How-to Prepare for Your Spectra Colour Selections Appointment

1. Exterior
There are many exterior façade combinations and finishes to choose from. The facade creates the ultimate first impression of your new home for friends, family and neighbours. It’s important to think about the street appeal and find one that suits your style and also makes a good first impression. 

A classic brick façade is low maintenance and good value, or combine brick with a touch of render to create a modern contemporary style. Turn up the wow-factor by adding accents of natural materials such as wood and stone. Hebel's external wall systems are strong, solid and look fantastic too with many benefits.

To make this process simpler the Carlisle design experts have put many façade options together and offer an online comparing tool. In a few simple clicks the Carlisle Visualiser can customise your façade. Choose from hundreds of textures, materials and colours and see your home come to life right in front of your eyes.

Carlisle is proud to partner with iconic brands such as Austral, PGH Bricks, Hebel and Dulux, who are good sources of information and ideas.

2. Internals

Selecting the colours and products for your new home interior is one of the most exciting steps in the design process and at Carlisle you’re spoilt for choice.

If you’re not sure where to begin start by choosing a style or theme that you like. Once you have identified your style all the elements will come together and most of the work is done for you.

When we talk interiors most people think of the value areas of the home, such as the kitchen and bathroom. However taking the time to consider details such as doors, cornice, architrave, skirting and paint colour will help to complete the overall vision. Visit Corinthian Doors, Dulux and the interior Themes gallery for interior design and colour inspiration.

3. Kitchen

Your kitchen is often called the ‘heart of your home’ as this is where your family and friends gather with memories being shared.

The kitchen is a hive of activity with a constant flow of traffic so the kitchen design you choose will have a big impact on your lifestyle. It’s important to consider functionality as well as design.  Think about how you cook.  Do you like induction or gas cookers or would you like an extra sink and dishwasher in the butler’s pantry. Identifying what appliances you will have and where you would like these to be stored or placed will assist with deciding on a kitchen layout.

Marry design and function with hard wearing surfaces such as a Caesarstone benchtop coupled with Laminex cabinetry. Your flooring and splashback should also complement each other and complete the overall look of your kitchen.

Familiarise yourself with the wide range of available products for your kitchen design. Jump online and view products from Caesarstone, Laminex, Fisher & Paykel, smeg and Technika.

4. Flooring

Flooring is an important design element in your new home, so you should ensure that the floor you select ties in with your style and theme.

Tiles should be used for ‘wet areas’ such as the bathroom, ensuite, toilet and laundry and for the remainder of your rooms you can use a combination of flooring products. Spills and accidents happen, so hard flooring such as floorboards and tiles are ideal for your living zones. In bedrooms carpet is a great choice for warmth and comfort underfoot.

With so many options and colours to choose from we recommend that you review the below list of questions. These questions are designed to assist you with your flooring decisions in preparation for your SPECTRA Colour Selections appointment.

Consider these practical elements when making your selections;

• What rooms/areas will children mainly use?
• Do you have pets that will spend time inside?
• Room by room what are the flooring needs, what is important in the kitchen vs. the living zones?
• Is surface slipperiness a concern?
• Consider maintenance requirements and cleaning
• Are any of your family members sensitive to allergens?
• Consider short term vs. long term choices, such as refurbishments once children have grown up.

View SPECTRA online, Carpet Call and Beaumont Tiles Studio for flooring options and ideas.

5. Bathrooms

Modern bathrooms can be a luxurious sanctuary for relaxation or a practical space for the kids to bath and shower.

It’s important to design your bathroom and ensuite to meet the needs of the space, without compromising your style and taste. There are endless combinations of bathroom tiling, vanity design, tapware and colour schemes available.

Consider functionality and whether you would like to include larger items such as a bathtub, spa or double vanities.  Tapware and finishes have come a long way in recent times and there are many on-trend colours and fixtures to select from, including black, brushed brass and chrome. Whatever you select should match throughout other wet areas, such as the kitchen and laundry for continuity.

Splashbacks with feature tiles look great in the kitchen, but they also work equally well in the bathroom to add interest and create a focal point. Self-patterned, subway or herringbone tile collections are just some of the options that can add a unique style to your bathroom or ensuite.

Pinterest, Instagram, home magazines and display homes can be a great starting point for ideas. Beaumont Tiles Studio, Oliveri and Caesarstone also provide online galleries for bathroom inspiration.

6. Smart Home

In today’s tech savvy world, electrical is now more than light fittings and power points.

Consider personalising and future proofing your home with electrical upgrade options such as feature lighting, security systems, automations and multimedia systems.

The security of your home is paramount when creating a safe haven for your family. Extend your home security by including a camera and DVD recorder pack with access points throughout your home.

Do your homework and make time to browse the SPECTRA showroom electrical display. Brands we recommend such as Argus Technologies provide useful online information and advice. During your Colour Selections Appointment our experts will be on-hand to guide and advise you further on your Smart Home options.

 7. Living Green

As well as being good for the planet, our range of green products can significantly reduce the cost of running your home now and into the future and ensure comfort by keeping warmer in winter and cooler in summer.

The good news is that all Carlisle floor plans achieve a 6-star energy rating on every orientation. You then have the option to further enhance your green home with products such as solar hot water units, energy efficient zoned heating and cooling, double glazed windows, rainwater tanks and thermal insulation. Visit brands such as Rinnai and Bradford to review the benefits.

It pays to consider your green options in preparation for your Colour Selections Appointment for discussions with your consultant about incorporating them into your home design. Visit Spectra on weekends to speak with Rinnai experts about heating/cooling and hot water service needs.

To make life easier Carlisle Homes provide helpful resources to assist you with your product and colour selections.

Register for SPECTRA Online a Carlisle exclusive free online portal. Accessed 24/7 from any device it leads you through the seven key areas of your home, where you can compare options and make a short list to discuss with your consultant. 

Need more inspiration? You can’t go past Carlisle’s SPECTRA showroom in Mulgrave. Make an appointment to visit this one-stop home design showroom where you can discover an expansive range of appliances, fixtures, and fittings from some of Australia’s most reputable brands.

Don’t be nervous! Remember your consultant will be on hand to guide you through the selection process and ensure everything you choose works seamlessly together. Following these tips beforehand and preparing for your SPECTRA Colour Selections appointment will give you confidence in your decisions and make for a successful and enjoyable day.