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Episode 5
Daniel Leipnik and Andrew Preston have long cherished the dream of a laid-back, barefoot life in the tropics. And they have found the ideal location at Trinity Beach near Cairns in Far North Queensland. Their ambitious new home will grace a hillside block bordering a World Heritage rainforest and overlooking the Coral Sea. After years planning this grand sea-change, they are ready at last to manage its construction. Their vision is for a classic pavilion-style pole home, nestled in the tree tops. But project managing is tough enough if you’re on site… and they’re attempting the job from 4,000 kilometres away in Melbourne, plus this is a first time experience for them both. While they believe they’ve left no stone unturned designing their South Pacific inspired hideaway, they can’t escape the challenges of the location. A precarious driveway, tropical downpours and expensive local trades are all threatening to send their budget and schedule spiralling out of control. Between pressing work commitments and the tyranny of distance, these idealists still believe they can pull off the house of their dreams. The question is, can they?
Couldn't stand Daniel and Andrews arrogance and the way they dealt with their builders. The end result - an eyesore with a mix- match of interiors. Very unclassy and match their over-inflated egos.
Arrogance?. They struck me as more concerned to get what they wanted, and reasonably so. They praised their builder at the end. As for it being an eyesore - I couldn't disagree more. I thought they blended different styles very fluently, and the end result is a home that is both beautiful and unique. I've been disappointed by some of the homes featured, but this is certainly not one of them.
Just watched this episode myself and didn't really find them arrogant, more like perfectionists and who isnt when your spending that kind of money. Your comment of an eyesore and mix-matched interiors doesn't even ring true, Kym from your post you sound a bit arrogant.
hi there, good to meet you today on fitzroy island!! a paradise! My name is Kaz Holland, my partner and i own Cairns dive centre, CDC, and the dive shop on Fitzroy, Please contact me kaz.holland@gmail if u ever fancy learning how to dive!!. Kaz
I love this place. Well done on taking such advantage of a beautiful location. I think it was well worth the money to extend out rather than back to create that tree house feel. Superb taste in decorating too. ONly question....don't the mosquitos get in between the louvres? How have you managed to combat that? Anyway, congrats on your gift to yourselves, but I think I liked Daniel's doors better! :-)
You can get fly screens built into louvre windows...
Hi. This is a truly a beautiful house! Does anyone know the music that plays in the reveal of the finished house? The piano piece?
They definitely saw these guys coming!
Fantastic home, where did they get their bath from?
Hi - the bath and basins are from Apaiser, 1300 366762. www.apaiser.com.au Made from reclaimed marble.
Must say, not my cup of tea if I was to build a grand design house, but I can appreciate its beauty - everyone involved did a fantastic job. The one thing I did love was the roof, and have bookmarked the people they used on my internet. Thanks Grand Designs and the boys for giving me an alternate way/idea on creating the perfect roof for my dream property (whenever I get the cash to do it!).
Spotted: http://www.gerardroofs.co.nz/, http://www.lifestyle.com.au/property/trinity-beach-suppliers-list-grand-designs-australia.aspx :)
What was the company who make the roofing material? I must've missed it.
One question though - the company is in New Zealand. How did you get it out to Australia - did that company install it or were the panels brought over to Australia and installed by locals?
just love it .I wish it was mine
Daniel/Andrew, i am in the process of planning my home in an area wih a lot of flies and bugs also. Has not having screens on your louves etc been an issue with the insects getting inside during the day and night. Thanks and great home guys, fantastic effort.
We would like to take the opportunity to recognise the overwhelming response to the Grand Design episode featuring the proudly built home by Reilly Building Services for Daniel and Andrew of now tropical Trinity Beach Cairns.
The whole process to creating such a production is an experience we will not forget and we would like to thank all those involved in this project including Chris Vandyke Designs for the opportunity and tendering recommendations, our subcontractors and suppliers, film crews and production staff and of course Daniel and Andrew for Selecting us as their Builder.
With so much time and money invested in building a home, it can be stressful and although some may have felt otherwise our dealings with our clients was a positive experience. Daniel and Andrew’s level of appreciation shown to us off camera has been quite overwhelming and they have continued to strongly support us and the business in any way they can. We would like to welcome Daniel and Andrew to Cairns and congratulate them on their beautiful home.
http://www.reillybuildingservices.com.au/
I watched this episode the other night and I have to totally disagree with Kym's comments. I believe when you are investing this kind of money in your dream home you have every right to be uptight and stressed. They weren't rude and arrogant, they just knew what they wanted and were prepared to pay for it. To build a house of this quality from such a distance away would be a nightmare so the owners could be forgiven for getting a little "scratchy" from time to time. I absolutely LOVED this house and everything about it. Used to love going to Trinity Beach when I lived in Cairns many years ago and this house really compliments the location....well done Reilly Building services, Chris vandyke Designs and Daniel and Andrew - if ever you want to sell this house......hmmmm......dreams are cheap!! Ali
I thought they were arrogant and disgusting. Felt very sorry for you and your team. I wouldn't have been so patient.
Very polite about your clients. Smug and rude they were. Who cares how they are to your face when they have that attitude when you're not around? Ruined the episode for viewing to a degree but congrats on a great build. It looks absolutely fantastic.
