INTOUCH MAGAZINE|HUNTER HOMES Special Feature Liftout September 2020

S P E C I A L L I F T- O U T F E AT U R E

HUNTER HOMES

Lift Out & Keep!

Showcasing the businesses behind the beautiful homes of the Hunter www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 13

H U N T E R HO ME S

HUNTER PROPERTY MARKET Post-COVID The Hunter Region is Australia’s largest regional economy, with an economic output of around $55 billion per annum and a population of approximately 750,000.

Apart from being an attractive business and investment location, the Hunter offers residents a lifestyle that is difficult to match, and it does so at a cost of living well below that of the major metropolitan areas across Australia.

Years of significant investment in the Hunter region has attracted billions of dollars in property development to meet the continued demands and growth of the region.

Similarly, the revitalisation of Newcastle has fast gained momentum with a wide range of residential and commercial projects reshaping the CBD and neighbouring suburbs well into the future.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has swiftly upended lives, jobs and economies, we are yet to see the full impact on the housing market. And while industry experts predicted sharp falls in property prices – those predictions have yet to be realised.

In terms of residential property, Newcastle seems to have become its own market and no longer relies on Sydney as it once did. The Hunter's housing prices have also proved to be more immune to the impact of COVID-19 than has been the case in cities like Sydney and Melbourne.

What is becoming clear is that there are signs that trends post COVID-19 could benefit the Hunter property market. In many ways, COVID-19 has shifted the way people think about where they live and work, and the option of living further away from big cities has become more appealing for some Australians after the pandemic.

What could be seen as a potential lifesaver for the regional housing market is that COVID-19 has sparked a new wave of

enquiries from people wanting to move from Sydney and looking for properties offering an improved lifestyle in Newcastle and also the Hunter Valley where the prestige property market is reportedly booming again. Hunter Valley real estate agents such as Jurds Real Estate have reported monthly sales more than double their monthly average.

In addition, as people adapt to remote working conditions, physical proximity to a workplace may become less important when buying a home. This normalisation of working remotely amid COVID-19 is more likely to bolster regional migration from

Sydney as people become increasingly motivated to relocate to regional areas in search of more space, affordability and a more alluring lifestyle whilst maintaining their working arrangements.

All going well, the net impact of a postCOVID-19 market is that Newcastle and the Hunter region could well see market conditions improve further due to the rising population of the city, surrounding areas and also Maitland and Hunter Valley regions – increasing the demand for housing, boosting home renovations and creating jobs in the industry.

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H U N T E R H O ME S

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Sleepzone Warners Bay is excited to announce that they are converting the store to HOMEMAKERS WARNERS BAY, providing customers with an even greater variety of product to browse and buy.

You can now purchase lounges, dining, outdoor furniture along with bedding all from the same trusted team you’ve been dealing with for years.

The new range will see Homemakers Warners Bay become a one-stop-shop for all your home needs. The extensive range will include lounge suites, recliner suites, corner suites, chaises and sofa beds along with individual chairs and recliners available in a huge variety of leather and fabric.

The new dining range offers a fantastic array of round tables, wooden tables, dining chairs and barstools while our living range includes accent chairs and ottomans, buffet and wine racks, entertainment and TV units, wall units and display cabinets along with occasional tables, rugs and wall art.

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Our wall beds are Australian made and offer many options, including shelving or cupboards on either side, providing ample storage for books and files and enabling you to convert the desk to a bed quickly and easily.

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In line with the new changes, we are also pleased to announce that we have opened a speciality store right next door specialising in adjustable beds and lift chairs.

After seeing an ever-growing need for adjustable beds in our community and listening to our clients' requests to purchase an adjustable bed that doesn’t look like a hospital bed, we launched Adjustacare.

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H U N T E R HO ME S

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The simple answer – layers! Neutral can be very calming, inviting and warm.

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1.MATERIALS The selection of material plays a huge part.

The ‘handle’ of a material is how it feels to you and how it behaves. Do you want a cosy feel? Look at velvets. Would you prefer a refined yet coastal feel? Look at a fine Belgian linen. Use both on a leather lounge, and you have another layer of materiality.

This mixing of materials creates depth both visually and to the touch.

