Behind the scenes of Deborah Hutton’s cliffside build

Key overview: Behind the scenes of Deborah Hutton’s cliffside home

• The team behind the build were Sydney building outfit Toki Construction and the Bunnings Trade Building Solutions Studio (BSS) in Sydney’s Castle Hill.
• Challenges of the build include the complex location, which is on an unstable cliff in a landslip zone, major geotechnical stabilisation and awkward access from the bend of a heavy traffic highway.
• BSS interior designer and Castle Hill Studio Manager Sarah helped Deborah select materials and fittings which include: Easycraft VJ panelling throughout, Weathertex Selflok Ecogroove cladding, Topdeck Flooring, Hotwire underfloor heating, Beaumont Tiles, interior and exterior paint from Dulux and Porter’s Paints ranges and Caesarstone stone finishes.

A challenging build

Builder Adam Smith doesn’t shy away from a challenge, and that’s certainly what he got with the cliffside project TV personality Deborah Hutton presented him with. He takes us behind the scenes of Deborah Hutton’s cliffside home build.

“We specialise in houses no-one else wants to build and, on this project, there’s been nothing easy about it. But it’s been worth it,” Adam, who owns Sydney building outfit Toki Construction, says.

Construction of the five-level forever home – consisting of a three-storey main house, undercover parking and a self-contained studio apartment – involved an unstable cliff in a landslip zone, major geotechnical stabilisation and awkward access from the bend of a heavy traffic highway.

Deborah credits the team behind the huge build – particularly the Bunnings Trade Building Solutions Studio (BSS) in Sydney’s Castle Hill – with getting the complex project off the ground and making it a reality.

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How to tackle building accessibility challenges

A busy highway bend and steep hairpin driveway left little room to manoeuvre equipment and materials, including those ordered through BSS.

“The logistics of getting everything onto the site was the biggest test,” Adam says. “At least once a week, we needed to shut the road for deliveries, so we had to work with a traffic management team. We often needed to know exact arrival times, and the BSS team was so reliable and always on time.”

Discovering building materials and fittings all in one place

Building Solutions Studios interior designer and Castle Hill Studio Manager Sarah helped Deborah select materials and fittings. She then communicated all the details to Adam and his team.

“That allowed me to get the material choices into focus,” Deborah says. “Having samples with the specifics about each then streamlined the decisions before they got to site.”

For Adam, this produced something every builder values – a well-informed client. “Every time Deb arrived back from the BSS, she was armed with good, reliable information,” he says.

Tip: Want to discover the Building Solutions Studio range beyond the Warehouse? Book a tour today.

Which panelling was used throughout?

A fan of Queenslander-style houses, Deborah was steadfast about using VJ panelling throughout.

Easycraft’s easyVJ features in the top-level entry hall and through the entire living area walls, as well as on feature walls in the two guest bedrooms.

Adam praises the panelling as simple to install: “It is light, manageable and time efficient to work with.”

Which exterior and interior cladding was used?

Cladding has been used on the exteriors of the build in Weathertex Selflok Ecogroove, and also on the interior ceilings.

“The woodgrain pattern offers character, so the ceiling is worth looking up at,” Deborah says. “It’s probably one of my favourite materials I found at the BSS. It looked great in the showroom, but even better onsite.”

What type of timber flooring did they choose?

In the studio, Topdeck Flooring covers the floor, with a rich walnut-style Camden Oak used on the stairs and throughout the bedroom level.  “It continues the Colonial style throughout,” Deborah adds.

Which underfloor heating was used for the bathrooms? 

Hotwire heating was a must for the guest bathroom and master ensuite.

“I don’t think you can have a bathroom without underfloor heating!” Deborah says. Adam adds that it’s practical for high-volume wet areas: “It dries the surface, helping with slipping and mould.”

Which Beaumont tiles did Deborah use?

After comparing tiles and finishes from trusted brands like Beaumont Tiles at BSS, Deborah selected porcelain tiles for most of the bedrooms and living areas, including the kitchen. “They’re matt with an irregular finish and look like they’ve settled in,” she says.

For the bathrooms, she complemented the Corsica Matt Tile in White Sands and Agave with the Milano Terrazzo Verde Textured floor tiles.

Which paints were used at the build?

Dulux and Porter’s Paints in various green tones carry the theme from outside in. The cladding is painted in Dulux Deep Brunswick Green. “It just fits in so well,” Deborah says.

Inside, Porter’s Paints in shades of French Green and Promenade feature on the joinery, with Eggshell tones on the walls.

“We’re dealing with two of the best products in the industry that are well suited to the conditions this house faces,” Adam says.

Porter’s Grasscloth wallpaper in Savanna features in the main bedroom. “It is so warm and enclosing, almost like the room is hugging you,” Deborah says.

Which rooms were carpeted?

“The only place I wanted carpet was in the main bedroom, as I like carpet underneath my feet when I get out of bed,” Deborah says.

“Carpet is also good for sound insulation when you’re trying to sleep,” she adds.

Which stone finish was selected?

Caesarstone in Fresh Concrete is used in the laundry, guest bathroom and steam room, and in Silvax in the rumpus kitchenette.

“I like the feel of it particularly in the steam room, then in the rumpus it offers a more relaxed indoor-outdoor character suited to the connection with the beach,” Deborah says.

Why choose Building Solutions Studio

• A variety of brands and quality products: BSS offers brands across doors, tapware, flooring, tiles and benchtops that are available beyond the Warehouse. “The brands we looked at are ones I know by reputation, and they’re good,” Deborah says.
• One-on-one support: “Deb was getting very good advice,” Adam says of Sarah’s expertise.
• Time saving: The ease of having multiple product categories under one roof reduced time spent travelling between suppliers. “Having everything in one location saved a lot of footwork,” Deborah says. “And the BSS is staffed by people who know exactly what they’re talking about.”
• Touch and compare: Full-size samples allowed Deborah and Adam to make aesthetic decisions early.

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Bunnings Trade in partnership with Deborah Hutton.