Inside knowledge

When Mark and Kelly Flynn decided to subdivide their Magill allotment and construct a new home there was only one builder they considered: Hickinbotham. As Building Consultants with South Australia's largest home builder, the pair knew exactly what type of house would suit their needs. And having helped over 700 South Australian families build their dream homes over the past seven years they knew their employer would deliver on both quality and value.

Based on Hickinbotham's two-storey Glenferrie design but modified to suit the Flynn's individual needs, their stunning, contemporary home was designed with family living and entertaining in mind. With three sons aged between 9 and 12, having plenty of space for get-togethers and entertaining friends was a priority, as was an all-weather outdoor entertaining area and separate zones for individual family members to escape and relax.

"We designed the home specifically for our family," says Mark. "We have three boys so we wanted all the bedrooms to be full-size and big enough for double beds.

"We also have a big family and dining room, where we sit down to a proper meal every night. And we're really into cooking, so we created a user-friendly kitchen complete with double Smeg ovens."

The result is a sleek, stylish and luxurious home finished to the highest specifications. Downstairs, a spacious open-plan living and dining area has a light and airy feel, while the gas open-fire place creates a warm glow on cool nights. The area is overlooked by the home's stunning designer kitchen, which features a central island bench, glass splashbacks and on-trend cupboards made from hard-wearing PVC gloss-wrap which, Mark says, are harder than two-pack.

"Our bench-tops are made from a composite solid surface called 'Freestyle' which mimics stone but is harder and easier to repair if damaged."

French doors lead out from the living area to an amazing outdoor room with gorgeous Western Red Cedar bar and roll-down blinds, making this the ideal spot for alfresco dining or relaxing over a drink with friends.

"The entire home - inside and out - is great for entertaining," says Mark. "We love to get together with friends and neighbours and this house is perfectly suited to our lifestyle."

Also on the ground floor is a good-sized study and home theatre room, equipped with a cinema projector that lights up one wall.

Upstairs, three double-sized bedrooms ensure each of the Flynn's sons has their own space, while the cavernous master suite - complete with walk-in robe - provides the ideal place for Mark and Kelly to relax after a busy day in the office. The luxurious ensuite with twin showers and double vanities has the feel of a five-star hotel, while the family bathroom provides plenty of room for this growing family.

The Flynn's are so enthusiastic about their Hickinbotham home they've decided to build another one - albeit a split-level version - on their new block of land.

"We love this house but we also love building," says Mark. "We have found an amazing location and couldn't resist the challenge of building again - with Hickinbotham, of course," jokes Mark.

"Seriously, the value that Hickinbotham can offer, combined with their ability to deliver a high quality finish at an affordable price, makes them extremely difficult to beat. Their 18-week build time guarantee is another real advantage."

Of their work at Hickinbotham, Mark says he and Kelly love helping people build a new home.

"Building a house is the biggest investment most people will ever make and it's great to be a part of this," he says.