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2. PATTERNS Mix it up. If you’re looking to achieve a neutral palette successfully, this is an important tip! It can all be beige and white, however, add patterns with these colours and suddenly a new element is brought in to play. Not only do you have the lighter colours you want, but you have character. If

you struggle to put patterns together, find a fabric range on a hanger or book with multiple styles already combined. These combinations are done by the designers or fabric houses to look good together, so you don’t have to recreate the wheel!

3. LAYER IT UP Consider your spaces as a whole. Don’t just think of cushions on a lounge. What else is/can be in the room? Plan the carpet, rug, lounge, cushions, wallpaper, coffee table, artworks, lighting and décor as a whole. Plan the look, then piece it together.

Use a textured wallpaper and the artworks that will go on top. Layer the space with complementary colours that are all part of the neutral spectrum. As long as you think about the combination of the colours and pieces as a whole within the space, you can afford to take the neutral theme throughout the entire home.

4. DEPTH Neutral as a spectrum, goes from white to beige to taupe, to greys to black. Utilise the darker aspects to create depth. If you flick it around in various places, the ‘boldness’ is softened as the eye can keep landing on it.

It doesn’t have to be a lot, just a splash, and you’ll achieve a depth in the space you may need.

H U N T E R H O ME S

LIVE Passionately

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IN A MOJO ACREAGE HOME

MOJO Homes are on a mission to change the building industry for the better and deliver beautiful homes where people can Live Passionately, whether that be in the bustling city, the serenity of the beach or the quintessential Australian countryside.

MOJO’s acreage portfolio offers a special selection of homes ideal for wide frontage lots, with a style that can translate from coastal to rural.

The Hunter Valley truly does offer the idyllic country lifestyle, and now it is the location of MOJO’s first-ever Acreage Display Home. MOJO’s General Manager of Sales, Paul Hogan, says it was an obvious choice.

“We appreciate the lifestyle proposition the Hunter Valley offers. With larger, rural-style lots that you don’t typically find in many new estates, particularly in Sydney.”

The Carrington Grand One 31, on display at Huntlee in North Rothbury, is one of MOJO’s premiere acreage designs. This four-bedroom home was uniquely designed to take full advantage of a corner lot, offering a full Hamptons style facade to the primary frontage with the garage facing the secondary road. Acreage designs typically feature separate wings for adults and children, with a central entertainment hub in the middle. The adult’s hub of the Carrington Grand One design offers a huge 20sqm Master Suite with his and hers Ensuite, close to a well-appointed Home Office space. While the children’s wing features three generous Bedrooms, a Home Theatre and separate Bathroom, meaning the kids can entertain themselves for hours with minimal interference toward Mum and Dad. The Laundry, as well as separate linen and coat cupboards, also reside in the kid’s area, meaning there’s no excuse for dirty

socks not to make it to the laundry basket! An open plan Kitchen, Living and Dining area sits at the rear of the home, opening on to a grand Outdoor Living Area.

The Carrington design on display at Huntlee emulates a traditional, ranch-style acreage home perfect for wide frontage lots. However, its sister design, the Carrington Promenade, offers an almost identical floorplan in a narrower and deeper configuration that is perfect for more suburban locations.

“We wanted to create a design that was easily transferrable to different locations and suited a wide range of homesites,” says Paul.

“We understand the benefits of a single storey home for young families with children or even retirees who are after plenty of space for the grandkids to come and stay but find having everything on one level more accessible.”

So, what’s in store next for the MOJO acreage portfolio? As well as new designs to be released in the near future, there will also be more opportunities to explore and walk through these homes in person, with new Display Homes in store for both the Hunter and Sydney.

“MOJO is working on a large style Acreage home in Lochinvar as well as a ranch-style design at Box Hill in Sydney, both of which are due to open in the first half of 2021, and we can’t wait to open these to the public,” says Paul.

Watch this space and in the meantime, make sure to drop into our place at 19 Peachey Avenue, North Rothbury.

www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 17

MOJO ACREAGE DESIGNS FOR WHEREVER HOME IS

At MOJO Homes we’re all about building homes where people can live passionately.

