Top-of-the-town views or country character?

Two very different styles of home have been named supreme winners in this year's Canterbury Master Builders house of the year contest.

High on Scarborough hill, a home build by Parsons Construction Ltd won the top new home award, plus awards for its craftsmanship, outdoor living, interior style and design, and was named best home over $2 million.

The interior design of the Scarborough house also won an award.
The judges called the house "a pleasure to judge, with a brilliant execution of the architect's design and the owner's dream".

A historic Darfield mansion renovated by Craig Brown Construction Ltd was named top renovation, and was the best renovation costing $250,000 to $500,000.

Judges said it was a brilliant restoration which had painstakingly returned the house to its former glory after earthquake damage. Read more