Exterior Design Ideas

John and Emily’s journey to create their dream home in Ringwood, Melbourne, began when they purchased a 670m² property in 2020. The site, previously home to a modest 1960s 3-bedroom house, was the perfect location for their vision: to demolish the old structure and build a custom-designed family home that would meet the unique needs of their family of four, including their teenage daughter and Emily’s father. With a clear idea of what they wanted, John and Emily partnered with Anabode Design and Drafting, specialists in custom home design and drafting in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, to bring their dream to life. Anabode Design and Drafting worked closely with the couple to create a bespoke double-storey dwelling that blended functionality and style seamlessly, ensuring the design was perfect for their multi-generational lifestyle. The new home includes four bedrooms, including a luxurious master suite and a guest room, three bathrooms, and a powder room. The layout was carefully considered to provide both privacy and flexibility, while still encouraging family connection. The design demonstrates intelligent architecture, solving functional challenges with elegant solutions, and maximizing the use of space without compromise. The home was designed with an emphasis on natural light, creating a bright and welcoming atmosphere. Unexpected moments of delight are found throughout the home, and the flow from the spacious living areas to the outdoor alfresco lounge and pool is seamless—perfect for both entertaining and relaxation. One of the standout features of this stunning property is the full-glass wall in the entry foyer, which offers a striking view of John and Emily’s impressive collection of vintage and high-end cars. This feature is a testament to the couple’s passion and attention to detail. While the house was under construction, John and Emily were renting in nearby Vermont. Their emotional attachment to the project was evident, as they visited the site every day, driven by their excitement and passion for the home they were about to make their own. Their dedication to the project was clear, and it was this enthusiasm that made the collaboration with Anabode Design and Drafting so fulfilling. The home was constructed by Eltcon for a budget of $1.6M–$1.7M and was completed in 2025. Throughout the building process, Eltcon worked closely with John and Emily to ensure the design was brought to life as envisioned, keeping the project within budget while maintaining the high standards of craftsmanship. This custom-designed family home in Ringwood is a true reflection of the couple’s personality and lifestyle, brought to life by the collaborative effort of Anabode Design and Drafting and their trusted builder, Eltcon. A perfect example of how passion, precision, and a clear vision can result in a home that exceeds expectations.

Modern exterior in Sydney.

Photo of a modern exterior in Manchester.

This is an example of a transitional exterior in Sydney.

Transitional two-storey stucco white house exterior in Hampshire with a gable roof.

Inspiration for a beach style exterior in Other.

Design ideas for a traditional white exterior in Auckland.

Photo of a modern exterior in Auckland.

Villa Boston, situata tra le colline di Cambridge, si distingue per i volumi sovrapposti e asimmetrici, le geometrie orizzontali e il ritmo dei rivestimenti in legno di accoya scuro, che conferiscono profondità e dinamicità alla struttura. I serramenti Skyline Minimal Frames in legno lamellare di abete con profili sottilissimi da 37 mm avvolgono la casa con vetrate fisse e scorrevoli a tutta altezza, massimizzando la luce naturale e integrando la natura negli spazi interni. Il rivestimento esterno in alluminio assicura protezione dagli agenti atmosferici, elevate prestazioni termiche e lunga durata, mentre la porta d’ingresso Skyline Entrance Door su misura e le maniglie Prestigio e Skyline Handle in cromo satinato aggiungono eleganza e raffinatezza al progetto.

Photo of a traditional exterior in Sussex.

Photo of a scandinavian exterior in Canberra - Queanbeyan.