Whether home for you is in the country, by the beach or anything in between, our range of Acreage designs cater to the unique, Australian way of life. Perfectly suited to wide lots, these homes feature thoughtful floorplans that champion bringing the outside in and allow families to come together while still offering plenty of space to enjoy a quiet moment.

CARRINGTON GRAND ONE 31 – NOW ON DISPLAY AT HUNTLEE

To discover more Acreage designs and the exciting possibilities available, chat to our Building and Design specialists today on 1300 006 656.

mojohomes.com.au Important Notice: Images are for illustrative purposes only and include upgrade items not included as standard and items not supplied by MOJO Homes such as landscaping. For detailed home pricing and specifications, please visit a display centre and speak with a Building and Design Consultant. MOJO Homes Pty Ltd BLN: 269829C ABN 31 166 754 696.

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Established over 73 years ago by Mr B.J Young (Bill) after he returned from World War II in 1946. Mr Young had served as a member of the RAAF and felt he needed to give a patriotic tribute to Britain by naming his business after Windsor Castle and the Royal Family. And so, Windsor Wonderworld was born.

Windsor quickly became a name nationally accepted as the leader in the blind industry, a position it still retains – recognised as being in the ‘Top 10’ of its field in Australia.

In 1967, Windsor was the first in Newcastle to supply the now-famous 25mm Invisorama "Slimline" Venetian. Windsor patented the design of the Steel Curved Venetian Blind Slat and became the first blind manufacturer to use Terylene cables and tapes. This put Windsor at the forefront of design and technology in blind manufacturing.

With the installation of a state-of-the-art venetian blind making machine in 1982, Windsor went from strength to strength, forging a lucrative market in venetian blinds. This machine brought with it enormous customer benefits –

particularly in terms of production output, economy and order processing, Windsor embarked on a new stage in history.

With the passing of Bill in 2013, his legacy was passed down to his second-youngest son Craig, who had been part of the business since he was a boy. Craig has also been responsible for the relocation of the company from its original premises in Carrington to the current location in Cardiff.

Nowadays, Craig is joined in the business by wife Zdenka and a team of professionals who are able to offer customers a wealth of experience and knowledge with some staff working in the business for over 20 years.

“The business is so entrenched in family that in addition to Craig's leadership, three out of his four brothers have been involved in the business at one stage or another before moving on to other careers,” said Zdenka.

“Our team has pride in their work, and we’re a family. We locally manufacture the popular Ziptrak Blinds and most of our other outdoor blinds and awnings that we have on offer. We cater for commercial and domestic requirements.”

Windsor’s success can largely be attributed to their dedication to customer service. With an offering that combines high-quality products, value for money and above all personal service, they continue to maintain 100% satisfaction for their customers. Windsor uses only the best standard of componentry and materials, specifically designed for the Australian Environment. This ensures a long-lasting, quality product which is backed by the Windsor Warranty.

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MAITLAND

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7 Communities across Lake Macquarie, Maitland & Port Stephens Onsite children’s playgrounds, cycleways & mature street trees Community focused living in central locations NSW Government Grant Eligible Homesites

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H U N T E R H O ME S

Billy's Lookout

Creating a Sense of

Community and Unique Identities WORDS MICHELLE MEEHAN

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There’s a lot to consider when you’re looking for a new home. Location, price, convenience and community all play a part in the decision-making process.

Then there’s the inevitable question over whether to buy or build.

For those wavering on that last point, there are now thousands of additional reasons to start searching for that perfect block of land thanks to a range of new or expanded government grants.

Designed to provide a much-needed boost to the residential construction industry in the wake of COVID-19, the Federal Government’s HomeBuilder scheme provides eligible owneroccupiers with a grant of $25,000 to build a new home.

The time-limited program applies to building contracts signed between June 4 and December 31 this year, with construction required to start within three months of the contract date.

While income caps and property value limits also apply to this scheme, it’s a huge boost for eligible applicants looking to build a new home.

There’s even more support on offer from the Federal Government for first home buyers, such as the First Home Loan Deposit Scheme. This can potentially help people afford to buy land and build sooner by decreasing the minimum deposit required to secure a loan and eliminating the need to pay thousands of dollars in lenders mortgage insurance.

The State Government is also chipping in to help more first homeowners build new homes, with a $10,000 grant under the First Home Owner Grant (New Homes) scheme.

