new build

Discover James Hardie Designs that ties to the beauty of a modern home featuring into a masterpiece & the elegance of a home built for your versatility and lifespan.

Get Inspired by Blogs on New Builds by James Hardie

New Builds

Three Birds Renovations are a HardieTM Partner.

partners

Discover about the trusted partners, expert contractors, builders and collaborations made by James Hardie™ products which deliver quality and durable home exteriors.

Blogs on Beautiful Home Collabrations with James Hardie

Partners

articles

Articles about creation of various dream homes or beautiful renovation of your home by James Hardie team, which helps you to decide best design feels for your house.

Articles on Hardie™ Products & Looks to Inspire You

Articles

Modern Coastal renovation in Sapphire Beach using Hardie Fine Texture Cladding.

hardie-finetexturecladding-moderncoastal-exterior-sapphirebeach-lores-jameshardie-1 (1)

Learn everything about the planning of some of James Hardie's renovations and collaboration with few partners to execute those plans and come up with the best results.


Checkout some of our Best Renovations till date | James Hardie Blogs

Renovations

commercial

Explore best options for Comercial Spaces, residential, School Designs by James Hardie emphasize environmental concerns having a high level of Finishing

Commercial Blogs for a Modern Community by James Hardie

Commercial

James Hardie Blogs

Discover design ideas for your renovations and new builds on James Hardie's blog. Read articles, browse our gallery, and partner with us for your dream exterior.

James Hardie Blog: Trending Design Ideas from James Hardie 

lowmaitenace-vp

A well-planned deck
Turning your traditional patio or verandah into an exciting entertainment space is the perfect way to extend your indoor living space into the outdoors. You’ll want to ensure any materials you use are hard-wearing to stand up against repeated use and the elements (from heavy rain to harsh sunshine), and the renovation itself shouldn’t break the bank. Choosing a product like HardieDeck™ means you get all the elegance of a sleek and sturdy deck without the drawbacks of traditional timber. Made from James Hardie’s™ premium fibre cement, the HardieDeck is a stylish addition to any outdoor space. It works just as well for your exterior dining area as it does around the edges of your pool. Outdoor kitchen for entertaining There’s nothing quite like firing up the barbie and inviting friends and family over for a meal out in the sunshine. A kitchen outside is a great way to use your outdoor space, but you need to ensure the materials around it will be able to withstand the hot summer days and rainy weather, and won’t get stained from spills and dropped food. Linea Weatherboard is the ideal choice for an outdoor kitchen – not only is it modern, durable and easy to install, but it’s resistant to shrinking, swelling and cracking. One last thing to remember for any outdoor kitchen: if you plan to install a barbecue on your deck, make sure the flooring is heat resistant and strong enough to support the extra weight of large appliances.

Modern Coastal - Discover about every aspect of Coastal Look for your dream home and dream renovations and offer a new look to your home with James Hardie

Modern Coastal- Know All About Coastal Look | James Hardie

Modern Coastal 

The Great Ocean Reno: A seamless integration of modern coastal design with original '30s charm

When Lucy Glade-Wright, Designer at Hunting for George and her husband Jonno Rodd decided to renovate, their vision was to transform a 1930s weatherboard beach shack on The Great Ocean Road, Lorne Victoria, into a relaxed holiday haven with enough room to accommodate their family and friends.
<img src="//images.ctfassets.net/rg5y8r6t6cjr/1ky1OmyfXH05g8Xmpv2AZd/4adacfe587cdad6c33266fab3ca6b62a/linea-moderncoastal-exterior-BEFORE-AFTER-huntingforgeorge-lornebeachhouse-jameshardie-3.webp" alt="linea-moderncoastal-exterior-BEFORE-AFTER-huntingforgeorge-lornebeachhouse-jameshardie-3" />
No strangers to renovations; not only did they artfully restore the home, but they added an impressive extension turning it into a five-bedroom, five-bathroom Beach House fit for purpose.
“We’ve renovated a few houses now, but this was definitely our biggest project,” said Lucy.
<img src="//images.ctfassets.net/rg5y8r6t6cjr/2lrDLTaCWsx1NNgPpN6qQv/5a8695e1e4f423d5e64bf9fa8870cdad/Exterior-Hunting-for-George-Reno-Goals-Lorne-Beach-House-DJI_0866.webp" alt="Exterior-Hunting-for-George-Reno-Goals-Lorne-Beach-House-DJI 0866" />
According to Jonno, the exterior transformation of the build needed to reflect a modern coastal design that complemented the existing home and its environment. They also wanted to future-proof the home to make it more efficient.
“Part of the exterior design requirements from council were to preserve the look of the existing building. The top half of the exterior had somewhat flat panelling, while the lower half had standard weatherboards. So, to get a modern look with the softness and charm of the original home we used <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/categories/cladding/hardie-fine-texture-cladding">Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding</a> on the upper level and <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/categories/cladding/scyon-linea-weatherboard">Linea™ Weatherboards</a> below, both by James Hardie,” said Jonno.
<img src="//images.ctfassets.net/rg5y8r6t6cjr/1AzoscVurCHThrcksmAraN/ce27f0024fefd408c85aac313a28a105/Hardie-finetexture-cladding-linea-weatherboards-jameshardie3.webp" alt="Hardie-finetexture-cladding-linea-weatherboards-jameshardie3" />
Lucy and Jonno chose Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding for the upper level of the Beach House because of its lightweight composition which makes the product incredibly easy to install and maintain.
The bush setting and close proximity to the unforgiving elements of the ocean meant that the exterior finishes not only had to look amazing, but they also needed to be fit for purpose, low maintenance and durable. 
<blockquote>
 Jonno explains, “We are in a BAL29 fire rating area, so it was very important to use materials that are resistant to fire and comply with the National Construction Code… The home is also close to the ocean and exposed to a lot of different weather conditions, so the main consideration for us in addition to fire ratings was longevity. Linea™ Weatherboards by James Hardie combines the durability and low maintenance of fibre cement with the design flexibility to achieve your vision. By using the Hardie™ exterior cladding products, we got the best of both worlds", he said.
</blockquote>
Lucy’s background in interiors and design meant that the couple had a very clear idea on what they wanted in terms of the design and functionality of the house. They had an architect work on the basic drawings for council approval and added assurance they were adhering to the council’s guidelines. Beyond that, Jonno and Lucy managed the entire build themselves.
Jonno said, “The whole process was fairly straightforward, my brother works in construction management, so he helped me manage timelines as well as working on the tools with Lucy and I”. 
Lucy painted most of the façade on her own and had just three days to paint the exterior before the scaffolding had to come down.
<img src="//images.ctfassets.net/rg5y8r6t6cjr/2k5lYUYT8E9FTi3FQsbYZR/2559757bcc595fd51b28f453ff7247a7/linea-exterior-moderncoastal-lornebeachhouse-huntingforgeorge-jameshardie-7.webp" alt="linea-exterior-moderncoastal-lornebeachhouse-huntingforgeorge-jameshardie-7" />
"The Linea™ Weatherboards were fantastic to paint because they didn't require any prep-work; they come pre-primed, and all of the nail holes are hidden because the boards layer over each other. All I had to do was make sure they were clean, and I could paint straight over the top of them, saving me lots of valuable time,” Lucy explained.
"When it comes to creating a modern coastal colour palette it's all about fresh whites and classic greys, so we combined Tranquil Retreat Dulux Weathershield on both the Linea™ Weatherboards and Hardie™ Fine Texture CLadding and Natural White Dulux Aquanamel on the window frames", said Lucy. 
<img src="//images.ctfassets.net/rg5y8r6t6cjr/2L28jONFMZTmqT5cs3H2Ts/4246bee9cdc4d0dbf96294ba97734d91/linea-exterior-moderncoastal-lornebeachhouse-huntingforgeorge-jameshardie-1.webp" alt="linea-exterior-moderncoastal-lornebeachhouse-huntingforgeorge-jameshardie-1" />
<img src="//images.ctfassets.net/rg5y8r6t6cjr/33g1snESGxJ4gF3ATKRTky/3bd4416ad2ad804e2d271299de378145/linea-exterior-moderncoastal-lornebeachhouse-huntingforgeorge-jameshardie-6.webp" alt="linea-exterior-moderncoastal-lornebeachhouse-huntingforgeorge-jameshardie-6" />
<img src="//images.ctfassets.net/rg5y8r6t6cjr/1zsoJMAewMENXmJ0N19nkZ/c0ead1b33faf2ac641f387d4696c4195/Exterior-Hunting-for-George-Reno-Goals-Lorne-Beach-House-DSC00308.webp" alt="Exterior-Hunting-for-George-Reno-Goals-Lorne-Beach-House-DSC00308" />
The project took 12 months to complete, and the end result is a seamless combination of modern coastal features and original charm.
<img src="//images.ctfassets.net/rg5y8r6t6cjr/3Mk0tkD0BMa1koPPT7tP8R/332ab4a835da48b1cd580d9b09f7add0/Exterior-Hunting-for-George-Reno-Goals-Lorne-Beach-House-DJI_0841.webp" alt="Exterior-Hunting-for-George-Reno-Goals-Lorne-Beach-House-DJI 0841" />
“We’re incredibly proud of how it all came together. I especially love the integration of the new addition to the existing home. Being able to walk through the house in its entirety and experience all the design elements coming together is very rewarding,” Jonno said.
Watch the full transformation below.
<a href="https://youtu.be/TYyJLVoWeVo" class="embedly-card" data-card-width="80%" data-card-controls="0">Embedded content: https://youtu.be/TYyJLVoWeVo</a>
<blockquote>
 Ready to specify Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding?
 Order a <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/order-your-sample-kit">Sample Kit</a>
</blockquote>