Jouant avec les reflets de lumière, la nouvelle peau de zinc Azengar de cette maison traditionnelle initie un dialogue subtil avec son environnement, et lui donne un second souffle. À l’occasion de travaux de rénovation énergétique et de surélévation, le choix de ce matériau est rapidement apparu comme une évidence. À la fois noble et pérenne, utilisable aussi bien en bardage qu’en toiture, l’exploitation de son potentiel a permis un traitement fin des détails de retournement pour créer une enveloppe continue, comme un écrin. La teinte Azengar, douce et naturelle, en plus de réfléchir le contexte, est sensible aux variations d’ambiances et change légèrement de coloration au gré des conditions météorologiques. L’étage est entièrement isolé par l’extérieur, et la modification de charpente côté Nord dégage un nouvel espace, qui est totalement réaménagé. Ce dernier est redivisé en deux parties : la plus importante fait office de salle multimédia (pour le sport, les jeux et l’installation d’un home cinema), tandis que l’autre est transformée en une chambre d'amis d'environ 17 m². Plus qu’une simple séparation, l’élément épais qui les délimite est un véritable meuble intelligent : intégrant tantôt des étagères, tantôt une kitchenette, l’accès à la salle-de-bains ou encore des placards, il répond à de nombreuses fonctions, toutes regroupées en un unique bloc sculpté par les usages. Bien identifiable, en pin maritime contreplaqué, il structure l’espace et lui donne une atmosphère chaleureuse. Afin de rendre l’accès à la chambre d’ami indépendant, un escalier extérieur en métal à deux volées est créé dans le prolongement de l’escalier existant en béton. Orientés plein Sud sur la rue, les panneaux photovoltaïques et les grands Velux exploitent au maximum les apports solaires. Côté jardin au Nord, un ensemble de fenêtres fixes et coulissantes en aluminium occupe quant-à-lui toute la largeur de la partie surélevée, offrant au regard la contemplation d’un paysage boisé.

This striking architectural home showcases a bold, modern design with strong gable forms and a seamless blend of natural and industrial materials. The exterior features sleek black plaster cladding contrasted with stone chimney pillars and Abodo cladding details that add warmth and texture. Large gabled windows flood the interior with natural light and frame rural views, creating a sense of openness and connection to the landscape. With multiple wings connected by a central living space, the layout offers both privacy and flow—ideal for family living or entertaining. The landscaping is yet to be completed, giving a clear view of the home’s foundations and structure. Every element of this build reflects precision, quality, and the attention to detail that defines Mayhem Construction’s approach.

Design ideas for a country three-storey brown house exterior in Buckinghamshire with wood siding and a grey roof.

Sustainability was a primary focus in the design of this three-bedroom, cedar home. With views to the western slopes of the Tararua range, natural ventilation and solar gains are maximised - the open fire and wood burner are all that's required for winter heating. The design also facilitates future photovoltaic power generation. Created as a low, horizontal form that follows the contours of the hill, the home was constructed in two stages. The garage was built first to provide weekend accommodation while the property was established with native trees. The main house and swimming pool were the second stage. "This house, clad in a linear cedar and macrocarpa screen, opens up to sun and views on the hills of the Kapiti Coast. The architects guided the clients through a staged build of the house, which incorporates the key moves of passive solar design, shading, and natural ventilation. The continuation of timber paneling through the interior of the house maintains the casual but clean feel of the exterior." NZIA Awards Jury, 2020

Inspiration for a contemporary exterior in London.

Design ideas for a contemporary exterior in Bremen.

Design ideas for a traditional beige house exterior in Other with a gable roof, a tile roof and a red roof.

HARO is honoured to have contributed to this remarkable project, transforming a beloved heritage villa into a space that resonates with modern comfort and timeless charm. When it came to choosing a flooring solution that would seamlessly blend timeless elegance with modern functionality, the Smoked Oak Universal PLAZA stood out as the ideal choice. Proudly crafted in Germany, this engineered timber flooring is outstanding. Boasting an extra-wide 240mm board, it captures attention with its dark and rich brown shades, infusing the space with a classic yet contemporary ambience. Our engineered timber flooring effortlessly marries the villa’s historical essence with modern design sensibilities. The rich brown parquet pattern pays homage to the villa’s original character, while the dark tones lend an air of sophistication to the interior.