First home buyers can potentially save thousands of dollars on stamp duty as well as part of the State Government’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan, which is designed to support the property and construction industry by providing incentives for more people to buy or build a new home.

Changes to the existing First Home Buyers Assistance scheme came into effect on August 1, which included increasing the threshold at which stamp duty kicks in when you purchase vacant land to build a new home.

Depending on the value of the land, the changes could save buyers more than $13,000 in additional fees.

Someone who understands more than most the importance of these government grants is McCloy Group Managing Director Brian Swaine.

The McCloy Group has been developing residential estates across the Hunter for more than 30 years, and Brian said there has never been a better time to build a new home thanks to the current incentives.

“The moment to buy land and build is now,” he said.

“The opportunities that both levels of government are now providing via HomeBuilder and other government grants for first home buyers and stamp duty exemptions are second to none.

“I’ve been in the industry for over 20 years, and I’ve never seen any sort of government stimulus packages like the current ones.”

Based in Newcastle, McCloy Group is one of the Hunter’s largest private property developers. The family-owned business is a well-known and trusted name within the industry, with a legacy that spans both construction and property development.

One of McCloy’s early successes was the construction of the $150 million John Hunter Hospital, which was delivered a year ahead of schedule.

In the 1990s, the McCloy Group diversified and began developing residential estates. One of its earliest ventures was the 420-lot Green Point estate at Belmont, closely followed by the award-winning Northlakes Estate in Cameron Park. This master-planned residential community features 1494 homesites set amongst 110 hectares of bushland and was awarded the coveted National Urban Taskforce award for “Masterplanned Community” in 2012.

The company has built its reputation on transforming underutilised spaces into award-winning residential land estates where communities thrive, and people love to live.

Brian said the McCloy Group spend a lot of time envisioning what they want to produce within each estate.

“We like to take a step back, and master plan each site so that it’s had everything considered, from access, road and pedestrian connections to open space, neighbourhood parks, recreation, the whole box and dice,” he said.

“It’s more taking a holistic view and trying to optimise the assets of each piece of land, so whether it’s views, whether it’s sloping, whatever the sites’ constraints are, we don't see them as a constraint, we try to see them as an opportunity and master plan the best outcome for that piece of land.”

The master planning process is also about creating a sense of community in each residential development.

“We have a strong focus on things that give our residential communities their own identity,” Brian said.

“Everything from marketing initiatives like the names of estates and street names, right through to things like public art, entry features and the landscaping is all tailored individually to each project.

“It’s about creating its own identity so that when our residents come home after work in the afternoon, they feel like they've got their own identity and their own little neighbourhood.

“Enhancing that sense of community and interaction between residents is also something we try to do through various initiatives, such as creating Facebook groups for each estate.

“We have lots of open space, neighbourhood parks, urban bushland where people can go for a walk. We try to integrate the community, so everyone just doesn't come home, close their garage door and stay inside; we want people to get out and about and interact.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly highlighted the need for communities to have easy access to amenities and open spaces, making estates with these types of features (Continued next page) F www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 23

H U N T E R HO ME S

(Continued) even more appealing to those looking to build their dream home and ideal lifestyle.

McCloy Group is renowned for incorporating these aspects into their master planning, such as at Heritage Parc near Maitland, where the company built a community dedicated to natural open space, with 11 parks and playgrounds proposed and expansive waterways interconnected by cycleways and walking tracks. The estate was named the “best residential development” at the 2014 Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) Awards for Excellence.

“People are looking for that healthy lifestyle, active lifestyle,” Brian said.

“They want to be well-located, close to recreational opportunities, but also have things on their doorstep where they can, at short notice, go for a walk, take the dog for a walk, take the kids down to the playground, all those sorts of things.

“We’re expecting in a post-COVID world that people will be even more conscious about their living environment and it being multi-functional so that they can work from home and live at home. They can recreate, they can work, and they can play.”

Carefully selected public art installations are also a prominent aspect within all McCloy communities.

The initiative, which is driven by Group Chairman Jeff

McCloy, is viewed as a vital element of every community’s cultural foundation.

The art is distinctive to each estate, with statement entry features and installations that resonate with the community in which they live, such as Billy’s Lookout in the lakeside town of Teralba.