Beach House renovation in Lorne by Hunting for George.

linea-moderncoastal-exterior-BEFORE-AFTER-huntingforgeorge-lornebeachhouse-jameshardie-3 (3)

Read how the original 1930s weatherboard beach shack has been transformed into a relaxing holiday haeven with the help of James Hardie products & solutions.

Seamless Integration of modern coastal design | James Hardie

Discover how a California Bungalow transformed into a modern coastal masterpiece. 

What was a humble California Bungalow located on a sloping block in Sydney’s Balmoral Beach, has been transformed into a sun-drenched, family home that now complements its magnificent coastal location.
<img src="//images.ctfassets.net/rg5y8r6t6cjr/Cyl97vwjHzltugNS7JPqb/b48eaafa7d56ff510b2219a6a0757538/linea-modern-exterior-balmoralhouse-downienorth-jameshardie-1.webp" alt="linea-modern-exterior-balmoralhouse-downienorth-jameshardie-1" />
Owners Claire and Steve Jolly, hired architects Downie North to turn their tired California Bungalow into a Modern Coastal dream home. Their brief was to open up the interior by creating a larger, more open-plan living and dining space, add more bedrooms and bathrooms and of course, bring in the light.
They also wanted to reconnect the garden to the house and update the exteriors to reflect the colours of nearby Balmoral Beach – all without sacrificing the original appeal of California Bungalow design.
<img src="//images.ctfassets.net/rg5y8r6t6cjr/3OeJanDBLSYcgBJsEvRnmF/23450f7e6875a48ad687aa2af5e7ec50/linea-modern-exterior-balmoralhouse-downienorth-jameshardie-4.webp" alt="linea-modern-exterior-balmoralhouse-downienorth-jameshardie-4" />
The California Bungalow hit the heights of popularity in Australia during the 1920s and is especially prevalent in our suburban areas. Its hallmark brick exterior, gabled roof and front porch often hid an internal layout of enclosed spaces and sparse opportunities for natural light; making them the perfect renovation project for those who appreciate the external charm but want a modern, more livable interior space.
<img src="//images.ctfassets.net/rg5y8r6t6cjr/7D6TfOv7jmmYWKkEKOHdly/5c214e5bbee97e01ab20733ec4090676/linea-modern-exterior-balmoralhouse-downienorth-jameshardie-2.webp" alt="linea-modern-exterior-balmoralhouse-downienorth-jameshardie-2" />
What was created was a cathedral-like seven metre high ceiling over the central dining room that makes the area the focal point of the house. Four north-facing skylights release light into the house, transforming the home into a relaxed oasis that only reveals itself as you walk through the property.
<img src="//images.ctfassets.net/rg5y8r6t6cjr/7BQ093HF9mrQn58g7jFao0/adc0d1c4e341efb21cb7b24752825ba8/linea-modern-exterior-balmoralhouse-downienorth-jameshardie-5.webp" alt="linea-modern-exterior-balmoralhouse-downienorth-jameshardie-5" />
“We drew inspiration from the beachside location and local landmarks of Bathers Pavilion and Rotunda, and Grotto Point lighthouse”,
“The weatherboards balance a desired informality and relaxed coastal quality with the formalism of the original bungalow, whilst reading as a cohesive unified whole,” she explains.
<img src="//images.ctfassets.net/rg5y8r6t6cjr/tgMpDYZP8m8zaEAkgyeAp/1fdb8afea4f63bed6fee273d67f148b2/linea-modern-exterior-balmoralhouse-downienorth-jameshardie-3__1_.webp" alt="linea-modern-exterior-balmoralhouse-downienorth-jameshardie-3" />
Hardie Linea™ Weatherboards are ideal for creating a Modern Coastal look. The smooth texture and clean modern lines provide the distinctive charm of a deep shadow weatherboard without the maintenance of timber.
“We’re just so happy with the end result, explains Claire. “We’ll be enjoying this renovation for many, many years to come.”
Architect: <a href="https://www.downienorth.com/">Downie North</a>
Builder: <a href="https://www.nettleconstruction.com.au/">Nettle Construction</a>
Photographer: <a href="https://katherinelu.com/">Katherine Lu</a>
For more Modern Coastal design ideas download our <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/modernlookbook2021">Modern Look Book</a>. 
For renovation ideas download our <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/renovationguide">Home Renovation Guide</a>.

linea-modern-exterior-balmoralhouse-downienorth-jameshardie

The Balmoral Beach House project sees a California Bungalow transformed into a Modern Coastal Masterpiece.

Balmoral Beach House

Discover how a california bungalow transformed into a modern coastal masterpiece with the help of James Hardie without sacrificing the original design.

