With a background as a corporate lawyer, Richard Keen should take a rational approach to property development.
But that's far from what has happened with Villas on Kaspar, a three-home subdivision at the centre of Warkworth.
To begin with, Richard and wife Kirsty bought the original villa on a 2050sqm corner site for themselves.
They planned to renovate and move in but after doing some research for the project they realised that there were more period villas in the neighbourhood and that was a catalyst for them deciding to shift the existing home to one side of the section, subdivide and build two more villas beside it.
As you would expect from a villa it has a 3m stud, board and batten-style ceilings with light roses, skirting boards, dado rails and architraves.
Outside, the veranda has wooden banisters and fretwork, while the bay windows are topped with ornate detailing and finials.
Richard says he collaborated with the tradesmen so they could express their craftsmanship.
He says: "It's one thing to have a vision; it's another thing to have the execution." But all this detailing comes at a cost.
"We blew the budget," he says. "If you are not willing to compromise on quality it costs you but families deserve a home they can live in and enjoy. You want friends to come over to your house and say, 'Wow, this is cool'."
With a garage, workshop and storage area underneath, the villa is in sympathy with its original neighbour, which was also lifted a level when it was moved. The elevation gives 2A views across the town.
2A Kaspar Street, Warkworth. Photo / Supplied
"We designed it for the view channels and that gives it a sense of spaciousness," Richard says.
The east-facing front of the home has on one side the master bedroom, which has an en suite tiled in Italian marble.
Across the wide hallway is the kitchen/family room that enjoys the morning sun and opens to the front veranda as well as a veranda running along the northern face of the home.
Sitting in this open plan space, the kitchen has a gas/electric range and engineered stone benchtops.
The breakfast bar/island bench is one element that helps to promote the sense of flow and connection that Richard was after. At the far end of this space is a dining area.
"We wanted to give the home a heart and this is what the kitchen/family room/dining room does," says Richard.
"I also wanted a separate lounge, and that has a gas fire and you can walk out of that lounge on to the veranda."
On the opposite side of the house are the rest of the bedrooms and the main bathroom - also with Italian marble tiles, and a clawfoot bath.
Richard says he has thoroughly enjoyed the process, and while some people might question features such as the extra wide hallway, he gets a kick out of them.
"I know people will play cricket in that hallway because it's so huge."
Since turning his back on a career in law, Richard says he is loving the direction his life has taken with six years in the building industry and more than 10 projects behind him.
"I go to work with a smile on my face," he says. "I really enjoy the building industry and love working with tradies."