An abundance of art all connected to the lakeside lifestyle is scattered throughout the 70.9-hectare estate.

From a boastful cockatoo, two giant pelicans and nautical displays that include pieces titled ‘Fish’ and ‘Anchor’, the art demonstrates Billy’s Lookout’s relaxed lifestyle – where the sea meets the bush.

Similarly, at The Bower in Medowie, there’s a creative display of Australian wildlife from bower birds to koalas and large kangaroos, which have been incorporated into its one-hectare park, playground and adult exercise area for the enjoyment of children and adults alike.

“It comes back to that sense of belonging,” Brian said.

“Jeff McCloy has a passion for public art and the sense of community that it creates. People really appreciate it and the effort that goes into it, so we try to provide it as a key feature of our communities because it really gives our residents that sense of identity … they identify with that piece of art, and they’re very protective of it and like to look after it.”

Brian said all the various amenities offered within these master-planned communities make a distinct difference to people looking to buy land and build.

“There’s plenty of choice in the Hunter. We’re not the only people providing opportunities to build a home,” he said.

“People decide for themselves where they’d like to live, and the location is obviously still a high priority for people

because they want to be close to their existing family networks and where they work, all those sorts of things.

“But when it comes down to choosing between us and our competitors, we think those extra one-percenters do make a difference.

“We also find these things influencing the people who end up on our repeat buyer program, where we provide a discount for people that have bought with us a second, third, and fourth time. F

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H U N T E R H O ME S

The Bower, Medowie

“We find that the program is increasingly popular… once people like their neighbourhood, they might build with us two, or three times in the one community.”

There’s no doubting McCloy’s communities are popular among buyers. Stage one of The Bower at Medowie sold out in 48 hours, with campers lining up three days prior, while the company’s most recent Medowie development, The Gardens, had eager buyers camping out to secure their block up to five days before they went on sale.

Another new estate heading to the market this year is Hereford Hill, Lochinvar, situated on a 25-hectare parcel of land off the New England Highway, which will see approximately 280 new homesites created in the local community.

Brian said McCloy Group is currently staging development of more than 6200 residential home sites in 18 residential communities across the Hunter, New England and Northern Rivers regions, which are located close to major highgrowth regional centres such as Newcastle, Maitland, Lake Macquarie, Tamworth, Armidale and Lismore.

He said the central location of the Hunter and it’s

affordability compared to the Sydney market will ensure demand stays strong across the region now and in the future.

“We've just recently released stage one at The Gardens at Medowie, and it was very well-received by the market,” Brian said.

“I think 20 out of 22 homesites sold on the morning that we released them and we even had a number of people camping out for up to a week.

“Hereford Hill at Lochinvar will commence construction on stage one in the coming months, and we hope to have lots of home sites available to the market in about nine months.

“Lochinvar’s very much a rural lifestyle but still very close to the conveniences of Maitland. Generally speaking, it will appeal to people looking for that wider open space, perhaps larger lot sizes and the convenience and the quiet village atmosphere.

“We’ve got projects in more regional areas of New South Wales, right up to the Far North Coast, but we’re very much focused on the Lower Hunter right now.

“We will continue to have people migrating out of Sydney up here to the Hunter as we have hospitals, schools, all the resources that people want.

“We see the Lower Hunter’s future as being very bright.”

To find out more about McCloy Group’s residential communities, as well as details on the government grants available to eligible owner-occupiers looking to buy land to build, visit www.mccloygroup.com.au P

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H U N T E R H O ME S

Perry Homes Cameron Park Display Home

Get to know the team at

Perry Homes Established in 1993, Perry Homes is 100% owned and managed by David Perry. Building from the Central Coast and out to Singleton in the Newcastle area right up to the Sunshine Coast, the company is one of the most trusted names in the building industry. In this issue of HUNTER HOMES, we caught up with New Home Consultant Noel Simmonds to find out a little about Perry Homes in the Hunter region.

the board, as well as accountability to a central hub. The owner, David Perry, is very much involved in the day to day operations of the business and has owned the company over 25 successful years.

