Homes

An Off-The-Plan Townhouse Turned Dream Home

Buying a property off the plan can be stressful and daunting — just take it from Zach Anthony and Tayla Price.

After a ‘horror’ first experience, the couple went into their second purchase more equipped and knowledgeable to buy their dream home.

They found a new townhouse development in Thornbury that ticked all the boxes, and the rest is history.

See how Zach and Tayla worked with Alessandra Smith Design to style the house with investment pieces that they’ll love forever.

Written
by
Lucy Feagins
|
Photography
by
|
Editorial styling
by

Annie Portelli + Sarah Hendriks

Supported by Dulux

United Strangers Malibu Lounge Chair in Orange Boucle from Trit House. Akari 3A lamp from In Good Company. Vintage painting by Fredrick Salt. Stainless steel vase by ACV Studio, sourced from Pepite. Golden Maneki-Neko (second shelf, left) by Kogane Koban from Tokyo Smart. Ceramic (top shelf, right) by Mali Taylor, sourced from Pepite. Ceramic (second shelf, middle) by Rina Bernabei, sourced from Pepite. Ceramic (second shelf, right), sourced from Pepite. Jardan Bam Bam Rug Sand. Jardan Nook sofa in Nickel/Darcy fabric with Natural Timber feet.

Zach Anthony and Tayla Price in their Thornbury home.

United Strangers Malibu Lounge Chair in Orange Boucle from Trit House. Akari 3A lamp from In Good Company. Vintage painting by Fredrick Salt. Stainless steel vase by ACV Studio, sourced from Pepite. Golden Maneki-Neko (second shelf, left) by Kogane Koban from Tokyo Smart. Ceramic (top shelf, right) by Mali Taylor, sourced from Pepite. Ceramic (second shelf, middle) by Rina Bernabei, sourced from Pepite. Ceramic (second shelf, right), sourced from Pepite. Jardan Bam Bam Rug Sand. Jardan Nook sofa in Nickel/Darcy fabric with Natural Timber feet. Vitsoe Universal Shelving System.

Vitsoe Universal Shelving System. Roma pot in Fossil by Capra Designs. Newgate Wideboy Alarm Black. Painting (tiny painting next to the lamp) by Kirsty Budge, from Daine Singer. Ceramic (next to painting) by Tessy King, sourced from Pepite. Painting (next to the clock) by Fredrick Salt. Ceramic (blue vessel on third shelf) by Laura Veleff, sourced from Pepite. &Tradition Setago portable table lamp from Cult.

Ellison Studios Earth Dining Table in Oak. Vintage Knoll Spoleto chairs, sourced from Retro Furniture Amigo. Tokyo photographic print by Derek Swalwell. HAY Rice Paper Shade. Life Interiors Easi Woven Rope Armchair in Oak. Ceramic (on the left side of the dining table) by Bastard Ceramics, sourced from Pepite. Smaller ceramic (on the island) by Simone Karras, sourced from Pepite.

Jardan Nook sofa in Nickel/Darcy fabric with Natural Timber feet. Zachary Frankel Flute Side Table in Blue. Ovis Umber cushion from Narrow Window. Maison Balzac carafe from Green Horse. Country Road Xave Tea Towel. Painting by an unknown artist and sourced from an op-shop. Larger ceramics by Dawn Vachon, sourced from Pepite. Smaller ceramic (on the island) by Simone Karras, sourced from Pepite.

Writer
Lucy Feagins
Photography
Editorial styling

Annie Portelli + Sarah Hendriks

17th of September 2024
Architecture

Common Ground

Developer
Interior decorator
Location

Thornbury, VIC/Wurundjeri Country

Zach Anthony and Tayla Price know from experience that not all housing developments are created equal.

Their previous apartment — purchased off the plan — was heavily delayed, defective, and the builder went into administration midway through the project.

Keen to avoid the same scenario in their next off-the-plan purchase, Zach and Tayla looked for a developer and team with a better track record.

‘That experience did help us to know what kinds of things to ask, expect and look out for in this development,’ says Zach.

‘We had been following Neometro for years (ever since their 9 Smith Street development), and always dreamed of living in one of their developments, although I didn’t think it would actually happen.’

Zach and Tayla learned about a new Neometro townhouse project in Thornbury, Melbourne that was conveniently located halfway between Taylas dad’s house in Northcote, and Zach’s family home in Ivanhoe.

‘We thought that the opportunity was too good to pass up,’ says Zach.

Zach and Tayla didn’t modify any elements of the proposed architecture and interiors, which featured concrete floors and white brick and terracotta tiled walls, softened by linen sheer curtains.

Instead, after purchasing the townhouse they put a lot of thought into the furniture selection and styling for their new home, working with Ally of Alessandra Smith Design to form a cohesive scheme with Scandinavian and Japanese influences.

With Ally’s guidance, Zach and Tayla became more confident to introduce colour and a varied lighting scheme into the house.

‘Together with Ally, we focused on selections having longevity, and tried to favour those with a more “timeless” aesthetic,’ says Zach.

This objective drove a preference for iconic design pieces with decades-long appeal, including Vitsoe modular shelving (originally designed in the 1960s), an Akari lamp, and 1970s Knoll Spoleto dining chairs.

‘Ally delivered on the brief we had laid out, and we’re thrilled with how everything has come together. It really feels like a home now,’ says Zach. ‘The warmth of the furnishings and lighting makes it so easy to just relax and melt into our couch after a long day.’

Zach and Tayla love the look and feel of their stylish new home, but they’ve also been pleasantly surprised by the creature comforts that come with living in a modern development – such as great insulation, cross ventilation, and underfloor heating.

‘All the passive heating and cooling solutions make it so comfortable to be at home,’ says Zach.

We love an off-the-plan success story!

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