California Bungalow transformed into a Modern Coastal Masterpiece

Top tips for working with your designer to achieve your dream home

Red tape, sloping sites, bushfire zones – at their core, <a href="https://www.darklightdesign.com.au/">Darklight Design</a>, are problem solvers. As a building design firm, the 5-year-old team have worked to realise the home visions of hundreds of clients.
“We’ve set in stone what this company strives to do every day, which is push the envelope of solving problems,” says managing director Adam Butcher.
Finding solutions in partnership with his clients is central to Adam’s purpose for Darklight. Together, designers and owners have to balance the world of design, with the vision that they have in mind. The synergy and drive to complete a stunning piece of work comes from careful relationship building and acknowledging that each client – and each build – is different.
No matter the job, Adam has found that there is no right or wrong when approaching the relationship between owner and designer. The key to the best relationships is a shared understanding of the journey, then they can avoid bumps along the way.
So, what advice does Adam give to help designers and owners work better, together?
<h2 id="findthebestfit">Find the best fit</h2>
First up, don’t rush. Do your research. You can look on Instagram and Pinterest and get a sense of what you like, but then get out there and ring different designers to find out more about their processes.
<blockquote>
 “Go to sites, ask existing customers about their experiences, and get references,” recommends Adam. “Get exposed as much you can to the day-to-day operations of how the building process actually works.”
</blockquote>
<h2 id="knowwhatyouwant">Know what you want</h2>
Knowledge and understanding, Adam explains, are key ingredients to building a good owner-designer relationship. This doesn’t mean that owners need to understand the ins and the outs of the industry. But coming to the table with some knowledge around the look that you want to achieve for the house is really beneficial to a relationship with a building designer. The more a client can articulate and talk through their vision, with the use of example images, magazine articles and style guides, the better it is for the design process and achieving their dream.
For Adam, the more information the client can provide before a shovel goes into the ground, such as planning, councils, neighbours – the better. This also applies to one of the biggest elements of the build: the money behind it. Clear and shared expectations on budget are crucial. “If a client says they have half a million dollars to spend, then it’s a half million dollars,” says Adam.
<h2 id="makecollaborationthethirdpartnerintherelationship">Make collaboration the third partner in the relationship</h2>
While it’s great to have the ideas and looks locked down, Adam also is a big proponent of a ‘living brief.’ As the client and designer work together to execute a vision for the perfect home or reno, it’s important to understand that approaches can change along the way – and that is a good thing.
<blockquote>
 “The best brief from owner to designer is a ‘green brief’ – one that is living and ever evolving,” Adam says.
</blockquote>
Darklight’s role is to interpret the client’s vision, which can sometimes lead to evolving and improving those ideas. “We have clients who come with a preconceived idea of what they should be getting,” he says, “but then we’ll come up with a design, and give the rationale behind the method and how we got to that point – always for the better.”
<h2 id="itsallaboutthecommunication">It’s all about the communication</h2>
Above all, Adam values honesty and transparency in his relationships with clients. “Having clients who understand the outcomes they’re getting and what they’re spending their money on is critical to clients being happy,” Adam says. His approach is to be detailed and provide a truthful approach to the process.
<h2 id="howthebeachhousewasborn">How the Beach House was born</h2>
This tried-and-tested process of collaboration and no-fuss communication served Darklight well on their recent project, the Beach House. The clients were a young family, who loved the beach and wanted a house to match. They began their journey by doing their research, and landed on Darklight Design, who were able to pull off their vision of a strong and open house, to complement their coastal views. And James Hardie’s range of fibre cement exterior products were critical to achieving their look.
<img src="//images.ctfassets.net/rg5y8r6t6cjr/5EiK6Ovp1ijh6SNRgrxok2/b38913014f97b850710d4e49749abb11/SecretHarbour_02-1536x1037.webp" alt="SecretHarbour_02-1536x1037" />
This vision, one that Adam describes as “a beach house with surfboards laying out on the front deck, not prim and proper, just raw in its essence” – called for durable materials that could hold their own against the coastal setting. All over the exterior, Darklight used <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/categories/cladding/scyon-linea-weatherboard">Linea™ Weatherboards</a> by James Hardie to create the coastal style that was the “hero” of the house. The clean horizontal lines of <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/categories/cladding/scyon-linea-weatherboard">Linea™ Weatherboards</a>, complimented by its ability to hold block colours on expansive walls, help pull off that coastal feel. Plus <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/accessory/linea-aluminium-corner-soaker">James Hardie’s Linea Aluminium Corner Soaker</a> was used to create neat and cost effective solution that also maximised the visual impact of the weatherboards.
Being made from James Hardie durable fibre cement, the weatherboards have the resistance to moisture, cracking and swelling that holds paint and looks better for longer.
The <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/categories/cladding/scyon-linea-weatherboard">Linea™ Weatherboards</a> summed up the two main draw cards for Darklight, when using James Hardie – their user-friendly nature, and versatility. “We use James Hardie on at least 90% of our builds,” says Adam, and that’s due to the wide range that is available, allowing building designers to find the perfect product to suit every unique build.
<img src="//images.ctfassets.net/rg5y8r6t6cjr/7uVfh49NZW8DFD4uM9k7FB/27fb4ba49c9cdeafa2cd3448fda46d12/SecretHarbour_19-1536x1024.webp" alt="SecretHarbour_19-1536x1024" />
Matching materials with vision isn’t just about looks for now. James Hardie’s range of fibre cement exterior products are resistant to damage from moisture and termites and rated to Bushfire attack level 40 (BAL40) – so you can build for tomorrow.
The Beach House project was a harmonious build, with clients who had a vision, knew the look that they wanted to achieve, and were able to communicate openly and honestly with Darklight Design. The end product was a dream home, clad <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/categories/cladding/scyon-linea-weatherboard">Linea™ Weatherboards</a> by James Hardie and produced with the coastal feel that the clients were chasing, while making the process straightforward as well.
Looking for looks and inspiration? Visit James Hardie’s design ideas blog <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/blog">here</a>.
Photography: <a href="http://www.jodydarcy.com/">Jody D’Arcy</a>

SecretHarbour 01-scaled

Discover top tips to work with your designer to create your modern home. From selecting the right design team to communicating your home design ideas for your home.

