a Hamptons dream come true

WENDY AND RICHARD USED LINEA™ WEATHERBOARDS TO REALISE THEIR VISION FOR A HAMPTONS-INSPIRED HOME IN THE PICTURESQUE NSW SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS.

Seeking a tree change and having fallen in love with the distinct seasons of the NSW Southern Highlands, Wendy and Richard set about building the house they’d always wanted: an elegant Hamptons home with a farmhouse flavour.

“I’ve long been a huge fan of Hamptons style,” says Wendy. “In fact, I grew up loving this look.” With a local builder secured and house plans sourced from the US, the couple were quick to decide on farmhouse-style bay windows and a timber-look exterior.

They utilised Linea™ Weatherboards from James Hardie’s Scyon range, opting for a classic 150mm profile. “Weatherboards are an intrinsic part of the Hamptons look. We had a timber exterior on our previous home and said we’d never go with timber again because of the cost and upkeep,” says Wendy. What makes Linea Weatherboards different is that they’re constructed from durable fibre cement. They offer all the charm of weatherboards without the maintenance of traditional timber. Plus, they’re bushfire resistant with a BAL rating up to 40, termite resistant and thermally efficient.

Linea Weatherboards have been used right across the home’s exterior (including on the garage and cupola). Richard and Wendy’s vision is complete: their family of four now gets to call a double-storey Hamptons masterpiece their home. As well as its five bedrooms, four bathrooms and generous kitchen, the house features a signature ‘Highland Room’ (a nod to Richard’s Scottish heritage). “The Highland Room is really quite special,” says Wendy. “We love its high raked ceilings, travertine floors and brick fireplace.”

“Our style is part classic Hamptons, part modern farmhouse,” says Wendy. “It’s a combination that really suits our location in the Southern Highlands.”