Your very kind about them - funny how they have not made a similiar comment about you! - there's something in that don't you think?
Where was the cook top from ?
www.vzug.com.au
Also the ovens, rangehood and dishwasher.
Fantastic, just goes to show you don't need a project manager or an architect to produce a great home. A good builder is worth his/her weight in gold and like many reality shows I am sure what we saw was to create drama and these guys really appreciated what he did. Well done guys, my favourite project to date.
The gorgeous balustrades and pool fencing was supplied by Sentrel Balustrades and Pool Fencing. Have to say it looks outstanding on this stunning home...just perfect for this design and the location. Yum! Well done, guys! www.sentrel.com.au
Can you tell us who was the local kitchen designer?
Kilfoy Cabinets designed and installed the kitchen using a Laminex product called sublime walnut with a fineline edge
How irritating were these men. I found them to be really quite rude and disrespectful of their builder. They had no idea what they were doing and as such should have employed a project manager or architect to manage the job rather than micro-managing something they have no appreciation of and know nothing about.
Yes, I agree. They are from Melbourne and have no idea what so ever they are in for - although I suspect cyclone Yasi "sorted them out". It is well known that slippage regularly occurs on those sites and boy won't they get "Mincy" if that happens. I agree also that they were so nasty about their trades people -imagine what goes on behind closed doors?
Absolutely agree Jane. See Marco's comment from 11 hrs ago. Nor did they have any understanding of the real challenges a tropical climate poses in building.And yet, the builder delivered. Was there much of a pat on the back for him??? Go Kevin-you are the stand out achiever here. Guessed it may have been a Van *** design-his work is so fantastic. And Chris is unassuming whilst so creative.We were lucky enough to have a home designed by him 18 yrs ago- it was a home everyone who entered loved. Not sure that the BR screens will be enough to keep all those creepy-crawlies out of the house! Snakes can slither around corners! But they have probably found that out by now... Good on the guys to have the good taste to employ a talented team.
Out of interest...what was the budget for this house, just construction and finishes?
fabulous guys, absolutely fabulous. I have to know: what brand of retractable fly screens did you use in the main bedroom?
thanks Mark, i know the brand! thanks heaps.
They wouldn't know of course as they didn't specify them. They are in fact supplied by a company called Centor, used by door and window manufacturers, such as Duce in this case.
What a magnificent house the boys have masterminded. My wife and I both love it. Great work and a credit to all involved. I had the pleasure of sanding and polishing the floors for Daniel & Andrew in their Melbourne house - under the ever watchful eye of a couple of critical Great Danes.... Excellent show, too by the way. Clint www.clintfudgefloorsanding.com.au
Debbie, Chris Vandyke Designs, the designers of this house are currently working on two projects in Darwin. You may have seen the article in the Resident Magasine.
I want this house! I love it......we live in Darwin, it would be perfect here...just have to win lotto first
Congratulations on a beautiful home. Love this design, truly exotic. The louvre windows work really well aesthetically and practically, but in my opinion obstruct the views when standing back from a distance. The guys have good taste in furnishings. The entrance door is epic and the emotion flows through to the tropical landscape. I also really like the rugs throughout. The best room in the house is the master bathroom. Simple, yet luxurious. Not sure that the landscaping out front does the house justice. In my opinion it's a bit sparse and raggedy. I feel it needs more plants, more layers. Maybe it's just a case of the existing plants maturing.
Daniel and Andrew are soooo cute - love this episode ;)
Really? - i thought they came across as naive, self-serving d--heads. Great show regardless and a great house. Is the builder still talking to them? he seemed to have delivered 110%, while all along they were trashing him behind his back.
The designers of that home were those at Chris Vandyke Designs, a local company based in Cairns. We pride ourselves on having a full understanding of tropical design.
~Stunning home......will park it away as my dream home one day when we can afford to build it here in Darwin!
Daniel....well what can I say; since we spoke on the recent flight from Melbourne to the best place in Australia:) I have been looking forward to the show...NOW I am looking forward to the invitation. Massive congratulations to you & Andrew what an amazing home you have created; our builder embraces the same ideas and strangely he is a neighbour of yours!! Enjoy your slice of paradise & see you by the pool with Moet in hand xx
who was the architect / designer?
The designers were Chris Vandyke and his team at Chris Vandyke Designs, based in Cairns,.
My company Bumble bee Treelopping were one of the first contractors to do work on this site pritty much all that had been done was some rocks wre layed on the ummmm driveway if you could call it that lol. its always a great feeling knowing that I had a sml part to play in this amazing home well done boys hope your enjoing the tropical lifestyle
Cheers
Mal Bumble bee Treelopping
A fabulous job, well done boys. Enjoy!!
I hope they have a lifetime supply of insect repellent to accompany their outdoor resort style home.
In FNQ we are the champions of environmentally friendly ways of enjoying dawn & dusk without using poison if we can be bothered as the guys have proven! With due respect read the whole article ...... and truthfully I would live there with "Anti repellent" on me 24/7 - nearly :)
Wow, this house is amazing. By far the nicest house I have ever seen! We are currently building and completely envious. Congratulations guys.
Thank you Sami, your comments are really appreciated. having given my heart and soul to this house, it's great that our talent is recognised. Much appreciated.