Top Tips for Your Designs to Achieve Your Dream Modern Home

SecretHarbour 03-1067x1600

SecretHarbour 04-1067x1600

SecretHarbour 07-1600x1067

SecretHarbour 10-1600x1067

SecretHarbour 12-1067x1600

SecretHarbour 14-1067x1600

SecretHarbour 15-1067x1600

SecretHarbour 16-1067x1600 

Bring your dream facade to life with James Hardie and Style Sourcebook

The façade of a home is often overlooked, however, it’s one of the most important elements for creating instant street appeal. Visualising and creating a design for your façade is just as important as designing your interior, and the two should complement each other to marry the exterior and interior spaces. The key to a well-designed home is knowing the style you like and the elements that achieve the look. For most people, it’s a challenge on where to begin!
Collating a mood board can help define and refine your vision for your home exterior. Mood boards should include images that showcase colours you like and textures and materials you want to use. Take into consideration each aspect of your façade including exterior walls, roof, front door, fence and accompanying furniture.
James Hardie has recently partnered with <a href="https://stylesourcebook.com.au/">Style Sourcebook</a>, a sophisticated mood board tool to connect renovators and new home builders to endless design possibilities, and has invited key design influencers to create mood boards with a focus on Modern Looks. Here you’ll see inspiring interpretations of modern design and how you can mix and match materials to create your own unique style.
<h2 id="boxmodern">Box Modern</h2>
This look emphasises the arrangement of different shaped boxes to create a contemporary home. “The box shape is a modern design element used in architecture to create clean lines and strip back design to its purest form,” says Maria Cerne, Interior Designer at <a href="https://www.studioblack.com.au/">Studio Black Interiors</a>.
<img src="//images.ctfassets.net/rg5y8r6t6cjr/Oxor11M6M5Z6cKYLocMBB/0ca22bfe258df3382e29d166bc0731f6/Box_Modern_-_Studio_Black.webp" alt="Box_Modern_-_Studio_Black" />
<a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/looks/modern/box-modern">Box Modern</a> mood board designed by <a href="https://www.studioblack.com.au/">Studio Black Interiors</a>. 
The key elements in creating a <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/looks/modern/box-modern">box modern</a> facade are to use the clean lines of vertical, horizontal, or even panel cladding to distinguish each box shape. James Hardie products, <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/categories/cladding/scyon-axon-cladding">Axon™ Cladding</a> and <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/hardie-fine-texture-cladding">Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding</a> are ideal in this application. Paired with a palette of dark and light colours in tones of black, white and grey, creates a home that has a sophisticated and high-end feel.
<h2 id="midcenturymodern">Mid Century Modern</h2>
Taking inspiration from the 1930s to the 1970s, a main principle of this look is ‘form follows function’, meaning the purpose often comes before the design. 
<img src="//images.ctfassets.net/rg5y8r6t6cjr/6iKZbLo5i3eumBD2SyHv5x/5559e3500c216993a523ca9b46d05533/Mid_Century_Modern_-_Oleander_and_Finch.webp" alt="Mid_Century_Modern_-_Oleander_and_Finch" />
<a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/looks/modern/mid-century-modern">Mid-Century Modern</a> mood board by <a href="https://www.oleanderandfinch.com/">Oleander and Finch</a>.
<blockquote>
 “There are a few sure ways to achieve a mid-century façade. Try a pop of bold colour on the front door and sticking to clean lines and geometric shapes just as you would with mid-century interiors. The earthy hues, <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/categories/cladding/scyon-linea-weatherboard">Linea™ Weatherboards</a>, timbers, stone and texture cladding used in this colour palette reflect the handcrafted organic nature of <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/looks/modern/mid-century-modern">Mid-Century Modern</a> design. Landscaping should be minimal. Think plants indigenous to your area, and a focus on marrying the interior with the exterior,” says <a href="https://www.oleanderandfinch.com/">Oleander and Finch, Interior Designer</a>.
</blockquote>
<h2 id="mixedcladding">Mixed Cladding</h2>
This look is all about mixing, matching and layering different materials and styles of cladding to create an interesting and unique look with design variation. 
<blockquote>
 “To achieve a coastal luxe <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/looks/modern/mixed-cladding">mixed cladding</a> look, I recommend using a blend of <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/categories/cladding/scyon-linea-weatherboard">Linea™ Weatherboards</a>, <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/scyon-matrix-cladding">Matrix™ Cladding</a> and <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/categories/cladding/scyon-axon-cladding">Axon™ Cladding</a> by James Hardie in whisper white. The softness of whisper white, offset by texture of stone and timber, plus a feature doorway complements James Hardie’s range and completes the final look,” says Ashley Madison, Creative Founder of <a href="https://www.instagram.com/am_interiordesign_studio/">AM Interior Studio</a>.
</blockquote>
<img src="//images.ctfassets.net/rg5y8r6t6cjr/6OE6tNhmmAkcgvXYtpeLHw/552aaed551383db79cb33d51589d7092/AM_Interior_Design_Mixed_cladding.webp" alt="AM_Interior_Design_Mixed_cladding" />
<a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/looks/modern/mixed-cladding">Mixed Cladding</a> mood board by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/am_interiordesign_studio/">AM Interior Studio</a>.
Mixing <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/categories/cladding/scyon-linea-weatherboard">Linea™ Weatherboards</a> with its deep shadow lines with a vertical joint cladding such as <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/scyon-matrix-cladding">Matrix Cladding™</a>, <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/hardie-fine-texture-cladding">Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding</a> or <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/categories/cladding/scyon-stria-cladding">Stria™ Cladding</a> will provide instant street appeal. To create a contemporary aesthetic, carefully place windows at the same height, and to complete your modern look, choose a monochrome colour palette but finish the last 10% of your colour palette with timber tones or an unexpected pop of colour.
<h2 id="moderncoastal">Modern Coastal</h2>
Reflective of Australia’s beach shack history, the <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/looks/modern/modern-coastal">Modern Coastal</a> look is a combination of crisp white weatherboards and contemporary clean lines with a luxury outdoor living vibe.
<blockquote>
 “When creating a <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/looks/modern/modern-coastal">Modern Coastal</a> façade, start with the main exterior element – weatherboards as it covers the entirety of the home. It is important to mix textures such as weatherboards with timber, bricks, natural stone and tiles,” says Court + Riss, Co-Founders of <a href="https://www.boneandblanc.com.au/">Bone+Blanc Interior Design Studio</a>.
</blockquote>
<img src="//images.ctfassets.net/rg5y8r6t6cjr/3H2HAlAcTLvOStMU8tfpqZ/0a2612999d3ca60eed508e52de781e35/Modern_Coastal_-_Bone___Blanc.webp" alt="Modern_Coastal_-_Bone___Blanc" />
<a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/looks/modern/modern-coastal">Modern Coastal</a> mood board by <a href="https://www.boneandblanc.com.au/">Bone+Blanc Interior Design Studio</a>
Key elements to create the <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/looks/modern/modern-coastal">Modern Coastal</a> look include crisp white <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/categories/cladding/scyon-linea-weatherboard">Linea™ Weatherboards</a>, <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/categories/cladding/scyon-stria-cladding">Stria™ Cladding</a> and <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/categories/cladding/scyon-axent-trim">Axent™ Trim</a> by James Hardie, a roof style that provides a simple designer look (flat, gable or skillion) and large, impressive windows placed carefully in the façade. Embrace the relaxed coastal styling with wide stacking doors, deck chairs, outdoor umbrellas, neutral and natural textures and lots of outdoor plants.
<h2 id="scandibarn">Scandi Barn</h2>
The popularity of modern farmhouses and barn-style homes in Australia have increased. The <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/looks/modern/scandi-barn">Scandi Barn</a> look encourages simplicity, minimalism with a touch of Scandinavian influence. 
The <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/looks/modern/scandi-barn">Scandi Barn</a> look is characterised by its steeply pitched gable roof of 35 to 45 degrees, with corrugated steel sheets preferred over tiles as the material of choice. <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/categories/cladding/scyon-axon-cladding">Axon™ Cladding</a> and <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/categories/cladding/scyon-linea-weatherboard">Linea™ Weatherboard</a> by James Hardie provide the perfect façade, and in choosing a bold colour palette, you can bring your dream home to life. Interiors showcase the pure barn shape with vaulted ceilings with its open floor plan with skylights, light timber floors and the use of neutral and natural materials.
<img src="//images.ctfassets.net/rg5y8r6t6cjr/vgQ34KXW8SrQ1eLK0ffNN/334a8c0c6b5fe9f8207797a179969e3c/Scandi_Barn_-_The_Stables.webp" alt="Scandi_Barn_-_The_Stables" />
<a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/looks/modern/scandi-barn">Scandi Barn</a> mood board by <a href="http://www.thestables.com.au/">The Stables.</a>
To get creative, start your mood board and bring your design vision to life, visit <a href="https://www.stylesourcebook.com.au">Style Sourcebook here</a>.