We only use reputable brands and suppliers, not just the cheapest option. This means that you are securing quality when you build with Perry Homes, not just price. We are also a debt-free family business. Our warranty insurances aren’t capped like many other builders. Subsequently, there are no wait times on-site starts, and our ordering and scheduling timelines are streamlined.

Tell us about your role and area of expertise. I am a new home consultant and have been in the building industry for over 20 years. My job is to help clients find a home design that suits their needs, lifestyle and budget. My team and I can adapt one of our existing plans to suit or even create a brand new custom-designed home. We can also help with finding the right block of land.

What makes you stand out above your competitors?

Definitely value for money. There are no hidden costs with Perry Homes and no last-minute surprises! Our standard inclusions are of a high level. When you build with Perry Homes, you have access to an exceptional range of products to choose from at no additional cost. There are well over 50 bricks to select from, an outstanding range of tile choices, multiple garage profiles with 24 Colourbond colours on offer and items such as frameless mirrors as standard.

What type of builds do Perry Homes do? We build homes suitable for any block – be it flat, sloping, acreage or knockdown rebuilds. Our range of home designs includes single storey, two storey, split level, duplex/dual occupancy homes and granny flats. There are more than 150 plans in the Perry Homes portfolio. We are happy to modify our plans or design something specifically to suit a client.

What are the benefits of building with Perry Homes? There are many benefits to building with Perry Homes: price, design, value and peace of mind, to name a few. We use all local trades and have been established as an integral part of the area for over 14 years; however, we are not a franchise. This is important because it means quality assurance across

What is the process when a new client walks through the door? The first thing that we need to start the process is the land. If a client hasn’t purchased a block of land yet, we are able to help source this. Once we know the location of the block, then we can start looking at designs that will suit their requirements and budget. With so many plans available and the flexibility to even create a custom design, we can always find a solution. After I have put together a quote, and it is agreed, we will then progress to a soil test, contour survey of the land, full working drawings and engineering – all from a $2,400 deposit (which is deducted from the contract price).

What are the top three things that people should consider when looking to build a new house? Lifestyle, budget, location. It is very important to acknowledge your lifestyle and how you are going to use a space, why have a formal dining room when you likely wouldn’t use it? Perhaps a games/media room would be more suitable. Consider how you use your current home, what areas could be improved?

What spaces go unused? Establishing a budget early in the process is also key to finding the right block of land and design that is within your reach, I recommend talking to a financial institution first to get a gauge of borrowing power.

Location is of paramount importance when considering building; be sure to research school catchments, nearby shops, and distance to local amenities.

Where are the hot spots to build in the Hunter Region? There are quite a few land releases available at the moment. In the Maitland area, you have a lot of standard-sized blocks ranging in size from 450 sq m to 700 sq m in estates in Farley, Lochinvar, Chisholm, Rutherford and Greta. If you go further out to the Cessnock area, you have estates in Bellbird, Paxton and Kitchener. The blocks in Kitchener are much larger at 2,000 sq m – so suit your acreage style homes. Or closer to Newcastle there is high demand in Cameron Park.

Land in the Hunter Region starts from around $178,000, so there really is something to suit most budgets.

How can someone get in touch? Perry Homes has display homes in Chisholm, Thornton and Cameron Park in the Hunter Region. To find details of your nearest display visit www.perryhomes.com.au or call (02) 4021 1680 for details. www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 27

There are two ways to make a mattress

1. Cheap one piece

— inherently defective — no airflow

single sided

— half the support — half the comfort — half the life

attached foam pillow top

— hot & sweaty — flattens & collapses

2. Superior ✓ two piece

— can be flipped, turned & rotated — maximum air circulation & breathability

✓ double sided

— twice the support — twice the comfort — twice the life

✓ removable pillow top

— cooler, more hygienic sleep

✓ 5 year comfort promise

— free reconstruction, reconfigure for 5 years

Yes Mr Harvey.

They should be 50% off!

Sorry Mr Harvey.

We make them, you don’t!

Newcastle Sandgate NSW 02 4960 0999 Cnr Friesian Cl & Jersey Ave

Adelaide Croydon Park SA 08 8340 4888

28 | www.intouchmagazine.com.au

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makinmattresses.com.au

Perth Victoria Park WA 08 9355 5111

Sandringham

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Sandringham VIC 03 9533 1113

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