Vision... of Colonial beauty in the
Southern Highlands in New South Wales
After years of travel and collecting ideas, Phil and Vicki Layfield had a vision -- a beautiful colonial-style home, positioned over a valley with a garden that highlighted the house's character and warmth.
Phil and Vicki eventually chose to build a Paal kit home. "It was partly that Paal would come to us and partly its design flexibility. Nothing was too complicated for Paal," Phil said.
The couple selected the three bedroom Riverina with revisions to the room layout. "We wanted the living room at the front of the house to overlook the green rolling hills."
To achieve the colonial style, they made changes to the exterior that included timber window frames and doors, a bullnose verandah and a box bay window. Rough bagging of the cladding completed the look.
The plan revisions also created the cosiness and homeliness the couple wanted for their new and growing family. "Paal was flexible with the designs, colours and additions."
Phil owner built the house himself, his motivation fuelled by the satisfaction of his daily progress.
"I took a photo everyday and videoed the process. When I thought I wasn't getting anywhere, I watched the video to see how far I had come."
Despite the long working days, he said that construction was easy and the book explained the process simply.