Scandi Barn - The Stables

Discover the key to a well-designed contemporary home by knowing which façade style you like which includes exterior walls, roof, front door, fence and furniture.

Know How to Bring Your Dream FaçAde to Reality with James Hardie

A modern example of how style, sophistication and seclusion can meet.

We all want a space that we can call our own - even more so when so much of our lives are so public. Our modern lives now live on feeds and tags and timelines - but we all want a home where we can retreat to our world. A private place that gives us all the comfort we need as well as reflecting how we live modern life.
Privacy - with a capital P - was key to the brief given to the team behind <a href="https://www.reecekeildesign.com.au">Reece Keil Design</a>, with their customer looking for a open-plan, single storey villa that could be built in Queensland’s suburban Miami. They also wanted to live their lives hidden from view, yet have a year-round resort feel; and from that description sprang <a href="https://www.reecekeildesign.com.au/villa-sunshine/">Villa Sunshine</a> - a home that’s a modern example of how style, sophistication and seclusion can meet. 
<a href="https://www.reecekeildesign.com.au/villa-sunshine/">Villa Sunshine</a> also took out the Best Use of James Hardie Award at the annual <a href="https://bdaa.com.au/">BDAA</a> Awards, after the James Hardie judging panel fell in love with a facade that was protective, yet not imposing. The team created the villa’s height by using the tactile <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/categories/cladding/scyon-axon-cladding">Axon™ Cladding</a> by James Hardie, which meant that the client’s goal of visual privacy from neighbours and the street was achieved. 
<h2 id="acladdingthatsmadeforthesunshinestate">A cladding that’s made for the sunshine state</h2>
Working with a small lot, the team had to transform a 405m2 site into a welcoming retreat. Basking in the sunny Queensland glow, it was also important to ensure that the facade could stand up to the elements, while still having a hefty amount of street appeal. When viewed from the street, the facade shape and size was also designed to offset the tall, overhanging neighbouring properties. 
<img src="//images.ctfassets.net/rg5y8r6t6cjr/2JRHqN8DCLFoFkEgfvBGFB/8b47dfcf7f2b13c36457047bc62f0afa/Web_Res-33.webp" alt="Web_Res-33" />
The team chose to use <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/categories/cladding/scyon-axon-cladding">Axon™ Cladding</a> 133 Grained as a crucial part of the home’s facade, due to its ability to add the appearance of height to the property, ensuring that the client’s privacy is put first. 
<blockquote>
 “It’s quick and effortless to install, and the grained texture finish paired with the recessed vertical lines on the surface of the board add depth and height to a wall face,” says Reece Keil, the designer of the project. 
 “This was an important aspect to the success of this design; creating a sense of space within a confined space.”
</blockquote>
The property features the panels in both dark grey and white, providing a dramatic yet intriguing look that can be glimpsed from the street. 
The judging panel agreed, describing the home as a “refreshing, modern design that makes terrific use of the small lot size.” The panel also highlighted the illusion of height achieved through the use of the cladding, “whilst also allowing for a tactile finish.” 
There were a few key reasons to choose the fibre cement cladding, rather than alternative facades, such as brick or timber. The cladding takes up less space than brick as well as being flexible and easy for builders to install and work with. Cladding is fixed to the building frame, adding less weight to the home, instead of the more cumbersome brick option, which is typically installed on a specially-designed slab. 
Being made from long-lasting and durable fibre cement means that <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/categories/cladding/scyon-axon-cladding">Axon™ Cladding</a> can retain the aesthetic charm of timber, but without the longevity issues of shrinking, swelling and warping. The cladding is also resistant to moisture and fire damage, as well as being a low-maintenance material, to match the low-maintenance ethos of the home. The durability and reliability of the cladding was key, when considering that the exterior would be exposed to a significant amount of exposure to sun in Queensland. 
<h2 id="theprominenceofpassivedesign">The prominence of passive design</h2>
When the James Hardie panel judged the entries for the BDAA Design Awards, there were a few reasons that <a href="https://www.reecekeildesign.com.au/villa-sunshine/">Villa Sunshine</a> stood out - and its embrace of passive performance was a key element. 
While <a href="https://www.reecekeildesign.com.au/villa-sunshine/">Villa Sunshine</a> is placed on the small block, the team used positioning to ensure that it could benefit from natural sources of heating and cooling, through the sun and breezes. The careful design and orientation of the home took into consideration elements such as the pool, which <a href="https://www.reecekeildesign.com.au">Reece Keil Design</a> positioned to sit in the sun all day, maximising natural heat. The team also took into account the south-easterly breezes that could help cool down the outdoor space. The lightweight construction of <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/categories/cladding/scyon-axon-cladding">Axon™ Cladding</a>, when combined with insulation, also helps to keep the home at a cool temperature. 
<img src="//images.ctfassets.net/rg5y8r6t6cjr/7q2aFbqIYsL76pje6ki0w6/9182723ed77317b3e5d1d0714602787f/Web_Res-31.webp" alt="Web_Res-31" />
Passive design also came into play with the privacy brief. The team were able to use styling tactics, such as planting hedges and shrubbery along the fence lines to block the lines of sight from the neighbours, and also doubled as shade for the footpaths. By limiting the windows toward the back of the home as well, these rooms could stay private, while also not getting too much afternoon sun, and ensuring that the interior of the home remained cool. While the outside of the home basks in the balmy Queensland sun, while the inside provides a cool retreat from the heat of the day. 
<h2 id="internalcalmtomatchamodernexterior">Internal calm to match a modern exterior</h2>
When entering <a href="https://www.reecekeildesign.com.au/villa-sunshine/">Villa Sunshine</a>, you undergo a seamless transition: from contemporary facade to those same, modern values carried throughout the home. 
A neutral grey forms the basis of the interior structure, appearing on the concrete walls of the bathroom, and mellowing to a cool, cloud-coloured marble on the kitchen island. Black fittings - from the sinks to the lights - ground the space by providing a great contrast to the lighter colours, while high ceilings help diffuse the copious amounts of light. 
<img src="//images.ctfassets.net/rg5y8r6t6cjr/1fk7q6OerJgAY7NUOChqkO/41cb4e9f26b3ac57bd5673cfe4f47396/Web_Res-16.webp" alt="Web_Res-16" />
The main living space of the home is completely open-plan, featuring an oversize vaulted ceiling with exposed beams that serve to accentuate the height. The space also opens out onto the alfresco areas and other outdoor spaces, connecting indoor and outdoor while still remaining visually protected. 
Coupling clever and deliberate design, while using the right facade material in <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/categories/cladding/scyon-axon-cladding">Axon™ Cladding</a>, the team at Reece Keil were able to create the perfect, private sanctuary. And they managed to win the Best Use of James Hardie Award as well - a well-deserved achievement that our judging panel deemed ‘spectacular.’
<a href="https://youtu.be/YGZjz8yRt20" class="embedly-card" data-card-width="80%" data-card-controls="0">Embedded content: https://youtu.be/YGZjz8yRt20</a>
Learn more about how Axon™ Cladding can transform your home <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/categories/cladding/scyon-axon-cladding">here</a> 
Order a Sample <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/order-a-sample">Here</a>

