If ever there was a home that exemplified the phrase ‘champagne taste on a beer budget’, this clever North Canterbury place is it. For a modest investment, the owners have themselves a stunning, contemporary L-shaped barn-style nest. Clad in Black Colorsteel and cedar shiplap cladding, the cool exterior signals the innovation within. Suffice to say the interior of this three-bedroom, two bathroom home, is not afraid to stand out from the crowd. The dark-walled kitchen, with white-trimmed ply cabinetry, is given industrial-scale drama with a concrete benchtop and flooring. Although the total footprint is compact at 131sqm nothing is compromised. One of the bathrooms is a total knock-out with trendy mismatched patterned cement tiles, juxtaposed with white subway tiles, a black-framed shower and black tapware. This truly is a family home that punches above its weight and postively oozes style. As a result, it won the Resene New Home up to $450,000 National Award.