designers, estimators, project managers and supervisors have their fingers on the pulse of Perth’s construction industry which means we are well-informed and can assist our clients to take the best advantage of the current situation.

It’s your first meeting with a custom home builder, what are some key questions you should ask? We would advise to be as prepared as you can be for your first meeting, be confident on what your total budget is and what your priorities are. Have a wish list, of items that you could live without but would like to include budget permitting.

While there are advantages and drawbacks to both renovating and building new, the choice ultimately comes down to individual circumstances and requirements.