Axon™ Cladding used on an award winning home, Villa Sunshine.

axon-cladding-exterior-modern-villasunshine-jameshardie

Explore the modern example from Jame Hardie of how style, sophistication, and seclusion meet together with Axon™ cladding to create a stunning new modern home.

Modern Home - Know How Style, Sophistication & Seclusion Can Meet

Modern Coastal Axon Cladding Villa Sunshine QLD side shot

Modern Coastal Axon Cladding Villa Sunshine QLD front shot

Modern Axon Cladding Villa Sunshine QLD Wide shot

Modern Axon Cladding Villa Sunshine QLD Rear Deck 

Linea™ Weatherboards by James Hardie bring a dream home to life

Bonnie, Lana and Erin of <a href="https://www.threebirdsrenovations.com/">Three Birds Renovations</a> had a clear vision when embarking on the Three Birds Dream Home; to create a unique take on the <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/looks/modern/modern-coastal">Modern Coastal</a> house style that people could buy and build on an average block of land. Working closely with builders, <a href="https://www.rawsonhomes.com.au/">Rawson Homes</a>, to bring their vision to life, <a href="https://www.threebirdsrenovations.com/house14">House 14</a> has been meticulously designed by <a href="https://www.threebirdsrenovations.com/">Three Birds Renovations</a> to bring together all the best design features from their most loved homes, so Australian homeowners can own the very ‘best of the Birds’.
Each design element, building material, fixture and fitting has been hand-picked by <a href="https://www.threebirdsrenovations.com/">Three Birds Renovations</a> with the aim of creating the epitome of ‘Coastal Cool’. From the second you lay eyes on the Three Birds Dream Home, it’s clear that the team nailed the brief.
<img src="//images.ctfassets.net/rg5y8r6t6cjr/3GlLM1OYtbIH03CZY8qFda/1b2733802ef44ce90dba2a44f7fbfe25/linea-moderncoastal-exterior-3birdsrenovations-house14-jameshardie-11.jpg" alt="linea-moderncoastal-exterior-3birdsrenovations-house14-jameshardie-11" />
The stunning front façade is instant street appeal with its striking textured weatherboard exterior. Bonnie, Creative Director of <a href="https://www.threebirdsrenovations.com/">Three Birds Renovations </a>explains, “When it comes to your home’s exterior, you want to get it right. It’s the first thing you see when you pull up in the car, so you want to make sure it puts a smile on your dial. The street appeal of your home will have a big impact, good or bad, on its market value. You know what they say, first impressions last.”
To achieve a fresh <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/looks/modern/modern-coastal">Modern Coastal look</a>, Three Birds chose <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/categories/cladding/scyon-linea-weatherboard">Linea™ Weatherboards</a> by James Hardie in the wider 180mm width. Very familiar with the cladding products from James Hardie, Bonnie praised “its smooth, contemporary profile, with deep shadow lines” and the product credentials as the main drawcards. The look is also reminiscent of the summer holiday beach houses Australians are fond of.
“When we’re making design choices for the exterior of our homes, it’s all about how we want the home to look, so we turn to our vision board. It was imperative that we chose an exterior finish that gave the home the character to fit in with a street full of original cottages and bungalows. Using <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/categories/cladding/scyon-linea-weatherboard">Linea™ Weatherboards</a> by James Hardie was a no-brainer.”
“<a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/categories/cladding/scyon-linea-weatherboard">Linea™ Weatherboards</a> are made from fibre cement, a combination of wood fibres, sand and cement which means it is super durable and won’t warp or swell. It’s also resistant to damage from moisture and termites - all the things that make timber weatherboards require ongoing attention. Fibre cement is low maintenance and won’t need to be repainted as frequently as timber boards either.”
Sitting front and centre of the block, the home captures the brightness of the location while creating interest with a slowly shifting play of light created by <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/categories/cladding/scyon-linea-weatherboard">Linea™ Weatherboards</a>, which are used around the full façade of the home.
While <a href="https://www.threebirdsrenovations.com/">Three Birds Renovations</a> have opted for a white, coastal look, <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/categories/cladding/scyon-linea-weatherboard">Linea™ Weatherboard’s</a> can be painted in a range of different colours to suit your vision. Where it is generally recommended to avoid dark colours when painting timber weatherboards, the fibre cement composition of <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/categories/cladding/scyon-linea-weatherboard">Linea™ Weatherboard’s</a> will stand the test of time. Homeowners can confidently choose a dark weatherboard look, without the concern of accelerated deterioration.
<img src="//images.ctfassets.net/rg5y8r6t6cjr/4b9Ct4Akxufcbi6asOM6So/51422bcbf8260abeefbc3b27d631f1bc/linea-moderncoastal-exterior-3birdsrenovations-house14-jameshardie-59.jpg" alt="linea-moderncoastal-exterior-3birdsrenovations-house14-jameshardie-59" />
In addition to aesthetics, <a href="https://www.threebirdsrenovations.com/">Three Birds Renovations</a> chose <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/categories/cladding/scyon-linea-weatherboard">Linea™ Weatherboards</a> for a range of practical reasons. In terms of budget, the wider width boards allow for tongue and groove ends, meaning they can be joined without a supporting stud, reducing both wastage and cost, while preserving internal space.
Bonnie explains, “The most common alternative to building your home with cladding is to use brick veneer. With brick you’ll lose up to 14cm of internal floor space, right around the perimeter of the house, as brick is a much thicker substrate than cladding. If you’re building a Three Birds Dream Home on a smaller block size, you’ll be thrilled we chose <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/categories/cladding/scyon-linea-weatherboard">Linea™ Weatherboards</a> instead of bricks because it’s gained internal floor space, giving the homeowners more bang for their buck in their living spaces.”
In addition to this, James Hardie’s range of fibre cement products are also bush fire resistant, so are suitable for use within BAL rated properties.
With the careful selection of quality building materials and a strong design vision, Three Birds Renovations has created a beautiful dream home, designed to last a lifetime.

linea-moderncoastal-exterior-3birdsrenovations-house14-jameshardie-10 (1)

Discover how James Hardie's Linea™ Weatherboards can give striking exterior & bring a dream home to reality with its smooth, contemporary and deep shadow lines.

Know more about Linea™ Weatherboards with Blogs By James Hardie

The James Hardie and Style Sourcebook partnership allows you to create the facade you’ve always wanted, it’s never been easier to realise your renovation or design vision.  Style Sourcebook is a FREE easy-to-use mood board tool that helps you create beautiful, shareable mood boards that will act as an invaluable visual guide throughout your entire journey.

JH21099-myHardievision

James Hardie x Style Sourcebook: a vision for your dream home exterior

It’s easy to become overwhelmed by the sheer amount of choice you have when designing for your build or renovation, especially with so much inspirational content right at your fingertips. That’s why, when you’re renovating your home, collating a mood board can do more than just inspire you. 
It’s important to ensure that your materials, finishes, fittings and colour all work together to create a cohesive end product, and a mood board can help define - and refine - your vision. 
But what happens when you’ve found the inspiration for your dream home exterior? You need to be able to break down the elements into actual products and materials, so that you can approach the rest of the design process feeling educated and empowered. 
Enter the partnership between <a href="https://stylesourcebook.com.au/create-mood-board">Style Sourcebook</a> and James Hardie, which has one overarching goal: to connect renovators and new home builders to endless design possibilities. By introducing you to a variety of look options - for both your interior and exterior spaces - you can build up a mood board that will act as an invaluable visual guide throughout your entire journey. The <a href="https://stylesourcebook.com.au/products?category=external-cladding">Style Sourcebook</a> platform works to give you an innovative and interactive opportunity to create mood boards for your dream home look, using real products from a huge range of retailers, which now includes James Hardie. 
<img src="//images.ctfassets.net/rg5y8r6t6cjr/5fWDeyr0kkIHythiZAZkFu/278204190f4f86144d930a60ebded4bb/The_Stables_James_Hardie_moodboard.webp" alt="The_Stables_James_Hardie_moodboard" />
Take inspiration from <a href="https://www.instagram.com/the_stables_/">The Stables'</a> <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/looks/modern/scandi-barn">Scandi Barn</a> Mood board 
When renovating or designing a home, the interior is often considered first; however, with street appeal becoming more of a focus, the wide range of James Hardie exterior cladding solutions on the platform can help to further drive that interest. It’s important for homeowners to prioritise exteriors just as much as interiors in the design process to gain that street appeal they desire, and the tool now offers the integration of design for both spaces. 
<h2 id="itsaseasyasdragndrop">It's as easy as drag 'n' drop</h2>
<a href="https://stylesourcebook.com.au/create-mood-board">Style Sourcebook</a> goes further than just visuals, by allowing you to use real products from James Hardie and other trusted retailers that you had planned to turn to. 
According to Lisa Cousens, Founder of <a href="https://stylesourcebook.com.au/products?category=external-cladding">Style Sourcebook</a>, the idea is that homeowners can mix and match across virtual retailers.
“Often, that can be very time consuming, if you’re doing it offline: having to get swatches and samples,” she says. “So our key feature is a drag and drop mood board tool that enables you to mix and match products.” 
<img src="//images.ctfassets.net/rg5y8r6t6cjr/3e2DnuRwLds3AtOP7wBRc/c4058298c45ec0bd334ca7f17ca4b66b/SSB-Mockup-Facade.webp" alt="SSB-Mockup-Facade" />
The partnership with James Hardie solves a key problem: the site had been able to facilitate the interior design needs of homeowners, but the exterior choices were not always able to be cohesively connected. 
<a href="https://stylesourcebook.com.au/products?category=external-cladding">Style Sourcebook</a> also allows you to break down all of the components of your exterior, into real products and materials. This means you can better visualise your paint, lighting and cladding - all in the one place, bringing your renovation or design vision to life with ease. 
For example, if you’re looking for a <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/looks/modern/modern-coastal">Modern Coastal-style</a> in and out, you could consider weatherboards, such as <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/categories/cladding/scyon-linea-weatherboard">Linea™ weatherboards</a> by James Hardie, which are just one click away. Or, if you’re wanting a modern design that favours clean lines, such as the <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/looks/modern/box-modern">Box Modern</a> look, then your cladding of choice may be <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/hardie-fine-texture-cladding">Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding</a>. Either way, this collaboration allows you to get the best idea of what your finished product will look like, by linking the vision that you want with the specific materials needed to achieve it. 
<img src="//images.ctfassets.net/rg5y8r6t6cjr/54C9fr0tFqtEmn4G03mWfE/d80148b861cd8348038e2b6f6e4a3b65/Villa_Styling_Jmaes_Hardie_Moodboard.webp" alt="Villa_Styling_Jmaes_Hardie_Moodboard" />
Be inspired by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/villastyling/">Villa Styling's</a> <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/looks/modern/modern-coastal">Modern Coastal</a> Mood board
<h2 id="definingyourvisionandsharingitwithyourcommunity">Defining your vision and sharing it with your community</h2>
Your <a href="https://stylesourcebook.com.au/create-mood-board">Style Sourcebook</a> mood board can operate as an interactive shopping list that you can share with your building or design team, and allow you to pull together a vision. They also provide a constant reference point across the build, ensuring that everyone is on the same page about the specific wants and needs of your home. 
According to Lisa, “Interior designers or specifiers within the builder find it useful if the consumer brings their mood board to their selections appointment, and says ‘this is the look I’m thinking of.’ It helps them start the conversation and narrow down the choices,” she says.
With new trends constantly emerging, your mood board can be the best place to identify the look you will eventually choose for your home. There are a few examples of dominant trends on the platform. Lisa also points out that Modern Coastal has been a recent popular style. You can use the site to achieve this look, through putting together light coloured <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/categories/cladding/scyon-linea-weatherboard">Linea™ weatherboards</a>, with bulky <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/categories/cladding/scyon-axon-cladding">Axon™ Cladding</a> around the window frames, to nail a chunky, boho look. 
Another style that leaps out on the site is the new, minimal Japandi, which focuses on clean aesthetics. If you’re wanting to recreate this style, you could search for cladding products such as <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/hardie-fine-texture-cladding">Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding</a>. These subtly-textured panels can be arranged to give a striking, yet pared-back look - perfect for Japanese and Scandinavian-inspired homes. 
<img src="//images.ctfassets.net/rg5y8r6t6cjr/4goXp1oEDchE3CRVOX198h/2a4f07c5b7245417b7c550f29697fc84/Box_Modern_-_Studio_Black.webp" alt="Box_Modern_-_Studio_Black" />
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/studioblackinteriors/">Studio Black Interior's</a> <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/looks/modern/box-modern">Box Modern</a> Mood board
<h2 id="yourstyleevolutioncourtesyofstylesourcebook">Your style evolution, courtesy of Style Sourcebook</h2>
The <a href="https://stylesourcebook.com.au/create-mood-board">Style Sourcebook</a> design community displays the latest trends by showing you the creations of interior designers, and other at-home renovators. That way, you are exposed to new and innovative ideas for the exterior of your home. By featuring certain products on the site’s homepage, <a href="https://stylesourcebook.com.au/products?category=external-cladding">Style Sourcebook</a> can introduce users to new looks and styles that they can then replicate in their own homes, helping users to be inspired by new and emerging exterior design trends, 
With James Hardie and <a href="https://stylesourcebook.com.au/products?category=external-cladding">Style Sourcebook</a> teaming up to help you create the facade you’ve always wanted, it’s never been easier to realise your renovation or design vision.
Get started now! Head to <a href="https://stylesourcebook.com.au/create-mood-board">Style Sourcebook</a> and create your mood board to start to bring your vision for the exterior of your dream home to life: <a href="https://stylesourcebook.com.au/products?category=external-cladding">Style Sourcebook External Cladding </a>

NEW-moodboard-header-image

James Hardie collabrates with Style Sourcebook to connect renovators and new home builders to offer an endless design possibilities to your dream home exterior.

Get Your Dream Home Exterior with James Hardie & Style Sourcebook

The Fast and The Fabulous: Two Houses in Twelve Weeks

<h2 id="themodernlook">THE MODERN LOOK</h2>
Building a forever home requires a lot of thought and preparation. Now, imagine the planning and preparation required if you were building your forever home in just 12 weeks! That’s exactly what Catherine Heraghty, interior designer and owner/creative director of <a href="http://www.thestablesco.com.au/">The Stables</a>, and her family did when they decided to knock down their existing home and build a new two-house duplex (one of which would become an investment property) in its place. Here, she shares the story behind her new home.
<h2 id="aknockdownrebuild">A KNOCKDOWN-REBUILD</h2>
“We lived in a seventy-year-old two-bedroom home and wanted to expand our family,” says Heraghty of her motivation to rebuild their family home in the Sydney suburb of Caringbah.
“We knew it would be very difficult to renovate a house like ours, so the decision was made to develop the block we lived on with our builder <a href="https://futureflip.com.au/">Futureflip</a>. We would gain the extra bedroom we needed, upgrade our home and space for about the same price as a renovation once we sold the investment property next door.”
Work began in February of this year and ended in May. During which, the existing house was knocked down and two houses built on the 500m2 block. Each has two levels, three bedrooms, two bathrooms and an outdoor entertaining area.
<img src="//images.ctfassets.net/rg5y8r6t6cjr/2Wkv1KTjLsHC1dkjhFlOJY/b33bb255b24f517d49eb344e601b0b48/lUfJohtw-1600x1067.webp" alt="lUfJohtw-1600x1067" />
<h2 id="themoderncoastallook">THE MODERN COASTAL LOOK</h2>
Heraghty says they wanted their new home’s exterior to stand out and be a cross between coastal and modern. “We wanted something striking! We live in an area where there are a handful of duplexes in every street. There is so much development and we felt that there was a lot of the same architecture being put up, so it was very important that ours stood out amongst the crowd.”
They also wanted the extra space for the interior, while ensuring it remained consistent with the exterior of the houses. “As an interior designer, it was really important to me that the look flowed from the outside through to the inside.”
<img src="//images.ctfassets.net/rg5y8r6t6cjr/4SawXWEtVhmDWlYw2zHmAP/cf3926a9842ebf1a97e881f53b70248f/two-in-twelve-bedroom.webp" alt="two-in-twelve-bedroom" />
<h2 id="choosingcontemporarymaterials">CHOOSING CONTEMPORARY MATERIALS</h2>
James Hardie products were central to creating Heraghty’s desired look with both houses being clad entirely in the exterior cladding range from James Hardie. “We used <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/categories/cladding/scyon-axon-cladding">Axon™ Cladding</a> around the bottom floor of the house to create a very sleek and contemporary feel. We used <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/categories/cladding/scyon-linea-weatherboard">Linea™ Weatherboard</a> upstairs to give the build a coastal weatherboard feel and we chose to paint the <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/categories/cladding/scyon-linea-weatherboard">Linea™ Weatherboard</a> in white for a more classic look. Together, the <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/categories/cladding/scyon-axon-cladding">Axon™ Cladding</a> and the <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/categories/cladding/scyon-linea-weatherboard">Linea™ Weatherboard</a> sit really well! I love that the exterior of our home has a nice balance of contemporary and coastal.”
Describing her personal style as “quite welcoming”, Heraghty says while the exterior of the duplexes are quite modern and sleek she was able to make them feel warmer with the use of <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/categories/cladding/scyon-stria-cladding">Stria™ Cladding</a> around for the houses’ party walls and <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/categories/cladding/scyon-linea-weatherboard">Linea™ Weatherboard</a> on the top level.
<blockquote>
 “Having the look of the <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/categories/cladding/scyon-linea-weatherboard">Linea™ Weatherboard</a> really gave the exterior some much-needed texture and really softened the look. It was so important to me that the home did not feel too cold seeing as we were using a lot of darker colours! Internally, the architecture was quite minimal but again I was able to soften this up with the use of warmer colour palettes and textured finishes making the home feel friendly and inviting.”
</blockquote>
<img src="//images.ctfassets.net/rg5y8r6t6cjr/PCVswhASQEagY1wPrOvID/d7bb044fd85262672a82f2fa97bc1fe7/E3Vssm8Q-1600x1192.webp" alt="E3Vssm8Q-1600x1192" />
<h2 id="thebuildingprocess">THE BUILDING PROCESS</h2>
Heraghty says the three biggest lessons she learnt from the project were the importance of creating a concept and sticking to it, aligning yourself with experts in the field, and working with a great builder.
<blockquote>
 “Having a builder that is passionate about their work and willing to try new things and step outside the square is a must. Neil Hipwell from Futureflip was amazing every step along the way. He was always coming up with solutions and was excited to try new things!”
 “We used <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/categories/cladding/scyon-axon-cladding">Axon™ Cladding</a> around the bottom floor of the house to create a very sleek and contemporary feel. We used <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/categories/cladding/scyon-linea-weatherboard">Linea™ Weatherboard</a> upstairs to give the build a coastal weatherboard feel and we chose to paint the <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/categories/cladding/scyon-linea-weatherboard">Linea™ Weatherboard</a> in white for a more classic look. Together, the <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/categories/cladding/scyon-axon-cladding">Axon™ Cladding</a> and the <a href="https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/categories/cladding/scyon-linea-weatherboard">Linea™ Weatherboard</a> sit really well! I love that the exterior of our home has a nice balance of contemporary and coastal.”
</blockquote>
The integrity of the materials was also of high importance. “Aesthetically we felt that the exterior cladding range from James Hardie were far superior products – there are some beautiful profiles to choose from and we managed to get them all on our house! The fact that the cladding is made from fibre cement sheeting means that its durability cannot be beaten, we know it’s going to stand the test of time!”
<h2 id="afamilyforeverhome">A FAMILY FOREVER HOME</h2>
With the project now complete and the family settled into their new home, Heraghty says they are really looking forward to spending their first summer in it.
<blockquote>
 “We have lots of beautiful large windows, which we have not been able to really use yet! I can’t wait to have the large sliding doors open on hot summer nights while we watch TV. That is going to be such a luxury. I am also really looking forward to having lunches out on the deck in summer, as we never had an outdoor area, the best we could do was throw a picnic blanket down so enjoying the outside in a real entertaining area is going to be a real luxury for us!”
</blockquote>

gZDqJbkw

Building your forever home? read about how to build 2 houses in 12 week by using Axon™ Cladding, Linea™ Weatherboard, Stria™ Cladding and other Hardie™ products